Effects of object ‐to‐detector distance and beam energy on synchrotron radiation phase‐contrast imaging of implanted cochleae

ConclusionsThe results of this study show that SR ‐PCI is a viable method to visualize implanted human cochleae. SR‐PCI is less invasive, less labour intensive and is associated with a much lower acquisition time compared to other methods for postimplantation imaging in humans, such as histological sectioning. We found that the optimal combinat ion of E and ODD parameters was 72 keV and 2 m, respectively. These parameters resulted in high‐contrast images of the electrode as well as all internal structures of the cochleae.Lay DescriptionCochlear implants (CI) are currently the preferred method of treatment for hearing loss. Cochlear implantation surgery involves placement of a metallic, wire ‐shaped electrode inside the cochlea, the main organ of the human hearing system. Knowledge of the exact location of the electrode after implantation is beneficial in improving the extent of restored hearing. Common clinical imaging modalities such as computed‐tomography (CT) are not ideal for p roviding such information, due to lack of resolution and streaking caused by the metallic electrode. Recent studies have developed algorithms to extract the electrode location from clinical computed‐tomography images and have been validated using histology or micro computed‐tomography (micro‐C T). Synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging (SR‐PCI) is a high‐resolution imaging technique used to visualize small structures in three dimensions. Recently, SR‐PCI has been shown t...
Source: Journal of Microscopy - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research