Virtual cochlear implant insertion for medical education

A surgical simulator has been developed for the purpose of training otologists in cochlear implantation. The simulation provides real-time visual and haptic feedback during implant insertion into the human Scala Tympani (ST). The benefits and possible outcomes for this type of simulator are presented. Methods for model generation are discussed, for anatomical and prosthetic structures used in the simulation. Development of the interactive model with force-feedback is presented, with results.