Micro-molded cannulae for intracochlear infusions in small rodents.
The design, fabrication, and testing of micro-cannulae with integrated insertion stops is presented. The micro-cannulae were engineered through the use of a silicon micro-mold fabricated via bulk-silicon micro-machining techniques. The use of microelectronic fabrication techniques allows precise control of three critical parameters, insertion depth, interface contact area, and tubing out of round. Worst case variations were found to be 5microm for insertion depth, 502microm(2) for interface contact area, and 7% for tip out of round. Histological evaluation revealed the cannula to be located correctly within the basal portion of scala tympani.
Johnson
Dean G
DG
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623 USA. dgj2607@rit.edu
Zhu
Xiao Xia
XX
Frisina
Robert D
RD
Borkholder
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008904:Miniaturization / Q000379:methods; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; C078082:silastic 4-4210; C029945:polyimide resin