Overview
Cochlear implants are devices used to give hearing to the deaf. A receiver on the exterior of the skull collects sound and passes electric impulses to the implant, which generates electric impulse that stimulate nerve cells in the inner ear. The goal of this project is to use improved computer simulation and visualization methods to develop cochlear implants that are more effective and geared to the needs of the specific patient.
These images show the utility of visualization through all stages of a collaboration with Dr. Charles Finley, a research associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine and a former RENCI Faculty Fellow. Early on, visualization can be essential for discovering bugs and anomalies in data sets. As the project progresses, visualization helps to determine how the positioning of the cochlear implant probe (image 2) affects the resulting electric field, and thus affects the outcome for the patient–how well they will be able to hear.
Overview
Cochlear implants are devices used to give hearing to the deaf. A receiver on the exterior of the skull collects sound and passes electric impulses to the implant, which generates electric impulse that stimulate nerve cells in the inner ear. The goal of this project is to use improved computer simulation and visualization methods to develop cochlear implants that are more effective and geared to the needs of the specific patient.
These images show the utility of visualization through all stages of a collaboration with Dr. Charles Finley, a research associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine and a former RENCI Faculty Fellow. Early on, visualization can be essential for discovering bugs and anomalies in data sets. As the project progresses, visualization helps to determine how the positioning of the cochlear implant probe (image 2) affects the resulting electric field, and thus affects the outcome for the patient–how well they will be able to hear.
Project team
David Borland
Eric Knisley
Partners
Dr. Charles Finley, UNC School of Medicine
Mark Reed, UNC Research Computing
