Electrode locating systems and methods for use within a cochlear implant patient

A system comprising:

• a memory storing instructions;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to:
• perform, in real time during an insertion procedure that is being performed to insert a plurality of electrodes disposed on an electrode lead into a cochlea of a patient, a sequence of excitation spread measurements comprising a particular excitation spread measurement that includes:
• directing a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to generate an electrical pulse at a particular time during the insertion procedure when the first electrode has already been inserted into the cochlea, and,
• in response to the generation of the electrical pulse by the first electrode, detecting a voltage between a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that has not yet been inserted into the cochlea and a ground contact that is to remain external to the cochlea after the insertion procedure;
• determine, in real time during the insertion procedure and based on the particular excitation spread measurement, that the second electrode has not yet been inserted into the cochlea at the particular time;
• determine, in real time during the insertion procedure and based on the sequence of excitation spread measurements and the determination that the second electrode has not yet been inserted into the cochlea at the particular time, an insertion depth of the electrode lead within the cochlea.

A method comprising:

• performing, by an electrode locating system during an insertion procedure that is being performed to insert a plurality of electrodes disposed on an electrode lead into a cochlea of a patient, an excitation spread measurement by:
• directing a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to generate an electrical pulse at a particular time during the insertion procedure when the first electrode has already been inserted into the cochlea, and,
• in response to the generation of the electrical pulse by the first electrode, detecting a voltage between a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that has not yet been inserted into the cochlea and a ground contact that is to remain external to the cochlea after the insertion procedure;
• and
• determine, by the electrode locating system and based on the excitation spread measurement, that the second electrode has not yet been inserted into the cochlea at the particular time.