Cochlear Implant Localization System

The system of claim 6, further comprising:

• a removable sleeve positionable over the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• wherein the trackable portion includes an EM tracking device configured to have a signal induced therein based on the generated electromagnetic field;
• wherein the EM tracking device is fixed to the removable sleeve;
• wherein a position of the EM tracking device is determined based on the signal by the processor system executing instructions;
• wherein the removable sleeve remains at a selected fixed position relative to the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly during implantation.

A system to track an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly, comprising:

• a localizer configured to be positioned near a subject in which the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is to be positioned,
• wherein the localizer is operable to at least one of generate a field or inject a current into the subject, and
• wherein an electrode portion is formed with the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly configured to at least one of sense the field or sense a voltage based on the current;
• a processor system configured to receive a signal from the electrode portion initially purposed as a tracking device associated with the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• a display device configured to display at least one of a position or shape of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• wherein the electrode portion of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is configured to be purposed to transmit a stimulation signal to a cochlea of the subject.

A method to track an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly, comprising:

• positioning a localizer near a subject in which the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is to be positioned;
• operating the localizer to at least one of generate a field or inject a current into the subject, operating a tracking system having a processor system to receive a signal from a tracking device with the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly configured to at least one of sense the field or sense a voltage based on the current;
• displaying on a display device a position of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• configuring an electrode portion of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly to be operated to transmit a stimulation signal to a cochlea of the subject after implantation of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly.

A system to track an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly, comprising:

• a localizer having at least three pair of axis electrodes, wherein each pair of axis electrodes are attached to a subject and are driven to inject a current into the subject between each pair of axis electrodes of the at least three pair of axis electrodes;
• an electrode portion of an implantable stimulator electrode array configured to at least sense a voltage based on the injected current;
• a processor system configured to receive a signal from the electrode portion initially purposed as a tracking device associated with the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• a display device configured to display at least one of a position or shape of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• wherein the electrode portion of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is configured to be purposed to transmit a stimulation signal to a cochlea of the subject.