PATIENT SPECIFIC ADJUSTMENT OF COCHLEAR IMPLANT INSERTION TRAJECTORIES

An electrode guide device is described for inserting a cochlear implant electrode array into a scala tympany of a patient cochlea has an electrode guide tube and an end positioner at least partially contained within a cavity of the guide tube at the distal end and slidable within the cavity for adjustable extension beyond the distal end. The end positioner has a natural curvature that is constrained by the cavity of the guide tube for any portion contained within the cavity of the guide tube, and any portion of the end positioner extended beyond the distal end follows the natural curvature. The electrode array can be introduced through the groove of the guide tube along a first directional line towards an electrode opening in the patient cochlea, and then the distal end of electrode array emerging from the guide tube is redirected by the extension of the end positioner along a different second directional line through the electrode opening.