MED-EL to showcase ground-breaking technology at CI 2018
MED-EL to present OTOPLAN, RONDO 2 and the company’s commitment to individualisation, putting MED-EL at the forefront of innovation in hearing loss solutions
June 27, 2018 — (Innsbruck, Austria) — MED-EL, a global manufacturer of hearing implant systems and solutions, will showcase two new, industry-leading technologies at this year’s CI 2018 conference – OTOPLAN, a cutting-edge surgical planning software for otological procedures; and RONDO 2, the world’s first audio processor with wireless charging. Both products are at the forefront of developments in medical technology, and demonstrate MED-EL’s innovation and leadership in the field of hearing solutions.
OTOPLAN in use at the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) in Belgium with the Department for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery: pictured from left is Prof. dr. Vedat Topsakal, MD, PhD; Prof. dr. Vincent Van Rompaey, MD, PhD; Professor Paul van de Heyning, Chairman, Professor and Prof. dr. Griet Mertens, Ma Audiology, PhD.
MED-EL will also present the company’s commitment to delivering individualised cochlear implant (CI) solutions – the next step in the evolution of hearing implants.
CI 2018, held from 27-30 June, in Antwerp, Belgium, focuses on advances in the field of audio technology, reviewing the latest scientific and technology developments.
“With many years of research behind them, OTOPLAN and RONDO 2 are pushing the boundaries in hearing technology, and we are proud to bring such innovation to the market,” says David Rätz, Director of Product Management for MED-EL. “We are also excited to present what, we strongly believe, is the next step in the evolution of cochlear implant technology – individualisation of cochlear implant systems. This approach fits the implant to the patient, and not vice versa, tailoring the device to each patient’s anatomy and needs, ensuring each patient reaches their best possible hearing.”OTOPLAN
In partnership with CAScination AG, specialists in surgical navigation and robotic solutions, MED-EL has developed a revolutionary otological surgical planning software – OTOPLAN.
The surgical planning tool enables otologic surgeons to map a patient’s exact anatomy, before making their first incision. With OTOPLAN it is possible to quickly generate patient-specific, 3D reconstruction from medical images, and easily picture each patient’s unique anatomy. In the case of CI surgery, OTOPLAN assists surgeons to visualise the optimal CI electrode array from MED-EL’s comprehensive electrode portfolio, to address each patient’s individual anatomy.
“OTOPLAN is the result of several years of collaboration with CAScination to develop the next generation of surgery planning tools. Giving surgeons the ability to map each single case clearly in 3D allows key surgical decisions to made, ensuring the best possible outcome way ahead of the surgery itself,” says David Rätz.
OTOPLAN in use at the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) in Belgium: on left Professor Paul van de Heyning, Chairman, Professor and Prof. dr. Vincent Van Rompaey, MD, PhD, from the Department for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
RONDO 2
RONDO 2 frees implant users from the need to regularly replace batteries in their audio processors. The new design makes the device easy to use, more cost effective, and is friendlier for the environment.
“We are so used to charging our mobile devices wirelessly at home overnight, so why not charge your audio processor in the same convenient way?” says David Rätz. “It’s the next logical step for cochlear implant systems and we are so excited to be pioneering the way forward.”
Wireless charging allows users to power their implant system with 18-hours of battery life for each four-hour charge, giving users a full day of hearing from one overnight charge. It also saves users from the hassle of using and replacing disposable batteries, and therefore helps to protect the environment.
For more information, and to register your interest, visit rondo2.medel.com.
Individualised CI
The evolution of CI has three dimensions – technology, nature, and individualisation. The basis for any CI is technology; all implants depend on signal processing, electrode technology, power consumption, and MRI compatibility to be functional. Two decades ago MED-EL added a second focus, nature. Mirroring and utilising natural hearing led to concepts such as hearing preservation, combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS), FineHearing and complete cochlear coverage. The result was improved speech understanding and a more natural sound quality – the closest thing to natural hearing.
Today MED‐EL is pursuing a new chapter in CI: individualisation. The aim is to tailor the CI to an individual’s anatomy and condition, meaning the implant fits to the patient rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach where the patient needs to adapt to their implant. MED‐EL has always followed the philosophy that patients need to be considered individually. With new technologies available, or on the horizon, this philosophy can be carried forward to pursue the individualised CI.
For further information about OTOPLAN and individualisation at MED-EL please view the OTOPLAN Interviews featuring Professor Paul van de Heyning and colleagues from the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and the OTOPLAN Press Images.
Download Additional Material (press package with images and videos)
About MED-EL
MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has grown to more than 1,900 employees and 30 subsidiaries worldwide.
The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 123 countries to enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include; cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined Electric Acoustic Stimulation hearing implant system, auditory brainstem implants, as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. For more information, visit www.medel.com.
About CAScination
CAScination AG, was founded in 2009 and is focusing on disruptive computer assisted surgical solutions to benefit the patient’s quality of life. The CAS-One system offers patients with primary liver tumours and metastases an alternative to extensive open liver resection. CAScination has demonstrated that more patients can benefit from potentially curing tumour treatment compared to existing techniques. The company has established itself, in recent years, as a leader in computer-assisted and image-guided liver surgery and is currently expanding globally. The company’s product pipeline offers solutions for tumour treatments on more organs, as well as a robotic platform enabling micro-precision, minimally-invasive surgery. For more information, visit www.cascination.com.
CEO
Doz. DI Dr DDr med. h.c. Ingeborg Hochmair
Press contact
Lisa Azwanger-Geser
MED-EL Medical Electronics
Fürstenweg 77a
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
T: +43 5 7788-1029
E: [email protected]
www.medel.com
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