Neuromonitoring using compound action potential and cochlear blood flow during cochlear hypoxia for neurosurgery

A neuromonitoring system using compound action potential (CAP) and cochlear blood flow (CBF) is developed to assess the functional status of the cochlea during hypoxia. The system uses a specially designed optic probe capable of acquiring CAP and CBF signals and modules to process and display these signals. The system is tested in rabbits by creating cochlear hypoxia by manual compression of the auditory nerve and acoustic artery. Results show that CAP and CBF measurements can provide almost real time information on the status of the cochlea under compromising situations.