Manchester, UK – 14 August 2025 – In a major milestone for UK healthcare, Emma Stapleton FRCS, Consultant Otolaryngologist and Surgeon at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, has successfully performed the UK’s first cochlear implant surgeries using OTODRIVE and OTOARM systems. These precision tools were developed through a collaborative effort between hearing implant leader MED-EL and medical engineering innovator CASCINATION AG.
The surgeries were performed at Manchester Royal Infirmary, where the expert surgical skills of Emma Stapleton were combined with the advanced technology of the OTODRIVE and OTOARM systems. These tools are designed to support surgeons in performing cochlear implant surgery with enhanced control and consistency, while still relying on the expertise of the surgeon.
OTODRIVE is a system that allows surgeons to insert cochlear implant electrodes with highly controlled motion, at speeds as slow as 0.1 mm per second. This supports a more deliberate and stable surgical approach. OTOARM, on the other hand, assists in positioning surgical tools with high accuracy, reducing the impact of natural hand tremors and enabling smoother, more consistent movements.
Emma Stapleton shared her perspective on being the first surgeon in the UK to use these precision tools for otologic surgery:
“It’s a great honour! I’m really grateful for all the support from MED EL, and of course from within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, for supporting its implementation.”
She also shared her first impressions of the systems, stating:
“It’s a lovely, elegant system. It’s easy to set up and use, and doesn’t take up space in the operating room, as it attaches to the operating table and can be manoeuvred easily both before and after draping. I was also impressed with its use with the operating microscope – I’d expected this to be a challenge but it worked really well. It didn’t add on much time to the procedure either – just a few extra minutes.”
When discussing the reactions of her patients to the new technologies, Emma noted that they trusted the team to deliver the best care for them. She also shared that one patient had done a lot of reading about robotic cochlear implant surgery and understood the importance of the OTODRIVE system in supporting a slow and smooth insertion of the electrode.
The OTODRIVE and OTOARM systems are designed to reduce physical strain and simplify workflows for surgeons, allowing them to focus on delivering the best possible care. For patients, the increased precision during cochlear implant surgery may help minimize trauma to the cochlea, support the preservation of delicate inner ear structures, and preserve any remaining residual hearing.
This milestone at Manchester Royal Infirmary is part of a global wave of innovation in cochlear implant surgery. The UK now joins leading centers worldwide in adopting machine-assisted precision tools that are reshaping the future of hearing care.
To learn more about the OTODRIVE and OTOARM systems, visit the MED-EL blog at https://blog.medel.com/technology/cochlear-implant-surgery/.
*CASCINATION AG is the legal manufacturer of OTODRIVE, while MED-EL is the exclusive distributor.
References
Chen, J.M., Lin, V.Y.W., Le, T.N., Spiegel, J.L., Ungar, O.J., Bajin, M.D., Ladak, H.M. and Agrawal, S. (2025). Synchrotron-Based Trauma Assessment of Robotic Electrode Insertions in Cochlear Implantation. The Laryngoscope. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.32254
Aebischer, P., Anschuetz, L., Caversaccio, M., Mantokoudis, G., & Weder, S. (2025). Quantitative in-vitro assessment of a novel robot-assisted system for cochlear implant electrode insertion. International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 20, 323–332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-024-03276-y
About CASCINATION AG
CASCINATION AG is an award-winning medical technology company from Bern (Switzerland) dedicated to the development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovations in computer-assisted and image-guided surgery. The company’s navigation systems and surgical robots are designed to improve outcomes for patients undergoing surgical or interventional procedures and offer new perspectives to patients worldwide.
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 and quality of life. 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
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.