Implantable fluid delivery apparatuses and implantable electrode

• US 20060184143A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Jolly, Claude, Hochmair, Ingeborg
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/288.20
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0241 having means for filtering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

A cochlear implant system is described. An implantable housing includes an electronics module containing circuitry for developing an electrical stimulation signal for the inner ear, and a fluid channel port for receiving therapeutic fluid for the inner ear. An electrode array includes multiple electrode contacts in electrical communication with the electronics module for stimulating neural tissue of the inner ear with the electrical stimulation signal, and a fluid delivery channel for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid channel port to the inner ear.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant system comprising:

an implantable housing including;

i. an electronics module containing circuitry for developing an electrical stimulation signal for the inner ear, and

ii. a fluid channel port for receiving therapeutic fluid for the inner ear; and

an electrode array including;

i. a plurality of electrode contacts in electrical communication with the electronics module for stimulating neural tissue of the inner ear with the electrical stimulation signal, and

ii. a fluid delivery channel for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid channel port to the inner ear.

2. A cochlear implant system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid receiving septum rigidly connected to the implantable housing and in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel of the electrode array for receiving the therapeutic fluid from the fluid channel input of the implantable housing for delivery to the fluid delivery channel of the electrode array.

3. A cochlear implant system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an implantable fluid source for providing the therapeutic fluid.

4. A cochlear implant system according to claim 3, wherein the fluid source is a fluid reservoir.

5. A cochlear implant system according to claim 3, wherein the fluid source is a fluid pump.

6. A cochlear implant system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a micro-valve between the fluid channel port and the fluid delivery channel for controlling fluid flow between the fluid channel port and the fluid delivery channel.

7. A cochlear implant system according to claim 6, wherein the micro-valve is magnetically controllable.

8. A cochlear implant system according to claim 6, wherein the micro-valve is self-closing.