Cochlear Implant

• US 20090005836A1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Material Solutions Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Material Solutions Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Dong Hyuk, Chang, Y. Jay
• Granted Patent: US 8,244,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation

Abstract

There is provided a cochlear implant for improving the hearing ability of a patient suffered from hearing impairment comprising an internal receiving unit implanted into the body, which comprises a receiving part for receiving external signal, an active electrode and a reference electrode, characterized in that the active electrode is constructed with a single electrode wire having different thickness in at least two different regions. The active electrode of the internal receiving unit is inserted into a space formed at between the mastoid bone and the ear canal skin and end of the active electrode is inserted into the scala tympani of the cochlea and directly stimulates spiral ganglion. The cochlear implant provides easier implantation into the body and improved hearing ability at a lower cost.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant for improving the hearing ability of a patient suffered from hearing impairment, comprising an internal receiving unit implanted into the body, which comprises a receiving part for receiving an external signal, an active electrode and a reference electrode, characterized in that the active electrode is constructed with a single electrode wire having different thickness in at least two different regions.

2. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the active electrode has three regions with different thickness, a first region adjoining the receiving part, a second region having a thickness smaller than the first region and a third region having a thickness smaller than the second region.

3. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein end of the active electrode is inserted into scala tympani of a cochlea and directly stimulates spiral ganglion.

4. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the active electrode of the internal receiving unit is inserted into a space formed at between a mastoid bone and an ear canal skin.

5. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the active electrode of the internal receiving unit is comprised of a first region adjoining the receiving part, a second region being shorter than the first region and a third region being shorter than the second region.

6. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reference electrode is shorter than the active electrode.

7. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving part comprises a coil for receiving electrical stimulation signal from outside and a magnet for non-contact fixation with an external unit.

8. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a part of each of the active and reference electrodes is coated with a biocompatible material.

9. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving part is protected by a biocompatible case and silicone is filled inside the case.

10. A cochlear implant comprising:

an internal receiving unit which comprises a receiving part for receiving an external signal, an active electrode and a reference electrode, wherein the active electrode is constructed with a single electrode wire having different thickness in at least two different regions; and

a sound processing unit which comprises a signal processor for transforming an external sound signal into an electrical signal and a transmitter for transmitting the signal in an electromagnetic wave to the internal receiving unit.

11. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 10, wherein the active electrode has three regions with different thickness, a first region adjoining the receiving part, a second region having a thickness smaller than the first region and a third region having a thickness smaller than the second region.

12. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 10, wherein end of the active electrode comes in contact with spiral ganglion of a cochlea.

13. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 10, wherein the active electrode of the internal receiving unit is inserted into a space formed at between a mastoid bone and an ear canal skin.

14. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 10, wherein the internal receiving unit and the sound processing unit are fixed to each other by non-contact magnetic attraction.

15. The cochlear implant as set forth in claim 10, which further comprises an external power supply electrically connected to the sound processing unit.