APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF PHARMACEUTICALS TO THE COCHLEA

• US 20090292329A1
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Original Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Inventors: GIBSON, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,401,674 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0675 Eustachian tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• 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: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling

Abstract

An implantable tissue-stimulating device, such as a cochlear implant, having a resiliently flexible elongate member (11) having a plurality of electrodes (12) positioned thereon. The elongate member (11) provides a means of delivering at least one bio-active substance to the implantee following implantation of the elongate member (11). The delivery means can comprise a lumen 21 containing the bio-active substance in a liquid form. The bio-active substance can comprise a steroid or can perform a function of reducing the resting neuron potential of neurons within the cochlea.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising:

a resiliently flexible elongate member having disposed therein a sealable reservoir configured to receive a bio-active substance;

a plurality of electrodes mounted on said elongate member configured to provide stimulation to a cochlea; and

a substance egress fluidically coupling said reservoir to the exterior of said elongate member, wherein said substance egress is configured to release said bio-active substance from said reservoir following implantation of said device, wherein said substance egress comprises an opening in said reservoir, wherein at least said substance egress is sealed with a layer of bioresorable material configured to dissolve following implantation of said device,

wherein said elongate member further comprises a coating of lubricious material on at least a portion of the outer surface of said elongate member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said lubricious material is selected from the group comprising polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA).

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said lubricious material is impregnated with said bio-active substance.