REFERENCE ELECTRODE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NEUROSTIMULATION IMPLANTS

• US 20100268313A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Original Assignee: Otologics, LLC (Cochlear Limited)
• Inventors: Conn, Brian M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

An implantable apparatus and method are provided for use in conjunction with an implantable neurostimulation signal generator that provides an electrical stimulation signal to an active electrode. In auditory stimulation applications, the apparatus includes at least one anchor member having a distal end portion for directly contacting a patient'"'"'s cranial bone and an electrically conductive portion extending from the distal end portion to a contact location proximal to the distal end portion. An electrical connection line may be electrically interconnected at a first end to the contact location of the anchor member and electrically interconnected at a second end to an implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator to define a reference electrode. A bracket member may be mounted to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone utilizing the anchor member, wherein an electrically conductive pathway extends from a first contact location to a second contact location of the bracket member. The first contact location may selectively contact the contact location of the anchor member and the second location of the bracket member may be adapted for electrical interconnection to the electrical connection line.

Claims

1. An implantable apparatus for use with an implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator that provides an electrical stimulation signal to an active electrode, comprising:

at least one anchor member including;

a distal end portion adapted for directly contacting a patient'"'"'s cranial bone;

an electrically conductive portion extending from the distal end portion to a contact location proximal to the distal end portion; and

,

an electrical connection line electrically interconnected or interconnectable at a first end thereof to said contact location of the at least one anchor member and electrically interconnected or interconnectable at a second end thereof to said implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator, wherein a reference electrode is defined.

2. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a support member, wherein the active electrode is supportable interconnected to a distal end of the support member and, wherein a proximal end portion of the support member is positionable in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone.

3. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 2, said support member comprising:

a plastically deformable portion, wherein said plastically deformable portion is deformable to locate and maintain the active electrode in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cochlea.

4. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said active electrode and said reference electrode are electrically isolated.

5. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said distal end portion of said anchor member is adapted for penetration into and securement to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone, and further comprising:

a bracket member mountable in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone by said at least one anchor member, wherein said proximal end portion of the support member is selectively interconnectable to said bracket member.

6. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

an interconnection member, interconnected or interconnectable to said bracket member for selectively interconnecting the support member in a desired fixed position relative to the bracket member.

7. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 6, said interconnection member comprising:

a compress member selectively compressible about the proximal end portion of the support member.

8. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said support member, bracket member and interconnection member comprises:

an electrically mount-conductive portion for electively isolating said active electrode and said reference electrode.

9. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said bracket member is electrically conductive to define an electrically conductive pathway between a first location and second location of the bracket member, wherein the first location is interconnectable with said contact location of the at least one anchor member, and wherein said electrically conductive pathway of the bracket member comprises a portion of said reference electrode.

10. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said second location of said bracket member comprises:

an electrical lead selectively interconnectable with and disconnectable from a compatible connector provided at said first end of said electrical connection line.

11. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said second end of said electrical connection line comprises:

a connector end selectively interconnectable with and disconnectable from an implantable housing that houses said implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator.

12. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one anchor member comprises an electrically conductive bone screw.

13. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said active electrode comprises one of a ball end electrode for contacting an outer surface of an oval window or round window of a patient'"'"'s cochlea, and an electrode array adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s cochlea.

15. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 2, said support member comprising:

a plastically deformable portion, wherein said plastically deformable portion is deformable to locate and maintain the active electrode in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cochlea.

16. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said active electrode and said reference electrode are electrically isolated.

17. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said distal end portion of said anchor member is adapted for penetration into and securement to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone, and further comprising:

a bracket member mountable in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone by said at least one anchor member, wherein said proximal end portion of the support member is selectively interconnectable to said bracket member.

18. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

an interconnection member, interconnected or interconnectable to said bracket member for selectively interconnecting the support member in a desired fixed position relative to the bracket member.

19. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 18, said interconnection member comprising:

a compress member selectively compressible about the proximal end portion of the support member.

20. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of said support member, bracket member and interconnection member comprises:

an electrically mount-conductive portion for electively isolating said active electrode and said reference electrode.

21. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein at least a portion of said bracket member is electrically conductive to define an electrically conductive pathway between a first location and second location of the bracket member, wherein the first location is interconnectable with said contact location of the at least one anchor member, and wherein said electrically conductive pathway of the bracket member comprises a portion of said reference electrode.

22. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said second location of said bracket member comprises:

an electrical lead selectively interconnectable with and disconnectable from a compatible connector provided at said first end of said electrical connection line.

23. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said second end of said electrical connection line comprises:

a connector end selectively interconnectable with and disconnectable from an implantable housing that houses said implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator.

14. An implantable apparatus for use with an implantable auditory neurostimulation signal generator that provides an electrical stimulation signal to an active electrode, comprising:

at least one anchor member including;

a distal end portion adapted for directly contacting a patient'"'"'s cranial bone;

an electrically conductive portion extending from the distal end portion to a contact location proximal to the distal end portion, wherein the contact location is electrically interconnected or interconnectable to a first end of an electrical connection line having a second end interconnected or interconnectable to the neurostimulation signal generator to define a reference electrode; and

,

a support member, wherein the active electrode is supportably interconnected to a distal end of the support member, and wherein a proximal end portion of the support member is positionable in fixed relation to a patient'"'"'s cranial bone.

24. An implantable apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said at least one anchor member comprises an electrically conductive bone screw.

25-30. -30. (canceled)