COCHLEAR IMPLANT WITH IMPROVED LUMEN ARRANGEMENT

• US 20120041531A1
• Filed: 12/01/2008
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Original Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Inventors: Dadd, Fysh, Treaba, Claudiu, Capcelea, Edmond D.
• Application Number:
  US12/745,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20120041531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrode lead for a medical implant, and in one example, a cochlear implant. The electrode lead includes a lumen for receiving a stylet for assisting in implanting the device. The lumen of the electrode lead is removable from the electrode lead upon or after implantation.

Claims

1. An electrode lead for a medical implant, comprising:

a lumen portion at least partially defining a lumen for receiving a stylet; and

a main portion configured to carry one or more electrodes, wherein the main portion is removably connected to the lumen portion.

2. The electrode lead of claim 1, wherein the lumen portion and the main portion are elongate portions of an elongate electrode lead.

3. The electrode lead of claim 2, wherein the lumen portion and the main portion are releasably connected by a temporary connector comprising a degradable material.

4. The electrode lead of claim 3, wherein the degradable material is a resorbable polymer.

5. The electrode lead of claim 4, wherein the resorbable polymer is any one or more of Polyacrylic acid (PAA), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyactic acid (PLA) or Polyglycolic acid (PGA).

6. The electrode lead of claim 1, wherein the lumen portion is made from a degradable material.

7. The electrode lead of claim 6, wherein the degradable material is a resorbable polymer.

8. The electrode lead of claim 7, wherein the resorbable material is any one or more of Polyacrylic acid (PAA), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyactic acid (PLA) or Polyglycolic acid (PGA).

9. The electrode lead of claim 2, wherein the lumen portion is also connected to the main portion by a second temporary connector.

10. The electrode lead of claim 9, wherein the second temporary connector is a resorbable polymer.

11. The electrode lead of claim 1, wherein the lumen portion is comprised of that expands upon contact with fluid to fill the lumen.

13. The electrode lead of claim 1, wherein the medical implant is a cochlear implant.

12. The electrode lead of claim 12, wherein the electrode lead has an opening above the lumen such that upon the material expanding, a stylet in the lumen is urged out of the lumen.

14. A cochlear implant comprising a stimulator and an electrode lead supporting an array of electrode contacts, the electrode lead comprising:

a lumen portion at least partially defining a lumen for receiving a stylet; and

a main portion configured to carry one or more electrodes, wherein the main portion is removably connected to the lumen portion.

15. The cochlear implant of claim 14, wherein the lumen portion and the main portion, are elongate portions of an elongate electrode lead.

16. The implant as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lumen portion and the main portion are releasably connected by a temporary connector comprising degradable material.

17. The cochlear implant of claim 16, wherein the degradable material is a resorbable polymer.

18. The cochlear implant of claim 17, wherein the resorbable polymer is any one or more of Polyacrylic acid (PAA), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyactic acid (PLA) or Polyglycolic acid (PGA).

19. The cochlear implant of claim 14, wherein the lumen portion is made from a degradable material.

20. The cochlear implant of claim 19, wherein the degradable material is a resorbable polymer.

21. The cochlear implant of claim 20, wherein the resorbable material is any one or more of Polyacrylic acid (PAA), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyactic acid (PLA) or Polyglycolic acid (PGA).

22. The cochlear implant of claim 15, wherein the lumen portion is also connected to the main portion by a second temporary connector.

23. The cochlear implant of claim 22, wherein the second temporary connector is a resorbable polymer.

24-25. -25. (canceled)