Electrode Contact with Hydrogel Covering

• US 20160213913A1
• Filed: 09/04/2014
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Dhanasingh, Anandhan, Jolly, Claude
• Granted Patent: US 10,870,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode array made of resilient material with a center longitudinal axis and an outer surface. Electrode contacts are distributed on the outer surface of the electrode array along the longitudinal axis for applying electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. At least one biocompatible hydrogel layer is fixed to the electrode array solely by mechanical connection and adapted to swell from contact with perilymph fluid within a cochlea without separating away from the outer surface of the electrode array.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant electrode comprising:

an implantable electrode array made of resilient material having a center longitudinal axis and an outer surface;

a plurality of electrode contacts distributed on the outer surface of the electrode array along the longitudinal axis for applying electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue; and

at least one biocompatible hydrogel layer fixed to the electrode array solely by mechanical connection and adapted to swell from contact with perilymph fluid within a cochlea without separating away from the outer surface of the electrode array.

2. An electrode according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fixation groove on the outer surface of the electrode array adapted to fixedly connect to a portion of the hydrogel layer for mechanically fixing the hydrogel layer to the electrode array.

3. An electrode according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the fixation groove is undercut to mechanically lock the portion of the hydrogel layer within the fixation groove.

4. An electrode according to claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of fixation grooves.

5. An electrode according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fixation groove is parallel to the center longitudinal axis.

6. An electrode according to claim 2, wherein the at least on fixation groove is perpendicular to the center longitudinal axis.

7. An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogel layer comprises a plurality of hydrogel sleeves fitting around the outer surface of the electrode array over each of the electrode contacts.

8. An electrode according to claim 7, further comprising:

a polymer mesh over each hydrogel sleeve adapted to generate a compressive force on the hydrogel sleeve when it swells.

9. An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrode array includes at least two openings connected together through the interior of the electrode array and filled with hydrogel material of the hydrogel layer to mechanically connect the hydrogel layer to the electrode array.

10. An electrode according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogel layer is adapted to release a therapeutic drug over a prolonged treatment period.