IMPLANTABLE STIMULATING ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrode array, comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes; and
an electrode carrier carrying the plurality of electrodes, whereinthe electrode carrier includes a viscoelastic material.
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Abstract
An electrode array, including a plurality of electrodes, and an electrode carrier carrying the plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrode carrier is made of a viscoelastic material, such as by way of example, a viscoelastic silicone, wherein in some embodiments, the electrode carrier is devoid of non-viscoelastic silicone. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrode carrier is configured to recover to a curved, unrestrained and relaxed state, from a substantially straight state in no less than thirty seconds.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrode array, comprising:
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a plurality of electrodes; and an electrode carrier carrying the plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrode carrier includes a viscoelastic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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obtaining an implantable component; and inserting the implantable component into a recipient, wherein subsequent to the full insertion of the implantable component, the implantable component transforms from a first geometry to a second geometry without; external force relief, external pressure relief, reaction force, mass transfer and net energy transfer inducing the transformation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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obtaining a curved electrode array assembly; inserting a first portion of the electrode array assembly into a cochlea of a human in a deformed state that is deformed from a relaxed, unrestrained state of the electrode array assembly such that; the first portion corresponds to a portion of the electrode array assembly extending a first distance of the electrode array assembly starting from a tip of the electrode array to a location proximal of the tip that is located in the cochlea; and the portion of the electrode array making up the first distance is inserted at a first angular insertion depth into the cochlea, wherein the first portion of the electrode array assembly achieves a second angular insertion depth greater than the first angular insertion depth after the first portion making up the first distance is located in the cochlea. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification