Cochlea stimulating electrode assembly, insertion tool, holder and method of implantation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cochlea stimulation electrode having a resilient curved distal tip portion for insertion into and stimulation of a cochlea, the stimulating electrode further comprising:
- a lead offset laterally from the distal tip portion for connection to a stimulator for the electrode; and
a bridge extending from the lead and connecting to the distal tip portion adjacent a proximal terminus thereof, the bridge defining a slide for guiding the distal tip portion from an insertion tool during insertion of the distal tip portion into a round window of the cochlea and the proximal terminus defining a push point for a push rod assembly for forcing the distal tip portion from the insertion tool.
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Abstract
A cochlear electrode comprising a spirally curved distal tip portion carrying electrical conductors for stimulating the cochlea, a lead offset from the distal tip portion and a bridge therebetween and extending from the distal tip adjacent the proximal terminus thereof. The bridge defines a slide for guiding the distal tip portion into and out of an insertion tool during implantation of the electrode while the proximal terminus defines a push point for a push rod included in the insertion tool for sliding the distal tip out of the tool and into the cochlea.
148 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A cochlea stimulation electrode having a resilient curved distal tip portion for insertion into and stimulation of a cochlea, the stimulating electrode further comprising:
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a lead offset laterally from the distal tip portion for connection to a stimulator for the electrode; and a bridge extending from the lead and connecting to the distal tip portion adjacent a proximal terminus thereof, the bridge defining a slide for guiding the distal tip portion from an insertion tool during insertion of the distal tip portion into a round window of the cochlea and the proximal terminus defining a push point for a push rod assembly for forcing the distal tip portion from the insertion tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An insertion tool for inserting a cochlea stimulating electrode through a round window and into a cochlea, comprising:
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a longitudinally extending insertion tube for axially receiving and guiding a distal tip portion of a resilient cochlea stimulating electrode from a distal end of the tube into a cochlea, the insertion tube including an axial slot for receiving and axially guiding a slide means extending from the distal tip portion of the cochlea stimulating electrode; and a push rod assembly including a distal end for insertion into a proximal end of the insertion tube to push upon a proximal terminus of the distal tip portion of the electrode to force the distal tip portion from the distal end of the insertion tube and into the cochlea through the round window. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of implanting a cochlea stimulating electrode in the cochlea using an insertion tool including a longitudinally extending insertion tube having a slot in a side thereof extending axially from a distal end thereof and a push rod assembly for insertion into a proximal end of the insertion tube, the electrode including a resilient curved distal tip portion for insertion into and stimulation of the cochlea, a lead offset laterally from the distal tip portion for connection to a stimulator for the electrode, and a bridge extending from the lead and connecting to the distal tip portion adjacent a proximal terminus thereof, the bridge defining a slide for guiding the distal tip portion from an insertion tool during insertion of the distal tip portion into a round window of the cochlea and the proximal terminus defining a push point for the push rod assembly for forcing the distal tip portion from the insertion tool, the method comprising the steps of:
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surgically exposing and removing bone over the cochlea to expose the round window of the cochlea; inserting the distal end of the longitudinally extending insertion tube into the round window with (1) the resilient curved distal tip portion of the electrode axially extending in the distal end of the insertion tube, (2) the bridge riding in the axial slot of the insertion tube and (3) the lead extending from the bridge and offset laterally from the tip portion connecting to a stimulator for the electrode; pushing with the push rod assembly on the proximal terminus of the distal tip portion of the electrode to slide the electrode from the insertion tube into the cochlea with the bridge adjacent the round window; and packing tissue over the bridge to secure the electrode at the round window. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of implanting a cochlear stimulating system including a package housing electronics for generating stimulating signals and an electrode for transmitting the stimulating signals to the cochlea, the electrode comprising a resilient curved distal tip portion for insertion into and stimulation of the cochlea, a lead offset laterally from the distal tip portion for connection to a stimulator for the electrode, and a bridge extending from the lead and connecting to the distal tip portion adjacent a proximal terminus thereof, the bridge defining a slide for guiding the distal tip portion from the insertion tool during insertion of the distal tip portion into a round window of the cochlea and the proximal terminus defining a push point for a push rod assembly for forcing the distal tip portion from the insertion tool, the method comprising the steps of:
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holding the package adjacent the cochlea while the electrode is implanted; surgically exposing and removing bone over the cochlea to expose the round window of the cochlea; inserting the distal end of the insertion tube into the round window with (1) the resilient curved distal tip portion of the electrode axially extending in the distal end of the insertion tube, (2) the bridge riding in the axial slot of the insertion tube and (3) the lead extending from the bridge and offset laterally from the tip portion connecting to a stimulator for the electrode; pushing with the push rod assembly on the proximal terminus of the distal tip portion of the electrode to slide the electrode from the insertion tube into the cochlea with the bridge adjacent the round window; packing tissue over the bridge to secure the electrode at the round window; and implanting the package adjacent the electrode.
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Specification