Cochlear electrode with modiolar-hugging system including a flexible positioner
First Claim
1. An electrode system adapted for use with a tissue stimulation device comprising:
- a flexible electrode array having a multiplicity of electrode contacts along one surface thereof;
a flexible positioner adapted for insertion into a body cavity, said flexible positioner having front and rear sides, said body cavity having front and back walls, said flexible positioner being adapted for insertion into the body cavity so that the positioner assumes a position within the body cavity having its rear side lie against the back wall of the cavity, and leaving an open channel between the front side of the positioner and the front wall of the body cavity; and
an electrode-guiding insert adapted for insertion into the open channel created between the front side of the positioner and the front wall of the body cavity;
wherein the flexible electrode array is insertable through the electrode-guiding insert into the open channel so that the electrode contacts are positioned adjacent the front wall of the body cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode system includes (1) an electrode array, made in a straight or curved shape, but made on a flexible carrier so that it can easily bend within a curved body cavity, such as the cochlea; and (2) a flexible positioner, typically molded in a curved shape from a silicone polymer so as to make it easy to slide into the body cavity. Some embodiments may further include an electrode guiding insert. Yet other embodiments include only a flexible positioner adapted to fill space within a human cochlea so as to force an electrode array against a modiolar wall of the cochlea. Insertion of the electrode array is performed using one of two methods. A first method involves first inserting the flexible positioner into the scala tympani (one of the channels of the cochlea) to a desired depth, which desired depth typically involves a rotation of about 360 degrees and causes the positioner to rest against the outer or lateral wall of the scala tympani, leaving an opening slightly larger than the cross-section of the electrode array adjacent the inner wall of the scala tympani, and then second inserting the electrode array into the opening defined by the positioner and inner wall. The guiding insert may be used, in some embodiments, to assist guiding the electrode array into this opening. A second method of insertion involves first inserting an electrode array into the scala tympani, and then second inserting the positioner into the scala tympani so as to lie between the electrode array and the outer wall of the scala tympani, thereby forcing the electrode array against the inner wall of the scala tympani. Insertion of the positioner into scala tympani after the electrode array has been at least partially inserted therein further carries the electrode array deeper into the scala tympani to a desired final position, and maintains it in that position.
136 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrode system adapted for use with a tissue stimulation device comprising:
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a flexible electrode array having a multiplicity of electrode contacts along one surface thereof; a flexible positioner adapted for insertion into a body cavity, said flexible positioner having front and rear sides, said body cavity having front and back walls, said flexible positioner being adapted for insertion into the body cavity so that the positioner assumes a position within the body cavity having its rear side lie against the back wall of the cavity, and leaving an open channel between the front side of the positioner and the front wall of the body cavity; and an electrode-guiding insert adapted for insertion into the open channel created between the front side of the positioner and the front wall of the body cavity; wherein the flexible electrode array is insertable through the electrode-guiding insert into the open channel so that the electrode contacts are positioned adjacent the front wall of the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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- 4. A flexible positioner for insertion into a body cavity, said flexible positioner having front and rear sides, said body cavity having front and back walls, said flexible positioner being adapted for insertion into the body cavity so that the positioner assumes a position within the body cavity having its rear side lie against the back wall of the cavity, and leaving an open channel between the front side of the positioner and the front wall of the body cavity, and wherein a tracing marker, having properties that facilitate seeing the tracing marker on an imaging system, is embedded in a distal end of the positioner.
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10. An electrode system adapted for insertion into the scala tympani of a human cochlea as part of a cochlear stimulation system, the electrode system comprising:
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a flexible electrode array having a multiplicity of electrode contacts, and a flexible positioner adapted for use with the flexible electrode array, said flexible positioner comprising an elongate, flexible body having dimensions that facilitate its insertion fully into the scala tympani, the scala tympani having front and back walls; wherein the elongate flexible body of the positioner is made from a silicone polymer formed in a generally curved shape, and the elongate flexible body is separate and detached from the electrode array; wherein the elongate flexible body of the positioner has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the elongate flexible body is tapered, having a larger cross sectional area at the proximal end than at the distal end, and wherein, when inserted into the scala tympani, the flexible positioner is adapted to assume a position within the scala tympani against the back wall of the scala tympani; and wherein the flexible electrode array is adapted to be inserted into the scala tympani and positioned therein so that the flexible electrode array lies between the positioner and the front wall of the scala tympani. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification