Precurved modiolar-hugging cochlear electrode
First Claim
1. An electrode array adapted for insertion into a cochlea for use with a stimulation device comprising:
- a flexible carrier formed to assume a precurved shape;
a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts embedded within the flexible carrier, a portion of each contact being exposed at a first surface of the carrier;
the first surface of the carrier comprising that surface which assumes an inner surface of the curved shape; and
a lumen passing longitudinally through the flexible carrier through which a stylet may be placed to help guide insertion of the flexible carrier into the cochlea during implantation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode array has an elongate flexible carrier that, when viewed in cross-section, is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal thereto. The elongate flexible carrier is formed with a bias force that causes the array to flex in the first direction so as to assume the general spiral or circular shape of the scala tympani duct within the cochlea. The less-flexible direction is the direction that makes it difficult for the array to twist as it is inserted within the scala tympani duct. The bias force is sufficiently strong to cause the array to assume its preformed spiral shape even after being straightened during initial insertion into the cochlea. Electrode contacts, embedded into the carrier so as to be exposed along an inner or concave surface of the spiral, thus wrap snugly around the modiolus, thereby positioning the electrode contacts against the modiolar wall in an optimum position for stimulation.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electrode array adapted for insertion into a cochlea for use with a stimulation device comprising:
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a flexible carrier formed to assume a precurved shape; a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts embedded within the flexible carrier, a portion of each contact being exposed at a first surface of the carrier; the first surface of the carrier comprising that surface which assumes an inner surface of the curved shape; and a lumen passing longitudinally through the flexible carrier through which a stylet may be placed to help guide insertion of the flexible carrier into the cochlea during implantation. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An electrode array adapted for implantation within a human cochlea, comprising:
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an elongate flexible carrier that, when viewed in cross-section, is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a plurality of electrode contacts embedded within the carrier, each being electrically connected to a respective wire that is also embedded within the carrier; a passageway passing through the elongate flexible carrier into which a stylet may be removably inserted to straighten the elongate flexible carrier during implantation; and wherein said elongate flexible carrier has compression energy stored therein that forces the carrier to assume a precurved shape in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A precurved cochlear electrode array, comprising:
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an elongate flexible carrier adapted for insertion into a human cochlea, wherein the flexible carrier is formed in a precurved shape, and wherein sufficient bias force is present within the elongate flexible carrier to return the elongate flexible carrier to the precurved shape after an initial straightening; a plurality of electrode contacts and wires embedded within the carrier, each electrode contact being electrically connected to at least one wire, wherein electrical contact is made with each electrode contact through at least one of the wires; and a passageway passing longitudinally through the elongate flexible carrier, the passageway providing a channel into which a stylet may be placed to straighten the elongate precurved flexible carrier during insertion of the elongate flexible carrier into the cochlea. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cochlear electrode system comprising a precurved cochlear electrode array;
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means for straightening the precurved electrode array to facilitate insertion of the precurved electrode array into a human cochlea; wherein the precurved electrode array comprises; an elongate flexible carrier formed in a precurved shape, wherein sufficient bias force is present within the elongate flexible carrier to return the elongate flexible carrier to the precurved shape after being straightened, and a plurality of electrode contacts and wires embedded within the elongate flexible carrier, each electrode contact being electrically connected to at least one wire, wherein electrical contact is made with each electrode contact through at least one of the wires. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification