Modiolar hugging electrode array
First Claim
1. A cochlear electrode array for stimulating auditory processes, comprising a bio-inert film with at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, said film being formed into an elongated tube-like configuration, said electrodes comprising a plurality of groups of at least two electrodes, the electrodes within each group being disposed in a substantially radial bipolar arrangement and the plurality of said groups being disposed along the longitudinal axis of said tube-like configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-bipolar configured electrode array and means to uniquely position said array within the scalae of the human cochlea is described. Said array is inserted into the scala tympani, scala vestibuli or both, by a surgeon. The electrode array may be pre-formed to lightly hug the modiolar wall of a scala so as to position the electrodes in close proximity to the cochlear spiral lamina and spiral ganglia in the modiolus. Mechanical features within said array allow the surgeon to further position said array against the modiolar wall of the scala, post insertion, and to mechanically retain such positioning of said array. Such positioning is in close proximity to surviving neural sites in the spiral lamina and/or spiral ganglion cells in the modiolus to efficiently stimulate functioning auditory neural elements. The multi-bipolar electrode configuration achieves a high degree of spatial selectivity, thus improving the implantee'"'"'s speech percepts.
375 Citations
45 Claims
- 1. A cochlear electrode array for stimulating auditory processes, comprising a bio-inert film with at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, said film being formed into an elongated tube-like configuration, said electrodes comprising a plurality of groups of at least two electrodes, the electrodes within each group being disposed in a substantially radial bipolar arrangement and the plurality of said groups being disposed along the longitudinal axis of said tube-like configuration.
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7. A cochlear electrode array assembly for stimulating auditory processes, comprising an elongated bio-inert film holding at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, and an elongated bio-inert carrier, said film being formed into a tube-like configuration around said carrier wherein the assembly has been treated to preferentially adopt a conical helix shape.
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8. A cochlear electrode array assembly for stimulating auditory processes, comprising an elongated bio-inert film holding at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, and an elongated bio-inert carrier, said film being formed into a tube-like configuration around said carrier and wherein a plurality of partially circumferential notches are disposed along at least a portion of the length of said carrier.
- 9. A cochlear electrode array assembly for stimulating auditory processes, comprising an elongated bio-inert film holding at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, and an elongated bio-inert carrier, said film being formed into a tube-like configuration around said carrier, and wherein at least one partially circumferential notch is provided in said carrier.
- 17. A cochlear electrode array assembly for stimulating auditory processes, said assembly having a generally cylindrical configuration and comprising an elongated bio-inert film holding at least two conductor lines and at least two electrodes, an elongated bio-inert carrier with a hole, and an elongated bio-inert beading adapted to slide within said hole.
Specification