Cochlear electrode system including detachable flexible positioner
First Claim
1. A cochlear electrode system comprising:
- an electrode array comprising a first elongate flexible carrier having a distal end and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea, a plurality of spaced-apart contacts carried by the flexible carrier, a plurality of wires carried within the flexible carrier, at least one wire of the plurality of wires being electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrode contacts, each of the plurality of wires having a proximal end that may be coupled to electronic circuitry, and a first engagement member on the flexible carrier near the distal end of the electrode array; and
a positioner comprising an elongate flexible member having a distal tip and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the human cochlea alongside the electrode array, a second engagement member on the flexible member near the distal tip of the positioner, wherein the second engagement member is detachably engageable with the first engagement member of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array;
wherein the positioner further has a first pair of keeper tabs protruding from the flexible member in the vicinity of the second engagement member, and wherein one tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against one side of the electrode array, and the other tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against an opposite side of the electrode array, to thereby keep the distal end of the positioner alongside the distal end of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea.
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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, molded in a curved or straight shape from a silicone polymer so as to make it easy to slide into the body cavity. Some embodiments may further include an electrode and/or a positioner guiding insert. One embodiment of the positioner includes keeper tabs at its distal end, and side walls at its proximal end, to help maintain the positioner in a desired position along the back side of the electrode array during and after the insertion process. Engagement members at a distal end of the positioner also allow detachable engagement with corresponding or mating members near the distal end of the electrode array during the insertion process, thereby allowing insertion of the positioner to cause engagement of the positioner with the electrode array, and to provide for deeper insertion of the electrode array as the positioner is inserted deeper into the cochlea. One 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 modiolar wall.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A cochlear electrode system comprising:
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an electrode array comprising a first elongate flexible carrier having a distal end and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea, a plurality of spaced-apart contacts carried by the flexible carrier, a plurality of wires carried within the flexible carrier, at least one wire of the plurality of wires being electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrode contacts, each of the plurality of wires having a proximal end that may be coupled to electronic circuitry, and a first engagement member on the flexible carrier near the distal end of the electrode array; and
a positioner comprising an elongate flexible member having a distal tip and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the human cochlea alongside the electrode array, a second engagement member on the flexible member near the distal tip of the positioner, wherein the second engagement member is detachably engageable with the first engagement member of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array;
wherein the positioner further has a first pair of keeper tabs protruding from the flexible member in the vicinity of the second engagement member, and wherein one tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against one side of the electrode array, and the other tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against an opposite side of the electrode array, to thereby keep the distal end of the positioner alongside the distal end of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A cochlear electrode system comprising:
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an electrode array, the electrode array having a first engagement member formed thereon;
a positioner, the positioner having a second engagement member formed thereon that is detachably engageable with the first engagement member of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array; and
a removable guide tube through which the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array after the electrode array has been inserted into the cochlea.
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32. A cochlear electrode system comprising:
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an electrode array comprising an elongate flexible carrier body having a distal end and a proximal end, a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts along one surface of the carrier body, and a first engagement member near the distal end of the flexible carrier body;
a positioner, the positioner having a second engagement member formed thereon that is detachably engageable with the first engagement member of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array; and
a guide tube through which the positioner is initially inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array once the electrode array has been inserted into the cochlea, and which guide tube is removable once the positioner has been inserted into the cochlea.
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33. A cochlear electrode system comprising:
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an electrode array comprising an elongate flexible carrier body and a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts exposed on the carrier body, wherein the electrode array is adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea as part of a cochlear stimulation system;
a positioner, wherein the positioner is adapted to be inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array and thereby better position the electrode contacts within the cochlea; and
a guide tube through which the positioner is initially inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array once the electrode array has been inserted into the cochlea, and which guide tube is removable once the positioner has been inserted into the cochlea. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A positioner for use with an electrode array, the electrode array being adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea, the positioner comprising
an elongate flexible member having a distal tip and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the human cochlea alongside the electrode array, and an engagement member on the flexible member near the distal tip of the positioner, wherein the engagement member is detachably engageable with a distal portion of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array; wherein the positioner further has a first pair of keeper tabs protruding from the flexible member in the vicinity of the engagement member, and wherein one tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against one side of the electrode array, and the other tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is adapted to lie against an opposite side of the electrode array, to thereby keep the distal end of the positioner alongside the distal portion of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
- 49. The positioner of claim wherein 38 the positioner has an opening passing longitudinally therethrough, the opening being adapted to receive a stylet wire when the positioner is being inserted into the cochlea.
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52. A positioner for use with an electrode array, the electrode array being adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea, the positioner comprising
an elongate flexible member having a distal tip and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the human cochlea alongside the electrode array, and an engagement member on the flexible member near the distal tip of the positioner, wherein the engagement member is detachably engageable with a distal portion of the electrode array when the positioner is inserted into the cochlea alongside the electrode array; -
an opening passing longitudinally therethrough, the opening being adapted to receive a stylet wire when the positioner is being inserted into the cochlea, wherein the opening passing longitudinally through the positioner is closed at the distal tip of the positioner;
wherein the opening that passes longitudinally through the positioner further includes a metal marker sealed in the closed end of the opening.
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Specification