Implantable medical assembly

• US 7,085,605 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.
• Inventors: Stephen, Jeffrey, Bluger, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US10/348,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20040147992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 607115-156, 600372-394
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

An implantable medical assembly is disclosed. The implantable medical assembly comprises at least one electrode, at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide stimulation signal and a biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded.

Claims

1. An implantable medical assembly comprising:

at least one electrode;

at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide a stimulation signal, wherein said wire and said electrode are together photolithographically patterned and electrochemically deposited;

and a planar biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded;

wherein said assembly is corrugated.

2. The implantable medical assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is corrugated after folding.

3. The implantable medical assembly of claim 2 wherein said medical assembly is encased with an elastomer such as a silicone.

4. An implantable medical assembly comprising:

at least one electrode;

at least two wires commonly connected to each said electrode to provide stimulation signals, wherein said wires and said electrode are together photolithographically patterned and electrochemically deposited;

and a planar biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wires are embedded.

5. An implantable medical assembly of claim 4 wherein at least one electrical connector is connected between said wires.

6. The implantable medical assembly of claim 4 or 5 wherein said assembly is corrugated.

7. The implantable medical assembly of claim 4 or 5 wherein said assembly is corrugated after folding.

8. The implantable medical assembly of claim 7 wherein said medical assembly is encased wit an elastomer such as a silicone.

9. An implantable medical assembly comprising:

at least one electrode;

at least two undulated wires having the same stimulation signals and connected to each said electrode to provide stimulation signals, wherein said wires and said electrode are together photolithographically patterned and electrochemically deposited;

and a planar biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wires are embedded.

10. An implantable medical assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one electrical connector is connected between said wires.

11. The implantable medical assembly of claim 9 or 10 wherein said assembly is corrugated.

12. The implantable medical assembly of claim 9 or 10 wherein said assembly is corrugated after predetermined folding.

13. The implantable medical assembly of claim 12 wherein said medical assembly is encased wit elastomer such as a silicone.

14. The implantable medical assembly of claim 4 or 5 or 10, or 11 wherein said implantable medical assembly further comprises at least one folding line on said film.

15. The implantable medical assembly of claim 14 wherein said implantable medical assembly is corrugated.

16. The implantable medical assembly of claim 14 wherein said implantable medical assembly is corrugated after folding.

17. The implantable medical assembly of claim 16 wherein said medical assembly is encased with elastomer such as a silicone.

18. An implantable medical assembly comprising:

at least one electrode;

at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide a stimulation signal, wherein said wire and said electrode are together photolithographically patterned and electrochemically deposited;

and a planar biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded;

wherein said implantable medical assembly further comprises at least one folding line on said film.

19. The implantable medical assembly of claim 18 wherein said implantable medical assembly is corrugated.

20. The implantable medical assembly of claim 18 wherein said implantable medical assembly is corrugated after folding.

21. The implantable medical assembly of claim 20 wherein said medical assembly is encased with elastomer such as a silicone.