Curved cochlear implant electrode array
First Claim
1. An implantable electrode array configured to adopt a first configuration, before being inserted into an implantee'"'"'s body and to adopt a second configuration different from the first configuration, after being inserted into the implantee'"'"'s body, wherein said electrode array is adapted to apply tissue stimulation, the array comprising:
- an elongate carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and being initially formed in substantially the second configuration;
a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end; and
an outer layer adhered along its length to the elongate carrier by an intermediate bioresorbable adhesive layer positioned between the carrier and the outer layer, the bioresorbable adhesive layer having a sufficient stiffness for retaining the array into said first configuration prior to insertion of the array into the implantee'"'"'s body, the outer layer being formed so as to naturally adopt the second configuration as the stiffness of the adhesive layer is reduced after being inserted into the implantee'"'"'s body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable electrode array (30) that can adopt a first, preferably straight, configuration selected to allow the array to be inserted into an implantee'"'"'s body, such as the cochlea, and at least a second, preferably spirally curved, configuration where the electrode array is adapted to apply tissue stimulation to the cochlea. The array (30) includes an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of electrodes (36) supported by the carrier (31) at respective longitudinally spaced locations thereon. The array (30) further comprises an outer layer (33) adhered to the elongate carrier (31) by an intermediate bioresorbable adhesive layer (32) positioned at least partially between the carrier (31) and the outer layer (33). The outer layer (33) is shaped so as to normally preferentially adopt the second configuration, while the bioresorbable adhesive layer (32) has a configuration selected for biasing the array (30) into the first configuration prior to insertion of the array (30) into the cochlea. A method of forming the array (30) is also disclosed.
40 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implantable electrode array configured to adopt a first configuration, before being inserted into an implantee'"'"'s body and to adopt a second configuration different from the first configuration, after being inserted into the implantee'"'"'s body, wherein said electrode array is adapted to apply tissue stimulation, the array comprising:
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an elongate carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and being initially formed in substantially the second configuration; a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end; and an outer layer adhered along its length to the elongate carrier by an intermediate bioresorbable adhesive layer positioned between the carrier and the outer layer, the bioresorbable adhesive layer having a sufficient stiffness for retaining the array into said first configuration prior to insertion of the array into the implantee'"'"'s body, the outer layer being formed so as to naturally adopt the second configuration as the stiffness of the adhesive layer is reduced after being inserted into the implantee'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21)
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15. A method of forming an implantable electrode array to be inserted into an implantee'"'"'s body and adapted to apply tissue stimulation, the method comprising the steps of:
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moulding an elongate carrier in a substantially straight configuration in a first mould from a resiliently flexible material about a longitudinal array of electrodes such that at least one of the electrodes has a surface that is at least adjacent an inner surface of the carrier; separately moulding an outer layer of the array in a second mould from a resiliently flexible material, the outer layer being moulded in a curved configuration; and removing the outer layer from the second mould, straightening the outer layer and adhering it along its length to the carrier using a bioresorbable adhesive, said adhesive having a sufficient stiffness for retaining the carrier and the outer layer into said substantially straight configuration prior to insertion of the array into the implantee'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification