Coated electrode array having uncoated electrode contacts
First Claim
1. An implantable device comprising:
- a lead having an electrode array at a distal end, the electrode array having a medial surface on which are located a plurality of spaced apart exposed electrode contacts; and
a coating of bioresorbable material positioned on the medial surface of the electrode array at one or more locations other than where the electrode contacts are positioned such that the electrode contacts remain uncoated, wherein the coating of bioresorbable material is configured to be absorbed over time to reduce chronic pressure following lead implantation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Implantable electrode leads, e.g. cochlear, spinal cord stimulation, or any type of neurostimulation leads, used in a patient'"'"'s body to stimulate muscle or nerve tissue, provide enhanced stimulation for treating, e.g., hearing loss or chronic pain. One such lead includes, an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, which lead provides improved stability of electrode contact direction. In-line electrodes are spaced-apart along one side of a flexible carrier having non-conductive bumps coated with a bioresorbable material spaced apart between each electrode contact. Over time the bioresorbable material is absorbed thereby reducing chronic placement pressure caused during the insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The bioresorbable material may also serve as a carrier for drugs or other materials that would improve performance of the electrode for any type of lead.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An implantable device comprising:
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a lead having an electrode array at a distal end, the electrode array having a medial surface on which are located a plurality of spaced apart exposed electrode contacts; and a coating of bioresorbable material positioned on the medial surface of the electrode array at one or more locations other than where the electrode contacts are positioned such that the electrode contacts remain uncoated, wherein the coating of bioresorbable material is configured to be absorbed over time to reduce chronic pressure following lead implantation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An implantable electrode array for use with a tissue stimulation device comprising:
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a flexible carrier having a medial side; a multiplicity of in-line electrodes having an exposed surface area only on the medial side of the flexible carrier; a multiplicity of wires embedded within the flexible carrier, at least one wire of the multiplicity of wires being electrically and physically connected to a respective in-line electrode; and a hump formed on the medial side of the array in the space between the exposed surface area of each electrode, wherein the hump is coated with a bioresorbable material such that the electrode contacts remain uncoated, wherein the coating of bioresorbable material is configured to be absorbed over time to reduce chronic pressure following lead implantation; and wherein the electrode array is more flexible in a medial direction than in a direction lateral to the medial direction, where the medial direction comprises the direction faced by the exposed contact surface area of the in-line electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An implantable device comprising:
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a lead having an electrode array at a distal end, the electrode array having a plurality of spaced apart exposed electrode contacts; and a coating of bioresorbable material positioned on an outer surfaceof the contact side of the electrode array at one or more locations other than where the electrode contacts are positioned such that the electrode contacts remain uncoated, wherein the coating of bioresorbable material is configured to be absorbed over time to reduce chronic pressure following lead implantation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An implantable device comprising:
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a lead having an electrode array at a distal end, the electrode array having a plurality of spaced apart exposed electrode contacts; and a coating of bioresorbable material positioned on an outer surface of the distal end of the lead at one or more locations other than where the electrode contacts are positioned such that the electrode contacts remain uncoated, wherein the coating of bioresorbable material is configured to be absorbed over time to reduce chronic pressure following lead implantation. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification