Minimizing trauma during and after insertion of a cochlear lead

• US 8,190,271 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Overstreet, Edward H., Faltys, Michael A., Xie, Jian, Colvin, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US12/202,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20090062896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/119, 607/120, 607/137
• US Class Current: 607/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/495 having six-membered rings with two or more nitrogen atoms as the only ring heteroatoms, e.g. piperazine or tetrazinesA61K31/48 takes precedence ; with three nitrogen atoms A61K31/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0046 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

A method for delivering dexamethasone base (DXMb) via an implantable electrode includes coupling DXMb to the implantable electrode and inserting the implantable electrode into animal tissue, the DXMb eluting into the animal tissue. An implantable nerve stimulating device includes an elongated member having a distal end bearing at least one electrode; and DXMb coupled to the elongated member, the DXMb being eluted into tissue surrounding the elongated member.

Claims

1. A method for delivering dexamethasone base (DXMb) via an implantable electrode comprising:

coupling said DXMb and dexamethasone (DEX) salt to said implantable electrode by;

coating said implantable electrode with a layer of DXMb,

overcoating said layer of DXMb with a hydrophilic lubricant, and

applying a solution containing said DEX salt to said lubricant by soaking said implantable electrode in a solution containing DEX salt prior to use said solution being absorbed by said lubricant; and

inserting said implantable electrode into biological tissue, said DXMb and said DEX salt eluting into said biological tissue, wherein said DEX salt is configured to rapidly elute into said biological tissue and said DXMb is configured to more slowly elute into said biological tissue at a lower concentration than said DEX salt.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, said implantable electrode is configured to be inserted into a cochlea.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lubricant comprises a slippery when wet lubricant.

4. A method for delivering dexamethasone base (DXMb) via an implantable electrode comprising:

coupling said DXMb to said implantable electrode by coating said implantable electrode with a layer of DXMb;

overcoating said layer of DXMb with a hydrophilic lubrication layer;

applying a solution containing dexamethasone (DEX) salt to said lubrication layer, said solution being absorbed by said lubrication layer; and

inserting said implantable electrode into biological tissue, said DXMb eluting into said biological tissue.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said lubrication layer comprises a slippery when wet lubricant.

6. An implantable nerve stimulating device comprising:

an elongated member having a distal end bearing at least one electrode; and

DXMb coupled to said elongated member;

DEX salt deposited over said DXMb;

wherein said DEX salt is configured to rapidly elute into surrounding tissue when the device is implanted and said DXMb is configured to more slowly elute into said surrounding tissue at a lower concentration than the DEX salt.