Cochlear electrode with precurved and straight sections

• US 20060085055A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hearworks Pty., Ltd. (Cochlear Limited)
• Original Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Inventors: Gibson, Peter, Dadd, Fysh, Manouchehri, Shahram, Tasche, Claudia, Cowan, Robert, Briggs, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,805,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

An implantable electrode array for insertion into an implantee'"'"'s body. The array comprises an elongate carrier having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of electrodes are supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations thereon between the proximal end and the distal end. The carrier is comprised of at least a first portion that preferentially adopts a first at least partially curved configuration and at least a second portion that preferentially adopts a second different configuration to that of the first portion. The second portion is closer to the distal end than the first portion and both the first and second portions each have at least one electrode supported thereon.

Claims

1. An implantable electrode array for insertion into an implantee'"'"'s body, the array comprising:

an elongate carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising a first portion configured to adopt a first at least partially curved configuration and at least a second portion that configured to adopt a second different configuration to that of the first portion, said second portion being closer to said distal end than said first portion; and

a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations on the first and second portions of the carrier.

2. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the second portion is furthered configured to adopt a substantially straight configuration.

3. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the second portion is furthered configured to adopt a non-straight configuration.

4. The implantable electrode array of claim 3, wherein the second portion is further configured to adopt a curved configuration having a degree of curvature less than that of the first portion.

5. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the second portion is conformable to the shape of the site of implantation.

6. The implantable electrode array of claim 1 wherein a portion of said first portion is configured to adopt said first at least partially curved configuration.

7. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the carrier has a constant diameter for at least a portion of its length.

8. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the carrier tapers in diameter for at least a portion of its length between the proximal end and the distal end.

9. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the implantable electrode array is a cochlear implant electrode array insertable into the cochlear of all implantee.

10. The implantable electrode array of claim 9, wherein the carrier has an extracochlear part and an intracochlear part.

11. The implantable electrode array of claim 10, wherein the intracochlear part has a length between about 8 mm and about 40 mm.

12. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a length between about 8 mm and about 34 mm.

13. The implantable electrode array of claim 12, wherein the first portion has a length of about 18 mm.

14. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the second portion has a length between about 1 mm and 10 mm.

15. The implantable electrode array of claim 14, wherein the second portion has a length of about 3 mm.

16. The implantable electrode array of claim 9, wherein, following implantation, the first portion of the carrier subtends an angle of about 360°

within the cochlea.

17. The implantable electrode array of claim 9, wherein, following implantation, the second portion of the carrier subtends an angle of about 270°

within the cochlea.

18. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the carrier is hemispherical.

19. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the carrier is formed from an elastomeric and/or a polymeric material.

20. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein the first portion is formed from a different material to that of the second portion.

21. The implantable electrode array of claim 1, wherein at least the first portion is at least substantially straightenable by a removable straightening element extending through the carrier.

22. The implantable electrode array of claim 21, wherein the straightening element is positioned within a lumen extending through the carrier.

23. The implantable electrode array of claim 21, wherein the straightening element extends to the distal end of the carrier.

24. The implantable electrode array of claim 21, wherein the straightening element is a metal stylet.