Assemblies, electrode leads, and methods for steering an electrode lead during insertion into a cochlea

An electrode lead comprising:

• a flexible body;
• one or more electrode contacts located on the flexible body;
• and
• a tubular element embedded within the flexible body, the tubular element comprising:
• a lumen that extends along a length of the flexible body;
• and
• a plurality of fiber windings that wrap around and extend along a length of the tubular element, the plurality of fiber windings including a first section having a first winding configuration and second section having a second winding configuration different from the first winding configuration,
• wherein, in response to application of pressure within the lumen, the first section is configured to move in a first manner based on the first winding configuration and the second section is configured to move in a second manner based on the second winding configuration such that the electrode lead is steerable during insertion into a cochlea of a recipient.

An assembly adapted for insertion into a cochlea of a recipient, the assembly comprising:

• an electrode lead having a flexible body and one or more electrode contacts located on the flexible body;
• and
• a tubular element comprising:
• a lumen that extends along a length of the flexible body;
• and
• a plurality of fiber windings that wrap around and extend along a length of the tubular element, the plurality of fiber windings including a first section having a first winding configuration and second section having a second winding configuration different from the first winding configuration,
• wherein:
• in response to application of pressure within the lumen, the first section is configured to move in a first manner based on the first winding configuration and the second section is configured to move in a second manner based on the second winding configuration such that the electrode lead is steerable during insertion into the cochlea;
• and
• the tubular element is embedded within the flexible body.