Implantable electrode array assembly with extraction sleeve/tether

A method of implanting an electrode array against tissue, said method including the steps of

• implanting an electrode array against the tissue, the array including:
• a carrier;
• a plurality of electrodes disposed on said carrier, said electrodes designed to flow current through tissue;
• an array antenna disposed on said carrier for wirelessly receiving signals;
• a control circuit disposed on said carrier, said control circuit connected to said electrodes and said antenna, said control circuit configured to receive signals from said antenna and, based on the received signals, cause current to be selectively sourced from at least one said electrode and sunk into at least one said electrode;
• and a tether connected to said carrier, said tether including an a tether antenna over which signals are wirelessly transmitted to said array antenna;
• transmitting signals over the tether antenna to the array antenna so as to cause current to flow between the electrodes that results in current flow through the tissue;
• evaluating whether or not the current flow through the tissue provides a beneficial therapy;
• if the current flow through the tissue does not provide beneficial therapy, pulling on the tether to extract the electrode array from the tissue;
• if the current flow through the tissue provides beneficial therapy, disconnecting the tether from the carrier and withdrawing the carrier away from the tissue;
• and
• wirelessly transmitting signals to the array antenna through an antenna other than the tether antenna that results in the continued current flow between the electrodes.