Device and method for manipulating and inserting electrode arrays into neural tissues

A therapeutic device insertion device, comprising:

• a piston slidably contained in an inner chamber to allow movement of the piston from a first end to a second end of the inner chamber, said second end including a piston stop configured to limit motion of the piston;
• a first vacuum operatively associated with the inner chamber at the first end providing a first pressure to the inner chamber at a back side of the piston proximate to the first end;
• a second vacuum operatively associated with a first end of an axial chamber and providing a second pressure within the axial chamber, the second vacuum being operatively associated with the first end of the axial chamber and the second end of the inner chamber and providing a second pressure at a front side of the piston opposite the back side;
• a pressure control system capable of independently controlling vacuum pressures supplied by each of the first and second vacuums;
• an inserter slidably contained in a housing proximate the second end opposite the piston stop, said inserter including at least one aperture extending along a transverse axis of the inserter to allow fluid communication between the axial chamber and a tip of the inserter and the second pressure sufficient to retain a therapeutic device at the tip;
• a position bias member operatively associated with the inserter and configured to bias the inserter toward the piston stop in a biased position.