# US 2019/0167985 A1 · Devices and methods for treating tinnitus using electrical stimulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167985 A1 - Document ID: US20190167985A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/307,700 - Filed: 2017-06-02 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-06 - Assignees: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research - Applicants: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research - Inventors: Matthew L. Carlson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167985A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/361: {Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus} - A61N 1/0541: {Cochlear electrodes} - A61N 1/36038: {Cochlear stimulation} - A61N 1/37518: {Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation} - H04R 25/75: {Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception} - H04R 2225/67: Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606 - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Electrical stimulation devices can be used to treat tinnitus. For example, tinnitus can be treated using implantable electrodes and stimulation devices for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient's cochlear region. Cochlear surface electrode(s), endosteal electrode(s), subendosteal electrode(s), intraosseous electrode(s), or short intracochlear electrode(s) (or a combination there-of), connected to existing or modified cochlear implant receiver/stimulator technology, can provide a successful model for long-term treatment of tinnitus in a large number of patients. In some cases, patients can simply turn on the tinnitus implant when experiencing troublesome tinnitus and gain instant relief. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode device for delivering electrical pulse stimuli to a patient's cochlear region, the electrode device comprising: a lead comprising a first elongate insulated electrical conductor; a first electrode disposed at a distal end portion of the lead and in electrical communication with the first elongate insulated electrical conductor; and an anchor element disposed adjacent to the first electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrode device of claim 1, wherein the lead further comprises a second elongate insulated electrical conductor, and wherein the electrode device further comprises a second electrode disposed at the distal end portion of the lead and in electrical communication with the second elongate insulated electrical conductor. ### Claim 3 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electrode device of claim 2, wherein the lead further comprises at least two more elongate insulated electrical conductors in addition to the first and second elongate insulated electrical conductors, and wherein the electrode device further comprises at least two more electrodes that are in electrical communication with a respective elongate insulated electrical conductor. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 A method of intraosseously treating a tinnitus condition of a patient, the method comprising: drilling a hole in a cochlear bone of the patient, wherein said drilling comprises creating a blind hole in the cochlear bone without completely breaking through the cochlear bone; implanting an electrode device within the patient, wherein said implanting comprises intraosseously placing one or more electrodes of the electrode device within the blind hole; and delivering, via the one or more electrodes, electrical pulse stimuli to the cochlear bone of the patient. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrode device of claim 1, wherein the anchor element is a flexible barbed member. ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrode device of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion comprises a malleable member that retains a shape after being bent into the shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method of treating a tinnitus condition of a patient, the method comprising: implanting the electrode device of claim 9 within the patient, wherein said implanting comprises: wrapping the distal end portion around the patient's vestibulocochlear nerve; and delivering, via the one or more electrodes, electrical pulse stimuli to the patient's vestibulocochlear nerve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electrode device of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion comprises a shape-memory member that seeks a curved shape when heated. ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 A method of treating a tinnitus condition of a patient, the method comprising: implanting an electrode device within the patient, wherein the electrode device comprises a lead and a needle electrode having one or more electrodes disposed at a distal end of the lead, wherein said implanting comprises inserting at least a portion of the needle electrode within a vestibulocochlear nerve of the patient; and delivering, via the one or more electrodes, electrical pulse stimuli to the vestibulocochlear nerve of the patient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the electrode device comprises an anchor element pivotably coupled to the needle electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the needle electrode is at least partially malleable, and wherein said method further comprises bending a malleable portion of the needle electrode around the vestibulocochlear nerve of the patient. ### Claim 16 (canceled)