Cochlear Implant Localization System

tem of claim 1, further comprising:

• a sheath configured to cover at least a portion of a length of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• a sheath connector formed on an interior surface of the sheath;
• wherein the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly includes a second electrode portion;
• wherein the sheath connector is configured to electrically connect at least the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.

The system of claim 7, further comprising:

• a first electrode portion connector;
• a second electrode portion connector;
• wherein the sheath connector when electrically connecting at least the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion forms a coil;
• wherein the localizer is operable to generate an electromagnetic field that induces a current in the coil.

A system to track an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly, comprising:

• a localizer positioned near a subject in which the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is to be positioned;
• a processor system configured to receive a signal from a trackable portion within the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• a sheath configured to cover at least a portion of a length of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• a first sheath connector formed on an interior surface of the sheath;
• wherein the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrode portions initially configured as the trackable portion and subsequently configured to transmit a stimulation to a cochlea of the subject after implantation of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• wherein the first sheath connector is configured to electrically connect at least a first sub-plurality of the plurality of electrode portions to form a first coil configured to have a first current induced therein by a field generated by the localizer.

A method to track an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly, comprising:

• positioning a localizer near a subject in which the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly is to be positioned;
• operating the localizer to generate a field;
• providing an implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode portions;
• positioning a sheath to cover at least a portion of a length of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly;
• and
• electrically connecting at least a first sub-plurality of the plurality of electrode portions to form a first coil with a first sheath connector formed on an interior surface of the sheath;
• operating a tracking system having a processor system to receive a signal from the first coil;
• and
• configuring at least one electrode portion of the plurality of electrode portions of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly to be operated to transmit a stimulation signal to a cochlea of the subject after implantation of the implantable cochlear stimulator electrode assembly.