Precurved modiolar-hugging cochlear electrode

An electrode array adapted for implantation within a human cochlea, comprising:

• an elongate flexible carrier that, when viewed in cross-section, is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
• a plurality of electrode contacts embedded within the carrier, each being electrically connected to a respective wire that is also embedded within the carrier;
• a passageway passing through the elongate flexible carrier into which a stylet may be removably inserted to straighten the elongate flexible carrier during implantation;
• and
• wherein said elongate flexible carrier has compression energy stored therein that forces the carrier to assume a precurved shape in the first direction.

A precurved cochlear electrode array, comprising:

• an elongate flexible carrier adapted for insertion into a human cochlea, wherein the flexible carrier is formed in a precurved shape, and wherein sufficient bias force is present within the elongate flexible carrier to return the elongate flexible carrier to the precurved shape after an initial straightening;
• a plurality of electrode contacts and wires embedded within the carrier, each electrode contact being electrically connected to at least one wire, wherein electrical contact is made with each electrode contact through at least one of the wires;
• and
• a passageway passing longitudinally through the elongate flexible carrier, the passageway providing a channel into which a stylet may be placed to straighten the elongate precurved flexible carrier during insertion of the elongate flexible carrier into the cochlea.

A cochlear electrode system comprising a precurved cochlear electrode array;

• and
• means for straightening the precurved electrode array to facilitate insertion of the precurved electrode array into a human cochlea;
• wherein the precurved electrode array comprises:
• an elongate flexible carrier formed in a precurved shape, wherein sufficient bias force is present within the elongate flexible carrier to return the elongate flexible carrier to the precurved shape after being straightened, and
• a plurality of electrode contacts and wires embedded within the elongate flexible carrier, each electrode contact being electrically connected to at least one wire, wherein electrical contact is made with each electrode contact through at least one of the wires.