US 6,321,125 B1 · Cochlear electrode system including distally attached flexible positioner

Abstract

An electrode system adapted for insertion into a human cochlea as part of a cochlear stimulation system includes (1) an electrode array, made in a straight or curved shape, but made on a flexible carrier so that it can easily bend within a curved body cavity, such as the cochlea; and (2) a flexible positioner, molded in a curved or straight shape from a silicone polymer so as to make it easy to slide into the body cavity. A distal tip of the positioner is attached to the electrode array at a location that is proximal from the distal end of the electrode array about 3-5 mm. An insertion tube facilitates insertion of the electrode system into a human cochlea in one operation with the aid of a movable stylet wire. One embodiment of the positioner includes keeper tabs at its distal end, and side walls at its proximal end, to help maintain the positioner in a desired position along the back side of the electrode array during and after the insertion process.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A cochlear electrode system comprising:

an electrode array comprising
a elongate flexible carrier having a distal end and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into a human cochlea,
a plurality of spaced-apart contacts carried by the flexible carrier,
a plurality of wires carried within the flexible carrier, at least one wire of the plurality of wires being electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrode contacts, each of the plurality of wires having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to electronic circuitry;
a positioner comprising an elongate flexible member having a distal tip and a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the human cochlea alongside the electrode array;
wherein the distal tip of the positioner is attached to the electrode array only near the distal end of the elongate flexible carrier and not at any other locations;
and
wherein the positioner further has a first pair of keeper tabs protruding from the flexible member at a distal tip of the flexible member, and wherein one tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is attached to one side of the electrode array, and the other tab of the first pair of keeper tabs is attached to an opposite side of the electrode array, to thereby attach the distal tip of the positioner to the electrode array.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cochlear electrode system including distally attached flexible positioner

Life of this patent

Cochlear electrode system including distally attached flexible positioner

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19