Percutaneous electrical therapy system with electrode depth control

A percutaneous electrical therapy system comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• an electrode introducer configured to insert the electrode into the recipient and release the electrode, the electrode introducer comprising the depth control assembly;
• and
• a transmission assembly configured to insert the electrode's point the predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue when the actuator is moved a predetermined actuator distance, the predetermined depth being greater than the predetermined actuator distance;
• wherein the electrode depth control assembly comprises a limit stop limiting length of travel of the electrode's point;
• and
• wherein the electrode introducer comprises an actuator cooperating with the limit stop, the actuator being configured to move the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• wherein the electrode depth control assembly comprises an electrode holder configured to be mounted on the recipient and to interact mechanically with the electrode;
• and
• wherein the electrode holder comprises an adhesive patch.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system, comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• wherein the electrode depth control assembly comprises an electrode holder configured to be mounted on the recipient and to interact mechanically with the electrode, and further comprises a handle portion on a proximal end of the electrode.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an electrode insertion axial stabilizer configured to provide axial stability to the electrode during insertion of the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an electrode insertion pain reducer configured to reduce pain experienced by the recipient during insertion of the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system comprising:

• an electrode assembly configured to deliver electrical therapy to a recipient, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an electrode angle of entry controller configured to control the electrode's entry angle during insertion of the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly comprises moving an actuator a predetermined actuator distance, the actuator moving the electrode to insert the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue, wherein the predetermined actuator distance is less than the predetermined depth.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue by mounting an electrode holder on the recipient and mechanically interacting the electrode with the electrode holder;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly comprises moving an actuator a predetermined actuator distance, the actuator moving the electrode to insert the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly comprises using an actuator tool to move an actuator, the actuator moving the electrode to insert the sharp point of the electrode into the recipient's tissue.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode comprises using the electrode assembly to guide an electrode entry angle.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode comprises using an introducer to guide an electrode entry angle.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode comprises:
• providing axial stability to the electrode during insertion.

A method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy comprising:

• providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end;
• using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode a predetermined depth into a recipient's tissue;
• and
• applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit;
• wherein using an electrode depth control assembly to insert the sharp point of the electrode comprises:
• placing a housing adjacent the recipient's tissue;
• and
• moving the sharp point of the electrode out of the housing and into the recipient's tissue;
• and wherein the method further comprises
• placing a patch on the recipient's tissue prior to placing the housing adjacent the recipient's tissue, and wherein placing the housing adjacent the recipient's tissue comprises placing the housing adjacent the patch.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system, comprising:

• a housing configured to removably receive an actuator tool;
• an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode having a sharp point configured to be inserted into a recipient's tissue, the electrode being movable relative to the housing between a stowed position and a deployed position, the electrode being positioned to make electrical contact with the actuator tool when the actuator tool is received by the housing;
• and
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the sharp point of the electrode to a predetermined depth in the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system, comprising:

• a housing configured to be removably positioned against the skin of a recipient;
• an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode having a sharp point configured to be inserted through the recipient's skin and into the recipient's tissue, the electrode being movable relative to the housing between a stowed position and a deployed position;
• and
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the sharp point of the electrode to a predetermined depth in the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system, comprising:

• a housing configured to removably receive an actuator tool, the housing having a surface positioned to be removably placed against the skin of a recipient;
• an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode having a sharp point configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue, the electrode being positioned to make electrical contact with the actuator tool when the actuator tool is received by the housing;
• an actuator carrying the electrode, the actuator being movable relative to the housing between a first position with the electrode stowed in the housing and a second position with the electrode deployed from the housing;
• and
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to engage the actuator and control insertion of the sharp point of the electrode to a predetermined depth in the recipient's tissue.

A percutaneous electrical therapy system, comprising:

• a housing;
• an electrode electrically connectable to a control unit, the electrode having a sharp point configured to be inserted into the recipient's tissue;
• an actuator carrying the electrode, the actuator being movable relative to the housing between a first position with the electrode stowed in the housing and a second position with the electrode deployed from the housing;
• an electrode depth control assembly configured to control insertion of the sharp point of the electrode to a predetermined depth in the recipient's tissue;
• and
• an actuator tool removably engaged with the actuator to move the actuator between the first position and the second position, wherein the actuator tool makes electrical contact with the electrode when the actuator tool is engaged with the actuator.