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US 7,571,012 B2Granted
Apparatus for delivery of pharmaceuticals to the cochlea
AssigneeCochlear Limited
InventorPeter Gibson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantable tissue-stimulating device, such as a cochlear implant, having a resiliently flexible elongate member (11) having a plurality of electrodes (12) positioned thereon. The elongate member (11) provides a means of delivering at least one bio-active substance to the implantee following implantation of the elongate member (11). The delivery means can comprise a lumen 21 containing the bio-active substance in a liquid form. The bio-active substance can comprise a steroid or can perform a function of reducing the resting neuron potential of neurons within the cochlea.
Claims40
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising:
- a resiliently flexible elongate member having disposed therein a sealable reservoir configured to receive a bio-active substance;
- a plurality of electrodes mounted on said elongate member configured to provide stimulation to a cochlea;
- and
- a substance egress fluidically coupling said reservoir to the exterior of said elongate member, wherein said substance egress is configured to release said bio-active substance from said reservoir following implantation of said device, wherein said substance egress comprises an opening in said reservoir sealed with a layer of bioresorable material configured to dissolve following implantation of said device,
- a stiffening member configured to bias said elongate member into a first configuration, and wherein said elongate member adopts a second configuration upon deactivation or removal of said stiffening member, wherein said stiffening member comprises a stiffening element extending through a lumen in said elongate member, said stiffening element made of a material relatively stiffer than said resiliently flexible material of said elongate member, and formed of a bioresorbable material which softens or dissolves on exposure to a cochlear fluid.
2 more elements
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising:
- a resiliently flexible elongate member having disposed therein a sealable reservoir adapted to receive a bio-active substance;
- a plurality of electrodes mounted on said elongate member configured to provide stimulation to a cochlea;
- and
- a substance egress fluidically coupling said reservoir to the exterior of said elongate member, wherein said substance egress is configured to release said bio-active substance from said reservoir following implantation of said device, wherein said substance egress comprises:
- a seal disposed at an opening in said reservoir to seal said reservoir;
- and
- a suture through said reservoir and said seal, wherein at least partial removal of said suture at least partially opens said reservoir.
4 more elements
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising:
- a resiliently flexible elongate member having disposed therein a sealable reservoir adapted to receive a bio-active substance;
- a plurality of electrodes mounted on said elongate member configured to provide stimulation to a cochlea;
- a substance egress fluidically coupling said reservoir to the exterior of said elongate member, wherein said substance egress is configured to release said bio-active substance from said reservoir following implantation of said device, wherein said substance egress comprises a sealed opening, wherein said elongate member further comprises a coating of lubricious material on at least a portion of the outer surface of said elongate member;
- and
- a stylet configured to puncture said sealed opening of said substance egress prior to insertion of said device.
2 more elements
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising:
- a resiliently flexible elongate member having disposed therein a sealable reservoir adapted to receive a bio-active substance;
- a plurality of electrodes mounted on said elongate member configured to provide stimulation to a cochlea;
- and
- a substance egress fluidically coupling said reservoir to the exterior of said elongate member, wherein said substance egress is configured to release said bio-active substance from said reservoir following implantation of said device, wherein said substance egress comprises:
- a sealed opening configured to be punctured by a stylet prior to insertion of said device,
- a stiffening member configured to bias said elongate member into a first configuration, and wherein said elongate member adopts a second configuration upon deactivation or removal of said stiffening member in order to apply a desired tissue stimulation, wherein said stiffening member comprises a stiffening element extending through a lumen in said elongate member, said stiffening element made of a material relatively stiffer than said resiliently flexible material of said elongate member, and formed of a bioresorbable material which softens or dissolves on exposure to a cochlear fluid.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.