Electrode assembly having a flexible tip

An electrode assembly for an implantable hearing prosthesis comprising:

• an elongate member formed from a resiliently flexible material and having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon;
• a tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate member, wherein the tip is less stiff than the elongate member;
• and
• a stiffening sheath configured to surround the tip, wherein the stiffening sheath is stiffer than the tip,
• wherein the elongate member comprises a lumen terminating in an opening at the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the tip comprises a cavity having a opening at a proximal end of the tip that aligns with the lumen opening, and wherein the cavity is configured to receive a stiffening element extending beyond the lumen opening.

An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising:

• an electrode assembly comprising:
• an elongate member formed from a resiliently flexible material and having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon;
• a tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate member, wherein the tip is less stiff than the elongate member;
• an elongate stiffening element;
• and
• a stiffening sheath configured to surround the tip, wherein the stiffening sheath is configured to dissolve and/or soften when exposed to cochlear fluids, and wherein the elongate member comprises a lumen configured to receive the elongate stiffening element.

An implantable hearing prosthesis comprising:

• an electrode assembly comprising:
• an elongate member formed from a resiliently flexible material and having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon;
• a tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate member, wherein the tip is less stiff than the elongate member;
• an elongate stiffening element;
• and
• a stiffening sheath configured to surround the tip, wherein the stiffening sheath is configured to dissolve and/or soften when exposed to cochlear fluids, and wherein the elongate member comprises a lumen configured to receive the elongate stiffening element.