Integrated wire carrier for electrode array

#In human hearing, hair cells in the cochlea respond to sound waves and produce corresponding auditory nerve impulses. These nerve impulses are then conducted to the brain and perceived as sound.

#Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss typically occurs where the normal mechanical pathways for sound to reach the hair cells in the cochlea are impeded, for example, from damage to the ossicles. Conductive hearing loss may often be helped by using conventional hearing aids that amplify sounds so that acoustic information can reach the cochlea and the hair cells. Some types of conductive hearing loss are also treatable by surgical procedures.

#Many people who are profoundly deaf, however, have sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss can arise from the absence or the destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea which then no longer transduce acoustic signals into auditory nerve impulses. Individuals with sensorineural hearing loss may be unable to derive significant benefit from conventional hearing aid systems alone, no matter how loud the acoustic stimulus is. This is because the mechanism for transducing sound energy into auditory nerve impulses has been damaged. Thus, in the absence of properly functioning hair cells, auditory nerve impulses cannot be generated directly from sounds.

#The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.

#FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a cochlear implant system in use, according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing external components of an illustrative cochlear implant system, according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

#Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

#As mentioned above, individuals with hearing loss can be assisted by a number of hearing devices, including cochlear implants. To place the lead of a cochlear implant, the distal (or apical) portion of a cochlear lead is pushed through an opening into the cochlea. The distal portion of the lead is typically constructed out of biocompatible silicone, platinum-iridium wires, and platinum electrodes. This gives the distal portion of the lead the flexibility to curve around the helical interior of the cochlea. During manufacturing, the proper management of wires which pass through the lead and connect to electrodes avoids damage to the wire or flawed assembly of the lead.

#In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.