Cochlear electrode with precurved and straight sections

An implantable electrode array for insertion into an implantee's body, the array comprising:

• an elongate carrier having a proximal end and a distal end and including:
• a first portion adjacent the proximal end and extending towards the distal end;
• and
• a second portion adjacent the distal end and extending towards the proximal end, wherein
• neither the first portion nor the second portion extend the entire length of the elongate carrier, the first portion has a distinct boundary defining limits of the first portion's extent in the distal direction of electrode array, the second portion has a distinct boundary defining limits of the second portion's extent in the proximal direction of the electrode array, the distinct boundaries are defined by the presence of a first material in the first portion and the presence of a second material in the second portion, the first and second materials have different mechanical properties, the first portion biased in a curved configuration and comprising a curve having an angle of curvature of about 360°, and the second portion biased in a substantially straight configuration;
• and
• a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations on the carrier, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion have at least one of the plurality of electrodes supported thereon.

An implantable electrode array for insertion into an implantee's body, the array comprising:

• an elongate carrier having a first portion adjacent a proximal end and a second portion adjacent a distal end that does not overlap the first portion in the direction of longitudinal extension of the elongate carrier, the first portion being made of a first material and the second portion being made of a second material, the first portion comprising more of the first material than the second material, the second portion comprising more of the second material than the first material, the first and second materials having different mechanical properties, the first portion biased in a curved configuration and the second portion biased in a substantially straight configuration;
• a lumen extending through the carrier, wherein the lumen does not extend through the second portion;
• and
• a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations on the carrier, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion have at least one of the plurality of electrodes supported thereon.