# US 9,433,776 B2 · Integrated wire carrier for electrode array > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,776 B2 - Document ID: US9433776B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/178,129 - Filed: 2014-02-11 - Published: 2014-06-12 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-21 - Assignees: Advanced Bionics AG - Applicants: Advanced Bionics LLC - Inventors: Timothy Beerling; Chuladatta Thenuwara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433776B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/0541: {Cochlear electrodes} - A61F 11/20: Ear surgery - Y10T 29/49185: of terminal - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method for forming a cochlear electrode array with a plurality of electrodes which are spaced so as to stimulate sites within a cochlea includes shaping a sheet of electrically conductive material to form a support structure and a plurality of electrodes, in which the electrodes are tethered to the support structure at the spacing of the cochlear electrode array. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body that has frictional characteristics that vary about its circumference. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body with a first region and a second region with different surface textures. This generates differential sliding forces during insertion of the cochlear lead which influence a motion of the cochlear lead during insertion. The cochlear lead having an electrode array with varying stiffness along its length is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for managing wires within a cochlear electrode array, the method comprising: providing an integrated wire carrier having a longitudinal axis and having an aperture passing therethough; passing a plurality of wires through the aperture; forming an electrode mechanically and electrically attached to a wire within the plurality of wires; and bending wings of the electrode to shape the plurality of wires in a wire bundle; wherein the wings further comprising a number of features to assist in securing the electrode in place; wherein the number of features to assist in securing the electrode in place comprise a hole formed through a thickness of one of said wings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising encapsulating the wire bundle and the integrated wire carrier in a flexible body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising marking a scale on an exterior of the integrated wire carrier to show insertion depth of the cochlear electrode array into a cochlea. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the integrated wire carrier further comprises a slit, the plurality of wires being passed through the slit into the aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is formed from a sheet of platinum alloy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the wings include a number of features to assist in bending the electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the electrode comprises terminating the wire at the electrode to which that wire is mechanically and electrically attached. ### Claim 8 A method for manufacturing a cochlear electrode array, the method comprising: passing a plurality of wires through an integrated wire carrier having a longitudinal axis and having an aperture; mechanically and electrically attaching a wire within the plurality of wires to an electrode; bending wings of the electrode to shape the plurality of wires in a wire bundle, wherein the wings include a number of features to assist in bending the wings, wherein the features comprise a hole formed through a thickness of one of the wings; and using the features to assist in bending the wings. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the wire carrier is disposed at a point outside which the plurality of wires enter a flexible body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the number of features to assist in bending the wings comprise a notch in a side of the wing at a point where the wing is to be bent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the wings include a number of features to assist in electrically and mechanically securing a wire in place. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the wire carrier has a cross-section with rectangular U shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the wire carrier has a cross-section with a round or oval shape.