EP 1185332 A4 20081224 - ELECTRODE ARRAY FOR HYBRID COCHLEAR STIMULATOR
Title (en)
ELECTRODE ARRAY FOR HYBRID COCHLEAR STIMULATOR
Title (de)
ELEKTRODENMATRIX FÜR HYBRID-KOCHLEA-STIMULATIONSGERÄT
Title (fr)
RESEAU D'ELECTRODES POUR STIMULATEUR COCHLEAIRE HYBRIDE
Publication
Application
Priority
- US 0013121 W 20000512
- US 13429099 P 19990514
- US 13521799 P 19990521
Abstract (en)
[origin: WO0069513A1] A cochlear electrode array is adapted for implantation within the basal end of the scala tympani duct of a human cochlea. A first embodiment of the cochlear electrode array (10) comprises a skinny, elongate carrier (12) of from 6-8 mm in length. Four to eight spaced-apart electrode contacts (14) reside along one of the flat sides of the carrier, each of which is connected to a respective wire (22) embedded within the carrier. The wires exit a proximal end of the carrier via a wire bundle. The wire bundle, in turn, is connectable to an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) or equivalent pulse generator. The electrode array (10) is inserted into the relatively straight portion of the basal end of the scala tympani duct of the cochlea through a small slit (42) made in the round window membrane that separates the cochlea from the middle ear. The slit is oriented so as to place the electrode contacts facing the modiolar wall (32). The proximal end of the carrier may include flexible flaps (16) or tines that maintain the electrode array in its desired position within the basal end of the cochlea. Such tines or flaps further help seal the carrier against the slit opening to present fluids from escaping the cochlea. The cochlea thus remains filled with fluid which can activate hair cells as fluid waves are established through motion of the round window membrane. In use, electrical stimulation is provided only to the basal end of the cochlea through the electrode array to supplement hearing of high frequency sounds. Normal hearing (activation of hair cells through fluid motion) occurs at the apex and middle regions of the cochlea for sensing lower frequency sounds. A second embodiment of the cochlear electrode (100) is made by forming a small (120) of about 0.4 mm diameter on the end of a very fine flexible platinum/iridium (Pt/Ir) wire (140). At a proximal end of the wire, a suitable connector (540) allows the wire to be detachably connected to a pulse generator (500).
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
A61N 1/05 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
A61N 1/0541 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [A] WO 9730670 A1 19970828 - MED EL ELEKTROMED GERAETE GMBH [AT]
- [A] WO 9911321 A1 19990311 - ADVANCED BIONICS CORP [US]
- [A] US 5653742 A 19970805 - PARKER JOHN L [AU], et al
- [A] US 4819647 A 19890411 - BYERS CHARLES L [US], et al
- See references of WO 0069513A1
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
DOCDB simple family (publication)
WO 0069513 A1 20001123; AU 4846000 A 20001205; CA 2371125 A1 20001123; EP 1185332 A1 20020313; EP 1185332 A4 20081224
DOCDB simple family (application)
US 0013121 W 20000512; AU 4846000 A 20000512; CA 2371125 A 20000512; EP 00930682 A 20000512