公开(公告)号：US20110118815A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-19

申请号：US13013599

申请日：2011-01-25

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Anne M. Pianca

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Anne M. Pianca

IPC分类号： A61N1/05 ,  H05K13/00

CPC分类号： A61N1/05 ,  A61N1/0551 ,  A61N1/0553 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49204 ,  Y10T29/49208 ,  Y10T29/4922

摘要： A lead assembly and a method of making a lead are provided. The method of making a multi-contact lead assembly comprises placing monofilament placed in the void spaces not occupied by the plurality of conductor wires and, in one embodiment, thermally fusing the monofilament to the like material spacer by applying heat just below the melting temperature of the monofilament and spacer material. Alternatively, the monofilament and spacer may be of different materials and heat is applied to cause at least one material to thermally reflow or melt. The conductive contacts may be located at either the distal end and/or proximal end of the lead. Oversized spacers may be used in order to provide extra material to fill voids during the thermal fusion/reflow process.

摘要翻译： 提供引线组件和引线的方法。 制造多接触引线组件的方法包括放置放置在未被多根导线占据的空隙空间中的单丝，并且在一个实施例中，通过施加刚好低于熔融温度 单丝和间隔材料。 或者，单丝和间隔件可以是不同的材料，并且施加热量以使至少一种材料热回流或熔化。 导电触点可以位于引线的远端和/或近端处。 可以使用超大间隔物，以便在热熔/回流过程期间提供额外的材料以填充空隙。

公开(公告)号：US20110077721A1

公开(公告)日：2011-03-31

申请号：US12960722

申请日：2010-12-06

申请人： Todd K. Whitehurst ,  Rafael Carbunaru ,  James P. McGivern ,  Matthew I. Haller ,  Tom Xiaohai He ,  Kerry Bradley ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Todd K. Whitehurst ,  Rafael Carbunaru ,  James P. McGivern ,  Matthew I. Haller ,  Tom Xiaohai He ,  Kerry Bradley ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61N1/372 ,  A61N1/08

CPC分类号： A61N1/37252 ,  A61N1/05 ,  A61N1/0556 ,  A61N1/36071 ,  A61N1/37205 ,  A61N1/37217 ,  A61N1/37288

摘要： Miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators) are capable of producing unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs). The methods and configurations described may, for instance, arrest action potentials traveling in one direction, arrest action potentials of small diameters nerve fibers, arrest action potentials of large diameter nerve fibers. These methods and systems may limit side effects of bidirectional and/or less targeted stimulation.

摘要翻译： 微型植入式刺激器（即微型刺激器）能够产生单向传播动作电位（UPAP）。 所描述的方法和结构可以例如阻止在一个方向上行进的动作电位，阻止小直径神经纤维的动作电位，阻止大直径神经纤维的动作电位。 这些方法和系统可以限制双向和/或较少靶向刺激的副作用。

公开(公告)号：US07006875B1

公开(公告)日：2006-02-28

申请号：US10809747

申请日：2004-03-25

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Todd K. Whitehurst

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Todd K. Whitehurst

IPC分类号： A61N1/05

CPC分类号： A61N1/0553 ,  A61N1/0556

摘要： A curved paddle electrode allows the electrode to be placed over a relatively flat or oval shaped nerve bundle attached to fascia tissue without having to separate the nerve bundle from the fascia tissue. The electrode includes at least one suture hole that allows the electrode to be held in place over the nerve bundle through a clip-on stitch, or equivalent. In one embodiment, the curved paddle electrode provides a tripolar electrode configuration that allows three spaced-apart parallel electrode contacts to be positioned transverse to a target nerve bundle. Such electrode configuration allows bipolar or tripolar stimulation to occur. Other embodiments employ less or more than three electrode contacts. A preferred application of the curved paddle electrode is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), where the electrode is placed over the neurovascular bundle attached to the rectal fascia tissue near the rectum.

摘要翻译： 弯曲的桨电极允许电极放置在附着于筋膜组织的相对平坦或椭圆形的神经束上，而不必将神经束与筋膜组织分开。 电极包括至少一个缝合孔，其允许电极通过夹线或等同物保持在神经束上的适当位置。 在一个实施例中，弯曲桨电极提供三极电极配置，其允许三个间隔开的平行电极触点横向于目标神经束定位。 这种电极配置允许发生双极或三极刺激。 其他实施例使用较少或多于三个电极触点。 弯曲桨电极的优选应用是用于治疗勃起功能障碍（ED），其中电极置于附着在直肠附近的直肠筋膜组织的神经血管束上。

公开(公告)号：US06889094B1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-03

申请号：US09979800

申请日：2000-05-12

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Thomas J. Balkany

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Thomas J. Balkany

IPC分类号： A61N1/05

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541

摘要： 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).

公开(公告)号：US06862805B1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-08

申请号：US09945304

申请日：2001-08-31

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Albert A. Maltan

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Albert A. Maltan

IPC分类号： A61N1/05 ,  H01R43/00

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49156 ,  Y10T29/49169 ,  Y10T29/49174 ,  Y10T29/49176 ,  Y10T29/49179

摘要： A method of making an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, includes the steps of: (a) forming electrode contact pieces made from a precious, biocompatible material into a desired shape; (b) attaching the electrode contact pieces to a foil sheet made from a non-toxic but chemically-active metal; (c) connecting a wiring system to the metal contact pieces; (d) molding a flexible polymer carrier around the electrode contact pieces and wiring system while such are held in place by the foil sheet; and (e) etching away the foil sheet, leaving the electrode contact pieces exposed at a surface of the molded polymer carrier. The exposed electrode contacts are made so as to have a shape, geometry, or makeup that aids in controlling the current flow and current density associated with the electrode contact as a function of position on the electrode contact.

摘要翻译： 制造适于插入耳蜗的可植入电极阵列的方法包括以下步骤：（a）将由珍贵的生物相容性材料制成的电极接触片形成为期望的形状; （b）将电极接触片连接到由无毒但化学活性金属制成的箔片上; （c）将布线系统连接到金属接触片上; （d）在电极接触片和布线系统周围形成柔性聚合物载体，同时通过箔片保持在适当位置; 和（e）蚀刻掉箔片，留下电极接触片露出在模制聚合物载体的表面。 暴露的电极触点被制成为具有形状，几何形状或组合，其有助于控制与电极接触相关联的电流和电流密度作为电极接触件上的位置的函数。

公开(公告)号：US06736771B2

公开(公告)日：2004-05-18

申请号：US10324183

申请日：2002-12-20

申请人： W. Gary Sokolich ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： W. Gary Sokolich ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67 ,  H04R2410/00

摘要： An implantable microphone assembly for use with a hearing prosthesis, such as a fully implantable cochlear stimulation system, includes a diaphragm mounted to an outside surface of an hermetically sealed case. The mounting is made, in one of various embodiments, by way of an hermetic weld around the diaphragm circumference. A gap is created on the underside of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is lifted with internal pressure. An acoustic channel or groove is formed in the wall of the hermetic case to which the diaphragm is mounted. A first end of the channel or groove opens into the gap at a location that is at or near the center of the underside of the diaphragm. A second end of the channel or groove opens to the interior of the hermetic case at a location that is near the periphery of the diaphragm. An acoustic transducer is placed inside the hermetic case and coupled to the second end of the acoustic channel or groove so as to sense variations in pressure that occur in the gap due to deflections of the diaphragm caused, e.g., by external sound pressure. The interior space inside of the hermetic case directly underneath the diaphragm may be used to house and mount other components, such as a battery. The interior of the hermetic case, which interior includes the gap and acoustic channel, is pressurized in order to lift the diaphragm to form the gap and enable the diaphragm to move in response to external forces, such as forces created by sound impinging the skin above the area where the implantable microphone is implanted.

摘要翻译： 用于与诸如完全植入式耳蜗刺激系统之类的听觉假体的可植入麦克风组件包括安装在密封的壳体的外表面上的隔膜。 在各种实施例之一中，通过围绕隔膜圆周的密封焊接来制造安装件。 当隔膜用内压提升时，在隔膜的下侧产生间隙。 在安装隔膜的密封箱的壁中形成声通道或凹槽。 通道或凹槽的第一端在位于隔膜下侧中心附近的位置处开口到间隙中。 通道或凹槽的第二端在靠近隔膜周边的位置处通向密封壳体的内部。 声换能器放置在密封壳体的内部并且耦合到声通道或凹槽的第二端，以便感测由于例如由外部声压导致的隔膜的偏转而在间隙中发生的压力变化。 直接在隔膜下方的密封箱内部的内部空间可以用于容纳和安装诸如电池的其它部件。 密封壳体的内部包括间隙和声通道，其被加压以提升隔膜以形成间隙，并且使得隔膜能够响应外部力而移动，例如由声音撞击皮肤所产生的力 植入式麦克风植入的区域。

公开(公告)号：US06628991B2

公开(公告)日：2003-09-30

申请号：US09844024

申请日：2001-04-27

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas J. Balkany ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas J. Balkany ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz

IPC分类号： A61N105

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  A61B17/1679 ,  A61F11/004

摘要： A threaded grommet, having an axial passageway therethrough, and made from a biocompatible material, such as titanium, is screwed into a cochleostomy made in the bony tissue adjacent the round window in order to provide a minimally-invasive access port into the cochlea. The threads included on the outside of the grommet engage the bony tissue and form a tight seal that holds the grommet securely in position. Such tight seal prevents cochlear fluids from escaping from inside of the cochlea. The axial passageway through the center of the grommet provides an opening, i.e., mechanical access, into the base end (the end of the cochlea nearest the round window) of the cochlea. Drugs, steroids, tissue-growth-inhibiting fluids, and the like, may be controllably delivered through the access hole into the cochlea, which access hole may be plugged when not needed. Additionally, an electrode array, e.g., a relatively short electrode array may, be inserted into the cochlea through the access hole. A preferred electrode array has from four to eight electrode contacts spaced apart along a flexible carrier. The flexible carrier is about 6-8 mm in length. The electrode contacts may be connected, in conventional manner, to suitable implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS), or equivalent pulse generator. Neither the grommet nor the short electrode array interfere with the normal hearing processes within the cochlea. Hence, both electrical stimulation and normal hearing processes may occur simultaneously within the cochlea.

公开(公告)号：US06549814B1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-15

申请号：US09876882

申请日：2001-06-07

申请人： Juergen Strutz ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Juergen Strutz ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61N105

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  A61N1/36036

摘要： A cochlear electrode array is adapted for use with a hybrid hearing aid system. The cochlear electrode array has a carrier on which spaced-apart electrode contacts are carried, and in one embodiment is formed in the shape of a blade, being flat in one direction and thin in another direction. In another embodiment, side fins extend out from opposing sides of the carrier on which the electrode contacts are carried. The blade electrode array, or electrode array with side fins, is adapted for minimally-invasive insertion into the inner ear. More particularly, the blade or finned electrode is designed to be inserted through a soft cochleostomy so as to reside between the spiral ligament membrane and the cochlear bony tissue along a lateral side of the cochlea, near the basal end of the cochlea. As such, the blade electrode does not penetrate into the scala tympani or other ducts of the cochlea, and the cochlea remains free to perform its normal hearing functions to the extent that such normal hearing functions can be performed.

摘要翻译： 耳蜗电极阵列适用于混合式助听器系统。 耳蜗电极阵列具有承载间隔开的电极触点的载体，并且在一个实施例中形成为叶片的形状，在一个方向上是平坦的并且在另一个方向上是薄的。 在另一个实施例中，侧翼从承载电极接触的载体的相对侧延伸出来。 刀片电极阵列或具有侧翼的电极阵列适于微创地插入内耳。 更具体地，叶片或翅片电极被设计成通过软的耳蜗切开术插入，以便在耳蜗的基端附近沿着耳蜗的侧面位于螺旋状韧带膜和耳蜗骨组织之间。 因此，刀片电极不会渗透到耳蜗的鼓膜鼓或其他导管中，并且耳蜗保持自由以执行其正常听力功能至可以执行这种正常听力功能的程度。

公开(公告)号：US06542777B1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-01

申请号：US09766290

申请日：2001-01-19

申请人： Glen A. Griffith ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Tae W. Hahn

发明人： Glen A. Griffith ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Tae W. Hahn

IPC分类号： A61N140

CPC分类号： A61N1/37229

摘要： A spiral shield for an implantable secondary coil confines the electrical field of the coil, and thus prevents capacitive coupling of the coil through surrounding dielectrics (such as human tissue.) Known implantable devices receive power inductively, through a secondary coil, from a primary coil in an external device. Efficient power reception requires that the coils be tuned to the same resonant frequency. Use of the spiral shield results in predictable electrical behavior of the secondary coil and permits the secondary coil to be accurately tuned to the same resonate frequency as the primary coil. To further improve performance, spacers made from SILBIONE®LSR 70 reside between turns of the coil to reduce turn to turn and turn to shield capacitances. Reducing the capacitances prevents excessive reduction of the self resonant frequency of the coil. The coil is imbedded in SILBIONE®LSR 70, allowing for a thin and flexible coil.

摘要翻译： 用于可植入次级线圈的螺旋屏蔽限制线圈的电场，从而防止线圈通过周围电介质（例如人体组织）的电容耦合。已知的可植入装置通过次级线圈感应地从初级线圈 在外部设备。 有效的功率接收要求将线圈调谐到相同的谐振频率。 螺旋屏蔽的使用导致次级线圈的可预测的电气行为，并允许将次级线圈精确地调谐到与初级线圈相同的谐振频率。 为了进一步提高性能，SILBIONE（R）LSR 70制成的间隔件位于线圈的转弯之间，以减少转向并转向屏蔽电容。 降低电容可以防止线圈的自谐振频率的过度降低。 线圈镶嵌在SILBIONE（R）LSR 70中，允许薄而柔性的线圈。

公开(公告)号：US06498954B1

公开(公告)日：2002-12-24

申请号：US09758104

申请日：2001-01-10

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz

IPC分类号： A61N105

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541

摘要： An implantable electrode assembly includes a leading section attached to the distal end of an electrode array. The electrode array has electrodes spaced along its length. Cochleostomies are drilled at both the base and apex of the cochlea. The leading section is inserted through the basal cochleostomy and promoted to the apical cochleostomy. A forward end of the leading section is then pulled through the apical cochleostomy, which causes the electrode array to be pulled into the cochlea. A depth marker on the electrode array indicates complete insertion. The leading section is detached from the electrode array and the electrode array is placed in tension by gently pulling both ends, which tension causes the electrode array to hug the modiolar wall of the cochlea. Wedges may be inserted at both cochleostomies to maintain the electrode array in tension.

摘要翻译： 可植入电极组件包括附接到电极阵列的远端的引导部分。 电极阵列具有沿其长度间隔开的电极。 在耳蜗的基部和顶点都钻有耳蜗。 引导部分穿过基底耳蜗切开术，并推广到顶端耳蜗造口术。 然后将引导部分的前端拉过顶端耳蜗切开术，使得电极阵列被拉入耳蜗。 电极阵列上的深度标记表示完全插入。 引导部分与电极阵列分离，并且电极阵列通过轻轻拉动两端而放置在张力中，该张力使电极阵列拥抱耳蜗的模块壁。 楔子可以插入两个耳蜗，以保持电极阵列的张力。