公开(公告)号：US06321125B1

公开(公告)日：2001-11-20

申请号：US09443628

申请日：1999-11-19

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61N105

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541

摘要： An electrode system adapted for insertion into a human cochlea as part of a cochlear stimulation system includes (1) an electrode array, made in a straight or curved shape, but made on a flexible carrier so that it can easily bend within a curved body cavity, such as the cochlea; and (2) a flexible positioner, molded in a curved or straight shape from a silicone polymer so as to make it easy to slide into the body cavity. A distal tip of the positioner is attached to the electrode array at a location that is proximal from the distal end of the electrode array about 3-5 mm. An insertion tube facilitates insertion of the electrode system into a human cochlea in one operation with the aid of a movable stylet wire. One embodiment of the positioner includes keeper tabs at its distal end, and side walls at its proximal end, to help maintain the positioner in a desired position along the back side of the electrode array during and after the insertion process.

摘要翻译： 适于作为耳蜗刺激系统的一部分插入到人耳蜗中的电极系统包括：（1）电极阵列，其制成直线或弯曲形状，但制成在柔性载体上，使得其可以容易地在弯曲体腔内弯曲 ，如耳蜗; 和（2）柔性定位器，其从硅树脂聚合物成型为弯曲或直线形状，以便容易地滑入体腔。 定位器的远侧末端在距离电极阵列的远端约3-5mm的位置附接到电极阵列。 插入管有助于借助于可移动的管心针线将电极系统插入到人耳蜗内。 定位器的一个实施例包括其远端处的保持器突出部及其近端处的侧壁，以帮助在插入过程中和之后将定位器沿着电极阵列的背侧保持在期望位置。

公开(公告)号：US06272382B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-07

申请号：US09407826

申请日：1999-09-28

申请人： Michael A. Faltys ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz ,  Alfred E. Mann

发明人： Michael A. Faltys ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz ,  Alfred E. Mann

IPC分类号： A61N136

CPC分类号： A61N1/08 ,  A61N1/36036 ,  A61N1/375 ,  A61N1/3787

摘要： The present invention provides a fully implantable cochlear implant system (FICIS) that allows various configurations of different modules to be combined so as to meet the needs of a particular patient, including very young patients. At least three main modules are used in the FICIS, including (1) a small implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) module, with permanently attached cochlear electrode array; (2) an implantable speech processor (ISP) module, with integrated microphone and rechargeable battery; and (3) an external module. In one embodiment, the external module may comprise an external speech processor (ESP) module. In another embodiment, the external module may comprise an external battery charger (EBC) module. The ICS and ISP modules are configured to facilitate long time reliable use of the ICS module, e.g., for the lifetime of the patient, and low-risk, relatively easy replacement of the ISP module.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供一种完全可植入的人工耳蜗植入系统（FICIS），其允许组合不同模块的各种配置，以便满足特定患者（包括非常年轻的患者）的需要。 FICIS中至少使用三个主要模块，其中包括：（1）一个小型植入式耳蜗刺激器（ICS）模块，具有永久性附加的耳蜗电极阵列; （2）可植入语音处理器（ISP）模块，具有集成麦克风和可充电电池; 和（3）外部模块。 在一个实施例中，外部模块可以包括外部语音处理器（ESP）模块。 在另一个实施例中，外部模块可以包括外部电池充电器（EBC）模块。 ICS和ISP模块被配置为便于长时间可靠地使用ICS模块，例如在患者的寿命期内，以及低风险，相对容易地更换ISP模块。

公开(公告)号：US06198969B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-06

申请号：US09239926

申请日：1999-01-28

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61N1375

CPC分类号： A61N1/3752

摘要： A multi-output connector for use with an implantable neurostimulator, or similar implantable stimulator, is described. The connector includes three main components: an output bracket (10), a receiver (20), and a clamp (30). The output bracket forms part of the stimulator and is typically made from a hard polymer, such as epoxy resin. It has a T-shaped cross section, and has an array of metal contacts placed on both sides of the base of the “T”. The receiver is made from a soft polymer, such as silicone rubber, and has a T-slot formed therein adapted to match the T-shaped cross-section of the output bracket. Contact pins are formed in the side walls of the receiver so as to make electrical contact with the metal contacts of the output bracket when the receiver is placed over the bracket. The clamp is made from metal in the form of a U-shape and fits over the top of the receiver 20 to apply compression to both side of the receiver. The compression provided by the clamp not only assures proper electrical contact between the metal contacts of the output bracket and the corresponding pins of the receiver, but also deforms the silicone walls of the receiver to provide the necessary electrical insulation and sealing between the connection points.

摘要翻译： 描述了用于可植入神经刺激器或类似可植入刺激器的多输出连接器。 连接器包括三个主要部件：输出托架（10），接收器（20）和夹具（30）。 输出支架构成刺激器的一部分，并且通常由诸如环氧树脂的硬质聚合物制成。 它具有T形横截面，并且具有放置在“T”底部两侧的金属触点阵列。 接收器由诸如硅橡胶的软质聚合物制成，并且其中形成有适于匹配输出支架的T形横截面的T形槽。 接触销形成在接收器的侧壁中，以便当接收器放置在支架上时，与输出支架的金属触点电接触。 夹具由U型形式的金属制成，并且装配在接收器20的顶部上，以对接收器的两侧施加压缩。 由夹具提供的压缩不仅确保输出支架的金属触点和接收器的相应销之间的适当的电接触，而且使接收器的硅树脂壁变形，从而在连接点之间提供必要的电绝缘和密封。

公开(公告)号：US5645585A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-08

申请号：US616299

申请日：1996-03-15

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61F11/00 ,  A61F11/04 ,  A61N1/05 ,  A61F2/18

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  A61F11/004

摘要： An implantable cochlear electrode assembly includes a flexible rod-like electrode carrier and a flexible rod-like positioning member which are initially parallel to and closely alongside each other and, when the assembly is inserted endwise into the cochlea, adopt the spiral curvature of the cochlea. The electrode carrier and the positioning member are connected to each other at their respective leading end regions by a latchless rod-and-socket joint and at their respective trailing end regions by a ring-shaped member having a generally D-shaped cross-sectional configuration, with the flat wall of the "D" defining the circumferential boundary surface of the passageway in the ring member through which the electrode carrier and the positioning member jointly pass with a close fit. The medial regions of the electrode carrier and the positioning member are separate from and unconnected to each other, so that within the cochlea the positioning member can assume an outwardly arched configuration relative to the electrode carrier for forcing the latter into a close hugging engagement with the modiolus and for disposing the contact faces of the electrodes in as close a juxtaposition to the cells of the spiral ganglion as possible. The latchless rod-and-socket joint enables the positioning member to be withdrawn from the assembly without disturbing the electrode carrier.

摘要翻译： 可植入耳蜗电极组件包括柔性杆状电极载体和柔性杆状定位构件，其最初平行于并且紧密地彼此并联，并且当该组件沿端向插入耳蜗时采用耳蜗的螺旋曲率 。 电极载体和定位构件通过无闩锁的杆 - 插座接头在它们各自的前端区域处彼此连接，并且在它们各自的后端区域处具有大致D形横截面构造的环形构件 ，其中“D”的平坦壁限定环形构件中的通道的周向边界表面，电极载体和定位构件通过该圆形边界表面紧密配合。 电极载体和定位构件的中间区域彼此分离并且不相连，使得在耳蜗内，定位构件可以相对于电极载体呈现向外拱形的构造，以迫使其与该电极载体紧密接合 并且用于将电极的接触面尽可能靠近地并排配置到螺旋神经节的细胞。 无闩锁杆 - 插座接头使得定位构件能够从组件中取出而不会干扰电极载体。

公开(公告)号：US5545219A

公开(公告)日：1996-08-13

申请号：US414656

申请日：1995-03-30

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61F11/00 ,  A61F11/04 ,  A61N1/05 ,  A61N1/36 ,  A61F2/18 ,  A61N1/00

CPC分类号： A61N1/05 ,  A61F11/004 ,  A61N1/36032

摘要： An implantable cochlear electrode assembly includes an initially straight flexible rod-like electrode carrier and an initially straight flexible rod-like positioning member which extend in substantially parallel relation to and closely alongside each other. The assembly is inserted endwise into the scala tympani of the cochlea so as to adopt the spiral curvature of the cochlea, with the positioning member being disposed at that side region of the electrode carrier which faces the outer wall of the cochlea and is opposite to the side region of the electrode carrier at which the contact faces of the array of electrodes are exposed. The electrode carrier and the positioning member are connected to each other at their respective leading and trailing end regions but are separate from and unconnected to each other over their entire medial regions, so that the positioning member can assume an outwardly arched configuration relative to the electrode carrier for forcing the latter into a close hugging engagement with the modiolus and for disposing the contact faces of the electrodes in as close a juxtaposition to the cells of the spiral ganglion as possible. With the trailing end region of the positioning member locked to the trailing end region of the electrode carrier, a stable implantation of the assembly is achieved.

摘要翻译： 可植入耳蜗电极组件包括初始直的柔性杆状电极载体和最初直的柔性杆状定位构件，其基本平行于并且彼此并排地延伸。 将组件以耳蜗的方式插入到耳蜗的鼓膜中以采用耳蜗的螺旋曲率，其中定位构件设置在电极载体的面向耳蜗的外壁并与之相对的侧面区域 电极阵列的接触面露出的电极载体的侧面区域。 电极载体和定位构件在其各自的前端区域和后端区域处彼此连接，但是在它们的整个中间区域上彼此分离并且不相互连接，使得定位构件相对于电极呈现向外的拱形构造 用于迫使后者与模块紧密接合并且将电极的接触面尽可能靠近地并排配置到螺旋神经节的细胞。 当定位构件的尾端区域锁定在电极载体的尾端区域时，可实现组件的稳定植入。