Electrode array for hybrid cochlear stimulator

    公开(公告)号:US06889094B1

    公开(公告)日:2005-05-03

    申请号:US09979800

    申请日:2000-05-12

    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).

    Minimally-invasive access into the cochlea for electrode insertion and fluid delivery

    公开(公告)号:US06628991B2

    公开(公告)日:2003-09-30

    申请号:US09844024

    申请日:2001-04-27

    IPC分类号: A61N105

    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.

    Coated electrode array having uncoated electrode contacts
    3.
    发明授权
    Coated electrode array having uncoated electrode contacts 有权
    具有未涂覆电极接触的涂覆电极阵列

    公开(公告)号:US07949412B1

    公开(公告)日:2011-05-24

    申请号:US11421742

    申请日:2006-06-01

    IPC分类号: A61N1/372

    摘要: Implantable electrode leads, e.g. cochlear, spinal cord stimulation, or any type of neurostimulation leads, used in a patient's body to stimulate muscle or nerve tissue, provide enhanced stimulation for treating, e.g., hearing loss or chronic pain. One such lead includes, an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, which lead provides improved stability of electrode contact direction. In-line electrodes are spaced-apart along one side of a flexible carrier having non-conductive bumps coated with a bioresorbable material spaced apart between each electrode contact. Over time the bioresorbable material is absorbed thereby reducing chronic placement pressure caused during the insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The bioresorbable material may also serve as a carrier for drugs or other materials that would improve performance of the electrode for any type of lead.

    摘要翻译: 可植入电极引线,例如 用于患者身体刺激肌肉或神经组织的耳蜗,脊髓刺激或任何类型的神经刺激引线,提供治疗,例如听力损失或慢性疼痛的增强刺激。 一个这样的引线包括适于插入耳蜗的可植入电极阵列,该引线提供改善的电极接触方向的稳定性。 在线电极沿柔性载体的一侧间隔开,所述柔性载体具有涂覆有在每个电极接触之间间隔开的生物可再吸收材料的非导电凸块。 随着时间的推移,生物可吸收材料被吸收,从而减少在将电极阵列插入耳蜗期间引起的慢性放置压力。 生物可再吸收材料还可以用作药物或其他材料的载体,这些材料将改善任何类型铅的电极的性能。

    Hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator hearing aid system
    4.
    发明授权
    Hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator hearing aid system 有权
    混合植入式耳蜗刺激助听器系统

    公开(公告)号:US06754537B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-06-22

    申请号:US09979804

    申请日:2001-11-13

    IPC分类号: A61N118

    CPC分类号: A61N1/36036 A61N1/0541

    摘要: A hybrid cochlear implant hearing aid sytem (10) provides low frequency acoustic energy boost, if needed, and high frequency direct neural stimulation. Tinnitus suppression may also be provided. The neurons responsible for sensing high frequency sounds are located at the basal end of the cochlea. A short basal electrode (52) that extends into the cochlea only at the basal region allows direct stimulation of these neurons by an appropriately-controlled cochlear stimulator (50). The basal electrode array typically has from four to eight electrode contacts (54). The design of the electrode array allows the surgeon to place the array using minimally invasive surgical techniques and requires no cochleostomy. The electrode array is thin, and can typically be inserted directly through the round window membrane to make contact with, or to be positioned in close proximity to, the modiolus wall in the basal region of the cochlea. The hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator and hearing aid system relies primarily on the cochlear stimulator portion of the system for being able to sense high frequency sounds, and relies primarily on normal hearing processes, or other acoustic boosting devices and systems, for being able to sense lower frequency sounds.

    摘要翻译: 混合耳蜗植入式助听器系统(10)提供低频声能增强,如果需要,以及高频直接神经刺激。 也可以提供耳鸣抑制。 负责感测高频声音的神经元位于耳蜗的基端。 仅在基底区域延伸到耳蜗的短基底电极(52)允许通过适当控制的耳蜗刺激器(50)直接刺激这些神经元。 基极电极阵列通常具有四至八个电极触点(54)。 电极阵列的设计允许外科医生使用微创手术技术来放置阵列,并且不需要耳蜗造口术。 电极阵列是薄的,并且通常可以直接插入通过圆窗膜以与耳蜗的基底区域中的闭孔壁接触或靠近位置。 混合植入式耳蜗刺激器和助听器系统主要依赖于系统的人工耳蜗刺激器部分,以便能够感测高频声音,并且主要依赖于正常听力过程或其他声学增强装置和系统,以便能够感测较低频 频率声音。

    Fluid filled microphone balloon to be implanted in the middle ear
    5.
    发明授权
    Fluid filled microphone balloon to be implanted in the middle ear 失效
    流体填充的麦克风气球植入中耳

    公开(公告)号:US06473651B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-10-29

    申请号:US09514100

    申请日:2000-02-28

    IPC分类号: H04R2500

    CPC分类号: H04R25/606

    摘要: An implantable microphone system, usable with a cochlear implant system or other hearing aid prosthesis, detects sound pressure waves (acoustic waves) at a movable member within the middle ear, e.g., the tympanic membrane or the stapes, through a fluid communication channel (20) established between the middle ear movable member and a microphone capsule (10). The microphone capsule (10) includes two compartments (11, 12) separated by a flexible diaphragm (13). One compartment (12) is in fluid communication with a thin-walled balloon, filled with a suitable fluid (30), positioned in contact with the movable member within the middle ear. The other compartment (11) is mechanically coupled through a suitable mechanical linkage (16) to a microphone sensor (14). The microphone sensor, in turn, is electrically connected to the cochlear implant system or other hearing aid prosthesis.

    摘要翻译: 可植入麦克风系统,可与耳蜗植入物系统或其他助听器假体一起使用,通过流体连通通道(20)检测中耳内的可移动构件(例如鼓膜或镫骨)上的声压波(声波) )建立在中耳可移动部件和麦克风胶囊(10)之间。 麦克风胶囊(10)包括由柔性隔膜(13)分开的两个隔间(11,12)。 一个隔室(12)与薄壁气囊流体连通,填充有适当的流体(30),定位成与中耳内的活动件接触。 另一个隔间(11)通过合适的机械联动装置(16)机械耦合到麦克风传感器(14)。 麦克风传感器又电连接到耳蜗植入系统或其他助听器假体。

    Stapedius reflex electrode and connector
    6.
    发明授权
    Stapedius reflex electrode and connector 有权
    Stapedius反射电极和连接器

    公开(公告)号:US06208882B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-03-27

    申请号:US09323594

    申请日:1999-06-01

    IPC分类号: A61B504

    CPC分类号: A61N1/0541 A61F2002/183

    摘要: A stapedius electrode attaches to or is embedded within the stapedius muscle (20) at a point near where the stapedius muscle is visible as it exits a bony channel (30) within the middle ear. In one embodiment, the electrode is made from a biocompatible metal wire formed into a flat blade (102) having a sharp tip (104) and serrations (103) along one edge. An insulated lead attaches electrically and mechanically to the blade. Such attachment may be made by welding and wrapping the insulated lead at one end of the wire around the body of the electrode and protecting such weld and securing such wrappings with a coating or blob of epoxy. During implantation of the electrode, the electrode blade is inserted through a small slot made in the muscle tissue. Alternatively, the electrode may be inserted alongside the muscle tissue through an opening in the bony wall as it passes through the bony channel, with a tip of the electrode protruding from the bony channel. The protruding tip is then bent over to lie against the bony wall, and hold the electrode in place. Other embodiments of a stapedius electrode are also presented. such as the distal end (84) of a multistrand insulated wire (82) that is embedded in the stapedius muscle tissue (20) using a delivery needle (86). A tube connector (90) may be used to electrically connect a lead coming form the implanted stapedius electrode to an implant device. The tube connector (90) includes a platinum tube (92) welded at one end to a lead (91) coming from the implant device. A proximal end (83) of the lead from the electrode is crimped to the other end of the tube (92). A silicone tube or sleeve (94) is then placed over the tube and sealed at both ends.

    摘要翻译: 吻合器电极附近或嵌入在钉胸肌(20)内的位置,该缝合肌在远离中耳内的骨通道(30)处可见的位置附近。 在一个实施例中,电极由生物相容的金属线制成,该金属线形成为沿着一个边缘具有尖锐尖端(104)和锯齿(103)的平坦刀片(102)。 绝缘引线电连接和机械连接到刀片。 可以通过在电极的一端围绕电极的主体焊接和包裹绝缘引线来保护这种焊接并且用涂层或环氧树脂块来固定这样的包装来进行这种连接。 在植入电极期间,电极刀片插入通过在肌肉组织中制成的小槽。 或者,当电极通过骨通道时,可以通过骨壁中的开口沿着肌肉组织插入,电极的尖端从骨通道突出。 然后将突出的尖端弯曲以覆盖骨壁,并将电极保持在适当位置。 还提出了钉扎电极的其它实施例。 例如使用输送针(86)嵌入在钉胸肌组织(20)中的多股绝缘电线(82)的远端(84)。 管连接器(90)可以用于将从植入的钉持器电极形成的引线电连接到植入装置。 管连接器(90)包括在一端焊接到来自植入装置的引线(91)的铂管(92)。 来自电极的引线的近端(83)被压接到管(92)的另一端。 然后将硅胶管或套管(94)放置在管上并在两端密封。

    Insertion tool for placement of electrode system inside the cochlear lumen
    7.
    发明授权
    Insertion tool for placement of electrode system inside the cochlear lumen 有权
    用于将电极系统放置在耳蜗腔内的插入工具

    公开(公告)号:US07050858B1

    公开(公告)日:2006-05-23

    申请号:US10116464

    申请日:2002-04-03

    IPC分类号: A61N1/00

    摘要: An insertion tool uses a stylet wire to help guide an electrode system into a cochlea. The insertion tool includes three main elements or parts: a handle, a guide and a slider. The handle is made from light stainless steel tube flattened in front with a machined slot. The guide consists of a plurality of metal tubes, fixed to each other within a holding bracket. In one embodiment, the slider includes a stabilizer wire, a long stylet wire, and a short stylet wire. During the assembly process, the stabilizer and stylet wires are inserted into respective tubes of the guide and the end of the stabilizer wire is bent to form an offset. The electrode system is loaded onto the tool by inserting the short stylet wire into a holder that supports the electrode lead.

    摘要翻译: 插入工具使用探针线来帮助引导电极系统进入耳蜗。 插入工具包括三个主要元件或部件:手柄,引导件和滑块。 手柄由轻质不锈钢管制成,前面带有加工槽。 引导件由多个金属管组成,其在固定支架内相互固定。 在一个实施例中,滑块包括稳定线,长针刺线和短探针线。 在组装过程中,将稳定器和探针线插入到引导件的相应管中,并且稳定线的端部弯曲以形成偏移。 通过将短的针刺线插入支撑电极引线的支架中,将电极系统装载到工具上。