| Telescopic array for a cochlear implant -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Telescopic array for a cochlear implantRelated Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Electrical Energy Applicator, Placed In Body, Inner Ear (e.g., Cochlea)Telescopic array for a cochlear implant description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080077221, Telescopic array for a cochlear implant. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,485 filed on Feb. 23, 2004 which claims priority of Australian Patent application No. 2003900773, filed Feb. 21, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an implantable device and, in particular, to a tissue-stimulating device such as a cochlear implant electrode array. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types, conductive and sensorineural. Of these types, conductive hearing loss occurs where the normal mechanical pathways for sound to reach the hair cells in the cochlea are impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicles. Conductive hearing loss may often be helped by use of conventional hearing aid systems, which amplify sound so that acoustic information does reach the cochlea and the hair cells. [0004] In many people who are profoundly deaf, however, the reason for deafness is sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is due to the absence of, or destruction of, the hair cells in the cochlea which transduce acoustic signals into nerve impulses. These people are thus unable to derive suitable benefit from conventional hearing aid systems, because there is damage to or absence of the mechanism for nerve impulses to be generated from sound in the normal manner. [0005] It is for this purpose that cochlear implant systems have been developed. Such systems bypass the hair cells in the cochlea and directly deliver electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve fibres, thereby allowing the brain to perceive a hearing sensation resembling the natural hearing sensation normally delivered to the auditory nerve. U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,930, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, provides a description of one type of traditional cochlear implant system. [0006] Cochlear implant systems have typically consisted of two key components, namely an external component commonly referred to as a processor unit, and an implanted internal component commonly referred to as a receiver/stimulator unit. Traditionally, both of these components have cooperated together to provide the sound sensation to an implantee. [0007] The external component has traditionally consisted of a microphone for detecting sounds, such as speech and environmental sounds, a speech processor that converts the detected sounds and particularly speech into a coded signal, a power source such as a battery, and an external antenna transmitter coil. [0008] The coded signal output by the speech processor is transmitted transcutaneously to the implanted receiver/stimulator unit situated within a recess of the temporal bone of the implantee. This transcutaneous transmission occurs through use of an inductive coupling provided between the external antenna transmitter coil which is positioned to communicate with an implanted antenna receiver coil provided with the receiver/stimulator unit. This communication serves two essential purposes, firstly to transcutaneously transmit the coded sound signal and secondly to provide power to the implanted receiver/stimulator unit. Conventionally, this link has been in the form of a radio frequency (RF) link, but other such links have been proposed and implemented with varying degrees of success. [0009] The implanted receiver/stimulator unit typically included the antenna receiver coil that receives the coded signal and power from the external processor component, and a stimulator that processes the coded signal and outputs a stimulation signal to an intracochlea electrode assembly which applies the electrical stimulation directly to the auditory nerve producing a hearing sensation corresponding to the original detected sound. [0010] It is known in the art that the cochlea is tonotopically mapped. In other words, the cochlea can be partitioned into regions, with each region being responsive to signals in a particular frequency range. This property of the cochlea is exploited by providing the electrode assembly with an array of electrodes, each electrode being arranged and constructed to deliver a stimulating signal within a preselected frequency range to the appropriate cochlea region. The electrical currents and electric fields from each electrode stimulate the nerves disposed on the modiolus of the cochlea. [0011] It has been found that in order for these electrodes to be effective, the magnitude of the currents flowing from these electrodes and the intensity of the corresponding electric fields, are a function of the distance between the electrodes and the modiolus. If this distance is relatively great, the threshold current magnitude must be larger than if the distance is relatively small. Moreover, the current from each electrode may flow in all directions, and the electrical fields corresponding to adjacent electrodes may overlap, thereby causing cross-electrode interference. In order to reduce the threshold stimulation amplitude and to eliminate cross-electrode interference, it is advisable to keep the distance between the electrode array and the modiolus as small as possible. This is best accomplished by providing the electrode array in a shape which generally follows the shape of the modiolus. Also, this way the delivery of the electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve is most effective as the electrode contacts are as close to the auditory nerves that are particularly responsive to selected pitches of sound waves. [0012] Early cochlear implant electrode arrays were constructed in a straight configuration with the natural shape of the cochlea dictating the trajectory of the electrode array during insertion. Such electrode arrays have proven effective in providing the sensation of hearing to recipients however the final position of such electrode arrays following insertion has often been found to be remote from the modiolus and along the outside wall of the cochlea. [0013] In order to achieve an electrode array position close to the inside wall of the cochlea, the electrode assembly can be designed such that it assumes this position upon or immediately following insertion into the cochlea. This is a challenge as the assembly needs to be shaped such that it assumes a curved shape to conform with the shape of the modiolus and must also be shaped such that the insertion process causes minimal trauma to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. In this regard, it has been found to be desirable that the electrode assembly be generally straight during the insertion procedure. [0014] Several procedures have been adopted to provide an electrode assembly that is relatively straight during initial insertion while adopting a curved configuration following insertion in the cochlea. In one case, the electrode array is manufactured in a conventional straight configuration and inserted in the conventional manner and an additional positioner element is additionally inserted behind the electrode array to urge the array against the inside wall of the cochlea. Such a method is based upon the principle of the positioner filling the cochlea space behind the electrode array to force the electrode array against the inner wall of the cochlea and as such increases the potential of damage being caused to the sensitive structures of the cochlea and greatly affects the natural hydrodynamic nature of the cochlea. More recently, it has also been suspected that such a method may also increase the incidence of meningitis and infection to the cochlea by providing a space between the positioner and electrode array which may be an avenue for infection to enter the cochlea. [0015] A more preferred procedure is to provide a platinum wire stylet to hold a pre-curved electrode assembly in a generally straight configuration up until insertion. The platinum wire is inserted into a lumen or channel located in the pre-curved electrode assembly with such lumen/channel allowing a passageway to accommodate the stylet. During or immediately following insertion, the platinum stylet is withdrawn allowing the assembly to return to its pre-curved configuration and assume a final position close to the inside wall of the cochlea. [0016] It is desired to provide an alternative arrangement for achieving close positioning of stimulating electrodes to the inside wall of the cochlea, while minimizing trauma to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. [0017] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. [0019] According to a first aspect, the present invention is an implantable tissue-stimulating device for an implantee comprising an elongate member having at least one electrode supported thereon, the elongate member comprising: [0020] a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the first portion being insertable into the implantee; and Continue reading about Telescopic array for a cochlear implant... Full patent description for Telescopic array for a cochlear implant Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Telescopic array for a cochlear implant patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Telescopic array for a cochlear implant or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Means to securely fixate pacing leads and/or sensors in vessels Next Patent Application: Accuracy lumen sizing and stent expansion Industry Class: Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Telescopic array for a cochlear implant patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.33836 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
