Apparatus and methods for making cochlear implant electrode arrays

US11452865B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Advanced Bionics AG

Inventors

• Sarah Elizabeth Clabeaux · Ventura, US
• Mark B. Downing · Valencia, US
• Nicholas Wise · Pasadena, US
• Uli Gommel · Erlangen, DE
• Martin Sandoval-Perez · Humphreys, US
• Morgan Gegg · Ventura, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 10, 2019
• Grant date: Sep 27, 2022
• Expiry date: Nov 18, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F11/20
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of forming an electrode array from an electrode array blank that includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts. The method includes the steps of forming a first window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a first one of the electrically conductive contacts, the first window defining a first window perimetric center, and forming a second window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a second one of the electrically conductive contacts, the second window defining a second window perimetric center that is perimetrically offset from the first window perimetric center when the flexible body is straight and not twisted around the longitudinal axis of the flexible body.