Method for making an intracochlear electrode array

US4686765A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Charles L. Byers · Santa Clarita, US
• Gerald E. Loeb · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Michael M. Merzenich · San Francisco, US
• Stephen J. Rebscher · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 22, 1986
• Grant date: Aug 18, 1987
• Expiry date: Apr 22, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49176
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for making an intracochlear multielectrode array having a spiral configuration, at least generally conforming to the scala tympani of a cochlea. The array is formed in a two-part mold and comprises an elastomeric carrier supporting a plurality of metallic electrodes in fixed positions thereon. Each electrode has an associated lead to provide a plurality of leads and composite rib structure extending from a basal portion of the array to an apical portion thereof. Each electrode and associated lead is formed from a flattened metallic wire. The wire leads are stacked in the mold to permit the wires to flex in the direction of their spiral curvatures, facilitating insertion of the array into a cochlear, but to prevent transverse flexing thereof.