Intracochlear electrode array

US4819647A · 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: Feb 9, 1988
• Grant date: Apr 11, 1989
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S128/903
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrode array for implantation in a human cochlea. The array includes a spiral-shaped resilient carrier which generally conforms to the shape of the scala tympani of the cochlea. The carrier supports eight electrode pairs, with each electrode having an associated lead. The leads are arranged in the carrier to form a central rib structure which controls flexing of the array. The individual leads have an elongated cross-section and are individually vertically aligned in the rib structure, so that the array will readily flex in the plane defined by the array spiral. The structure limits flexing in the vertical direction. The restricted flexing serves to avoid injury to the basal membrane located at the upper surface of the scala tympani during implantation.