Cochlear electrode with drug delivery channel and method of making same

US6309410A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Advanced Bionics AG

Inventors

• Janusz A. Kuzma · Englewood, US
• Thomas Lenarz · Hannover, DE
• Rolf-Dieter Battmer · Hannover, DE
• Alfred E. Mann · Beverly Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/0541
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrode array suitable for insertion into the cochlea has a drug delivery channel therein. In a preferred embodiment, electrical stimuli may be applied near the modiolar wall of the cochlea via spaced-apart electrode contacts embedded along a front edge of a flexible carrier, which flexible carrier comprises the body of the electrode array. The front edge, and hence the electrode contacts, may be held against the modiolar wall by a flexible positioner placed on the back side of the flexible carrier. Drugs may be delivered deep into the cochlea through the drug delivery channel that passes longitudinally through the center of the flexible carrier. In an alternative embodiment, the drug delivery channel may be included within the positioner.