Patent · US Active

Cochlear electrode array

US8880193B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
56References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 2010
Grant dateNov 4, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/36038
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for forming a cochlear electrode array with a plurality of electrodes which are spaced so as to stimulate sites within a cochlea includes shaping a sheet of electrically conductive material to form a support structure and a plurality of electrodes, in which the electrodes are tethered to the support structure at the spacing of the cochlear electrode array. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body that has frictional characteristics that vary about its circumference. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body with a first region and a second region with different surface textures. This generates differential sliding forces during insertion of the cochlear lead which influence a motion of the cochlear lead during insertion. The cochlear lead having an electrode array with varying stiffness along its length is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.