Cochlear Limited

Ian Darley

John Louis Parker

Peter Gibson

Fysh Dadd

Michael Goorevich

Claudiu G Treaba

Peter Scott Single

Dusan Milojevic

Slobodan Ilic

Desmond A McCusker

Desmond Mccusker

An implantable device having an impact side likely to receive forces applied to the device is disclosed, the device comprising: a hermetically-sealed container including, a chassis having secure thereto at least one functional component, a first shell hermetically connected to the chassis to form a hermetic enclosure in which the at least one functional component is located, at least on feedthrough disposed in one or more of either the chassis and the first shell, configured to permit at least one input/output line to infiltrate the hermetic enclosure; and a second shell connected to the container so as to be spaced from and adjacent to the container to define the impact side of the device and to form with the container a non-hermetic enclosure.

Implantable medical device

A cochlear implant electrode assembly device () comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (), and a shape element () formed of a memory material, such as Nitinol. The elongate member () is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a length and a plurality of electrodes () mounted thereon adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation. The elongate member () has a pre-formed curved orientation that at least substantially matches an inside surface of a cochlea, an implantable orientation different to said pre-formed orientation that allows said member to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea, and an at least one intermediate orientation between said implantable orientation and said pre-formed orientation. The shape element () is removably positioned within the elongate member () and extends along at least a portion of the length thereof. The shape element () has a first shape selected for biasing the elongate member () into the implantable orientation when the shape element is at a first temperature, and at least a second shape that allows the elongate member () to adopt said at least one intermediate orientation when the shape element () is exposed to a temperature of the cochlea () being different than the first temperature.

Insertion tool for a cochlear implant electrode array

A cochlear implant electrode assembly device () comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (), a stiffening element (), and a stiffening sheath () that at least partially envelops the elongate member (). The member () is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes () mounted thereon. The member () has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea (). The member () also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea (), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element () and sheath () are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member (). The stiffening element () and the stiffening sheath () in combination bias the elongate member () into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element () or the stiffening sheath () is removed or deactivated, the elongate member () adopts an intermediate configuration.

Combination stylet and sheath for an electrode array

An implantable electrical connector is disclosed for use with implanted medical devices. Each part of the connector has an array of contacts which can mate, one part being a cutting contact and the other half a receiving contact. When mated, this forms a reliable electrical connection.

Implantable connector

A cochlear implant electrode assembly () comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (), a bioresorbable stiffening element () and an outer layer () surrounding the stiffening element (). The carrier member () is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes () mounted thereon and has a first configuration selected to allow it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea, and at least a second configuration wherein it is curved to match a surface of the cochlea. The bioresorbable stiffening element () has a configuration selected for biassing the elongate member () into the first configuratin and is made of a second material relatively stiffer than the first material and which dissolves or softens on exposure to cochlear fluids to permit the elongate member () to at least approach or adopt the second configuration. The outer layer () surrounding the stiffening element () is made of a material sufficiently resiliently flexible to allow the elongate member () to at least approach or adopt the second configuration. The outer layer () has a first rate of cochlear fluid ingress therethrough and has at least one fluid ingress means () formed therein. The rate of cochlear fluid ingress through the fluid ingress means () is greater than the first rate of cochlear fluid ingress through the outer layer ().

Growing community of inventors

Cromer Heights, Australia

Ian Darley