Advanced Bionics Ag

Advanced Bionics Corporation

Kurt J Koester

Leonid Michael Litvak

Mark B Downing

Bing Xu

Anil K Patnala

Chuladatta Thenuwara

Timothy Beerling

George Tziviskos

Logan P Palmer

Kanthaiah Koka

Scott A Crawford

Timothy Lee Conrad

Eric M Hudak

David Stuursma

Stefan Daniel Menzl

Hansjuerg Emch

An exemplary method for manufacturing a self-curling cochlear electrode lead includes forming a shape memory polymer element that is configured to cause the cochlear electrode lead to transition to a curved spiral shape so as to conform with a curvature of the human cochlea when a temperature of the shape memory polymer element reaches a transition temperature, placing the shape memory polymer element within a cochlear electrode lead mold, attaching a wire included in a plurality of wires to each electrode contact included in a plurality of electrode contacts, placing the plurality of wires and the plurality of electrode contacts in the cochlear electrode lead mold, and providing the cochlear electrode lead mold with a flexible insulating material such that the shape memory polymer element, the plurality of wires, and the plurality of electrode contacts and embedded within the flexible insulating material after the flexible insulating material solidifies.

Method of manufacturing a self curling cochlear electrode lead

An illustrative stiffening member includes a body configured to integrate with a portion of an electrode lead so as to maintain the portion of the electrode lead in a substantially linear configuration in an absence of a flexure force. The stiffening member includes a plurality of slots distributed along the body and configured to bias the body, in a presence of the flexure force, to flex inwardly on a first side of the body that is closer to electrodes of the electrode lead than is a second side opposite the first side. The stiffening member also includes an orientation retainer coupled to the body and configured to interface with the electrode lead to maintain, while the body is integrated with the portion of the electrode lead, the first side of the body closer to the electrodes than the second side of the body.

Slotted stiffening member for electrode lead insertion

An exemplary stiffening member facilitates insertion of an electrode lead into a cochlea of a patient. The stiffening member includes an elongate body configured to integrate with the electrode lead so as to maintain the electrode lead in a substantially linear configuration in an absence of a flexure force on the body. The stiffening member further includes compression slots distributed along a first side of the body closer to the electrodes than a second side while the body is integrated with the electrode lead. The compression slots are configured to compress, in a presence of the flexure force, so as to bias the body to flex in an inward direction. Additionally, the stiffening member includes strain relief slots distributed along the second side of the body and configured to expand so as to complement the compression slots in biasing the body to flex in the inward direction.

Slotted stiffening member for facilitating an insertion of an electrode lead into a cochlea of a patient

An exemplary self-curling cochlear electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, a shape memory polymer element that is embedded within the flexible body and that is configured to cause the self-curling cochlear electrode lead to transition to a curved spiral shape so as to conform with a curvature of a human cochlea when a temperature of the shape memory polymer element reaches a transition temperature, a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along a side of the flexible body, and a plurality of wires embedded within the flexible body and configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrode contacts to at least one signal source. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a self-curling cochlear electrode lead are also described.

Self-curling cochlear electrode lead and method of manufacturing the same

An implantable lead may include an insulating substrate and a first asymmetric electrode formed on the insulating substrate. The first asymmetric electrode may have external perimeter edges defining a boundary between an exposed portion of the first electrode and the insulating substrate, wherein the external perimeter edges of the first electrode have asymmetric edge lengths.

Asymmetric cochlear implant electrodes and method

In one example, an implantable lead includes a substrate and an electrically conductive material disposed on the substrate to form a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes a proximal end adapted to electrically connect to an implantable processor, a distal portion adapted to stimulate a cochlear nerve, and a lead body extending from the proximal end to the distal portion, the lead body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of electrical traces adapted to carry electrical signals from the proximal end to the distal portion. A flag extension is formed in the substrate and extends laterally outward from the lead body longitudinal axis. A method for forming a cochlear lead with a flag extension is also provided.

Implantable leads with flag extensions

A cochlear lead includes a thermoformed circuit with a substrate with electrodes formed on the substrate and shaped to curve around a longitudinal axis of the cochlear lead. Traces are also formed on the substrate and connected to the electrodes. Intermediate sections between the electrodes may be curved about an axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Thermoformed electrode arrays

An implantable device includes an exterior gold surface and a thin film disposed on the exterior gold surface and forming a barrier between the exterior gold surface and an implanted environment, in which the thin film includes molecules with a head portion, the head portion attached to the exterior gold surface.

Protection for implanted gold surfaces

A thin profile impact resistant cochlear implant includes a single piece machined case having a bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface is concave and a single piece machined cover configured to be joined to the case, the cover comprising a convex upper surface. A method for forming thin profile cochlear implant is also provided.

Thin profile cochlear implants

A device includes a hermetically sealed case with electronic circuitry housed within. One surface of the hermetically sealed case includes a metallic plate and a co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough with a number of vias. The co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough is hermetically joined to the metallic plate and a hybrid circuit is connected to the feedthrough.

Electrical feedthrough assembly

A feedthrough includes a ceramic body mechanically joined about a perimeter to a hermetic case. The ceramic body includes a ceramic matrix and a ductile phase distributed through at least a portion of the ceramic matrix. The ductile phase increases the resistance of the ceramic matrix to crack propagation. A plurality of electrical conductors passes through the ceramic body.

Particulate toughened ceramic feedthrough

A waterproof enclosure for a cochlear implant system or other hearing assistance device includes an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, an acoustic element supported by the inner support, and water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress. A hearing device such as a cochlear implant sound processor, a headpiece, an earhook, or a hearing aid comprises an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, a microphone supported by the inner support, and a water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress. A method for waterproofing an acoustic element comprises molding an outer support having a water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane; inserting an acoustic element into an inner support; anchoring the acoustic element to the inner support; inserting the inner support into the outer support; and anchoring the inner support to the outer support.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Kurt J Koester