Advanced Bionics Corporation

Advanced Bionics Ag

Steven A Hazard

Janusz A Kuzma

Lani A Smith

Chuladatta Thenawara

Christine Marr

Yitzhak Zilberman

An implant system includes an implantable body (), a lead () connected to the implantable body comprising at least one electrode, and engagement wings () mechanically joined to the implantable body to engage an undercut bone structure () to prevent motion of the implantable body toward the electrode after implantation.

Implantable body with a lead and with an engagement wing

A cochlear stimulation lead having a pre-curved electrode array is provided. The molding process provides memory to the curved part of the lead. The lead may be made having a stylet insertion channel that extends from a slightly curved or substantially straight section and into the highly curved section of the lead. Because high compliance is desired for the lead in cochlear stimulation applications, the compliance is controlled not only by the taper at the distal end of the lead and overall lead thickness, but also by choosing the material hardness of the lead carrier/covering and employing compliant zigzagged conductor wire. In addition, differential lead compliance/stiffness can be achieved by using a stiff tubing that forms part of the stylet insertion channel.

Cochlear implant electrode and method of making same

A cochlear stimulation system includes (1) an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS); (2) a behind-the-ear (BTE) wearable speech processor, including: coils for inductively coupling with the ICS, a first microphone, an LED indicator, and an FM receiver; (3) a remote control unit (RCU), including an FM transmitter, mode/control switches, a second microphone, an input jack for interfacing with external audio equipment, and a status indicator; and (4) an external programmer, including one or more ports for coupling the external programmer with a personal computer. The external programmer is used to program the ICS through the BTE processor to operate in a desired manner, and to perform tests on the ICS. Once the ICS is initially programmed, the user controls the sounds he or she 'hears' with the ICS through the RCU, which RCU (when turned ON) is electronically coupled to the BTE processor through an FM (or other wireless) link. Through the RCU, the user may control, e.g., the operating mode, volume, sensitivity, and microphone location of the BTE speech processor. With the RCU microphone turned ON, the RCU may be given to, or placed near, a teacher, performer or other person located remotely from the ICS user, thereby allowing the user to 'hear' such remote person (through the FM link) just as though the person were standing next to the user. Other electronic devices, e.g., tape or CD players, may similarly be coupled directly to the user by connecting their audio outputs to the input jack of the RCU.

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Castaic, CA, United States of America

Steven A Hazard