Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100036470 | Laser-Based Fabrication of Implantable Stimulation Electrodes - A method of fabricating an implantable stimulation electrode is described. An arrangement of conductive metal powder is provided atop an electrode substrate. A laser beam is then focused on the metal powder to form the stimulation electrode in a given geometry with given dimensions and supported by the electrode substrate. | 02-11-2010 |
20100305673 | Ink Jet Printing of Implantable Electrodes - An implantable electrode device and a corresponding method of fabricating such a device are described. An electrode network of wires and contacts is developed by inkjet deposition of conductive metal material over portions of the electrode substrate for electrically connecting an implant processor device to targeted tissue in a patient. An electrode substrate beneath the electrode network provides structural support to the electrode network. A biocompatible encapsulation layer selectively covers a portion of the electrode network and provides electrical insulation for the covered portion of the electrode network while leaving exposed portions of the electrode network which allow electrical contact with adjacent tissue. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305677 | Middle Ear Fixation Structure - An implantable fixation structure includes a c-shape bone fixation clip adapted to fit over and attach to a bony bridge element in the middle ear of a patient. A c-shape electrode fixation clip is adapted to fit over and attach to an electrode array element in the middle ear of the patient. A connecting bar has a first end connected to the bone fixation clip and a second end connected to the electrode fixation clip. A coupling clip is connected to the connecting bar between the first end and the second end and adapted to fit over and attach to a cochlear implant element and hold the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of the patient. | 12-02-2010 |
20120004715 | Ear Implant Electrode and Method of Manufacture - A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold. | 01-05-2012 |
20130090711 | Helical Core Ear Implant Electrode - A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes an electrode array core made of a flexible polymer material including an elongated helical portion having multiple helical turns. Electrode wires are embedded within the array core for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire, an electrode stimulation contact is exposed through the array core for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode array and has an outer surface with contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. | 04-11-2013 |
20130245740 | Ear Implant Electrode and Method of Manufacture - A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold to be greater for bending less than the bend radius threshold and lesser for bending greater than the bend radius threshold. | 09-19-2013 |