CA1115352A
Expired / Lapsed
CA
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode assembly for inner ear
Assignee: University of Melbourne
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Filing: 1979-05-04
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 1999-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A B S T R A C T An electrode array specifically for implantation into the human cochlea comprising a biologically inert tube about which is formed a number of electrodes each of which is associated with an insulated conducting wire which passes through a slot in the tube and at one end thereof; the electrodes each being formed of a strip of thin foil and lie substantially within the diameter of the tube, the inner end of which is tapered for easy insertion into the cochlea and to minimise trauma during the insertion procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Patrick
- 👤 Graeme M. Clark
- 👤 Quentin R. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
CA
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An electrode array for implantation in the cochlea, comprising a flexible biologically inert support member having an inner end and an outer end, a number of electrodes being conducting bands located at predetermined spaced distances along a portion of the length of said support member, said electrodes being at least flush with the outer surface of said support member, and a conducting wire associated with each electrode and passing through the outer end of said support member, said support member being formed with a taper extending from the inner end of said support member and along at least part of the length of said support member to facilitate insertion of said electrode array into the cochlea while minimizing trauma during the insertion procedure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electrode array for implantation in the cochlea, comprising a flexible biologically inert support member having an inner end and an outer end, a number of electrodes being conducting bands located at predetermined spaced distances along a portion of the length of said support member, said electrodes being at least flush with the outer surface of said support member, and a conducting wire associated with each electrode and passing through the outer end of said support member, said support member being formed with a taper extending from the inner end of said support member and along at least part of the length of said support member to facilitate insertion of said electrode array into the cochlea while minimizing trauma during the insertion procedure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member is a tube of flexible resilient material and said conducting wires pass through slits in said tube and along the length of said tube to said outer end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member is of silicone rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrode is a metal foil having a conducting wire located approximately centrally of its longitudinal axis, the electrode passing about said support member, the ends of the foil being connected together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An array as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electrode is formed from a rectangular foil which is placed about said support member and welded, said support member having a tail which is then being folded against the remainder of the electrode and welded thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An array as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support member is filled with a silicone rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An array as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said support member comprises a substantially solid generally cylindrical member within which said conducting wires are embedded, and said electrodes are substantially flush with the outer surface of said cylindrical member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner end of said support member has a diameter approximately half that of the outer end of said support member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming an electrode array comprising forming slits or apertures in a tube of resiliant flexible material, forming a number of electrode components being rectangular strips of conducting material having a conducting wire connected thereto, passing a conducting wire through each slit, feeding it to the end of the tube which is to be the outer end, wrapping the foil about the tube so the two free ends form a tongue, welding these, folding the tongue against the adjacent portion of the conductor and welding the tongue to the adjacent portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming an electrode array comprising forming slits or apertures in a tube of resiliant flexible material, forming a number of electrode components being rectangular strips of conducting material having a conducting wire connected thereto, passing a conducting wire through each slit, feeding it to the end of the tube which is to be the outer end, wrapping the foil about the tube so the two free ends form a tongue, welding these, folding the tongue against the adjacent portion of the conductor and welding the tongue to the adjacent portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the tube is filled with silicone rubber after the electrodes have been formed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the end of the tube which is to be the inner end is formed with a taper.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of forming an electrode array comprising locating cylindrical electrode elements having conducting wires affixed thereto into a die, leading these wires from one end of the die, injecting uncured silicone rubber into the die, which is basically cylindrical and after the silicone rubber has cured removing the array from the die.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of forming an electrode array comprising locating cylindrical electrode elements having conducting wires affixed thereto into a die, leading these wires from one end of the die, injecting uncured silicone rubber into the die, which is basically cylindrical and after the silicone rubber has cured removing the array from the die.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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