Patent US4809712A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4809712A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrode assembly for cochlear implant
Assignee: Cochlear Ltd
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Filing: 1986-09-26
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2006-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A cochlear implant electrode assembly and a method for affixing it to a bone in the ear. An electrode ball of unfixed turns is made from one end of each wire leading to the electronics part of the implant, a corresponding attachment hole is drilled in the bone, and the ball is affixed to the hole without the use of fixation devices by tapping the turns into the hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Janusz Kuzma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of affixing a stimulating electrode to a bone, said stimulating electrode having a plurality of unfixed turns wound in the shape of a ball, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling an attachment hole in said bone, said hole having a diameter which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the ball, and (b) tapping all of the turns of said ball into said hole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of affixing a stimulating electrode to a bone, said stimulating electrode having a plurality of unfixed turns wound in the shape of a ball, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling an attachment hole in said bone, said hole having a diameter which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the ball, and (b) tapping all of the turns of said ball into said hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of affixing a stimulating electrode to a bone in accordance with claim 1 wherein in step (a) said hole is drilled to a depth of up to but not past the "blue line".
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wire for affixation to a bone, a distal end of which is wrapped in the form of a ball filled throughout with unfixed turns in a three-dimensional pattern, said ball being unfilled only at interstices between said turns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wire for affixation to a bone, a distal end of which is wrapped in the form of a ball filled throughout with unfixed turns in a three-dimensional pattern, said ball being unfilled only at interstices between said turns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A wire in accordance with claim 3, wherein said wire is multistranded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wire in accordance with claim 3, wherein said ball is in the shape of a sphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wire in accordance with claim 3 further comprising, insulation surrounding said wire up to said ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wire in accordance with claim 6, wherein said ball is in the shape of a sphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A wire in accordance with claim 6, wherein said wire is multistranded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cochlear implant comprising an electronics part for producing pulses for electrical conduction to the ear and a plurality of stimulating electrodes electrically connected to said electronics part and extending therefrom to conduct said pulses, each of said electrodes comprising a wire, a portion of said wire being for affixation directly to a bone, wherein at least one of said wires is wrapped at a distal end thereof in the shape of a ball filled throughout with unfixed turns in a three dimensional pattern, said ball being unfilled only at interstices between said turns, and at least one of said other wires is formed in the shape of a solid ball at a distal end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cochlear implant comprising an electronics part for producing pulses for electrical conduction to the ear and a plurality of stimulating electrodes electrically connected to said electronics part and extending therefrom to conduct said pulses, each of said electrodes comprising a wire, a portion of said wire being for affixation directly to a bone, wherein at least one of said wires is wrapped at a distal end thereof in the shape of a ball filled throughout with unfixed turns in a three dimensional pattern, said ball being unfilled only at interstices between said turns, and at least one of said other wires is formed in the shape of a solid ball at a distal end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cochlear implant in accordance with claim 9, further cmprising insulation surrounding said at least one of said wires said wire is insulated up to said ball.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cochlear implant in accordance with claim 9, wherein said at least one of said other wires is insulated up to said solid ball.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of affixing a wire to a bone, said wire having a plurality of unfixed turns wound in the shape of a ball, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling an attachment hole in said bone, said hole having a dimension which is substantially smaller than a dimension of the ball, and (b) tapping all of the turns of said ball into said hole.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of affixing a wire to a bone, said wire having a plurality of unfixed turns wound in the shape of a ball, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling an attachment hole in said bone, said hole having a dimension which is substantially smaller than a dimension of the ball, and (b) tapping all of the turns of said ball into said hole.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of affixing a wire to a bone in accordance with claim 12 wherein in step (a) said hole is drilled to a depth of up to but not past the "blue line."
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of affixing a wire to a bone in accordance with claim 12, wherein said ball is filled throughout with unfixed turns in a three dimensional pattern, said ball being unfilled only at interstices between said turns.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |