Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical energy applicator
Patent
1998-08-26
2000-03-14
Kamm, William E.
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical energy applicator
A61N 105
Patent
active
060384840
ABSTRACT:
An electrode system includes (1) an electrode array, made in a straight or curved shape, but made on a flexible carrier so that it can easily bend within a curved body cavity, such as the cochlea; and (2) a flexible positioner, typically molded in a curved shape from a silicone polymer so as to make it easy to slide into the body cavity. Some embodiments may further include an electrode guiding insert. Yet other embodiments include only a flexible positioner adapted to fill space within a human cochlea so as to force an electrode array against a modiolar wall of the cochlea. Insertion of the electrode array is performed using one of two methods. A first method involves first inserting the flexible positioner into the scala tympani (one of the channels of the cochlea) to a desired depth, which desired depth typically involves a rotation of about 360 degrees and causes the positioner to rest against the outer or lateral wall of the scala tympani, leaving an opening slightly larger than the cross-section of the electrode array adjacent the inner wall of the scala tympani, and then second inserting the electrode array into the opening defined by the positioner and inner wall. The guiding insert may be used, in some embodiments, to assist guiding the electrode array into this opening. A second method of insertion involves first inserting an electrode array into the scala tympani, and then second inserting the positioner into the scala tympani so as to lie between the electrode array and the outer wall of the scala tympani, thereby forcing the electrode array against the inner wall of the scala tympani. Insertion of the positioner into scala tympani after the electrode array has been at least partially inserted therein further carries the electrode array deeper into the scala tympani to a desired final position, and maintains it in that position.
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Advanced Bionics Corporation
Evanisko George R.
Gold Bryant R.
Kamm William E.
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