Inner ear implant device

Details Inner ear implant device Inner ear implant device

1998-04-22

2000-06-13

Yu, Mickey

Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai

Ear or nose prosthesis

607137, A61F 218, A61N 104

Patent

active

060744227

ABSTRACT:
A dual prong hearing prosthesis for surgical implantation into both the scala tympani and the scala vestibuli of the inner ear of deaf persons is presented. The prosthesis consists of two prongs each with a plurality of closely spaced electrodes at the proximal end, said electrodes configured to stimulate the auditory nerves of the inner ear at a plurality of sites. One prong carries circumferentially-configured electrodes while the electrodes of the other prong are longitudinally-configured in relation to the length of the prong. Conductor lines from each electrode on both prongs terminate at the distal end in a contact pad arrangement thereby enabling convenient electrical connection between the implant and speech processing electronics. Means are disclosed to minimize kinking of the prongs during implantation, and to enable the electrodes to be in close proximity to the modiolus and basilar membrane thereby allowing for a high degree of versatility in selecting discrete stimulation sites.

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