Abstract: An exemplary electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material and that comprises a fantail region that connects to a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a recipient and that extends to a ground electrode located toward a proximal end of the electrode lead, an electrode contact disposed on a side of the flexible body, a coiled electrode wire provided within the flexible body so as to extend along a length of the flexible body and electrically connect the electrode contact to a signal source, and a coiled reinforcing element provided within the flexible body so as to extend together with the coiled electrode wire along the length of the flexible body. The coiled reinforcing element may only be provided within a proximal portion of the electrode lead. Corresponding methods of manufacturing an electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, an electrode contact disposed on a side of the flexible body, a coiled electrode wire provided within the flexible body so as to extend along a length of the flexible body and electrically connect the electrode contact to a signal source, and a coiled reinforcing element provided within the flexible body so as to extend together with the coiled electrode wire along the length of the flexible body. A winding direction of the coiled electrode wire is opposite a winding direction of the coiled reinforcing element and a winding pitch of the coiled electrode wire is smaller than a winding pitch of the coiled reinforcing element. Corresponding methods of manufacturing an electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

Abstract: A particle alignment method in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes the step of positioning a cochlear implant, which is implanted within a patient's head and which includes a magnet apparatus with a central axis and magnetic material particles, at a location outside of the scanning area of an MRI system, adjacent to the MRI system, and within the MRI magnetic field in such a manner that the central axis of the magnet apparatus is at least substantially parallel to the MRI magnetic field.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear implant assembly includes a cochlear implant configured to apply electrical stimulation to the recipient by way of an electrode array, a cochlear implant antenna communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant, and an encapsulant that covers the cochlear implant and the cochlear implant antenna, the encapsulant impregnated with a dielectric material that is configured to confine an electric field around the cochlear implant antenna. Corresponding methods for manufacturing cochlear implant assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A cochlear including a housing, an antenna, a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna, and an electrode array, operably connected to the stimulation processor, including a flexible body defining a longitudinal axis, a proximal region and a distal region, a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the flexible body, and at least one stiffener within the flexible body.

Abstract: An exemplary electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, an electrode contact disposed on an outer surface of the flexible body, and a strand that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop that is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion and that protrudes from the flexible body. The loop is configured to engage with a fixing element that is configured to attach the loop to tissue within a recipient to secure the electrode lead within the recipient. Corresponding methods for manufacturing an electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, an electrode contact disposed on a side of the flexible body, a coiled electrode wire provided within the flexible body so as to extend along a length of the flexible body and electrically connect the electrode contact to a signal source, and a coiled reinforcing element provided within the flexible body so as to extend together with the coiled electrode wire along the length of the flexible body. A winding direction of the coiled electrode wire is opposite a winding direction of the coiled reinforcing element and a winding pitch of the coiled electrode wire is smaller than a winding pitch of the coiled reinforcing element. Corresponding methods of manufacturing an electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: A cochlear including a housing, an antenna, a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna, and an electrode array, operably connected to the stimulation processor, including a flexible body defining a longitudinal axis, a proximal region and a distal region, a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the flexible body, and at least one stiffener within the flexible body.

Abstract: A particle alignment method in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes the step of positioning a cochlear implant, which is implanted within a patient's head and which includes a magnet apparatus with a central axis and magnetic material particles, at a location outside of the scanning area of an MRI system, adjacent to the MRI system, and within the MRI magnetic field in such a manner that the central axis of the magnet apparatus is at least substantially parallel to the MRI magnetic field.

Abstract: A cochlear including a housing, an antenna, a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna, and an electrode array, operably connected to the stimulation processor, including a flexible body defining a longitudinal axis, a proximal region and a distal region, a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the flexible body, and at least one stiffener within the flexible body.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear implant assembly includes a cochlear implant configured to apply electrical stimulation to the recipient by way of an electrode array, a cochlear implant antenna communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant, and an encapsulant that covers the cochlear implant and the cochlear implant antenna, the encapsulant impregnated with a dielectric material that is configured to confine an electric field around the cochlear implant antenna. Corresponding methods for manufacturing cochlear implant assemblies are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary connection joint includes a wire constructed from a first conductive material having a first melting point and a pad constructed from a second conductive material different from the first conductive material and having a second melting point lower than the first melting point. The connection joint further includes a groove within the pad that partially surrounds the wire and a fixative covering the wire and the pad so as to fix the wire in place within the groove. The groove is formed by a displacement of the second conductive material that occurs when the wire is in contact with the pad at a contact area of the pad that is heated to a temperature between the first and second melting points so as to reflow the second conductive material from which the pad is constructed without reflowing the first conductive material from which the wire is constructed.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

Abstract: An exemplary electrode lead includes a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material, an electrode contact disposed on an outer surface of the flexible body, and a strand that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop that is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion and that protrudes from the flexible body. The loop is configured to engage with a fixing element that is configured to attach the loop to tissue within a recipient to secure the electrode lead within the recipient. Corresponding methods for manufacturing an electrode lead are also described.

Abstract: An antenna having an inductor assembly including at least two conductors, which each define a conductor diameter Dc, and an electrically non-conductive carrier defining at least two lumens in which the at least two conductors are respectively located. The carrier maintains a conductor spacing S between the at least two conductors, and the inductor assembly defines at least one turn. The conductor spacing S and conductor diameter Dc together define a S/Dc ratio that ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame and biased by the magnet frame to a predetermined N-S rotational orientation.

Abstract: An exemplary antenna wire termination assembly includes a helically shaped conductive retention coil and a conductive tab member. The retention coil has a first end and a second end that define a length of the retention coil, a plurality of turns between the first and second ends, and a flat side along the length of the retention coil. The flat side is formed by a plurality of aligned straight segments included in the turns. The conductive tab member has a proximal portion conductively affixed to the flat side of the retention coil and a distal portion extending away from the second end of the retention coil in a direction that is parallel with the length of the retention coil.