Abstract: A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A shape memory material core may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation. In a preferred embodiment, electrical conductors are connected to the shape memory material to permit the select warming of the shape memory material by the passing of an electric current through it. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is warmed by adjacent heating elements.

Abstract: A biologically implantable percutaneous connector (20) for providing optionally separable interconnection between an implanted connector (21) attached to bone tissue and a removable connector (40). The connectors each include a supporting matrix of dielectric material (86, 94) within which an array of tiny conductive rods (90, 88) are sealed with ends (112, 110) of the rods exposed as contacts at mating faces (94, 92) and the other ends (102, 100) joined to conductors (33, 43) of cables (32, 42). Elastomeric anisotropic connector material (44) is located between corresponding arrays of contacts to provide for repeated reliable electrical connection and disconnection of corresponding contacts. External surfaces of the implantable body (21) of the percutaneous connector may be coated with a bioactive material promoting integration of surrounding tissue into the surfaces of the implanted percutaneous connector.

Abstract: A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A core of shape memory material may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation.

Abstract: A biologically implantable percutaneous connector for providing optionally separable interconnection of a large number of small electrical conductors of an externally located electrical cable includes a mating face incorporating an array of exposed end surfaces of tiny conductive rods sealed in a supporting matrix of dielectric material which is supported in a connector body. Elastomeric anisotropic connector material is located between corresponding arrays of contacts to provide for repeated reliable electrical connection and disconnection. External surfaces of the implantable body of the percutaneous connector are coated with a bioactive material promoting integration of surrounding tissue into the surfaces of the implanted percutaneous connector.

Abstract: Microelectrodes for use in stimulating and detecting activity in neurons of living organisms, and a method of manufacturing such microelectrodes. An electrically conductive electrode core member is sharpened and coated with a thin layer of a dielectric material. An extremely small area of the core at the sharpened point is exposed by ablating the dielectric material by the use of ultraviolet laser beam scanned over the material. Multiconductor microelectrodes include multiple fine wires which may be arranged in helical strands, optionally supported by a central core member of stiffer material. Multiple conductors may also be supported within a tubular support such as a hollow needle whose distal end is cut at a slant to expose the conductors, or in flat ribbon configuration with openings in dielectric material defining active electrode sites.

Abstract: A miniature, electrically-insulated multi-conductor electrical cable suitable for implantation in living bodies and readily connected to sensors or electrodes, and implantable microelectrodes attached to such cables. Individual electrical conductors are coated with at least one layer of, insulating material and stranded together, or optionally bound together by an additional layer of insulating material which is compatible with implantation in living bodies. The individual conductors are separated from one another in terminal portions of the cable and are held by a ribbonizing resin at a predetermined pitch to facilitate connection of each of the conductors. The terminal portions may define microelectrodes. Another microelectrode includes an electrically conductive electrode core member sharpened and coated with a thin layer of a dielectric material.

Abstract: A miniature, electrically-insulated multi-conductor electrical cable suitable for implantation in living bodies and readily connected to sensors or electrodes with terminal pads or to conductors such as printed flex circuit traces of electrical circuits, and a method for preparing such cables. Individual electrical conductors are coated with at least one layer of insulating material. The insulated individual conductors are stranded together, or optionally bound together by an additional layer of insulating material which is compatible with implantation in living bodies. The individual conductors are separated from one another in terminal portions of the cable and are encapsulated in a ribbonizing resin which is trimmed to expose portions of the individual conductors, held by the ribbonization resin at a predetermined pitch to facilitate connection of each of the conductors to a respective conductor trace of a printed circuit or flex circuit.