Abstract: An electrode insertion support device is used for inserting a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea scala of a patient cochlea. A stiff electrode holder encloses at least a portion of a cochlear implant electrode while allowing the electrode within to slide freely. A pointed distal tip of the electrode holder is adapted to pierce an electrode opening through an outer surface of the patient cochlea into the cochlea scala. The insertion support device prevents an apical tip of the enclosed electrode from contacting tissues around the electrode opening during the insertion surgery.

Abstract: An electrode guide bridge is used for inserting a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea scala of a patient cochlea. An electrode holder encloses at least a portion of a cochlear implant electrode while allowing the electrode to slide freely without friction. A pointed distal tip of the electrode holder is sized to fit within a posterior tympanotomy during electrode insertion surgery and into an electrode opening in an outer surface of the patient cochlea without entering the cochlea scala to prevent an apical tip of the enclosed electrode from contacting tissues around the electrode opening during the insertion surgery.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an electrode carrier having an electrode array with a groove disposed in a longitudinal direction along the electrode carrier, and a stopper positioned around the electrode carrier. The stopper has a protrusion on its inner surface that is configured to be positioned within the groove such that the stopper is movable with respect to the electrode carrier.

Abstract: A cochlear implant includes an active base section with a front surface configured to lie against an inner modiolar wall of the scala tympani. Electrode contacts are on the front surface configured to face the inner modiolar wall to deliver electrode stimulation signals to nearby modiolar neural tissue. A passive apex section has a front surface without electrode contacts configured to lie against an outer lateral wall of the scala tympani. A U-shape transition bend section is at an apical end of the active base section bending in a reverse direction and transitioning into a basal end of the passive apex section such that the back surface of an apical tip of the passive apex section lies adjacent to a back surface of a basal end of the active base section at an electrode opening in the cochlea when the electrode is implanted in the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting an appropriate implantable hearing device for a patient with a hearing impairment is disclosed. The system includes an auditory parameter generating module configured to receive electronically generated image data of the patient's auditory structure and to generate at least one auditory parameter based on the image data. The system further includes memory, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module, that is configured to store a listing of one or more implantable hearing devices, and a hearing device determining module, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module and the memory, that is configured to select the implantable hearing device based on the auditory parameter.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. A drug lumen is within the electrode carrier and adapted to receive a therapeutic fluid. The drug lumen contains delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier and a hydrogel matrix disposed between the drug lumen and the one or more delivery openings and adapted to swell in volume when exposed to the therapeutic fluid. The hydrogel matrix is adapted to control diffusion of the therapeutic fluid from the drug lumen through the delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.

Abstract: A device for measuring stapedius tissue activity uses a mechanoelectrical transducer having two ends. A static end is configured for attachment to the bony pyramid in the middle ear, and a dynamic end is configured for attachment to stapedius tissue in the middle ear. The transducer generates a corresponding electrical sensing signal output when the stapedius tissue moves the dynamic end relative to the static end.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an electrode carrier having an electrode array with a groove disposed in a longitudinal direction along the electrode carrier, and a stopper positioned around the electrode carrier. The stopper has a protrusion on its inner surface that is configured to be positioned within the groove such that the stopper is movable with respect to the electrode carrier.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery accessory is described. A middle ear guide member has a hollow interior enclosed by a non-permeable outer surface. A proximal end of the middle ear guide member is fixed to the tympanic membrane of an implanted patient. A distal end of the middle ear guide member penetrates through a fluid-tight sealed opening into the inner ear. An inner ear holding member has a proximal end connected to the distal end of the middle ear guide member at the sealed opening and a closed distal end terminating the inner ear holding member some predetermined distance within the cochlea. A hollow interior of the inner ear holding member contains a replaceable drug delivery member which stores a therapeutic drug. A semi-permeable outer surface of the inner ear holding member is connected to a cochlear implant electrode and adapted to release therapeutic drug from the hollow interior into adjacent tissue.

Abstract: An implantable multi-channel electrode is described. An ear implant electrode with a cylinder shaped electrode body has opposing top and bottom end surfaces. Electrode contacts are dispersed across the bottom end surface to provide electrical interaction with nearby auditory nerve tissue.

Abstract: An implantable multi-channel electrode is described. An ear implant electrode with a cylinder shaped electrode body has opposing top and bottom end surfaces. Electrode contacts are dispersed across the bottom end surface to provide electrical interaction with nearby auditory nerve tissue.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode is described. An elongate flexible electrode array has a linear central axis and an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrical stimulation of nearby neural tissue. At least one of the electrode contacts is a linear electrode contact forming an elongated rectilinear surface along a line parallel to the linear central axis of the electrode array.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. A drug lumen is within the electrode carrier and adapted to receive a therapeutic fluid. The drug lumen contains delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier and a hydrogel matrix disposed between the drug lumen and the one or more delivery openings and adapted to swell in volume when exposed to the therapeutic fluid. The hydrogel matrix is adapted to control diffusion of the therapeutic fluid from the drug lumen through the delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.