Abstract: A medical device, including an implantable portion of the medical device, the implantable portion including at least one electrode, wherein the implantable portion is configured to, while implanted in a human, obtain data indicative of wear of the at least one electrode. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical device is a cochlear implant.

Abstract: Presented herein are integrated tube sheaths (tube sheaths) for implantable stimulation assemblies. An integrated tube sheath is configured to be disposed around, and is slideably engaged with, an outer surface of an associated stimulation assembly. The integrated tube sheath is configured to retain the stimulation assembly in a straight arrangement for implantation of the stimulation assembly into a recipient. Following implantation of the stimulation assembly, the integrated tube sheath is configured to remain implanted in the recipient.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an electrode, wherein the electrode is at least one of directly or indirectly fixed to an otic capsule or tissue associated with the otic capsule of a human at least in part with cured securement material, wherein the electrode is part of a human ailment treatment and/or mitigation system, at least in part implantable in the human.

Abstract: A method includes providing an electrode configured to be implanted within a body portion of a recipient in tissue at a target implantation location, the electrode comprising a screw portion. The method further includes driving the screw portion into the tissue at the target implantation location, monitoring at least one signal indicative of insertion of the screw portion into the tissue, and stopping the driving in response to the at least one signal being indicative of a predetermined insertion of the screw portion.

Abstract: Presented herein are dual-function surgical tools for insertion of implantable stimulating assemblies, such as intra-cochlear stimulating assemblies. In addition to facilitating intra-operative positioning of a stimulating assembly within a recipient (e.g., operating to guide the stimulating assembly of an implantable medical device into position), the surgical tool also includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electroporation electrical field to a recipient's nerve cells to enable introduction of treatment substance into the nerve cells.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula with at least one wall portion having an electrically insulating material. The at least one wall portion at least partially bounds a region configured to contain a portion of a medical implant system configured to be implanted on or within a recipient. The cannula further includes at least one portion configured to provide at least one electrically conductive pathway through the at least one wall portion from within the cannula to a region outside the cannula.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: Presented herein are dual-function surgical tools for insertion of implantable stimulating assemblies, such as intra-cochlear stimulating assemblies. In addition to facilitating intra-operative positioning of a stimulating assembly within a recipient (e.g., operating to guide the stimulating assembly of an implantable medical device into position), the surgical tool also includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electroporation electrical field to a recipient's nerve cells to enable introduction of treatment substance into the nerve cells.

Abstract: Presented herein are dual-function surgical tools for insertion of implantable stimulating assemblies, such as intra-cochlear stimulating assemblies. In addition to facilitating intra-operative positioning of a stimulating assembly within a recipient (e.g., operating to guide the stimulating assembly of an implantable medical device into position), the surgical tool also includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electroporation electrical field to a recipient's nerve cells to enable introduction of treatment substance into the nerve cells.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to MrkA and induce opsonophagocytic killing of Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae). The present disclosure also provides methods of reducing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) or treating or preventing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) infection in a subject comprising administering MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, MrkA polypeptides, immunogenic fragments thereof, or polynucleotides encoding MrkA or immunogenic fragments thereof to the subject.

Abstract: Presented herein are dual-function surgical tools for insertion of implantable stimulating assemblies, such as intra-cochlear stimulating assemblies. In addition to facilitating intra-operative positioning of a stimulating assembly within a recipient (e.g., operating to guide the stimulating assembly of an implantable medical device into position), the surgical tool also includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electroporation electrical field to a recipient's nerve cells to enable introduction of treatment substance into the nerve cells.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to MrkA and induce opsonophagocytic killing of Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae). The present disclosure also provides methods of reducing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) or treating or preventing Klebsiella (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) infection in a subject comprising administering MrkA binding proteins, e.g., antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, MrkA polypeptides, immunogenic fragments thereof, or polynucleotides encoding MrkA or immunogenic fragments thereof to the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to a stimulating assembly of a cochlear implant. The stimulating assembly comprises one or more fixation features configured to be inserted into a recipient's cochlea via an opening in the cochlea. Following insertion, the one or more fixation features are configured to engage an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent to the opening to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea through the opening.

Abstract: Presented herein are trans-modiolar stimulation techniques in which stimulation current is sourced (delivered) by at least one intra-cochlear stimulating contact and is sunk at a group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts. The group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts is positioned (located) across a section of the recipient's modiolus from the intra-cochlear stimulating contact that sources the stimulation. As such, stimulation current generally passes through the modiolus to stimulate spiral ganglion cells and evoke a hearing percept.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to a stimulating assembly of a cochlear implant. The stimulating assembly comprises one or more fixation features configured to be inserted into a recipient's cochlea via an opening in the cochlea. Following insertion, the one or more fixation features are configured to engage an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent to the opening to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea through the opening.

Abstract: Presented herein are trans-modiolar stimulation techniques in which stimulation current is sourced (delivered) by at least one intra-cochlear stimulating contact and is sunk at a group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts. The group of other infra-cochlear stimulating contacts is positioned (located) across a section of the recipient's modiolus from the intra-cochlear stimulating contact that sources the stimulation. As such, stimulation current generally passes through the modiolus to stimulate spiral ganglion cells and evoke a hearing percept.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.