Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an implantable coil case that contains a communications coil. A magnet receptacle is located within the coil case at the radial center and has a magnet opening in one of the lateral surface or the medial surface of the coil case. A magnet fitting groove is recessed into one of the lateral or medial surface of the coil case and extends from the magnet opening to the outer circumference of the coil case. A u-shaped implant magnet clip has parallel clip legs that are connected at a closed end of the u-shape, and an implant magnet is attached to one of the clip legs. The coil case and the magnet clip are configured to cooperate for a portion of the coil case to fit between the clip legs and the implant magnet to slide through the magnet fitting groove and fit through the magnet opening into the magnet receptacle.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode array made of resilient material with a center longitudinal axis and an outer surface. Electrode contacts are distributed on the outer surface of the electrode array along the longitudinal axis for applying electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. At least one biocompatible hydrogel layer is fixed to the electrode array solely by mechanical connection and adapted to swell from contact with perilymph fluid within a cochlea without separating away from the outer surface of the electrode array.

Abstract: An electrode for use with a cochlear implant system includes an electrode array with electrode contacts distributed along the electrode array, and an electrode lead adjacent to the electrode array. The electrode lead has (1) a flexible region configured to allow the electrode lead to bend, (2) an attachment mechanism with an internal portion positioned within and along a longitudinal direction of the electrode lead, and an external portion configured to be bent and secured to bone, the external portion having an attachment element configured to secure the attachment mechanism to the bone, and (3) a securing element extending from the electrode lead and located further back from the flexible region toward a rear end of the electrode lead, the securing element configured to secure the electrode lead to the bone. A method of securing the electrode to bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to an inner ear of a subject includes a septum configured to be embedded in the inner ear or on a promontory bone of the subject, a spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum, a catheter in fluid communication with the spear connector, a fixation device configured to secure the septum to the inner ear or the promontory bone.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an implantable coil case that contains a communications coil. A magnet receptacle is located within the coil case at the radial center and has a magnet opening in one of the lateral surface or the medial surface of the coil case. A magnet fitting groove is recessed into one of the lateral or medial surface of the coil case and extends from the magnet opening to the outer circumference of the coil case. A u-shaped implant magnet clip has parallel clip legs that are connected at a closed end of the u-shape, and an implant magnet is attached to one of the clip legs. The coil case and the magnet clip are configured to cooperate for a portion of the coil case to fit between the clip legs and the implant magnet to slide through the magnet fitting groove and fit through the magnet opening into the magnet receptacle.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode arrangement is described that prevents post-surgical retraction of the electrode array from the cochlea. The arrangement includes an electrode lead that carries cochlear stimulation signals from an implanted signal processor, through an oval shaped posterior tympanotomy opening in the facial recess of a patient, to an electrode array implanted in a cochlea of the patient. A retraction limiter slides over the electrode lead through the posterior tympanotomy with projection arms aligned along the long diameter of the posterior tympanotomy, then is rotated to align the projection arms along the short diameter of the posterior tympanotomy, and secured to the electrode lead so that the projection arms prevent post-surgical retraction of the electrode lead back through the posterior tympanotomy.

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: An insertion system for inserting an implantable electrode carrier includes an insertion instrument having a housing with a proximal end and a distal end, and a vibration generator coupled adjacent to the housing. The proximal end is configured to hold the implantable electrode carrier. The vibration generator is configured to generate vibrations in at least a portion of the electrode carrier.

Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant surgical template arrangement is described. An implant fits behind the outer ear pinna of a recipient patient and conforms against an underlying side of the head. The implant stimulator template has an implant outline defining an area corresponding to an implanted stimulator of the bilateral hearing implant system, and has an adjustable connection that allows adjustment of the position of the implant stimulator template with respect to the outer ear pinna so as to define stimulator implantation sites at symmetric locations on each side of the patient's head. A behind the ear (BTE) processor template also has a processor outline defining an area corresponding to an external BTE processor device of the bilateral hearing implant system and fits behind the ear pinna at the adjustable connection with the implant stimulator template, and conforms against an underlying side of the patient's head.

Abstract: A stapedius muscle recording electrode arrangement is described having one or more wire electrodes with an inner conducting wire covered by an outer layer of electrical insulation. There is an electrode opening in the electrical insulation that exposes underlying conducting wire. A curved needle has a tip configured for insertion into stapedius muscle tissue, and a base end coupled to the at least one wire electrode. The wire electrode and the needle are configured for insertion of the curved needle through the stapedius muscle tissue or between the stapedius muscle surface and the inner bony surface of the pyramidal eminence to embed the wire electrode in the stapedius muscle tissue or between the stapedius muscle surface and the inner bony surface of the pyramidal eminence for electrical interaction of the conducting wire at the electrode opening with the stapedius muscle tissue.

Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant surgical template arrangement is described. An implant fits behind the outer ear pinna of a recipient patient and conforms against an underlying side of the head. The implant stimulator template has an implant outline defining an area corresponding to an implanted stimulator of the bilateral hearing implant system, and has an adjustable connection that allows adjustment of the position of the implant stimulator template with respect to the outer ear pinna so as to define stimulator implantation sites at symmetric locations on each side of the patient's head. A behind the ear (BTE) processor template also has a processor outline defining an area corresponding to an external BTE processor device of the bilateral hearing implant system and fits behind the ear pinna at the adjustable connection with the implant stimulator template, and conforms against an underlying side of the patient's head.

Abstract: An electrode for use with a cochlear implant system includes an electrode array with electrode contacts distributed along the electrode array, and an electrode lead adjacent to the electrode array. The electrode lead has (1) a flexible region configured to allow the electrode lead to bend, (2) an attachment mechanism with an internal portion positioned within and along a longitudinal direction of the electrode lead, and an external portion configured to be bent and secured to bone, the external portion having an attachment element configured to secure the attachment mechanism to the bone, and (3) a securing element extending from the electrode lead and located further back from the flexible region toward a rear end of the electrode lead, the securing element configured to secure the electrode lead to the bone. A method of securing the electrode to bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant surgical template arrangement is described. An adjustable headpiece with left and right sides fits over the head of a surgical patient. There are left and right implant stimulator templates, each configured to conform against an underlying side of the patient's head and each connected to a corresponding left and right side of the adjustable headpiece by an adjustable connection. Each adjustable connection is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the implant stimulator template with respect to the adjustable headpiece so as to define stimulator implantation sites at symmetric locations on each side of the patient's head.

Abstract: An electrode for use with a cochlear implant system includes an electrode array with at least one electrode contact, and an electrode lead adjacent to the electrode array. The electrode lead has a flexible region configured to allow the electrode lead to bend and has an attachment mechanism with an internal portion positioned within the electrode lead and an external portion configured to be bent and secured to bone. A method of securing the electrode to bone is also disclosed.

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 fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to an inner ear of a subject includes a septum configured to be embedded in the inner ear or on a promontory bone of the subject, a spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum, a catheter in fluid communication with the spear connector, a fixation device configured to secure the septum to the inner ear or the promontory bone.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a middle ear section with a proximal end fixed to a tympanic membrane of a patient, and a distal end that penetrates through a fluid-tight sealed opening into the inner ear. An inner ear section has a proximal end that is 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 section is configured for containing a replaceable pharmaceutical agent, and an outer surface is configured to release the pharmaceutical agent from the hollow interior into the inner ear of the patient. The middle ear section and the inner ear section are configured to cooperate for replacing the pharmaceutical agent through the proximal end of the middle ear section to the inner ear section.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode arrangement is described that prevents post-surgical retraction of the electrode array from the cochlea. The arrangement includes an electrode lead that carries cochlear stimulation signals from an implanted signal processor, through an oval shaped posterior tympanotomy opening in the facial recess of a patient, to an electrode array implanted in a cochlea of the patient. A retraction limiter slides over the electrode lead through the posterior tympanotomy with projection arms aligned along the long diameter of the posterior tympanotomy, then is rotated to align the projection arms along the short diameter of the posterior tympanotomy, and secured to the electrode lead so that the projection arms prevent post-surgical retraction of the electrode lead back through the posterior tympanotomy.

Abstract: An implantable electrode arrangement for a cochlear implant system is described. The arrangement includes a flexible intracochlear electrode array having an outer surface with electrode contacts for applying cochlear stimulation signals to target neural tissue within the implanted cochlea. A flexible extracochlear electrode lead is coupled at a lead proximal end to an implanted signal processor that provides the cochlear stimulation signals, and connected at a lead distal end to a proximal end of the electrode array. A lead holder is connected to the lead distal end and has an initial shape. The lead holder is malleable and adapted to be intra-surgically deformed into and retain a new desired shape so as to secure the lead distal end at the electrode opening into the implanted cochlea and decouple post-surgical mechanical strain at the lead distal end from the electrode array.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter, the micro-valve configured to be located within a round window or to be secured to a promontory bone of a cochlea.