Abstract: Implantable drug delivery apparatuses and methods are described. An input port septum receives a therapeutic drug. An implantable delivery catheter holds a volume of the therapeutic drug and includes a proximal end in fluid communication with the input port septum, a distal end including an output septum for removing fluid from the catheter, and a drug permeable surface for diffusion of the therapeutic drug into nearby tissue.

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 drug delivery device for the inner ear is described. A drug delivery member for the inner ear without any stimulation electrodes has an intra-cochlear portion that penetrates into the inner ear of the patient and contains a drug eluting polymer material having at least one therapeutic drug which is released over time in a therapeutically effective amount into fluid in the inner ear of the patient.

Abstract: A neural stimulator includes an electrically non-conductive carrier and at least two electrically conductive electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the carrier. The electrodes on the opposite sides of the carrier are not electrically connected together. Instead, a signal source is connected to one of the electrodes on one side of the carrier and a return path to the signal source is connected to a corresponding electrode on the other side of the carrier. The corresponding electrode can, but need not be, directly opposite the electrode on the other side of the carrier. The electrodes can be rings, disks, other shapes or combinations thereof. Optionally, the carrier includes low-impedance shunts therethrough.

Abstract: An implant electrode for a cochlear implant system includes a basal electrode lead passing from an implant housing to a mastoid cortex surface for carrying one or more electrical stimulation signals from the implant housing. An apical electrode array fits through a cochleostomy opening into a cochlea scala and has multiple electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A middle electrode section passes through the mastoid cortex and the middle ear to the cochleostomy opening for connecting the electrode lead and the electrode array.

Abstract: A cochlear implant device is described which is an electrode shell for insertion into a fixed position in cochlear tissue. The electrode shell includes an interior volume that partially encases an implant electrode so that its electrode contacts are exposed for delivering electrical stimulation signals to the cochlear tissue. The electrode shell allows insertion and removal of the implant electrode with minimal trauma to the cochlear tissue.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is described for a hearing impaired patient. An intra-fluid electrode branch is immersed in cochlear fluid within an interior volume of a patient cochlea and has electrode contacts for delivering a cochlear stimulation signal to adjacent neural tissue. An intra-modiolus electrode branch penetrates through the cochlea and has one or more electrode contacts for delivering a modiolus stimulation signal to cochlear nerve tissue within the modiolus of the patient.

Abstract: Components of an implant system are described. An implant housing contains system components for performing system operating functions. An implant stabilizer extends out from the implant housing and implant data lead for interacting with an underlying curved bone surface to immobilize the implant housing in a fixed position.

Abstract: A prosthetic hearing system is described that provides multi-path stimulation of the patient auditory system. A mechanical stimulation component applies mechanical stimulation signals to cerebral tissue such as the dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, vestibular structures, etc. using multiple separate mechanical stimulation channels. And an electrical stimulation component provides electrical stimulation of auditory neural tissue of the patient user.

Abstract: An implantable electrode with a fluid reservoir is described. An implantable electrode carrier has an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue. An enlarged fluid storage reservoir within the electrode carrier stores a treatment volume of therapeutic fluid for an extended therapeutic treatment period. At least one fluid delivery port connects the fluid storage reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid storage reservoir to the outer surface.

Abstract: An implantable fixation structure includes at least one implantable holding element. The holding element is connected to an implantable cochlear implant element and maintains the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of a patient user.

Abstract: A system for communicating with the inner ear is described. An acoustic transducer converts between electrical energy and mechanical energy. An inner ear catheter has a distal end in vibratory communication with the fluid of the inner ear, a proximal end in vibratory communication with the acoustic transducer, and a lumen filled with a catheter fluid for coupling vibratory signals between the distal end and the proximal end.

Abstract: A perimodiolar electrode for cochlear implantation includes an electrode carrier having a front end and a back end. The electrode carrier includes one or more contacts and a hydrophilic segment that swells after insertion in a cochlea and detaches at least in part from the carrier. In accordance with related embodiments, the hydrophilic segment may detach from the electrode carrier between the front end and the back end. The detached hydrophilic segment may surround the modiolus of a scala tympani of the cochlea or the inner wall of a scala tympani of the cochlea.

Abstract: A fluid switch or valve for an implantable fluid delivery system is provided. The fluid switch or valve includes a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an internal magnet disposed within the fluid chamber. The internal magnet is moveable such that displacement of the internal magnet restricts the flow of fluid through the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An implantable device is described. An implantable transducer converts between electrical energy and acoustic energy. An implantable electronics module is in communication with the transducer and processes electronic data signals associated with the transducer. A fluid filled catheter has a proximal end coupled to the transducer, and a distal end having a distal opening to cerebrospinal fluid in an implanted patient.

Abstract: An implantable electrode with a fluid reservoir is described. An implantable electrode carrier has an outer surface including electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue. A fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier stores a volume of therapeutic fluid. At least one fluid delivery port connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface. A delivery septum port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A neural stimulator includes an electrically non-conductive carrier and at least two electrically conductive electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the carrier. The electrodes on the opposite sides of the carrier are not electrically connected together. Instead, a signal source is connected to one of the electrodes on one side of the carrier and a return path to the signal source is connected to a corresponding electrode on the other side of the carrier. The corresponding electrode can, but need not be, directly opposite the electrode on the other side of the carrier. The electrodes can be rings, disks, other shapes or combinations thereof. Optionally, the carrier includes low-impedance shunts therethrough.

Abstract: A cochlear electrode array for electrically stimulating cochlear tissues including a drug eluting portion will be disclosed. This device is adapted to release over time a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent for the inner ear. The pharmaceutical agent can be released locally for different therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An implantable electrode with a fluid reservoir is described. An implantable electrode carrier has an outer surface including electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue. A fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier stores a volume of therapeutic fluid. At least one fluid delivery port connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface. A delivery septum port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An electrode device is for implantation in a human ear. An implantable electrode carrier has one or more electrical contacts on its surface. The electrode carrier and the electrode contacts are adapted to interact with endosteum tissue when implanted in a human ear so as to develop current flow from the electrical contacts through the endosteum tissue toward sensory epithelium within the cochlea.