Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for locating a target structure disposed in a body of a subject and/or guiding a needle with respect to the target structure. In one example, an apparatus is provided that includes a locator portion and a needle guide portion. The locator portion is configured to locate a target structure disposed in a body of a subject, and a needle guide portion defines an aperture configured to have a needle positioned therewith. The needle guide portion is configured to align the needle at a target angle relative to the target structure.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for localized release of systemically circulating therapeutic substances, which combine many of the advantages of systematic and localized administration, while eliminating many of the associated drawbacks. More specifically, in accordance with the techniques presented herein, an electro-responsive biomaterial is systemically administered to a recipient of an electrically-stimulating implantable medical device. The electro-responsive biomaterial comprises a therapeutic substance that is only activated (e.g., released) in the presence of an electromagnetic field generated by the electrically-stimulating implantable medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an array of electrodes and an implantable therapeutic substance reservoir, wherein the apparatus is an implantable portion of a cochlear implant, the apparatus is configured so that the therapeutic substance reservoir extends from a location behind an ear canal of a human between a mastoid bone and skin of the human to the cochlea when the apparatus is fully implanted in a recipient, and the reservoir is completely integrated into the implantable portion of the cochlear implant.

Abstract: A method, comprising obtaining data based on impedance values within a cochlea of a human at a first temporal location and at a second temporal location after the first temporal location, evaluating the obtained data and implementing a treatment based on the evaluation. In an embodiment, the treatment implemented is a steroid treatment.

Abstract: A device including a tissue interface portion configured for securement to tissue of and/or proximate an inner ear of a human and provide a passage from outside the inner ear to inside the inner ear and a component releasably attached to the tissue interface portion and/or a portion of the device supported by the tissue interface portion, wherein the device is configured to enable the component to be removed from the tissue interface portion when the tissue interface portion is removably permanently fixed to the barrier establishing the inner ear of a human, and the component at least partially seals the passage and provides one or more passive features.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure containing a hermetically sealed region, the enclosure configured to be implanted on or within a recipient. The apparatus further includes circuitry within the hermetically sealed region and configured to generate signals. The apparatus further includes at least one heating element configured to receive the signals and to generate heat in response to the signals. The apparatus further includes at least one flow control element outside the hermetically sealed region and configured to respond to the heat by controlling a flow of liquid through at least one cannula to controllably administer the liquid internally to the recipient.

Abstract: A drug delivery device configured to simultaneously interface with a scala tympani and a scala vestibuli of a cochlea, wherein the device can be configured to deliver drug to the cochlea at least in part via a post introduction non-diffusion based delivery, and wherein the device can be configured to induce complete circuit circulation from the scala tympani to the scala vestibuli and/or vice versa, thereby distributing drug within the cochlea.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as an implantable medical device, including an implantable device configured to cause trauma in an inner ear and/or a middle ear recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable device is a cochlear implant. In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable device is configured to deliver a therapeutic substance to body tissue of the recipient.

Abstract: A device, including a body through which a passage extends, wherein the body is configured to permanently fix to an opening in a barrier between a middle ear and an inner ear of a human, the device is an inner ear port apparatus that is configured to enable resealable physical access from the middle ear into the inner ear through the passage, and the inner ear port apparatus includes insulated electrically conductive material configured to conduct an electrical signal.

Abstract: A method including entering a fluid containing cavity in a human with an artificial device, verifying that a portion of the artificial device has entered the fluid containing cavity based on an electrical phenomenon indicative of a sensor component supported by and/or part of the artificial device being located in the fluid containing cavity.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of their administration following delivery of such compositions into a fluid-containing chamber of the body are provided. More specifically, pharmaceutical compositions mixed with reactive compositions produce a gas when brought into contact with a bodily fluid, such as that in the cochlear canal; the gas causes a fluidic movement in the chamber and also propels the disintegrating composition containing the therapeutic substance in the fluid to the apical region of the canal where the therapeutic substance contacts the tissue walls of the chamber, leading to various effects on or in cells of the tissue surrounding the fluid in that region. Methods disclosed may be used for delivery of pharmaceutical compositions to other fluid-containing chambers of the body for treatment of tissues in difficult-to-reach areas, and may be especially useful in chambers in which there is limited fluid movement.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a securable inner drug delivery plug or stopper that is configured to be inserted into, and secured (retained) within, an opening of the inner ear of a recipient. The securable inner drug delivery plug is configured to deliver drugs directly into the inner ear.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as an implantable medical device, including an implantable device configured to cause trauma in an inner ear and/or a middle ear recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable device is a cochlear implant. In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable device is configured to deliver a therapeutic substance to body tissue of the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical formulations are provided for modulating permeability and other properties of the blood labyrinth barrier (BLB) of the inner car. Such methods could be used in known control systems for monitoring and treating CI recipients and individuals have hearing loss-related conditions, disorders and diseases, including for example. Meniere's disease.

Abstract: A method, including accessing an ear system of a live human, transporting a material in a first state so that the material comes into contact with a wall of the outer ear, at least permitting the first material to transform to a second state and removing the material in the second state from contact with the wall of the outer ear, wherein the material in the second state retains a memory of a shape of the wall of the outer ear into which the material was in contact when transforming to the second state.

Abstract: An apparatus including a therapeutic substance delivery device configured for attachment to a first tissue area internal of a recipient, the delivery device configured to enable movement of a therapeutic substance outlet of the delivery device proximate a second tissue area away from the first tissue area after attachment to the first tissue area to deliver the therapeutic substance from the outlet while implanted in the recipient.

Abstract: A device, including a therapeutics substance delivery apparatus and an incisor, wherein the device is a minimally invasive inner ear therapeutic substance delivery device configured to reach the inner ear through a passage through the tympanic membrane to incise through tissue and deliver a therapeutic substance, and the incisor is at least one of a drill bit configured to drill through a promontory of a cochlea of a human, or a conduit configured to pierce a round window of the human with a fully intact round window niche.

Abstract: Presented herein are therapeutic substance delivery devices configured to be inserted into a body chamber of a recipient. The therapeutic substance delivery devices are configured to assume a position in close proximity to a first wall of the body chamber, without affecting body structures located at a second (opposing) side of body chamber.

Abstract: A device, including a therapeutics substance delivery apparatus and an incisor, wherein the device is a minimally invasive inner ear therapeutic substance delivery device configured to reach the inner ear through a passage through the tympanic membrane to incise through tissue and deliver a therapeutic substance, and the incisor is at least one of a drill bit configured to drill through a promontory of a cochlea of a human, or a conduit configured to pierce a round window of the human with a fully intact round window niche.

Abstract: Presented herein are devices configured to deliver therapeutic substances to a fluidically-sealed chamber within the body of a recipient. The devices presented herein comprise a first/primary layer or substrate configured to be positioned adjacent a tissue barrier associated with the fluidically-sealed chamber. An adhesive is disposed on the primary layer to adhere the primary layer to the tissue barrier and provide a fluidic seal between the primary layer and the tissue barrier. In addition, a plurality of bioresorbable protrusions extend from the first layer and are configured to penetrate the tissue barrier and deliver a therapeutic substance to the fluidically-sealed chamber.