Abstract: An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Abstract: A detachable handle includes a handle body that is substantially tubular and defines a hollow center region extending at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the handle body. The handle body is configured and arranged to receive a portion of a stylet handle within the hollow center region and removably attach to the stylet handle. The handle body includes an external gripping surface extending at least a portion of an exterior surface of the handle body.

Abstract: An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Abstract: An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Abstract: An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making an aggressively curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond the originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled up with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead having a pre-curved electrode array is provided. The molding process provides memory to the curved part of the lead. The lead may be made having a stylet insertion channel that extends from a slightly curved or substantially straight section and into the highly curved section of the lead. Because high compliance is desired for the lead in cochlear stimulation applications, the compliance is controlled not only by the taper at the distal end of the lead and overall lead thickness, but also by choosing the material hardness of the lead carrier/covering and employing compliant zigzagged conductor wire. In addition, differential lead compliance/stiffness can be achieved by using a stiff tubing that forms part of the stylet insertion channel.

Abstract: An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Abstract: An electrode system includes an implantable electrode having at least one electrode contact, an insertion tool, and a technique or method that allows the electrode contact to be positioned within soft tissue at a selected target stimulation site.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making an aggressively curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond the originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled up with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: A multicontact electrode array suitable for implantation in living tissue includes a distal end having multiple spaced-apart ring contacts or a pattern of spaced-apart electrode contacts carried on a flexible carrier. Each electrode contact is resistance welded to a respective wire that is wound helically inside a silicon tube. The center of the helix defines a lumen wherein a positioning stylet, or other suitable positioning tool, may be removably inserted when the electrode array is implanted. The electrode array is made using a method that includes, as an initial step, winding lead wires around a suitable mandrel forming a helix configuration. Next, a non-conductive silicone tube jacket is placed around the wound wires, exposing the distal lead ends of the wires at a distal end of the tube. A welding process is then used to bond each wire tip to a corresponding metal electrode contact which has been preassembled by resistance welding to a metal foil structural carrier.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead having a pre-curved electrode array is provided. The molding process provides memory to the curved part of the lead. The lead may be made having a stylet insertion channel that extends from a slightly curved or substantially straight section and into the highly curved section of the lead. Because high compliance is desired for the lead in cochlear stimulation applications, the compliance is controlled not only by the taper at the distal end of the lead and overall lead thickness, but also by choosing the material hardness of the lead carrier/covering and employing compliant zigzagged conductor wire. In addition, differential lead compliance/stiffness can be achieved by using a stiff tubing that forms part of the stylet insertion channel.

Abstract: A hair clip for use with a cochlear implant system retains a headpiece assembly, including a transmitting coil, in an aligned position relative to an implanted stimulator. In one embodiment, the hair clip provides a retention system that uses a magnet which forms part of the transmitting coil. A comb or plurality of prongs forms part of the retention system. In another embodiment, the comb has central teeth that are made from ferromagnetic material, and typically also has a non-central teeth that are made from non-ferromagnetic material. The comb is placed and secured in the patient's hair over the area where a cochlear implant is implanted. The transmitting coil is then placed next to the comb, and the magnet within the transmitting coil attaches to the ferromagnetic teeth of the comb.