Abstract: A protective faceplate (37) for an implantable component of a tissue-stimulating prosthesis, such as a cochlear implant. The faceplate (37) comprising a first or outer surface and an opposed second or inner surface. The implantable component can be removably or non-removably mountable to the second surface and adapted to extend into a cavity formed in a bone of a recipient.

Abstract: An elongate electrode carrier member including a longitudinally-extending central region, two side regions laterally extending from opposing sides of the central region, a lateral surface defined by the central and side regions together forming a convex circumferential surface, a medial surface defined by a convex surface of the central region and a concave surface for each of the side regions, a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrodes disposed on or in the convex surface of the central region of the medial surface, and a support structure including a plurality of longitudinally extending wires each connected to one or more of the electrodes, wherein a subset of the plurality of wires is disposed in the central region and at least one of the plurality of wires is disposed in one of the side regions.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided. The electrode assembly comprises a carrier member and one or more electrode contacts disposed in the carrier member, wherein a surface of at least one of the electrode contacts is contoured such that the effective surface area per area unit of the center region is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The method comprises: forming a comb having a plurality of electrode contacts, wherein the surface of at least one of the electrode contacts comprises a plurality of indentations such that the effective surface area per area unit of a center region of the at least one electrode contact is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region; assembling an array of electrode contacts from the comb; molding a carrier member about the assembled array of electrode contacts, wherein a surface of the at least one electrode contact is covered by a layer of the carrier member material; and removing the layer of carrier member material on the surface of the at least one electrode contact.

Abstract: A housing for an implantable device to be secured to a patient's bone is disclosed. The housing comprises at least one osseointegrating protuberance extending from one or more surfaces of the housing adapted to abut the patient's bone. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance is configured to be extricated from the bone subsequent to osseointegration. The housing can be used, for example, for an implantable stimulator unit of a cochlear prosthetic device.

Abstract: A complementary drug delivery sheath for implantable medical devices. The complementary drug delivery sheath is covered, impregnated or otherwise carries one or more drugs. The complementary drug-delivery sheaths are manufactured separately from to the implantable device and are operationally combined with one or more components subsequent to the device's manufacture and/or sterilization.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the treatment or prevention of allergic airways diseases, the suppression of allergic immune responses, and the induction protective immunity against allergic airways diseases wherein the methods comprise administering to subjects in need thereof an effective amount of a Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide and a Streptococcus pneumoniae exotoxin or exotoxoid, optionally together with one or more additional antigenic or immunomodulatory constituents, components or fractions of Streptococcus pneumoniae and/or immunopotentiators. Administration of individual components is also contemplated. Also provided are vaccine compositions suitable for use in accordance with methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), and a shape element (15) formed of a memory material, such as Nitinol. The elongate member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a length and a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation. The elongate member (11) has a pre-formed curved orientation that at least substantially matches an inside surface of a cochlea, an implantable orientation different to said pre-formed orientation that allows said member to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea, and an at least one intermediate orientation between said implantable orientation and said pre-formed orientation. The shape element (15) is removably positioned within the elongate member (11) and extends along at least a portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member, a stiffening element, and a stiffening sheath that at least partially envelops the elongate member. The member is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon. The member has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea. The member also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea, and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element and sheath are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member. The stiffening element and the stiffening sheath in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element or the stiffening sheath is removed or deactivated, the elongate member adopts an intermediate configuration.

Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11) having a plurality of electrodes thereon. The carrier member (11) is preformed from a resiliently flexible biocompatible silicone and extends from a distal end (12) to a stop member (13). The carrier member (11) is adapted for intracochlear but extraluminar insertion within the cochlea of an implantee. The placement of the carrier member (11) is designed to avoid any breach of the internal ducts of the cochlea (20), such as the scala tympani (24) and scala vestibuli (25) so that the normal hydrodynamic behavior of the cochlea (20) is not affected by any intrusive device. Use of the device in a system for masking or treating the symptoms of tinnitus is also described.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electrode carrier comprising one or more electrode contacts of an implantable medical device, comprising: coupling at least one electrode to a base plate, securing the base plate in a mold, injecting the mold with injection material at least partially around the at least one electrode coupled to the base plate, curing the injected material, and decoupling the at least one electrode from the base plate such that the cured injection material is separated from the base plate.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), a stiffening element (15), and a stiffening sheath (16) that at least partially envelops the elongate member (11). The member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon. The member (11) has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea (30). The member (11) also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea (30), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element (15) and sheath (16) are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member (11). The stiffening element (15) and the stiffening sheath (16) in combination bias the elongate member (11) into the first configuration.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array includes an elongated carrier (20) and a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier. A actuator adjusts the curvature of the carrier and can be controlled by varying an electric potential applied to the actuator. The actuator is based on an electrochemical cells and may be a conducting polymer based actuator.

Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11) having a plurality of electrodes thereon. The electrodes are preferably disposed in a linear array on the carrier member (11) and are adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation to the cochlea. The carrier member (11) is preformed from a resiliently flexible biocompatible silicone and extends from a distal end (12) to a stop member (13). The carrier member (11) is adapted for intracochlear but extraluminar insertion within the cochlea of an implantee. In particular, the carrier member (11) is adapted to be implanted in the crevice (21) between the spiral ligament (22) and the endosteum (23) of the lateral wall of the cochlea (20). This is a quite different location to the normal placement of the cochlear implant electrode array in the scala tympani (24) of the cochlea (20).

Abstract: An electrode array that is implantable within the inferior colliculus of the midbrain and/or other appropriate regions of the brain of an implantee and adapted to provide electrical stimulation thereto. The electrode array an elongate member having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon in a longitudinal array. A delivery cannula for delivering the electrode array comprised of two half-pipes is also described.

Abstract: A device, system and method for inserting a pre-curved electrode array (100) held in a substantially straight configuration by a straightening member (101) into a cochlea of a subject. As the electrode array (100) is inserted into the cochlea by the device, the straightening member (101) is held by the device such that the electrode array (100) advances off the straightening member (101) such that it is free to take on its pre-curved configuration in the cochlea of the subject.

Abstract: A neural-stimulating device for stimulating nerve cells of a recipient is provided. The neural-stimulating device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate one or more optical stimulation signals and an electrical stimulation generator configured to generate electrical stimulation signals. The neural-stimulating device also comprises an implantable stimulating assembly configured to be implanted in the recipient, and having disposed thereon an optical contact to deliver the one or more optical stimulation signals to the nerve cells, and an electrical contact to deliver the electric stimulation signals to the nerve cells.

Abstract: A cochlear implant is provided. The cochlear implant comprises a stimulator unit configured to generate electrical stimulation signals based on sound processor-encoded signals, and to generate one or more optical stimulation signals, and an implantable stimulating assembly. The implantable stimulating assembly is configured to be implanted into a basal region of a recipient's cochlea such that when the stimulating assembly is fully implanted, a distal end of the assembly extends to the basal turn of the cochlea. The stimulating assembly also comprises: an optical contact to deliver the one or more optical stimulation signals to the cochlea, and an electrical contact to deliver the electric stimulation signals to a basal region of the cochlea so as to cause perception by the recipient of one or more frequency components of the acoustic sound signal.

Abstract: A tip member for inserting into the cochlea, a device comprising: an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and a tip member extending distally from a distal end of the elongate member, the tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of the tapered portion, wherein the tip member is resiliently flexible, and a method for making such a device.

Abstract: A non-communicative lumen for electrode assemblies of medical implants, in particular prosthetic hearing implants, is provided by the present invention. The non-communicative lumen prevents the lumen within the cochlea from being able to transport fluids, cells, bacteria, tissue, etc., with the lumen outside the cochlea, and vis versa through the incision or cochleostomy. The lumen may have a cavity or slit that receives a stylet during insertion of the electrode assembly.