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.

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 method includes receiving information regarding a position and/or an orientation of an implantable device relative to a body portion of a recipient during and/or after implantation of at least a portion of the device on and/or into the body portion. The device includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply electroporation to first cells of the body portion while not damaging second cells of the body portion. The method includes estimating, in response at least in part to the information, first interactions of the electrodes with respect to the first cells. The method further includes estimating, in response at least in part to the information, second interactions of the electrodes with respect to the second cells.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for dynamic electroporation of the cells of a recipient of an implantable medical device. A carrier member with one or more electroporation electrodes is positioned in a spatial region proximate to cells of a recipient. The one or more electroporation electrodes are electrically connected to an external electroporation device and a treatment material to be transferred into the cells of the recipient is delivered proximate to the cells. The carrier member is moved through the spatial region while a series of electroporation signals, generated by the external electroporation device, are applied to the electroporation electrodes to generate an electroporation electrical field proximate to the cells. Due to the movement of the carrier member (and thus the electroporation electrodes) a location of a locus of the electroporation electrical field changes, over time, within the spatial region.

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 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: Presented herein are trans-modiolar stimulation techniques in which stimulation current is sourced (delivered) by at least one intra-cochlear stimulating contact and is sunk at a group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts. The group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts is positioned (located) across a section of the recipient's modiolus from the intra-cochlear stimulating contact that sources the stimulation. As such, stimulation current generally passes through the modiolus to stimulate spiral ganglion cells and evoke a hearing percept.

Abstract: Presented herein are trans-modiolar stimulation techniques in which stimulation current is sourced (delivered) by at least one intra-cochlear stimulating contact and is sunk at a group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts. The group of other infra-cochlear stimulating contacts is positioned (located) across a section of the recipient's modiolus from the intra-cochlear stimulating contact that sources the stimulation. As such, stimulation current generally passes through the modiolus to stimulate spiral ganglion cells and evoke a hearing percept.