Cochlear implant package

Abstract

An implant package for a cochlear implant, including stimulator electronics contained within a protective housing (2) and being coupled to an electrode array (9) for insertion into the cochlea of a patient, and being further coupled to a receiving and / or transmitting coil (8) enclosed within a protective casing, said protective housing being dimensioned and shaped to be capable of location within the mastoid cavity (C) of the patient nearer to the entry point of the electrode array to the cochlea, said further coupling being contained in a flexible connection between the protective housing (2) and the protective casing (8).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to improvements in cochlear implants and more particularly to improvements relating to the shapes of implant packages, e.g. receiver-stimulator packages, to enable the cochlear implant to be positioned in a patient in a more desirable location than the location presently used. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Present cochlear implant receiver-stimulators are placed in a patient by drilling a bed into and through the posterior section of the mastoid bone lying behind the ear. The bed is usually made by drilling the bone down to the lining of the brain or dura mater. The receiver-stimulator of the Nucleus cochlear implant made by Cochlear Limited has a receiver-stimulator package made from titanium which houses the stimulation electronics and which is fitted into the bed in the mastoid bone. A receiver coil extends from the back end of the package and lies superficial to the bone. Other cochlear implants have included packages mad...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved implant package for a cochlear implant that can be placed in a more desirable location within the skull of the patient. The package includes a protective housing that contains the stimulator electronics and is operably coupled to an electrode array and a receiving and / or transmitting coil. The protective housing is designed to be placed in the mastoid cavity, which is nearer to the entry point of the electrode array, to minimize the risk of trauma and protect the coil from damage. The flexible coupling between the protective housing and the coil allows for optimal placement and adjusts to changes in head shape over time. The implant package is electrically coupled to the electrode array and the receiving / transmitting coil. The flexible connection has a memory to retain its desired shape and can include one or more flexible arms to reduce the inductive effects between the leads and the magnetic coil. The invention is a receiver-stimulator package for a cochlear implant."

Problems solved by technology

In young children, placing either of the above packages in the mastoid bone some distance behind the ear can lead to the packages creating an external swelling, which can be unsightly.

More importantly, such placements of the package can lead to serious damage caused by excessive impact to the head in the area adjacent the implant.

Such impact can lead to fractures of the electrode where it exits the package, or cracking or damage of the package itself.

In addition, because the packages are placed in this particular location, especially where a bed is drilled down to the lining of the brain, it is possible for excessive impact to cause the package to enter the cranial cavity and damage structures including the brain.

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