Cochlear Implant Electrode Shell for Tissue Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cochlear implant electrode insertion and removal cause trauma to cochlear tissue due to rigidity, friction, and impact, and repeated insertion and removal lead to cumulative damage, with existing solutions failing to adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A cochlear implant electrode shell that encases the implant electrode, providing a protective structure for minimal trauma insertion and removal, with features such as a polymer composition, pre-curved design, and therapeutic coatings to reduce friction and promote tissue regeneration, while allowing directional stimulation and isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the implant electrode is made rigid for structural stability, then it can maintain its shape and position, but it causes trauma to cochlear tissue during insertion and removal due to rigidity, friction, and impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode system is divided into two separate components: a rigid implant electrode that provides structural stability and electrical function, and a flexible electrode shell that provides mechanical protection during insertion and removal. The rigid electrode remains inside the cochlea for stable electrical stimulation, while the flexible shell is inserted and removed separately, absorbing mechanical trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode shell acts as an intermediary protective structure during insertion and removal operations. It serves as a mediator between the rigid electrode and the cochlear tissue, absorbing mechanical stresses and protecting the delicate neural tissue from direct contact with rigid surfaces during traumatic events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the implant electrode is removed and replaced due to device failure or aging, then device functionality can be restored, but cumulative trauma accumulates in the cochlear tissue with each insertion and removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidcumulative trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the electrode from its protective shell, the system allows the rigid electrode to remain permanently implanted in the cochlea, maintaining reliable electrical contact with neural tissue. The flexible shell can be repeatedly inserted and removed for electrode replacement without causing cumulative trauma, as each new shell protects the tissue during the replacement procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible electrode shell is designed as a disposable protective element that can be repeatedly inserted and removed. Each shell serves its protective function during insertion and removal operations, then can be discarded, allowing the same shell to be reused multiple times for electrode replacements without causing cumulative tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the implant electrode is made soft and flexible to minimize insertion trauma, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the electrode cannot maintain uniform external aspect and smooth outer surface required for proper functioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion traumaVSAvoiduniform external aspect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the structural and protective functions into two components: the rigid implant electrode maintains the uniform external aspect and smooth outer surface required for proper electrical functioning and signal transmission, while the flexible electrode shell provides the soft, compliant structure that minimizes insertion trauma by conforming to the cochlear anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a pre-shaped (pre-curved) implant electrode is used to address impact in certain regions, then regional trauma is reduced, but the fundamental issue of cumulative permanent trauma from multiple explantation and re-implantation remains unaddressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregional traumaVSAvoidpermanent trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-shaped design is applied to the flexible electrode shell rather than the rigid implant electrode itself. The shell is pre-curved to match cochlear anatomy, reducing regional trauma during insertion. The rigid electrode maintains its standard design for optimal electrical function, while the flexible shell absorbs all mechanical stresses from insertion, removal, and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8718785B2Cochlear tissue protection from electrode trauma

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH

AI summary

A cochlear implant device includes an electrode shell for insertion into a fixed position in cochlear tissue. The electrode shell includes an interior volume that partially encases an implant electrode so that its electrode contacts are exposed for delivering electrical stimulation signals to the cochlear tissue. The electrode shell allows insertion and removal of the implant electrode with minimal trauma to the cochlear tissue.