Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Perimetric Offset Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cochlear implant electrode arrays are prone to twisting during insertion into the cochlea, leading to inefficient sound perception and reduced battery life due to contacts not facing the modiolus, which affects the efficiency of the cochlear implant system.

Innovation Solution

The electrode array is designed with perimetrically offset windows to allow for twisting during insertion, ensuring that contacts face the modiolus, maintaining efficient sound perception and system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrode array is inserted into the cochlea, then the contacts can stimulate the auditory nerve, but the array may twist causing contacts to not face the modiolus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact orientation reliabilityVSAvoidinsertion simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The windows are pre-positioned with perimetric offsets during manufacturing to anticipate and compensate for the twisting that will occur during insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures that after the array twists during insertion, the contacts still face the modiolus correctly for optimal stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If higher current is used to compensate for poor contact orientation, then sound perception may be maintained, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound perception qualityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the need for increased electrical current with a mechanical design solution. Instead of using higher current to overcome poor contact orientation, the perimetrically offset window design ensures proper mechanical alignment of contacts with the modiolus, achieving effective stimulation at lower current levels and thus conserving battery energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the electrode array is made longer to reach deeper in the cochlea, then more of the cochlea can be stimulated, but twisting increases affecting contact orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecochlear coverage rangeVSAvoidcontact orientation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The perimetric offset is not applied uniformly to all windows but is specifically tailored to windows in the apical region where twisting occurs. This localized adjustment maintains precise contact orientation in the critical deep cochlear regions while allowing the array to extend throughout the cochlea for comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11452865B2Apparatus and methods for making cochlear implant electrode arrays

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 ADVANCED BIONICS AG

AI summary

A method of forming an electrode array from an electrode array blank that includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts. The method includes the steps of forming a first window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a first one of the electrically conductive contacts, the first window defining a first window perimetric center, and forming a second window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a second one of the electrically conductive contacts, the second window defining a second window perimetric center that is perimetrically offset from the first window perimetric center when the flexible body is straight and not twisted around the longitudinal axis of the flexible body.