Cochlear Implant Sheath Conductive Pathway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current implantable medical devices, such as cochlear implants, face challenges during implantation as the insertion sheath prevents stimulation elements from making electrical contact with the body, hindering real-time electrical measurements that could aid in the implantation process.

Innovation Solution

The insertion sheath is designed with passive features like holes or slots that provide electrically conductive pathways from the stimulation elements within the sheath to the surrounding environment, allowing for real-time electrical measurements during implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insertion sheath is made of electrically insulating material to protect the stimulation assembly during implantation, then the protection and containment of the stimulation assembly is improved, but the ability to perform real-time electrical measurements during implantation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of stimulation assemblyVSAvoidreal-time electrical measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion sheath is segmented into electrically insulating portions and electrically conductive portions. The insulating portions protect the stimulation assembly during implantation, while the conductive portions (such as holes, slots, or conductive material integrated into the sheath) enable real-time electrical measurements by allowing electrical contact between the stimulation elements and the recipient's body tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the insertion sheath is made fully electrically conductive to enable real-time measurements, then the measurement capability is improved, but the electrical insulation and protection of the stimulation elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time electrical measurementsVSAvoidelectrical insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the insertion sheath have different electrical properties. Specifically, certain localized regions are made electrically conductive (through holes, slots, or conductive material) to enable measurements, while other regions remain electrically insulating to provide protection. This local differentiation allows the sheath to simultaneously provide both measurement capability and electrical insulation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables real-time electrical voltage and impedance measurements during implantation, facilitating more precise and monitored positioning of the stimulation elements within the body.

Implementation Method 1

at least one portion configured to provide at least one electrically conductive pathway through the at least one wall portion from within the cannula to a region outside the cannula

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one wall portion comprising an electrically insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220330978A1Stimulation assembly sheath with signal pathway

Publication Date: 2022.10.20 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

An apparatus includes a cannula with at least one wall portion having an electrically insulating material. The at least one wall portion at least partially bounds a region configured to contain a portion of a medical implant system configured to be implanted on or within a recipient. The cannula further includes at least one portion configured to provide at least one electrically conductive pathway through the at least one wall portion from within the cannula to a region outside the cannula.