John B Swanson

US Patent:

58005005, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

May 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/858473

Inventors:

Francis A. Spelman - Seattle WA
Ben M. Clopton - Bainbridge Island WA
Arne Voie - Seattle WA
Claude N. Jolly - Axams, AT
Ky Huynh - Tigard OR
Jerome Boogaard - Forest Grove OR
John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

PI Medical Corporation - Portland OR
University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607137

Abstract:

A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A shape memory material core may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation. In a preferred embodiment, electrical conductors are connected to the shape memory material to permit the select warming of the shape memory material by the passing of an electric current through it. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is warmed by adjacent heating elements.