WO2022103377A1 - An atraumatic electrode array system used in cochlear implants - Google Patents

An atraumatic electrode array system used in cochlear implants Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022103377A1
WO2022103377A1 PCT/TR2021/051216 TR2021051216W WO2022103377A1 WO 2022103377 A1 WO2022103377 A1 WO 2022103377A1 TR 2021051216 W TR2021051216 W TR 2021051216W WO 2022103377 A1 WO2022103377 A1 WO 2022103377A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrode array
atraumatic
pad
array system
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/TR2021/051216
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Levent SENNAROGLU
Munir Demir BAJIN
Onur ERGUN
Bilsay SUMER
Harun ARTUNER
Cenk TOKER
Dincer GOKCEN
Mehmet Ali ONUR
Nilay BERELI DENIZLI
Adil Denizli
Gonca SENNAROGLU
Merve BATUK
Original Assignee
Hacettepe Universitesi Rektorluk
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hacettepe Universitesi Rektorluk filed Critical Hacettepe Universitesi Rektorluk
Publication of WO2022103377A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022103377A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/02—Details
    • A61N1/04—Electrodes
    • A61N1/05—Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
    • A61N1/0526—Head electrodes
    • A61N1/0541—Cochlear electrodes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36036—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the outer, middle or inner ear
    • A61N1/36038—Cochlear stimulation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an atraumatic electrode array system which bends by swelling when it is proceeded up to a certain within the inner ear fluid (endolymph) during insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea within the ear electrically- into the inner ear, enables to reduce the tissue damage due to friction and to easily remove the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand by ensuring that the swelling part disintegrates in time.
  • cochlear implants Being active implantable hearing aids used in persons with severe or complete sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are devices which stimulate the inner ear via electrical stimulations directly by converting sound information into electrical stimulations.
  • Two basic subunits serve in the operating system of a cochlear implant (CI) device. These subunits are separated into two units, namely external and internal unit.
  • the external unit essentially consists of microphone, battery, processor, transmitting antenna and magnet.
  • the internal unit contains receiving antenna, magnet, receiving/stimulating electronic module, grounding electrode and electrode array.
  • the internal unit is the piece which is inserted by implant surgery.
  • This internal unit generally consists of electronic components included in a hermetic box; receiver antenna, magnet, test/ground electrodes included outside the box; and electrode array entering the cochlea by exiting the box.
  • the piece consisting of the receiver antenna, the magnet and the hermetic box is inserted to the outer surface (implant bed) of the temporal bone squamous part, under the skin and the soft tissues by surgery.
  • the electrode array Upon exiting the implant bed, the electrode array enters the mastoidectomy cavity after proceeding on the temporal bone squamous part. It reaches the middle ear by means of the facial recess after passing through the mastoid cavity and enters the cochlea through the round window.
  • Each conductor in the electrode array terminates with an electrode surface. Except the conductive electrode surfaces whereby stimulation is performed, all parts of the electrode array are covered with biocompatible insulating materials.
  • Electrodes arrays consist of conductors and sequential electrodes which are embedded into a polymer structure manufactured in a straight and very slightly curved form. This straight structure must take the snail shape of the cochlea by rotating around itself while inserting the electrode array by surgery. The fact that the insertion process damages the tissue or the electrode array triggers foreign body reaction may lead to impairment of the current hearing in some patients and damage fluid-filled normal tissue architecture of the cochlea by triggering occurrence of scar tissue as well. In this case, it may be necessary to increase the stimulation power that is required to be provided from the electrodes, side effects may be observed because of increased stimulation power, electrodes may be disabled or it may become difficult to insert the new electrode array if it is required to replace the cochlear implant. Therefore, there is need for structures which enable to insert electrode array by means of an atraumatic technique without rubbing against the tissue as far as possible.
  • the Chinese patent document no. CN107158560 discloses a cochlear implant electrode array suitable for being inserted into ear.
  • the outer surface of the electrode array is covered by a hydrogel layer which encircles it throughout the electrode array, swells when it absorbs liquid and enables the electrode array to bend as a result of this swelling.
  • the Australian patent document no. AU2009313316 discloses a cochlear implant.
  • the said cochlear implant comprises an electrode array in order to stimulate nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient.
  • This electrode array has hydrogel matrices extending throughout the entire ARRAY or being located in part thereof. The hydrogel matrix swells when it is exposed to the therapeutic fluid within the ear.
  • the Chinese patent document no. CN105658185 discloses a cochlear implant electrode array system.
  • the electrode array system comprises an implantable electrode array made of resilient material with a medial longitudinal axis and an outer surface.
  • a plurality of biocompatible hydrogel structures are fixed around the outer surface of the electrode array by means of a mechanical connection.
  • the hydrogel structure bends by performing action of swelling due to contact the fluid within the cochlea without leaving the outer surface of the electrode array.
  • the electrode arrays are used for applying electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue.
  • An objective of the present invention is to realize an atraumatic electrode array system which bends by swelling when it is proceeded up to a certain depth within the inner ear fluid during insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea- into the inner ear, enables to reduce the tissue damage occurring due to friction and to easily remove the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand by ensuring that the swelling part disintegrates in time.
  • Figure 1 is a view of the inventive atraumatic electrode array system while the pad is unswollen.
  • Figure 2 is a view of the inventive atraumatic electrode array system while the pad is swollen and the end part is angled.
  • Figure 3 is a view of the pad while it is about to change direction by rubbing against the internal surface of the cochlea in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system.
  • Figure 4 is a view wherein hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts of the pad are illustrated in detail in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system.
  • the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) for reducing tissue damage insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea within the ear electrically- into the inner ear and easily removing the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand comprises:
  • At least one electrode array (2) which realizes electrical transmission in cochlear implant devices and is provided in a straight form;
  • - at least one electrode surface (3) which constitutes the outer surface of the electrode array (2) that is created by gathering of multiple electrodes , and is in contact the inner ear; and - at least one pad (4) which is located almost at the end part of the electrode surface (3) and swells with delay when it contacts with at least one fluid, and is configured to convert the electrode array (2) from a straight form into an angular form by bending its end part upon it swells.
  • the electrode array (2) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) composes the part of the cochlear implant device that is inserted into the inner ear.
  • the electrode array (2) is made of a biocompatible silicone.
  • the electrode array (2) is placed into the cochlear part of the inner ear which bends like a snail shell, by being pushed.
  • the electrode surface (3) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) is the medial circumference of the electrode array (2).
  • the electrode surface (3) composes the conductive part of the cochlear implant device that stimulates the nerves in the inner ear by means of electrical stimulation.
  • the pad (4) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) is situated such that it will be located out at the tip of the electrode surface (3), i.e. on a side not facing the modiolus (the bone structure located in the middle of the cochlea) in the insertion process to the cochlea.
  • the pad (4) contacts the inner ear fluid at first in the process of inserting the cochlear implant device into the ear.
  • the pad (4) is made of a biocompatible and biodegradable material in a hydrogel- cryogel or a similar polymeric structure.
  • the pad (4) has at least two parts, namely hydrophobic (4.1) and hydrophilic (4.2) parts enabling the electrode array (2) to proceed by performing a bending motion in the inner ear such that it is in accordance with the shape of the cochlea.
  • the hydrophobic part (4.1) delays the swelling characteristic of the electrode array (2) by not absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid, until the hydrophilic part (4.2) contacts the inner ear fluid.
  • the hydrophobic part (4.1) composes the front part of the pad (4) entering the inner ear.
  • the pad (4) comprises the hydrophobic part (4.1) in the first part of the front part -which enters the inner ear- in 4 mm and delays swelling of the pad (4) within the ear by not receiving the fluid when it is contacted with the ear fluid while entering the ear.
  • the pad (4) is in an unswollen, straight and flat structure when it is not contacted with any fluid.
  • the hydrophilic part (4.2) extends following the hydrophobic part (4.1) and enables fast swelling by absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid.
  • the hydrophilic part (4.2) angles the electrode array (2) towards the modiolus when it absorbs fluid and swells.
  • the pad (4) which has a soft and slippery structure on its outer surface.
  • the hydrophilic part (4.2) of the pad (4) contacts the internal surface of the cochlea (C) that is an anatomic structure wherein the electrode array (2) enters when it swells.
  • the swollen form of the hydrophilic part (4.2) has a shape and dimension such that it will not obstruct progress of the electrode array (2) insertion but rather it will enable atraumatic insertion upon its end part is angled. Tissue damage is reduced in case of contact with the internal surface of the cochlea (C) by means of the swelling part of the pad (4).
  • the pad (4) is manufactured in a characteristic such that its part close to the end part is insulated (hydrophobic) and its part close to the rear part is fluid-absorbing (hydrophilic), in order to ensure that its use is easy during surgery and time is given to the surgeon during insertion trials.
  • the pad (4) has an amphiphilic structure containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristic within the polymeric structure for the purpose of delaying swelling.
  • the pad (4) releases the inflammation it contains a steroid or similar drug to reduce the scar tissue formation, in a controlled way and bio-degrades in time.
  • the polymeric hydrogel structure of the pad (4) is obtained by inserting a hydrophilic monomer mixture and a steroid or similar drug mixture to a polymerization system and performing free radical polymerization by means of the initiator pair of N,N,N,N-tetra- methylethylenediamine (TEMED) and ammonium persulfate (APS) and then synthesising it around the electrode surface (3) as a mold.
  • TEMED N,N,N,N-tetra- methylethylenediamine
  • APS ammonium persulfate
  • the hydrogel structure of the said pad (4) has a melting and disappearing characteristic in time within the ear and it enables to remove the device easily without damaging the tissues due to the fact that there is no swollen pad structure when it is desired to remove the cochlear implant device from the ear.
  • the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) makes it easy to insert a cochlear implant device into the cochlea by bending and to remove it upon demand and avoids damaging the tissues within the internal surface of the cochlea (C).
  • the atraumatic electrode array system (1) comprises the electrode surface (3) which surrounds the electrode array (2), and the pad (4) part which is located at the tip of the electrode surface (3).
  • the hydrophobic part (4.1) of the pad (4) contacts the inner ear fluid at first and then it delays swelling and accordingly angle, by not absorbing fluid. Thereafter, the hydrophilic part (4.2) contacts the inner ear fluid and swells within seconds by absorbing fluid quickly.
  • the end part of the electrode array (2) is angled towards the modiolus and thus the surface contacting the internal surface of the cochlea (C) becomes the soft polymeric pad (4).
  • the pad (4) degrades and disappears with a controlled drug release after few weeks following insertion of the atraumatic electrode array system (1) into the ear.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an atraumatic electrode ARRAY system (1) which bends by swelling when it is proceeded up to a certain depth within the inner ear fluid (endolymph) during insertion of cochlear implant devices - which stimulate the cochlea - into the inner ear, enables to reduce the tissue damage due to friction and to easily remove the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand by ensuring that the swelling part disintegrates in time.

Description

AN ATRAUMATIC ELECTRODE ARRAY SYSTEM USED IN COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an atraumatic electrode array system which bends by swelling when it is proceeded up to a certain within the inner ear fluid (endolymph) during insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea within the ear electrically- into the inner ear, enables to reduce the tissue damage due to friction and to easily remove the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand by ensuring that the swelling part disintegrates in time.
Background of the Invention
Being active implantable hearing aids used in persons with severe or complete sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are devices which stimulate the inner ear via electrical stimulations directly by converting sound information into electrical stimulations. Two basic subunits serve in the operating system of a cochlear implant (CI) device. These subunits are separated into two units, namely external and internal unit. The external unit essentially consists of microphone, battery, processor, transmitting antenna and magnet. Whereas the internal unit contains receiving antenna, magnet, receiving/stimulating electronic module, grounding electrode and electrode array. The internal unit is the piece which is inserted by implant surgery. This internal unit generally consists of electronic components included in a hermetic box; receiver antenna, magnet, test/ground electrodes included outside the box; and electrode array entering the cochlea by exiting the box. The piece consisting of the receiver antenna, the magnet and the hermetic box is inserted to the outer surface (implant bed) of the temporal bone squamous part, under the skin and the soft tissues by surgery. Upon exiting the implant bed, the electrode array enters the mastoidectomy cavity after proceeding on the temporal bone squamous part. It reaches the middle ear by means of the facial recess after passing through the mastoid cavity and enters the cochlea through the round window. Each conductor in the electrode array terminates with an electrode surface. Except the conductive electrode surfaces whereby stimulation is performed, all parts of the electrode array are covered with biocompatible insulating materials.
Conventional electrode arrays consist of conductors and sequential electrodes which are embedded into a polymer structure manufactured in a straight and very slightly curved form. This straight structure must take the snail shape of the cochlea by rotating around itself while inserting the electrode array by surgery. The fact that the insertion process damages the tissue or the electrode array triggers foreign body reaction may lead to impairment of the current hearing in some patients and damage fluid-filled normal tissue architecture of the cochlea by triggering occurrence of scar tissue as well. In this case, it may be necessary to increase the stimulation power that is required to be provided from the electrodes, side effects may be observed because of increased stimulation power, electrodes may be disabled or it may become difficult to insert the new electrode array if it is required to replace the cochlear implant. Therefore, there is need for structures which enable to insert electrode array by means of an atraumatic technique without rubbing against the tissue as far as possible.
The Chinese patent document no. CN107158560, an application in the state of the art, discloses a cochlear implant electrode array suitable for being inserted into ear. The outer surface of the electrode array is covered by a hydrogel layer which encircles it throughout the electrode array, swells when it absorbs liquid and enables the electrode array to bend as a result of this swelling.
The Australian patent document no. AU2009313316, another application in the state of the art, discloses a cochlear implant. The said cochlear implant comprises an electrode array in order to stimulate nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. This electrode array has hydrogel matrices extending throughout the entire ARRAY or being located in part thereof. The hydrogel matrix swells when it is exposed to the therapeutic fluid within the ear.
The Chinese patent document no. CN105658185, an application in the state of the art, discloses a cochlear implant electrode array system. The electrode array system comprises an implantable electrode array made of resilient material with a medial longitudinal axis and an outer surface. A plurality of biocompatible hydrogel structures are fixed around the outer surface of the electrode array by means of a mechanical connection. The hydrogel structure bends by performing action of swelling due to contact the fluid within the cochlea without leaving the outer surface of the electrode array. The electrode arrays are used for applying electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue.
Summary of the Invention
An objective of the present invention is to realize an atraumatic electrode array system which bends by swelling when it is proceeded up to a certain depth within the inner ear fluid during insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea- into the inner ear, enables to reduce the tissue damage occurring due to friction and to easily remove the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand by ensuring that the swelling part disintegrates in time.
Detailed Description of the Invention
“An Atraumatic Electrode Array System Used in Cochlear Implants” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which: Figure 1 is a view of the inventive atraumatic electrode array system while the pad is unswollen.
Figure 2 is a view of the inventive atraumatic electrode array system while the pad is swollen and the end part is angled.
Figure 3 is a view of the pad while it is about to change direction by rubbing against the internal surface of the cochlea in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system.
Figure 4 is a view wherein hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts of the pad are illustrated in detail in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system.
The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:
1. Atraumatic electrode array system
2. Electrode array
3. Electrode surface
4. Pad
4.1. Hydrophobic part
4.2. Hydrophilic part
K: Internal surface of the cochlea
The inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) for reducing tissue damage insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea within the ear electrically- into the inner ear and easily removing the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand comprises:
- at least one electrode array (2) which realizes electrical transmission in cochlear implant devices and is provided in a straight form;
- at least one electrode surface (3) which constitutes the outer surface of the electrode array (2) that is created by gathering of multiple electrodes , and is in contact the inner ear; and - at least one pad (4) which is located almost at the end part of the electrode surface (3) and swells with delay when it contacts with at least one fluid, and is configured to convert the electrode array (2) from a straight form into an angular form by bending its end part upon it swells.
The electrode array (2) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) composes the part of the cochlear implant device that is inserted into the inner ear. The electrode array (2) is made of a biocompatible silicone. The electrode array (2) is placed into the cochlear part of the inner ear which bends like a snail shell, by being pushed.
The electrode surface (3) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) is the medial circumference of the electrode array (2). The electrode surface (3) composes the conductive part of the cochlear implant device that stimulates the nerves in the inner ear by means of electrical stimulation.
The pad (4) included in the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) is situated such that it will be located out at the tip of the electrode surface (3), i.e. on a side not facing the modiolus (the bone structure located in the middle of the cochlea) in the insertion process to the cochlea. The pad (4) contacts the inner ear fluid at first in the process of inserting the cochlear implant device into the ear. The pad (4) is made of a biocompatible and biodegradable material in a hydrogel- cryogel or a similar polymeric structure. The pad (4) has at least two parts, namely hydrophobic (4.1) and hydrophilic (4.2) parts enabling the electrode array (2) to proceed by performing a bending motion in the inner ear such that it is in accordance with the shape of the cochlea. The hydrophobic part (4.1) delays the swelling characteristic of the electrode array (2) by not absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid, until the hydrophilic part (4.2) contacts the inner ear fluid. The hydrophobic part (4.1) composes the front part of the pad (4) entering the inner ear. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pad (4) comprises the hydrophobic part (4.1) in the first part of the front part -which enters the inner ear- in 4 mm and delays swelling of the pad (4) within the ear by not receiving the fluid when it is contacted with the ear fluid while entering the ear. The pad (4) is in an unswollen, straight and flat structure when it is not contacted with any fluid. The hydrophilic part (4.2) extends following the hydrophobic part (4.1) and enables fast swelling by absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid. The hydrophilic part (4.2) angles the electrode array (2) towards the modiolus when it absorbs fluid and swells. The pad (4) which has a soft and slippery structure on its outer surface. The hydrophilic part (4.2) of the pad (4) contacts the internal surface of the cochlea (C) that is an anatomic structure wherein the electrode array (2) enters when it swells. The swollen form of the hydrophilic part (4.2) has a shape and dimension such that it will not obstruct progress of the electrode array (2) insertion but rather it will enable atraumatic insertion upon its end part is angled. Tissue damage is reduced in case of contact with the internal surface of the cochlea (C) by means of the swelling part of the pad (4). The pad (4) is manufactured in a characteristic such that its part close to the end part is insulated (hydrophobic) and its part close to the rear part is fluid-absorbing (hydrophilic), in order to ensure that its use is easy during surgery and time is given to the surgeon during insertion trials. The pad (4) has an amphiphilic structure containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristic within the polymeric structure for the purpose of delaying swelling. The pad (4) releases the inflammation it contains a steroid or similar drug to reduce the scar tissue formation, in a controlled way and bio-degrades in time. The polymeric hydrogel structure of the pad (4) is obtained by inserting a hydrophilic monomer mixture and a steroid or similar drug mixture to a polymerization system and performing free radical polymerization by means of the initiator pair of N,N,N,N-tetra- methylethylenediamine (TEMED) and ammonium persulfate (APS) and then synthesising it around the electrode surface (3) as a mold. The hydrogel structure of the said pad (4) has a melting and disappearing characteristic in time within the ear and it enables to remove the device easily without damaging the tissues due to the fact that there is no swollen pad structure when it is desired to remove the cochlear implant device from the ear. The inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1) makes it easy to insert a cochlear implant device into the cochlea by bending and to remove it upon demand and avoids damaging the tissues within the internal surface of the cochlea (C). Thus, the atraumatic electrode array system (1) comprises the electrode surface (3) which surrounds the electrode array (2), and the pad (4) part which is located at the tip of the electrode surface (3). When the electrode array (2) is proceeded into the ear slightly, the hydrophobic part (4.1) of the pad (4) contacts the inner ear fluid at first and then it delays swelling and accordingly angle, by not absorbing fluid. Thereafter, the hydrophilic part (4.2) contacts the inner ear fluid and swells within seconds by absorbing fluid quickly. Thereby, the end part of the electrode array (2) is angled towards the modiolus and thus the surface contacting the internal surface of the cochlea (C) becomes the soft polymeric pad (4). The pad (4) degrades and disappears with a controlled drug release after few weeks following insertion of the atraumatic electrode array system (1) into the ear. Thus, when it is required to remove the atraumatic electrode array system (1) from the ear, it can be removed easily due to the fact that the remaining thin electrode array (2) structure that will not damage the internal surface of the cochlea (C).
Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive atraumatic electrode array system (1); the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

1. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) for reducing tissue damage insertion of cochlear implant devices -which stimulate the cochlea electrically- into the inner ear and easily removing the cochlear implant from inside the ear on demand comprises:
- at least one electrode array (2) which realizes electrical transmission in cochlear implant devices and is provided in a straight form;
- at least one electrode surface (3) which constitutes the outer surface of the electrode array (2) that is created by gathering of multiple electrodes, and is in contact the inner ear; and characterized by
- at least one pad (4) which is located almost at the end part of the electrode surface (3) and swells with delay when it contacts at least one fluid, and is configured to convert the electrode array (2) from a straight form into an angular form by bending its end part upon it swells.
2. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the electrode array (2) which is made of a biocompatible silicone .
3. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the electrode surface (3) which composes the conductive part of the cochlear implant device that stimulates the nerves in the inner ear by means of electrical stimulation.
4. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which is situated such that it will be located out at the tip of the electrode surface (3), i.e. on a side not facing
8 the modiolus (the bone structure located in the middle of the cochlea) in the insertion process to the cochlea. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which contacts the inner ear fluid at first in the process of inserting the cochlear implant device into the ear. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which is made of a biocompatible and biodegradable material in a hydrogel-cryogel or a similar polymeric structure. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which has at least two parts, namely hydrophobic (4.1) and hydrophilic (4.2) parts enabling the electrode array (2) to proceed by performing a bending motion in the inner ear such that it is in accordance with the shape of the cochlea. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which has the hydrophobic part (4.1) that delays the swelling characteristic of the electrode array (2) by not absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid, until the hydrophilic part (4.2) contacts the inner ear fluid. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which has the hydrophobic part (4.1) that composes the front part thereof entering the inner ear. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which is in an unswollen, straight and flat structure when it is not contacted with any fluid.
9
11. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which has the hydrophilic part (4.2) that extends following the hydrophobic part (4.1) and enables fast swelling by absorbing the fluid when it contacts the inner ear fluid.
12. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which angles the electrode array (2) towards the modiolus when it absorbs fluid and swells.
13. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which has a soft and slippery structure on its outer surface.
14. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which contacts the internal surface of the cochlea (C) that is an anatomic structure wherein the electrode array (2) enters when it swells.
15. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) the swollen form of which has a shape and dimension such that it will not obstruct progress of the electrode array (2) insertion but rather it will enable atraumatic insertion upon its end part is angled.
16. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the pad (4) which releases the inflammation it contains a steroid or similar drug to reduce the scar tissue formation, in a controlled way and melts away in time. An atraumatic electrode array system (1) according to any of the preceding
10 claims; characterized by the pad (4) the polymeric hydrogel structure of which is obtained by inserting a hydrophilic monomer mixture and a steroid or similar drug mixture to a polymerization system and performing free radical polymerization by means of the initiator pair of N,N,N,N-tetra- methylethylenediamine (TEMED) and ammonium persulfate (APS) and then synthesising it around the electrode surface (3) as a mold.
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PCT/TR2021/051216 2020-11-16 2021-11-16 An atraumatic electrode array system used in cochlear implants WO2022103377A1 (en)

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TR2020/18288 2020-11-16
TR2020/18288A TR202018288A2 (en) 2020-11-16 2020-11-16 AN ATRAUMATIC ELECTRODE BEAM SYSTEM USED IN COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

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US20220053275A1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2022-02-17 Hacettepe Universitesi A hearing aid with hidden use feature

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