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Overview of Implants & Electrodes Designs

Between 1981-2022, I, (Janusz Kuzma) produced seven major designs of multichannel Cochlear Implant systems consisting of various models of hermetic packaging and a range of intracochlear electrodes.

There were three distinct periods of my career dedicated to Cochlear Implants:

  1. 1981-1994 working for Cochlear Pty Ltd in Sydney AU, which resulted in three major commercialized products.
  2.  1997-2006 working for Advanced Bionics in California, which delivered first AB Titanium implant with novel electrode (in production till today).
  3. 2015-2022 as founder of an independent consulting group that produced three new custom designs for startup companies interested in entering the cochlear implant industry.

Implant Housing

Seven major generations developed between 1981-2022

CI22 with connector, for Cochlear P/L       1982 (1st Gen.)

Mini 22 Pediatric, for Cochlear P/L             1986 (2nd Gen.)

Micro 24, Flat for Cochlear P/L                    1992 (3rd Gen.)

HR90K, for Advanced Bionics                       2001 (4th Gen.) 

Independent                                                    2010 (5th Gen.)

Independent                                                   2018 (6th Gen.)

Independent                                                    2022 (7th Gen.)

 

Hermetic Implant Housing 7th Gen

Housing

Top & Bottom

Side View

Display

Main Advantages offered by Housing 7th Gen.:

  • Significant reduction of Package thickness from 5.7mm down to 4.5mm
  • Choice of two feedthrough options:
    1. SCT (French)
    2. US Company
  • Potential channel outputs up to 22 + 2 for Antenna and 1 for Ground. (with US feedthrough), 16 Channel with SCT feedthrough.
  • Double side component mount on Ceramic Hybrid or Ridged PCB.
  • Single shot final over-molding.
  • Programmable Antenna and Electrode Strain-relief angles.
  • Rear positioning of Fixation Loops allowing use of “ Small Incision Skin Pocket” Surgical placement.
  • Simplified Electrode Wires to Feedthroughs Connection.
  • Simplified overall assembly.
  • Touchless Electrode Wires selection.

Multicontact Electrodes

Intracochlear Electrodes

Electrode

Electrodes

At the top are Standard FES Electrodes (for comparison)
At the bottom Micro Electrodes to be used with Implantable Cochlear Stimulators

FES Electrodes (prior-art)

Pacemaker Electrode- Medtronic                                                    1981

Perc. Electrode for spinal cord and DBS- Advanced Bionics        2000

Paddle Electrode for spinal cord- Advanced Bionics                     2002

Microelectrodes

Retinal Electrode for visual prosthesis- Advanced Bionics            1997

Auditory Brain Stim Electrode (ABS) –Advanced Bionics               1998

Cochlear Thin Flexible – Cochlear P/L                                             1981

Slim Intracochlear – Advanced Bionics                                           2000

Peri-modialar – Advanced Bionics                                                   2002

Basic Intracochlear- Custom Independent model                          2018

Thin-flexible- Custom Independent model 2                                 2022

Main Advantages Offered by Electrode 6th Gen. Type G

Startup (offered) Configuration based on off-shelf Pt/Ir contact rings and initial good quality tooling:

  • Thin cylindrical cross-section tapered from 0.50mm at the tip to 0.62mm at the base
  • Contacts as partially exposed rings
  • Other Dimensions:
    1. In initial configuration base on off-shelf Pt/Ir 90/10 Contact Rings:
    2. Exposed surface about 0.50mm sq.
    3. Spacing 1.0mm
    4. Number of contacts N=16-18

Future Configurations require custom dimension Pt/Ir rings and higher quality tooling:

  • Thin cylindrical cross-section tapered from 0.50mm at the tip to 0.62mm at the base
  • Contacts as partially exposed rings
  • Other Dimensions:
    1. Custom Pt/Ir 90/10 Contact Rings:
    2. Exposed surface about 0.40mm sq.
    3. Spacing 0.8mm
    4. Number of contacts N=18-22

Surgical, Performance and Safety considerations:

Benefits of smooth cylindrical shape and small diameter:

  • Possibility of deeper insertion with minimized stress to cochlear
  • Increased stimulating channels up to 22
  • Possibility of better performance of device

Benefits from addition of Elbow Feature

  • Simplified insertion and control of Electrode Contacts orientation
  • Simple and effective Electrode Fixation and Cochleostomy Sealing.

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Step into the forefront of auditory innovation with Second Sound. We specialize in pioneering the next generation of cochlear implants and multichannel electrodes, backed by over three decades of expertise in designing and constructing implantable neurostimulators.
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