Electrode array with bendable tip

Abstract

The present invention provides a tip member for inserting into the cochlea, a device comprising: an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and a tip member extending distally from a distal end of the elongate member, the tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of the tapered portion, wherein the tip member is resiliently flexible, and a method for making such a device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device comprising: 
 an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and    a tip member extending distally from a distal end of said elongate member, said tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of said tapered portion, wherein said tip member is resiliently flexible.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member further comprises a barrel portion at a proximal end of said tip member and wherein said tapered portion extends distally from a distal end of said barrel portion.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said barrel portion is substantially cylindrical in shape.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said elongate member distal end has a greater diameter or minimum width than the diameter of said barrel portion, wherein a liquid silicone rubber adhesive is used to adhere said tip member to said elongate member, and wherein said liquid silicone rubber adhesive is used to form a tapered region in a gap formed by said elongate member distal end and said barrel portion.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said barrel portion is about 0.4 mm in length.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said barrel portion is about 0.45 mm in diameter.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tapered portion is substantially frusto-conical in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said tapered portion tapers continuously.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said tapered portion is about 0.76 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said diameter of said tapered portion decreases from about 0.45 mm at a proximal end of said tapered portion to about 0.2 mm at said distal end of said tapered portion.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the angle between notional diametrically opposed sides of said tapered portion is about 18.9°.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said blunt end portion has a part-ellipsoidal shape.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said blunt end portion has a part-spherical shape.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member is integral with said elongate member.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member is mounted on said distal end of said elongate member.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member includes a lumen therein.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein elongated member includes a lumen therein for allowing a stiffening element to be inserted through said elongate member and for allowing a distal end of said stiffening element extends into said lumen in said tip member.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising said stiffening element inserted through said elongate member and into said tip member.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device has a shape and size that allows said device to be inserted in a human cochlea.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member has substantially uniform bending stress distribution in an axial direction.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tip member is adhered to said elongate member using a liquid silicone rubber adhesive.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said electrode is part of a means for applying a tissue stimulation.  
     
     
         23 . A tip member comprising: 
 a barrel portion;    a tapered portion at a distal end of said barrel portion, said tapered portion tapering distally; and    a blunt end portion at a distal end of said tapered portion, wherein said tip member has a substantially uniform bending stress distribution in an axial direction and wherein said tip member has a shape and size that allows said tip member to be inserted in a human cochlea.    
     
     
         24 . A method for making a device comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an elongate member; and    (b) mounting a tip member on said elongate member, wherein said tip member comprises a barrel portion, a tapered portion tapering distally from at distal end of said barrel portion and a blunt end portion at a distal end of said tapered portion, wherein said tip member has a substantially uniform bending stress distribution in an axial direction and wherein said tip member has a shape and size that allows said tip member to be inserted in a human cochlea.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein step (a) comprises adhering said tip member to said elongate member using a liquid silicone rubber adhesive.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said elongate member distal end has a greater diameter or minimum width than the diameter of said barrel portion, and wherein said method further comprises using said liquid silicone adhesive to form a tapered region in a gap formed by said elongate member distal end and said barrel portion.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said elongate member includes at least one electrode mounted thereon.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said electrode is part of a means for applying a tissue stimulation.