Cartridge for an electrode array insertion device

Abstract

A device, system and method for inserting a pre-curved electrode array (100) held in a substantially straight configuration by a straightening member (101) into a cochlea of a subject. As the electrode array (100) is inserted into the cochlea by the device, the straightening member (101) is held by the device such that the electrode array (100) advances off the straightening member (101) such that it is free to take on its pre-curved configuration in the cochlea of the subject.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An insertion tool comprising:
 a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;   an insertion device located at a distal portion of the insertion tool, wherein the insertion device is configured to receive at least a portion of an electrode array; and   a shaft including a bent portion, the shaft movable relative to the housing and the insertion device, wherein   the tool is configured such that movement of the shaft in a distal direction advances an electrode array away from the insertion tool.   
     
     
         3 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the shaft is a monolithic shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the shaft is a flexible shaft.   
     
     
         5 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the shaft is a monolithic flexible shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the shaft is cylindrical.   
     
     
         7 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the insertion device is an elongate hollow body with a slot.   
     
     
         8 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the insertion device has a proximal end and a distal end; and   the insertion device is free of contact with other structure of the tool from the distal end to the proximal end save for the portion of the proximal end that connects to the reminder of the tool.   
     
     
         9 . The insertion tool of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the insertion device establishes a maximum outer diameter of the tool from the proximal end of the tool over most of the length of the insertion device.   
     
     
         10 . An insertion tool comprising:
 a means for entering a cochlear and guiding an electrode array into the cochlea;   a means for pushing an electrode array out of the means for entering and for pushing the electrode array into the cochlea; and   a housing that contains at least a portion of the means for pushing.   
     
     
         11 . The insertion tool of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the means for entering the cochlear includes a slit extending along a longitudinal axis thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The insertion tool of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the insertion tool has a concave shape with respect to structure between ends of the tool;   the means for entering the cochlear includes a slit extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and   the slit is on the concave side of the tool.   
     
     
         13 . The insertion tool of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the insertion tool has a concave shape with respect to structure between ends of the tool;   the means for entering the cochlear includes a slit extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and   a plane upon which the concavity extends bisects the slit.   
     
     
         14 . The insertion tool of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the means for entering the cochlear includes a slit extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and   the slit extends from the most proximal location of the means for entering the cochlear towards a distal location of the means for entering.   
     
     
         15 . The insertion tool of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the means for pushing the electrode array is a monolithic component at locations thereof that interface with the means for entering the cochlea and guiding an electrode.   
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 obtaining a cochlear electrode array insertion tool;   loading the cochlear electrode array insertion tool with an electrode array;   inserting a portion of the tool into a cochlea; and   driving the electrode out of the tool and into the cochlea, wherein   the action of driving is executed by a surgeon pushing a first component of the tool relative to a hand interface housing of the tool using at least one digit of a surgeon's hand, and   the pushing force on the first component is transmitted to the electrode array via an apparatus that includes a cylindrical shaft, the shaft including a bent portion when the shaft is inside the insertion tool, extending from inside the hand interface housing of the tool towards the electrode array, which housing supports the first component, wherein   the first component of the tool and the cylindrical shaft are an integral apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the hand interface housing extends along a first axis; and   the portion of the tool that is in the cochlea extends along a second axis that is oblique relative to the first axis.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the shaft has a first component that extends parallel to the first axis and a second component that extends parallel to the second axis.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 with respect to a cross-section of a portion of the body taken normal to a longitudinal axis thereof, which portion is closer to a surface that interfaces with the electrode array than the first component, body is.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the shaft includes an elongate cylinder that is bent; and   a location of the bend changes during the driving action.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the contiguous single body has a first component that extends parallel to the first axis and a second component that extends parallel to the second axis; and   outer surfaces of the first component and the second component are smooth.   
     
     
         22 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tool has an actuation member that is connected to the shaft through a longitudinally extending slot that is truncated before the distal end of the housing.   
     
     
         23 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the housing has a cross-section lying on a plane normal to a longitudinal axis that has a facetted outer profile.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the action of driving the electrode out of the tool and into the cochlea is such that the electrode array follows a trajectory along a middle of a lumen of a scala tympani of the cochlea thereby avoiding pressure on the lateral wall of the cochlea.