Implantable electrode array assembly with extraction sleeve/tether

摘要

An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

主权项

1. An implantable electrode array assembly, said assembly including:
a carrier, said carrier adapted for implantation against living tissue inside a body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on said carrier, said electrodes designed to flow current through the tissue; an array antenna disposed on said carrier for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals; a control circuit disposed on said carrier, said control circuit connected to said electrodes and said array antenna, said control circuit configured to receive signals from said array antenna and, based on the received signals, cause current to be selectively sourced from at least one said electrode and sunk into at least one said electrode; a tether that is separate from said carrier, said tether having a section that can be located inside the body so as to be located adjacent the carrier and a section that extends away from the carrier so as to extend out of the body; a tether antenna that is separate from said array antenna and that is attached to the section of said tether inside the body and located adjacent said carrier, said tether antenna configured to wirelessly transmit signals to or receive signals from said array antenna; a conductor connected to said tether antenna and configured to connect said tether antenna to a device located outside the body; and a connector that extends between said tether and said carrier that holds said carrier to said tether so that, when said connector is connected to said tether, the extraction of said tether from the body results in the like extraction of said carrier.