| 摘要 |
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device ( 10 ) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member ( 11 ), a stiffening element ( 15 ), and a stiffening sheath ( 16 ) that at least partially envelops the elongate member ( 11 ). The member ( 11 ) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes ( 12 ) mounted thereon. The member ( 11 ) has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea ( 30 ). The member ( 11 ) also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea ( 30 ), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element ( 15 ) and sheath ( 16 ) are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member ( 11 ). The stiffening element ( 15 ) and the stiffening sheath ( 16 ) in combination bias the elongate member ( 11 ) into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element ( 15 ) or the stiffening sheath ( 16 ) is removed or deactivated, the elongate member ( 11 ) adopts an intermediate configuration.
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