| 摘要 |
A cochlear implant electrode assembly ( 10 ) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member ( 11 ), a bioresorbable stiffening element ( 15 ) and an outer layer ( 16 ) surrounding the stiffening element ( 15 ). The carrier member ( 11 ) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes ( 12 ) mounted thereon and has a first configuration selected to allow it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea, and at least a second configuration wherein it is curved to match a surface of the cochlea. The bioresorbable stiffening element ( 15 ) has a configuration selected for biassing the elongate member ( 11 ) into the first configuratin and is made of a second material relatively stiffer than the first material and which dissolves or softens on exposure to cochlear fluids to permit the elongate member ( 11 ) to at least approach or adopt the second configuration. The outer layer ( 16 ) surrounding the stiffening element ( 15 ) is made of a material sufficiently resiliently flexible to allow the elongate member ( 11 ) to at least approach or adopt the second configuration. The outer layer ( 16 ) has a first rate of cochlear fluid ingress therethrough and has at least one fluid ingress means ( 21 ) formed therein. The rate of cochlear fluid ingress through the fluid ingress means ( 21 ) is greater than the first rate of cochlear fluid ingress through the outer layer ( 16 ). |
