Implantable neuro-stimulation electrode with fluid reservoir

Abstract

An implantable electrode with a fluid reservoir is described. An implantable electrode carrier has an outer surface including electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue. A fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier stores a volume of therapeutic fluid. At least one fluid delivery port connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface. A delivery septum port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.

1 . An implantable device comprising: 
 an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface including a plurality of electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue;    a fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier for storing a volume of therapeutic fluid; and    at least one fluid delivery port connecting the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface.    
   
   
       2 . An implantable device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a delivery septum port in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.    
   
   
       3 . An implantable device according to  claim 2 , wherein the delivery septum port is located at an implantable housing containing electronic components associated with the implantable device.  
   
   
       4 . An implantable device according to  claim 2 , wherein a fluid delivery channel connects the delivery septum port to the fluid reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . An implantable device according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a return septum port in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for evacuating fluid from the fluid reservoir via a fluid return channel separate from the fluid delivery channel.    
   
   
       6 . An implantable device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is at least one slit in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       7 . An implantable device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is a semi-porous membrane that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       8 . An implantable device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is at least one channel in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       9 . An implantable device according  claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir and the at least one fluid delivery port cooperate to preferentially deliver more therapeutic fluid closer to an apical end of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       10 . A method of delivering therapeutic fluid to the tissue surrounding an implanted device, the method comprising: 
 providing an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface including a plurality of electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue;    storing a volume of therapeutic fluid in a fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier; and    delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface via at least one fluid delivery port.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir via a delivery septum port in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the delivery septum port is located at an implantable housing containing electronic components associated with the implantable device.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein a fluid delivery channel delivers the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 evacuating fluid from the fluid reservoir via a fluid return channel separate from the fluid delivery channel.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is at least one slit in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is a semi-porous membrane that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery port is at least one channel in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       18 . A method according  claim 10 , wherein the fluid reservoir and the at least one fluid delivery port cooperate to preferentially deliver more therapeutic fluid closer to an apical end of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       19 . An implantable device for delivering therapeutic fluid to the surrounding tissue, the device comprising: 
 means for providing an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface including a plurality of electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue;    means for storing a volume of therapeutic fluid in a fluid reservoir within the electrode carrier; and    means for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.    
   
   
       20 . An implantable device according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 means for delivering the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.    
   
   
       21 . An implantable device according to  claim 20 , wherein the means for delivering includes a delivery septum port located at an implantable housing containing electronic components associated with the implantable device.  
   
   
       22 . An implantable device according to  claim 20 , wherein the means for delivering includes a fluid delivery channel that delivers the therapeutic fluid to the fluid reservoir.  
   
   
       23 . An implantable device according to  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 means for evacuating fluid from the fluid reservoir separate from the means for delivering.    
   
   
       24 . An implantable device according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for delivering includes at least one slit in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       25 . An implantable device according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for delivering includes a semi-porous membrane that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       26 . An implantable device according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for delivering includes at least one channel in the material of the electrode carrier that connects the fluid reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.  
   
   
       27 . An implantable device according  claim 19 , wherein the fluid reservoir and the at least one fluid delivery port cooperate to preferentially deliver more therapeutic fluid closer to an apical end of the electrode carrier.