Stimulating assembly fixation features

Abstract

Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to a stimulating assembly of a cochlear implant. The stimulating assembly comprises one or more fixation features configured to be inserted into a recipient's cochlea via an opening in the cochlea. Following insertion, the one or more fixation features are configured to engage an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent to the opening to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea through the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for insertion into a cochlea of a recipient through an opening in the cochlea, comprising:
 an elongate carrier member; and   at least one expandable fixation feature disposed at a proximal portion of the carrier member and configured to expand after insertion into the cochlea in order to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature has a first insertion configuration that enables the expandable fixation feature to pass through the opening, and a second expanded configuration such that the at least one expandable fixation feature engages an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent to the opening so as to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the first insertion configuration the at least one expandable fixation feature has a first thickness, and wherein in the second expanded configuration the at least one expandable fixation feature has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness if greater than the first thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature is configured to swell when exposed to the recipient's cochlea fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature is formed from a biocompatible hygroscopic material. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature is a section of the proximal portion of the carrier member. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature is an element molded around an outer surface of the proximal portion of the carrier member. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of stimulating contacts disposed in the carrier member, and the expandable fixation feature is disposed proximal to the stimulating contacts. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable fixation feature is part of the carrier member, and the carrier member is configured so that the expandable fixation features is disposed distal to the opening in the cochlea after insertion of the assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expandable fixation feature is configured to expand substantially radially within the recipient's cochlea to form an annular flange. 
     
     
         11 . An intra-cochlea stimulating assembly comprising:
 an elongate carrier member;   a plurality of stimulating contacts disposed in the carrier member; and   at least one compressible fixation feature disposed at a proximal portion of the carrier member and having a pre-insertion configuration,   wherein the at least one compressible fixation feature is configured to be compressed during insertion into the cochlea and to uncompress after insertion into the cochlea to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea.   
     
     
         12 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein after insertion into the cochlea, the at least one compressible fixation feature engages an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent an opening so as to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea. 
     
     
         13 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one compressible fixation feature is configured to bend in a proximal direction as the at least one compressible fixation feature passes through the opening and is configured to substantially resist bending in a distal direction after insertion into the cochlea. 
     
     
         14 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one compressible fixation feature comprises a compressible flange. 
     
     
         15 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible fixation feature is disposed at an intra-cochlea portion of the elongate carrier member proximal to the stimulating contacts. 
     
     
         16 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one compressible fixation feature is configured to be positioned entirely within the cochlea after insertion of the stimulating assembly. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an elongate carrier member;   a plurality of stimulating contacts disposed in the carrier member; and   at least one fixation feature disposed at an intra-cochlea portion of the carrier member,   wherein the at least one fixation feature has a first configuration to enable the at least one fixation feature to pass through an opening in a recipient's cochlea, and a second configuration to engage an inner surface of the cochlea adjacent to the opening so as to prevent movement of the stimulating assembly out of the cochlea.   
     
     
         18 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one fixation feature is configured to: (i) be compressed immediately before insertion into the cochlea through the opening, and (ii) expand after insertion into the cochlea in order to engage the inner surface of the cochlea adjacent the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one fixation feature is configured to expand radially outward from the elongate carrier member. 
     
     
         20 . The stimulating assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one fixation feature is disposed proximal to the stimulating contacts and configured to be distal to the opening after insertion.