US 12,290,679 B2
Reinforced electrode leads and methods for manufacturing the same
Sung Jin Lee, Valencia, CA (US); Jeryle L. Walter, Valencia, CA (US); and Honggang Jiang, Valencia, CA (US)
Assigned to Advanced Bionics AG, Staefa (CH)
Filed by Advanced Bionics AG, Staefa (CH)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/141,024.
Application 18/141,024 is a continuation of application No. 17/258,922, granted, now 11,691,003, previously published as PCT/US2018/043316, filed on Jul. 23, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0256239 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61N 1/375 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/0541 (2013.01) [A61N 1/36038 (2017.08); A61N 1/375 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrode lead adapted for insertion into a human body, comprising:
a flexible body formed of a flexible insulating material and that comprises a fantail region that connects to a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a recipient and that extends to a ground electrode located toward a proximal end of the electrode lead;
an electrode contact disposed on a side of the flexible body;
a coiled electrode wire provided within the flexible body so as to extend along a length of the flexible body and electrically connect the electrode contact to a signal source; and
a coiled reinforcing element provided within the flexible body so as to extend together with the coiled electrode wire along the length of the flexible body,
wherein:
the electrode contact is provided within a distal portion of the electrode lead; and
the coiled reinforcing element:
is only provided within a proximal portion of the electrode lead that does not include the distal portion; and
is only provided in the fantail region of the flexible body that is in the proximal portion of the electrode lead.