Cochlear implant with localized fluid transport

1 - 6 . (canceled)

7 . An apparatus for providing fluid communication with a cochlear lumen, the apparatus comprising:

a delivery tube extending through a carrier, the carrier configured to extend along the cochlear lumen, the carrier having walls that define orifices;

a plurality of electrodes extending along the carrier;

a reservoir;

a pump for pumping fluid between the reservoir and the delivery tube;

a plurality of valves, each associated with an orifice, for controlling fluid flow between the orifices and the cochlear lumen, wherein each electrode is associated with only one of the orifices; and

a control system for controlling the pump, the valves, and the electrodes, wherein the control system is configured to independently control each valve.

8 - 12 . (canceled)

13 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the electrodes are each coated with a titanium oxide coating.

14 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . An apparatus for providing fluid and electrical communication with a cochlear lumen, the apparatus comprising:

a carrier configured for insertion into the cochlear lumen, the carrier comprising a pluralities of orifices;

a plurality of valves, each valve being independently controllable to control fluid flow between an orifice and the cochlear lumen; and

a plurality of electrodes extending along the carrier configured for electrical communication with the cochlear lumen, wherein each electrode is associated with only one of the orifices.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a pump coupled to the delivery tube to provide pressure to the fluid within the carrier.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a control system for controlling the pump, the valves, and the electrodes.

21 . The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump for providing the fluid to the carrier.

22 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the electrodes are each coated with a titanium oxide coating.

23 - 24 . (canceled)

25 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a filter located in a fluid flow path from the reservoir to at least one of the orifices.

26 . The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a filter located in a fluid flow path from the reservoir to at least one of the orifices.

27 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the fluid comprises a neural growth controller.

28 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the fluid comprises a neural growth controller.