Control of shape of an implantable electrode array

1. An implantable electrode array assembly including:

an elongated carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface;

a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier, at least one of the electrodes having a surface that is adjacent the inner surface of the carrier; and

an electrochemical actuator which changes chemical structure due to an ionic transfer when an electric potential is applied thereto, the actuator being configured to adjust a curvature of the carrier, wherein the curvature is adjustable by applying the electric potential to the actuator.

2. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a polymer actuator incorporating an inherently conducting polymer.

3. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the polymer actuator is in the form of a tube comprising the inherently conducting polymer.

4. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polymer forming the tube comprises polypyrrole with hexafluorophosphate as dopant.

5. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tube incorporates a helically wound conducting wire.

6. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the conducting wire comprises platinum.

7. An implantable electrode assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tube defines ends into which electrodes are inserted to seal those ends.

8. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the actuator acts as a substance delivery means for delivering a bio-active substance to an implant site following implantation.

9. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the bio-active substance is present as a dopant in the polymer.

10. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bio-active substance is arranged to leach from the polymer into surrounding material of the carrier and subsequently migrate to an outer surface of the carrier.

11. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bio-active substance comprises a steroid.

12. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bio-active substance performs a function of reducing a resting neuron potential of neurons within a cochlea.

13. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a carbon nanotube.

14. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes are designed to conform with an inner wall of a cochlea and the assembly is preformed into a curved configuration and wherein the actuator provides a force to maintain the assembly in a straight configuration when subject to the electric potential.

15. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the curved configuration is such that the carrier can fit inside the cochlea of an implantee with said surface of said at least one of the electrodes adjacent the inner surface being oriented to face the modiolus of the cochlea.

16. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the electrodes in the array has a surface that is adjacent the inner surface of the carrier.

17. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the surfaces of the electrodes are aligned with the inner surface of the carrier.

18. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surfaces of the electrodes stand proud of the inner surface of the carrier.

19. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the electrodes in the array has a surface which is recessed into the inner surface of the carrier.

20. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrodes has an outer layer comprising a medical grade elastomeric material.

21. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone rubber.

22. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the implantable electrode array is a cochlear implant electrode array, with the carrier being adapted for insertion into the scala tympani of the cochlea of an implantee.

23. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrode array includes electrically conducting wires connected to the electrodes and extending to at least said proximal end.

24. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each electrode comprises a contact member.

25. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the contact members are formed from a bio-compatible material such as platinum.

26. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier naturally, in the absence of applying the electric potential, adopts a spiral configuration which subtends an arc greater than 450°.

27. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is embedded in the electrode array.

28. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is attached to one side of the electrode array.

29. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrochemical actuator is dimensionally changeable by the ionic transfer therein responsive to the application of the electric potential, and wherein dimensional changes in the actuator apply forces to the carrier that adjust the curvature of the carrier.

30. A method of inserting a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea, wherein the electrode array comprises an elongated carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface; a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier, at least one of the electrodes having a surface that is adjacent the inner surface of the carrier; and an electrochemical actuator which changes chemical structure due to an ionic transfer when an electric potential is applied thereto, the actuator being configured to adjust a curvature of the carrier, wherein the curvature is adjustable by applying the electric potential, wherein the method comprises:

inserting the distal end of the carrier into the cochlea with the carrier in a generally straight configuration until the distal end of the carrier reaches the back of the basal turn;

varying the electric potential applied to the actuator to cause change in the chemical structure of the actuator due to the ionic transfer and thereby cause the carrier to at least partially curl; and

continuing to insert the carrier and vary the electric potential to vary the curvature of the carrier according to a depth of insertion.

31. A method of inserting a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea as claimed in claim 30 wherein

the electrochemical actuator is dimensionally changeable by the ionic transfer therein responsive to the application of the electric potential, and

the varying of the electric potential applied to the electrochemical actuator causes the ionic transfer therein that causes dimensional changes thereof, the dimensional changes of the actuator applying forces to the carrier which adjust the curvature of the carrier.

32. An implantable electrode array assembly comprising:

an actuator incorporating light sensitive gels in the form of a bimorph or other actuator array for which a change in chemical structure is optically induceable, the actuator being caused to curve when light is applied to the actuator to either straighten a pre-curved cochlear implant electrode array or curve a straight or pre-curved cochlear implant array;

an elongated carrier having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface; and

a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier, at least one of the electrodes having a surface that is adjacent the inner surface of the carrier.

33. An implantable electrode array assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein the actuator is dimensionally changeable by the ionic transfer therein responsive to the light being applied thereto, and wherein dimensional changes in the actuator apply forces to the carrier that either straighten or curve the carrier.

34. An implantable element for insertion into a human or animal body, comprising:

a flexible body portion;

at least one conductive element; and

an electrochemical actuator which changes chemical structure due to an ionic transfer when an electric potential is applied thereto, the actuator being configured to adjust an orientation of the flexible body portion by applying the electric potential to the actuator.

35. An implantable element as claimed in claim 34 wherein the actuator is capable of continuously and incrementally varying the orientation of the flexible body portion between at least a state where the flexible body portion is generally straight and a state wherein the flexible body portion is curved.

36. An implantable element as claimed in claim 34 wherein the implantable element is a steerable part of a cardiac pacemaker, neurostimulator, cochlear implant or wire implant.

37. An implantable element for insertion into a human or animal body as claimed in claim 34 wherein the electrochemical actuator is dimensionally changeable by the ionic transfer therein responsive to the application of the electric potential, and wherein dimensional changes in the actuator apply forces to the carrier that adjust the orientation of the flexible body portion.

38. A method of inserting an implantable element comprising a flexible body portion; at least one conductive element; and an electrochemical actuator which changes chemical structure due to an ionic transfer when an electric potential is applied thereto, the actuator being configured to adjust an orientation of the flexible body portion, the method comprising:

inserting one end of the body portion into a patient's body;

applying the electric potential to the actuator to cause change in the chemical structure thereof due to the ionic transfer, thereby adjusting the orientation of the body portion, the change in the chemical structure of the actuator causing the body portion to change shape which facilitates insertion of the implantable element into the patient's body; and

continuing to insert the carrier and vary the electric potential to vary a curvature of the carrier according to a depth of insertion.

39. A method of inserting a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea as claimed in claim 38 wherein

the electrochemical actuator is dimensionally changeable by the ionic transfer therein responsive to the application of the electric potential, and

the varying of the electric potential applied to the electrochemical actuator causes the ionic transfer therein that causes dimensional changes thereof, the dimensional changes of the actuator applying forces to the carrier which adjust the curvature of the carrier.