High contact count, sub-miniature, full implantable cochlear prosthesis

Abstract

A fully implantable cochlear prosthesis includes: (a) an implantable hermetically sealed case (100) wherein electronic circuitry including a battery and an implantable microphone (1), are housed, (b) an active electrode array (29) that provides a programmable number of active electrode contacts through which stimulation current may be selectively delivered to surrounding tissue, preferably through the use of appropriate stimulation groups, and (c) a connector (9) that allows the active electrode array to be detachably connected with the electronic circuitry within the sealed case. The active electrode array provides a large number of both medial contacts and lateral contacts, any one of which may be selected to apply a stimulus pulse through active switching elements included within the array. The hermetically sealed case within which the electronic circuitry, battery, and microphone are housed may be replaced, when needed, through minimally invasive surgery. Further, the electronic circuitry housed within the hermetically sealed case may be programmed, as needed, using acoustic signals from an acoustic remote control (106) and/or RF control signals from an external programmer (104).