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WO2025198592A1 - Ensembles implant cochléaire optique, fils d'optodes et leurs procédés de mise en œuvre - Google Patents

Ensembles implant cochléaire optique, fils d'optodes et leurs procédés de mise en œuvre

Info

Publication number
WO2025198592A1
WO2025198592A1 PCT/US2024/020867 US2024020867W WO2025198592A1 WO 2025198592 A1 WO2025198592 A1 WO 2025198592A1 US 2024020867 W US2024020867 W US 2024020867W WO 2025198592 A1 WO2025198592 A1 WO 2025198592A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optrode
compound
lead
cochlear implant
optrodes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/020867
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas V. APOLLO
Youssef ADEL
Volkmar Hamacher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Advanced Bionics LLC
Original Assignee
Advanced Bionics LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Advanced Bionics LLC filed Critical Advanced Bionics LLC
Priority to PCT/US2024/020867 priority Critical patent/WO2025198592A1/fr
Publication of WO2025198592A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025198592A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N5/0613—Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
    • A61N5/0622—Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N5/0601—Apparatus for use inside the body
    • A61N5/0603—Apparatus for use inside the body for treatment of body cavities
    • A61N2005/0605—Ear

Definitions

  • Cochlear implant systems are used to provide, restore, and/or improve the sense of hearing to recipients with severe or profound hearing loss.
  • Conventional cochlear implant systems include various components configured to be implanted within a recipient (e.g., an electronics package, an antenna, and an electrode lead) and various components configured to be located external to the recipient (e.g., a sound processor, a battery, and a microphone).
  • a recipient e.g., an electronics package, an antenna, and an electrode lead
  • various components configured to be located external to the recipient
  • a sound processor e.g., a battery, and a microphone
  • at least some of the implanted components of a cochlear implant system are provided within an encapsulant formed of a biocompatible material such as medical grade silicone.
  • An electrode lead of a cochlear implant system typically includes an electrode array comprised of metal contacts (e.g., platinum, titanium, etc.) insulated by the medical grade silicone.
  • metal contacts e.g., platinum, titanium, etc.
  • optrodes adeno-associated virus
  • an AAV injection may be used for transgene expression of light-sensitive opsins in target cells (e.g., in spiral ganglion neurons) to render the target cells susceptible to being stimulated by light.
  • target cells e.g., in spiral ganglion neurons
  • an immunogenic response to AAV vectors and/or the opsin itself may result in reduced or lack of transduction efficiency.
  • opsin overexpression may prove toxic, lead to cell damage, and/or apoptosis.
  • levels of opsin expression may fall overtime due, for example, to epigenetic regulation of transgene expression, which may result in reduced efficiency of optogenetic approaches in timelines (e.g., decades) relevant to chronic implantation of cochlear implants.
  • Clinically feasible solutions to these challenges may either involve repeated transtym panic administrations (e.g., of neurotrophic factors) with a risk of off-target effects and significant burden for patients, or an intracochlear reinjection (e.g., of AAV vectors) which may require an invasive surgical procedure also with a significant burden to patients and/or the healthcare system.
  • intracochlear administrations postimplantation may cause damage to the implanted device and/or disrupt the local environment, leading to repeated risk of inflammation or infection. Accordingly, there remains room to improve optogenetic approaches to facilitate long-term neural survival and long-term expression of opsins in recipients of cochlear implants.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary optical cochlear implant system.
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the optical cochlear implant system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 shows another exemplary configuration of the optical cochlear implant system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 shows an exemplary optical cochlear implant assembly according to principles described herein.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary optrode lead according to principles described herein.
  • FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-section of the optrode lead shown in FIG. 5 taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5 according to principles described herein.
  • FIGS. 7-9 show additional exemplary optrode leads according to principles described herein.
  • FIG. 10 is an exemplary cross-section of the electrode lead shown in FIG. 9 taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 9 according to principles described herein.
  • FIGS. 11-12 show additional exemplary optrode leads according to principles described herein.
  • FIGS. 13-14 show exemplary methods for implementing an optrode lead according to principles described herein.
  • FIG. 15 shows an exemplary computing device that may be implemented according to principles described herein.
  • An exemplary optical cochlear implant assembly adapted for insertion into a recipient described herein comprises an optrode lead configured to be inserted at least partially within a cochlea of the recipient.
  • the optrode lead may include a plurality of optrodes and an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of optrodes and that includes one or more portions impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons of the cochlea.
  • the exemplary cochlear implant assembly may further include an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) configured to deliver optical stimulation to the recipient by way of one or more optrodes included in the plurality of optrodes.
  • ICS implantable cochlear stimulator
  • An exemplary method for implementing an optrode lead may include directing a cochlear implant to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient, the light having the first wavelength optically stimulating neurons of the cochlea; and directing the cochlear implant to emit additional light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength and triggering release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • optical cochlear implant assemblies, optrode leads, and methods for implementing the same described herein may provide various benefits to cochlear implant recipients, as well as others involved with managing cochlear implant systems.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein may be configured to facilitate surgical handling of the optrodes lead during insertion into the cochlea to ensure stimulation efficiency, reliability, and/or proper optrode lead placement within the cochlea.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein may be formed of structures and/or materials (e.g., self-curling, softening, or shape-changing materials) that mechanically stabilize the optrode leads and/or facilitate positioning the optrode leads in relation to the modiolus of the cochlea.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein may include one or more compounds (e.g., gene expression up- regulators, neurotrophic factors, etc.) that may be passively and/or controllably released from the optrode leads to facilitate light sensitivity of neurons in the cochlea.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein are configured to mitigate a decline in opsin expression, minimize immunogenic responses, and/or improve neural survival overtime.
  • optical cochlear implant assemblies that include optrode leads such as those described herein improve optical stimulation efficiency, are robust, and can have a relatively long operational life.
  • optical cochlear implant assemblies may provide one or more of the benefits mentioned above and/or various additional and/or alternative benefits that will be made apparent herein.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary optical cochlear implant system 100 configured to be used by a recipient.
  • optical cochlear implant system 100 includes a cochlear implant 102, an optrode lead 104 physically coupled to cochlear implant 102 and having an array of optrodes 106, and a processing unit 108 configured to be communicatively coupled to cochlear implant 102 by way of a communication link 110.
  • optical cochlear implant system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is unilateral (i.e., associated with only one ear of the recipient).
  • a bilateral configuration of optical cochlear implant system 100 may include separate cochlear implants and optrode leads for each ear of the recipient.
  • processing unit 108 may be implemented by a single processing unit configured to interface with both cochlear implants or by two separate processing units each configured to interface with a different one of the cochlear implants.
  • Cochlear implant 102 may be implemented by any suitable type of implantable stimulator.
  • cochlear implant 102 may be implemented by an implantable cochlear stimulator.
  • cochlear implant 102 may be implemented by a brainstem implant and/or any other type of device that may be implanted within the recipient and configured to apply optical and/or electrical stimulation to one or more stimulation sites located along an auditory pathway of the recipient.
  • cochlear implant 102 may be configured to generate optical stimulation representative of an audio signal processed by processing unit 108 in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters transmitted to cochlear implant 102 by processing unit 108.
  • Cochlear implant 102 may be further configured to apply the optical stimulation to one or more stimulation sites (e.g., one or more intracochlear locations) within the recipient by way of one or more optrodes 106 on optrode lead 104.
  • Cochlear implant 102 may additionally or alternatively be configured to generate, store, and/or transmit data.
  • cochlear implant 102 may use one or more electrodes (not shown) to record one or more signals (e.g., one or more voltages, impedances, evoked responses within the recipient, and/or other measurements) and transmit, by way of communication link 110, data representative of the one or more signals to processing unit 108.
  • this data is referred to as back telemetry data.
  • Optrode lead 104 may be implemented in any suitable manner.
  • a distal portion of optrode lead 104 may be pre-curved such that optrode lead 104 conforms with the helical shape of the cochlea after being implanted.
  • Optrode lead 104 may alternatively be naturally straight or of any other suitable configuration.
  • optrode lead 104 may include a plurality of optrodes that are arranged on a flexible thin film substrate.
  • Optrodes of optrode lead 104 may include any suitable light emitting portion as may serve a particular implementation.
  • optrodes such as those described herein may include, point light sources, pLEDs, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers fabricated on flexible printed circuit boards, and/or polymer waveguides that are encapsulated by a flexible biocompatible material such as silicone, Parylene C, or polydimethylsiloxane (“PDMS”).
  • PDMS polydimethylsiloxane
  • Optrodes 106 are located on at least a distal portion of optrode lead 104. In this configuration, after the distal portion of optrode lead 104 is inserted into the cochlea, optical stimulation may be applied by way of one or more of optrodes 106 to one or more intracochlear locations. Optrode lead 104 may include any suitable number of optrodes 106 as may serve a particular implementation.
  • Processing unit 108 may be configured to interface with (e.g., control and/or receive data from) cochlear implant 102. For example, processing unit 108 may transmit commands (e.g., stimulation parameters and/or other types of operating parameters in the form of data words included in a forward telemetry sequence) to cochlear implant 102 by way of communication link 110. Processing unit 108 may additionally or alternatively provide operating power to cochlear implant 102 by transmitting one or more power signals to cochlear implant 102 by way of communication link 110.
  • commands e.g., stimulation parameters and/or other types of operating parameters in the form of data words included in a forward telemetry sequence
  • Processing unit 108 may additionally or alternatively provide operating power to cochlear implant 102 by transmitting one or more power signals to cochlear implant 102 by way of communication link 110.
  • Processing unit 108 may additionally or alternatively receive data from cochlear implant 102 by way of communication link 110.
  • Communication link 110 may be implemented by any suitable number of wired and/or wireless bidirectional and/or unidirectional links.
  • processing unit 108 includes a memory 112 and a processor 114 configured to be selectively and communicatively coupled to one another.
  • memory 112 and processor 114 may be distributed between multiple devices and/or multiple locations as may serve a particular implementation.
  • Memory 112 may be implemented by any suitable non-transitory computer- readable medium and/or non-transitory processor-readable medium, such as any combination of non-volatile storage media and/or volatile storage media.
  • Exemplary non-volatile storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory, flash memory, a solid-state drive, a magnetic storage device (e.g., a hard drive), ferroelectric random-access memory (“RAM”), and an optical disc.
  • Exemplary volatile storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM (e.g., dynamic RAM).
  • Memory 112 may maintain (e.g., store) executable data used by processor 114 to perform one or more of the operations described herein.
  • memory 112 may store instructions 116 that may be executed by processor 114 to perform any of the operations described herein.
  • Instructions 116 may be implemented by any suitable application, program (e.g., sound processing program), software, code, and/or other executable data instance.
  • Memory 112 may also maintain any data received, generated, managed, used, and/or transmitted by processor 114.
  • Processor 114 may be configured to perform (e.g., execute instructions 116 stored in memory 112 to perform) various operations with respect to cochlear implant 102.
  • processor 114 may be configured to control an operation of cochlear implant 102.
  • processor 114 may receive an audio signal (e.g., by way of a microphone communicatively coupled to processing unit 108, a wireless interface (e.g., a Bluetooth interface), and/or a wired interface (e.g., an auxiliary input port)).
  • Processor 114 may process the audio signal in accordance with a sound processing program (e.g., a sound processing program stored in memory 112) to generate appropriate stimulation parameters.
  • Processor 114 may then transmit the stimulation parameters to cochlear implant 102 to direct cochlear implant 102 to apply optical stimulation representative of the audio signal to the recipient by way of one or more of optrodes 106.
  • processor 114 may also be configured to apply acoustic stimulation to the recipient.
  • a receiver also referred to as a loudspeaker
  • processor 114 may deliver acoustic stimulation to the recipient by way of the receiver.
  • the acoustic stimulation may be representative of an audio signal (e.g., an amplified version of the audio signal), configured to elicit an evoked response within the recipient, and/or otherwise configured.
  • optical cochlear implant system 100 may be referred to as a bimodal hearing system and/or any other suitable term.
  • Processor 114 may be additionally or alternatively configured to receive and process data generated by cochlear implant 102. For example, processor 114 may receive data representative of a signal recorded by cochlear implant 102 using one or more electrodes and, based on the data, adjust one or more operating parameters of processing unit 108. Additionally or alternatively, processor 114 may use the data to perform one or more diagnostic operations with respect to cochlear implant 102 and/or the recipient.
  • processor 114 may perform other operations as may serve a particular implementation.
  • any references to operations performed by processing unit 108 and/or any implementation thereof may be understood to be performed by processor 114 based on instructions 116 stored in memory 112.
  • Processing unit 108 may be implemented by one or more devices configured to interface with cochlear implant 102.
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration 200 of optical cochlear implant system 100 in which processing unit 108 is implemented by a sound processor 202 configured to be located external to the recipient.
  • sound processor 202 is communicatively coupled to a microphone 204 and to a headpiece 206 that are both configured to be located external to the recipient.
  • Sound processor 202 may be implemented by any suitable device that may be worn or carried by the recipient.
  • sound processor 202 may be implemented by a behind-the-ear (“BTE”) unit configured to be worn behind and/or on top of an ear of the recipient.
  • BTE behind-the-ear
  • sound processor 202 may be implemented by an off-the-ear unit (also referred to as a body worn device) configured to be worn or carried by the recipient away from the ear.
  • an off-the-ear unit also referred to as a body worn device
  • at least a portion of sound processor 202 is implemented by circuitry within headpiece 206.
  • Microphone 204 is configured to detect one or more audio signals (e.g., that include speech and/or any other type of sound) in an environment of the recipient.
  • Microphone 204 may be implemented in any suitable manner.
  • microphone 204 may be implemented by a microphone that is configured to be placed within the concha of the ear near the entrance to the ear canal, such as a T-MICTM microphone from Advanced Bionics. Such a microphone may be held within the concha of the ear near the entrance of the ear canal during normal operation by a boom or stalk that is attached to an ear hook configured to be selectively attached to sound processor 202.
  • microphone 204 may be implemented by one or more microphones in or on headpiece 206, one or more microphones in or on a housing of sound processor 202, one or more beam-forming microphones, and/or any other suitable microphone as may serve a particular implementation.
  • Headpiece 206 may be selectively and communicatively coupled to sound processor 202 by way of a communication link 208 (e.g., a cable or any other suitable wired or wireless communication link), which may be implemented in any suitable manner.
  • Headpiece 206 may include an external antenna (e.g., a coil and/or one or more wireless communication components) configured to facilitate selective wireless coupling of sound processor 202 to cochlear implant 102.
  • Headpiece 206 may additionally or alternatively be used to selectively and wirelessly couple any other external device to cochlear implant 102.
  • headpiece 206 may be configured to be affixed to the recipient’s head and positioned such that the external antenna housed within headpiece 206 is communicatively coupled to a corresponding implantable antenna (which may also be implemented by a coil and/or one or more wireless communication components) included within or otherwise connected to cochlear implant 102.
  • a corresponding implantable antenna which may also be implemented by a coil and/or one or more wireless communication components
  • stimulation parameters and/or power signals may be wirelessly and transcutaneously transmitted between sound processor 202 and cochlear implant 102 by way of a wireless communication link 210.
  • sound processor 202 may receive an audio signal detected by microphone 204 by receiving a signal (e.g., an electrical signal) representative of the audio signal from microphone 204. Sound processor 202 may additionally or alternatively receive the audio signal by way of any other suitable interface as described herein. Sound processor 202 may process the audio signal in any of the ways described herein and transmit, by way of headpiece 206, stimulation parameters to cochlear implant 102 to direct cochlear implant 102 to apply optical stimulation representative of the audio signal to the recipient.
  • a signal e.g., an electrical signal
  • Sound processor 202 may process the audio signal in any of the ways described herein and transmit, by way of headpiece 206, stimulation parameters to cochlear implant 102 to direct cochlear implant 102 to apply optical stimulation representative of the audio signal to the recipient.
  • sound processor 202 may be implanted within the recipient instead of being located external to the recipient.
  • sound processor 202 and cochlear implant 102 may be combined into a single device or implemented as separate devices configured to communicate one with another by way of a wired and/or wireless communication link.
  • headpiece 206 may not be included and microphone 204 may be implemented by one or more microphones implanted within the recipient, located within an ear canal of the recipient, and/or external to the recipient.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration 300 of optical cochlear implant system 100 in which processing unit 108 is implemented by a combination of sound processor 202 and a computing device 302 configured to communicatively couple to sound processor 202 by way of a communication link 304, which may be implemented by any suitable wired or wireless communication link.
  • Computing device 302 may be implemented by any suitable combination of hardware and software.
  • computing device 302 may be implemented by a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.), a desktop computer, and/or any other suitable computing device as may serve a particular implementation.
  • a mobile device e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.
  • desktop computer e.g., a desktop computer, and/or any other suitable computing device as may serve a particular implementation.
  • computing device 302 may be implemented by a mobile device configured to execute an application (e.g., a “mobile app”) that may be used by a user (e.g., the recipient, a clinician, and/or any other user) to control one or more settings of sound processor 202 and/or cochlear implant 102 and/or perform one or more operations (e.g., diagnostic operations) with respect to data generated by sound processor 202 and/or cochlear implant 102.
  • an application e.g., a “mobile app”
  • a user e.g., the recipient, a clinician, and/or any other user
  • operations e.g., diagnostic operations
  • computing device 302 may be configured to control an operation of cochlear implant 102 by transmitting one or more commands to cochlear implant 102 by way of sound processor 202. Likewise, computing device 302 may be configured to receive data generated by cochlear implant 102 by way of sound processor 202. Alternatively, computing device 302 may interface with (e.g., control and/or receive data from) cochlear implant 102 directly by way of a wireless communication link between computing device 302 and cochlear implant 102. In some implementations in which computing device 302 interfaces directly with cochlear implant 102, sound processor 202 may or may not be included in optical cochlear implant system 100.
  • Computing device 302 is shown as having an integrated display 306.
  • Display 306 may be implemented by a display screen, for example, and may be configured to display content generated by computing device 302. Additionally or alternatively, computing device 302 may be communicatively coupled to an external display device (not shown) configured to display the content generated by computing device 302.
  • computing device 302 represents a fitting device configured to be selectively used (e.g., by a clinician) to fit sound processor 202 and/or cochlear implant 102 to the recipient.
  • computing device 302 may be configured to execute a fitting program configured to set one or more operating parameters of sound processor 202 and/or cochlear implant 102 to values that are optimized for the recipient.
  • computing device 302 may not be considered to be part of optical cochlear implant system 100. Instead, computing device 302 may be considered to be separate from optical cochlear implant system 100 such that computing device 302 may be selectively coupled to optical cochlear implant system 100 when it is desired to fit sound processor 202 and/or cochlear implant 102 to the recipient.
  • an electrode lead is used to provide electrical stimulation to different regions of the cochlea.
  • the resolution of electrical current in a conventional cochlear implant is limited by electric field spread in the conductive media of the cochlea.
  • Light on the other hand is less susceptible to spread/dispersion as compared to electrical stimulation.
  • light stimulation also referred to herein as optical stimulation
  • the neural tissue needs to be modified using optogenetic techniques. Any suitable optogenetic technique may be implemented as may serve a particular implementation. For example, a non-pathogenic AAV injection may be administered to transduce light sensitive proteins (opsins) in neural cell membranes to render the neurons susceptible to being optically stimulated.
  • optical cochlear implant assembly 400 that is adapted for insertion into a recipient.
  • optical cochlear implant assembly 400 includes an optrode lead 402 that is communicatively coupled to an implantable cochlear implant stimulator (“ICS”) 404 that is included as part of cochlear implant 102.
  • ICS 404 may be configured to deliver optical stimulation to a recipient by way of one or more optrodes included in a plurality of optrodes 106 of optrode lead 402.
  • plurality of optrodes 106 are arranged in an array along the length of optrode lead 402.
  • An elastomeric encapsulant is provided as part of a cochlear implant to protect certain components of a cochlear implant system while such components are implanted within a recipient.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant may encapsulate ICS 404, optrode lead 402, and/or any other suitable component.
  • Elastomeric encapsulants may be formed of any suitable material as may serve a particular implementation.
  • elastomeric encapsulants may be formed of silicone and/or any other suitable biocompatible material.
  • an outermost layer of an elastomeric encapsulant may include an anti-fibrotic coating that fully encapsulates ICS 404, optrode lead 402, and/or any other suitable component.
  • Such an anti-fibrotic coating may be configured to prevent or mitigate fibrotic tissue growth that would otherwise reduce optical stimulation efficiency. Any suitable anti- fibrotic coating may be used as may serve a particular implementation.
  • Elastomeric encapsulants such as those described herein may be formed in any suitable manner as may serve a particular implementation.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant may be overmolded around certain components (e.g., cochlear implant 102, optrode lead 104, 402, etc.) of optical cochlear implant system 100.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant may be formed through casting, spraying, dipping, or any other suitable manufacturing method.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant in conventional electrode leads, includes openings where metallic electrode contacts are conductively exposed to tissue and/or biofluid while the electrode lead is implanted within a recipient. As a consequence, an interface between the metallic electrode contacts and the elastomeric encapsulant is exposed to harsh conditions and is a point of weakness in conventional electrode leads where leakage may occur.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein include an elastomeric encapsulant that fully encapsulates a plurality of optrodes and that defines an outermost surface of the optrode lead. Instead of having openings that expose metal at the electrode contacts to tissue and/or biofluid, elastomeric encapsulants such as those described herein entirely cover the optrode lead with elastomeric material.
  • Conventional electrode leads of cochlear implants include a plurality of wires that connect metallic electrode contacts to a cochlear implant. Such wires provide mechanical stiffness to the electrode leads and facilitate providing electrical stimulation. In contrast, optrode leads such as optrode lead 402 may not include such wires due to the absence of electrode contacts. To provide mechanical stiffness to an optrode lead such as optrode lead 402, elastomeric encapsulants such as those described herein may include a spine portion that extends along a length of the optrode lead.
  • Such a spine portion may be configured to facilitate positioning the optrode lead during insertion and/or providing mechanical stabilization (e.g., by configuring the optrode lead to have a backbone, hold shape, and/or hold direction) to the optrode lead.
  • the spine portion may include any suitable feature or combination of features to facilitate surgical handling and/or positioning of an optrode lead.
  • the spine portion may include a lumen configured to receive a mechanical stylet, a compound loaded polymer (e.g., a hydrogel) portion, and/or a self-curling portion (e.g., formed of a shape memory polymer, a softening stylet, a dissolvable backbone, etc.).
  • a mechanical stylet e.g., a hydrogel
  • a self-curling portion e.g., formed of a shape memory polymer, a softening stylet, a dissolvable backbone, etc.
  • Elastomeric encapsulants such as those described herein may further include one or more portions that are impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons of the cochlea.
  • Elastomeric encapsulants may include any suitable number of portions impregnated with the compound as may serve a particular implementation. For example, in certain implementations, a single portion may be impregnated with the compound.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant may include a plurality of separate portions that are impregnated with the compound. Exemplary configurations of such portions that may be impregnated with the compound are described herein.
  • a single type of compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons may be impregnated within an elastomeric encapsulant.
  • a plurality of different types of compounds that facilitate light sensitivity of neurons may be impregnated within an elastomeric encapsulant of an optrode lead.
  • an elastomeric encapsulant may be impregnated with a first type of compound that is configured to facilitate light sensitivity of neurons, a second type of compound that is further configured to facilitate light sensitivity of the neurons, and a third type of compound that is further configured to facilitate light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • the first type of compound, the second type of compound, and the third type of compound may each be different from one another.
  • the compound may correspond to any suitable type of compound and/or combination of compounds that may facilitate light sensitivity of neurons of the cochlea.
  • the compound may include any suitable drugs that may suppress an immunogenic response (e.g., immunosuppressants such as dexamethasone and its variants), suppress inflammation, and/or promote neural survival (e.g., neurotrophic factors such as BDNF or NT-3) and that may be impregnated within an elastomeric encapsulant of optrode lead 402.
  • the compound may incorporate liposomes that contain lipid nanoparticles which are then embedded within the elastomeric encapsulant.
  • the compound that facilitates light sensitivity in the neurons may include a bone anchorable conjugate.
  • the compound may be eluted from optrode lead 402 and may bind to bony structure within the cochlea. After binding, an active portion (e.g., an immunosuppressant, a neurotrophic factor, etc. and/or their functional analogs) of the bone anchored conjugate may be released over time to facilitate light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • an active portion e.g., an immunosuppressant, a neurotrophic factor, etc. and/or their functional analogs
  • the compound may be impregnated in an elastomeric encapsulant in any suitable manner.
  • the compound may be impregnated in the spine portion of an elastomeric encapsulant.
  • the spine portion may be configured to elute the compound in any suitable manner in addition to providing mechanical stability to the optrode lead.
  • the compound may be impregnated in a spine portion that includes a plurality of compound-impregnated sections.
  • each compound-impregnated section may be separated from adjacent compound- impregnated sections by a portion of the elastomeric encapsulant that is not impregnated with the compound.
  • Optrode lead 402 may be configured such that one or more compounds may be eluted into the cochlear perilymph in any suitable manner.
  • optrode lead 402 may be configured such that a compound is passively eluted into the cochlear perilymph.
  • the compound may be configured to release from the elastomeric encapsulant over time while optrode lead 402 is inserted within the cochlea.
  • a compound may be controllably released from an elastomeric encapsulant of an optrode lead such as optrode lead 402.
  • system 100 may use light emitted from optrodes of an optrode lead to controllably trigger the release of the compound at any suitable time and in any suitable manner.
  • system 100 may use a different wavelength of light to optically stimulate neurons of the cochlea than is used to trigger release of the compound.
  • system 100 may direct cochlear implant 102 to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient.
  • the light having a first wavelength may be configured to optically stimulate neurons of the cochlea.
  • System 100 may further direct cochlear implant 102 to emit light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength.
  • the second wavelength is configured to trigger release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • the light having the first wavelength may correspond to any wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light that may facilitate stimulating the neurons.
  • the light having the first wavelength may be in a visible wavelength range.
  • the light having the first wavelength may be in the red light range, the blue light range, and/or the green light range.
  • the light having the first wavelength may optically inhibit the neurons of the cochlea.
  • an AAV injection may be used for transgene expression of light-sensitive opsins in target cells (e.g., in spiral ganglion neurons) to render the target cells susceptible to being inhibited by light.
  • the neurons of the cochlea may include opsins that render the neurons sensitive to being stimulated by light and additional different opsins that render the neurons sensitive to being inhibited by light.
  • the light having the first wavelength may facilitate stimulating the neurons and light having an additional wavelength different than the first wavelength may facilitate inhibiting the neurons.
  • the light having the second wavelength may correspond to any wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light that may facilitate controllably releasing a compound from the elastomeric encapsulant.
  • the light having the second wavelength range may be in a non-visible wavelength range.
  • the light having the second wavelength may correspond to near-infrared (“NIR”) light in certain examples.
  • the compound may be associated with lipid nanoparticles, which may be ruptured by the NIR light depending on the intensity of the irradiation and/or the duration of the irradiation to cause release of the compound.
  • the NIR light may be used to provide a neuroprotective effect in addition to triggering release of a compound that facilitates optical sensitivity of the neurons.
  • the light having the second wavelength may not stimulate (e.g., not meaningfully or significantly stimulate) the neurons of the cochlea.
  • NIR light may not optically stimulate the neurons of the cochlea.
  • the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength may be emitted in any suitable manner to optically stimulate the neurons and to controllably release a compound.
  • the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength may be emitted concurrently by way of a same optrode included in the plurality of optrodes.
  • the distal most optrode 106 on optrode lead 402 may emit both the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength at the same time.
  • the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength may be emitted at different times from the same optrode or different optrodes.
  • the light having the first wavelength may be emitted by one or more optrodes during a first period of time and the light having the second wavelength may be emitted by way of the one or more optrodes during a second period of time that is different than the first period of time.
  • the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength may be emitted at the same time from different optrodes.
  • a first optrode may emit light having the first wavelength and a second optrode may concurrently emit light having the second wavelength.
  • only a subset of optrodes included in the plurality of optrodes of an optrode lead may emit light having the second wavelength.
  • a single optrode from among the plurality of optrodes of an optrode lead may be dedicated to emit light having the second wavelength to trigger release of the compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons.
  • the distalmost optrode on an optrode lead may be the only optrode dedicated to emit the light having the second wavelength.
  • each optrode included in an optrode lead may emit light having the first wavelength to controllably trigger release of a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons.
  • the directing of the cochlear implant to emit the light having the second wavelength includes directing the cochlear implant to emit the light having the second wavelength at least one of fer a predefined duration of time or at a predefined intensity.
  • system 100 may direct a cochlear implant to emit light having a third wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes of the optrode lead.
  • the third wavelength may be different than the first wavelength and the second wavelength and may trigger release of an additional compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that further facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • the second wavelength of light may be used to controllably trigger release of a first compound that includes an immunosuppressant
  • the third wavelength of light may be used to controllably trigger release of a second compound that includes a neurotrophic factor.
  • FIG. 5 shows a side view of an exemplary optrode lead 500 that may be implemented in certain examples as part of a cochlear implant assembly such as that shown in FIG. 4.
  • optrode lead 500 includes an elastomeric encapsulant 502 that encapsulates a plurality of optrodes 504 (e.g., optrodes 504-1 through 504-N) that are embedded within elastomeric encapsulant 502 and through which optical stimulation may be provided to the cochlea.
  • optrode lead 500 includes an elastomeric encapsulant 502 that encapsulates a plurality of optrodes 504 (e.g., optrodes 504-1 through 504-N) that are embedded within elastomeric encapsulant 502 and through which optical stimulation may be provided to the cochlea.
  • optrodes 504 e.g., optrodes 504-1 through 504-N
  • optrode lead 500 further includes a spine portion 506 that includes a compound-impregnated section 508 that is impregnated with a compound 510, which may correspond to any suitable type of compound such as those described herein.
  • Spine portion 506 is configured to provide mechanical stability to optrode lead 500 in addition to being impregnated with compound 510.
  • compound 510 may be passively released from optrode lead 500 while optrode lead 500 is inserted within the cochlea of a recipient
  • FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view 600 of optrode lead 500 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.
  • elastomeric encapsulant 502 includes an anti-fibrotic coating 602 that completely encapsulates optrode lead 500.
  • the relative sizes, thicknesses, and/or shapes of the various elements depicted in FIG. 6 are provided for illustrative purposes only.
  • optrode 504-1 may have any suitable size, thickness, and/or shape as may serve a particular implementation.
  • compound-impregnated section 508 is shown as having a circular cross-section in FIG.
  • compound-impregnated section 508 may have any other suitable shape of a cross-section as may serve a particular implementation.
  • compound-impregnated section 508 may have a square shaped cross-section, a rectangular shaped cross-section, an asymmetric trapezoidal shaped cross-section, an oval shaped cross-section, etc. in certain alternative implementations.
  • FIG. 7 shows a side view of an additional exemplary optrode lead 700 that may be implemented in certain examples as part of a cochlear implant assembly such as that shown in FIG. 4.
  • optrode lead 700 is similar to optrode lead 500 except that spine portion 506 of optrode lead 700 further includes a lumen 702 that is configured to receive a mechanical stylet 704.
  • the addition of lumen 702 and mechanical stylet 704 facilitates surgical manipulation of optrode lead 700 during insertion into the cochlea.
  • Mechanical stylet 704 provides rigidity to optrode lead 700 during insertion into the cochlea. After or during insertion, mechanical stylet 704 is configured to be withdrawn from lumen 702.
  • FIG. 8 shows an additional exemplary optrode lead 800 that includes an elastomeric encapsulant 802 and a plurality of optrodes 804 (e.g., optrodes 804-1 through 804-N).
  • Optrode lead 800 further includes a spine portion 806 that includes a plurality of compound-impregnated sections 808 (e.g., compound-impregnated sections 808-1 through 808-N) that are impregnated with a compound 810.
  • compound-impregnated sections 808 have a trapezoidal shape when viewed in a crosssection taken along a length of optrode lead 800.
  • Compound impregnated sections 808 are configured to have a different stiffness than the surrounding portions of elastomeric encapsulant that are not impregnated with compound 810.
  • the trapezoidal shape of compound-impregnated sections 808 in combination with the differences in stiffness is configured to limit the degrees of freedom of optrode lead 800 and facilitate optrode lead 800 bending in a desired direction and hugging the modiolus of the cochlea during and after insertion into the cochlea.
  • Compound 810 may correspond to any suitable compound such as described herein. In the example shown in FIG. 8, compound 810 may passively release from elastomeric encapsulant 802 while optrode lead 800 is inserted within the cochlea.
  • each of compound-impregnated sections 808 is impregnated with compound 810.
  • one or more of the trapezoidal sections may not be impregnated with a compound that is configured to facilitate light sensitivity of neurons.
  • one or more of the trapezoidal sections located proximally on optrode lead 800 may not be impregnated with compound 810 in certain implementations.
  • FIG. 9 shows an additional exemplary side view of an optrode lead 900 that includes an elastomeric encapsulant 902 and a plurality of optrodes 904 (e.g., optrodes 904-1 through 904-N).
  • optrode lead 900 further includes a compound-impregnated section 906 that includes a compound 908, which may correspond to any suitable type of compound such as described herein.
  • compound 908 is configured to be controllably released in any suitable manner such as described herein from optrode lead 900 in response to light emitted from one or more of optrodes 904.
  • FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view 1000 of optrode lead 900 taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.
  • optrode lead 900 includes an anti-fibrotic coating 1002 that fully encapsulates optrode lead 900.
  • optrode 904-10 may emit light 1004 having a first wavelength that is configured to provide optical stimulation to neurons in the cochlea and light 1006 having a second wavelength that is configured to controllably trigger release of compound 908 from compound-impregnated section 906.
  • light 1004 may correspond to light in a visible range such as a red light range and light 1006 may correspond to light in a non-visible range such as NIR light.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein may be configured to steer light from one or more optrodes to tissue within the cochlea. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, light steering may be achieved using directional waveguides and/or by providing one or more optical windows.
  • FIG. 10 shows an optical window 1008 that is configured to steer light 1004 from optrode 904-10 to tissue in the cochlea.
  • Optical window 1008 may be formed of a portion of transparent elastomeric encapsulant that separates the left and right portions of compound-impregnated section 906.
  • optical window 1008 is shown as having parallel sides in FIG. 10, it is understood that optical window 1008 may have any suitable other configuration as may serve a particular implementation.
  • optical window 1008 may have a funnel shape that either narrows in the direction that light 1004 is emitted or that widens in the direction that light 1004 is emitted.
  • FIG. 11 shows an additional exemplary side view of an optrode lead 1100 that includes an elastomeric encapsulant 1102 and a plurality of optrodes 1104 (e.g., optrodes 1104-1 through 1104-N).
  • optrode lead 1100 includes a compound-impregnated section 1106 that includes a compound 1108 that may include any suitable type of compound such as described herein.
  • Optrode lead 1100 further includes a spine portion 1110 that includes a compound-impregnated section 1112 that includes a compound 1114 that may include any suitable type of compound such as described herein.
  • compound 1108 may correspond to a different compound than compound 1114.
  • compound 1108 may correspond to or otherwise include an immunosuppressant and compound 1114 may correspond to or otherwise include neurotropic factor.
  • compound 1108 and compound 1114 may include the same compound or the same type of compound.
  • optrode lead 1100 may be configured to both passively and controllably release compounds.
  • compound 1108 may be configured to be controllably released from compound-impregnated section 1106 in any suitable manner such as shown in FIG. 10.
  • compound 1114 may be configured to be passively released from compound-impregnated section 1112.
  • FIG. 12 shows an additional exemplary side view of an optrode lead 1200 that includes an elastomeric encapsulant 1202 and a plurality of optrodes 1204 (e.g., optrodes 1204-1 through 1204-N).
  • optrode lead 1200 includes a single compound-impregnated section 1206 that is impregnated with a compound 1208 that may include any suitable compound such as described herein.
  • compound-impregnated section 1206 is only associated with optrode 1204-N, which is a distalmost optrode of optrode lead 1200.
  • optrode 1204 may be the only optrode of optrode lead 1200 that is configured to trigger controlled release of compound 1208.
  • optrode 1204-N may emit light in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 10 to trigger release of compound 1208.
  • compound-impregnated section 1206 is shown as being associated with optrode 1204-N in FIG. 12, it is understood that compound-impregnated section 1206 may be associated with a different single optrode in other implementations.
  • compound- impregnated section 1206 may be associated with a proximal most optrode (e.g., optrode 1204-1) in certain alternative implementations.
  • compound- impregnated section 1206 may be associated with a middle optrode along the length of optrode lead 1200.
  • optrode leads such as those described herein may be configured to only provide optical stimulation to a recipient of a cochlear implant. In such examples, the optrode leads such as those described herein may not include any electrodes through which electrical stimulation may be provided to the cochlea. In certain alternative implementations, an optrode lead may include one or more electrodes dedicated for monitoring responses to optical stimulation but not for providing electrical stimulation. In certain alternative examples, optrode leads such as those described herein may correspond to hybrid optrode leads that include both a plurality of optrodes for providing optical stimulation and a plurality of electrodes for providing electrical stimulation. In such examples, both the plurality of optrodes and the plurality of electrodes may be arranged relative to one another in any suitable manner.
  • optrode leads configured for use with an optical cochlear implant system (e.g., optical cochlear implant system 100)
  • an optical cochlear implant system e.g., optical cochlear implant system 100
  • concepts such as those described herein may be applied to any other suitable type of implantable optrode or externally used optrode that may be implemented in any other suitable context.
  • concepts such as those described herein may be applied to optrode leads used in neuroprosthetic systems, neurostimulation systems, optical nerve stimulation systems, cardiac stimulation systems, etc.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary method 1300 for implementing an optrode lead (e.g., optrode lead 104). While FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary operations according to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify the operation shown in FIG. 13.
  • optrode lead e.g., optrode lead 104
  • a cochlear implant may provide optical stimulation to neurons of a cochlea by way of an optrode lead that is at least partially inserted within the cochlea of a recipient of a cochlear implant.
  • the optrode lead may include an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates a plurality of optrodes and that includes one or more portions impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons of the cochlea. Operation 1302 may be performed in any of the ways described herein.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates an additional exemplary method 1400 for implementing an optrode lead (e.g., optrode lead 104). While FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary operations according to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the operations shown in FIG. 14.
  • a system may direct a cochlear implant (e.g., cochlear implant 102) to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient, the light having the first wavelength optically stimulating neurons of the cochlea.
  • Operation 1402 may be performed in any of the ways described herein.
  • the system may direct the cochlear implant to emit additional light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength and triggering release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • Operation 1404 may be performed in any of the ways described herein.
  • a computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be provided.
  • the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium may store computer-readable instructions in accordance with the principles described herein.
  • the instructions when executed by a processor of a computing device, may direct the processor and/or computing device to perform one or more operations, including one or more of the operations described herein. Such instructions may be stored and/or transmitted using any of a variety of known computer-readable media.
  • a non-transitory computer-readable medium as referred to herein may include any non-transitory storage medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read and/or executed by a computing device (e.g., by a processor of a computing device).
  • a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, any combination of non-volatile storage media and/or volatile storage media.
  • Exemplary non-volatile storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory, flash memory, a solid-state drive, a magnetic storage device (e.g., a hard disk, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, etc.), ferroelectric random-access memory (“RAM”), and an optical disc (e.g., a compact disc, a digital video disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.).
  • Exemplary volatile storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM (e.g., dynamic RAM).
  • FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary computing device 1500 that may be specifically configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein.
  • computing device 1500 may include a communication interface 1502, a processor 1504, a storage device 1506, and an input/output (“I/O”) module 1508 communicatively connected one to another via a communication infrastructure 1510.
  • I/O input/output
  • FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary computing device 1500 that may be specifically configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein.
  • computing device 1500 may include a communication interface 1502, a processor 1504, a storage device 1506, and an input/output (“I/O”) module 1508 communicatively connected one to another via a communication infrastructure 1510.
  • I/O input/output
  • Communication interface 1502 may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices. Examples of communication interface 1502 include, without limitation, a wired network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, an audio/video connection, and any other suitable interface.
  • Processor 1504 generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data and/or interpreting, executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein.
  • Processor 1504 may perform operations by executing computer-executable instructions 1512 (e.g., an application, software, code, and/or other executable data instance) stored in storage device 1506.
  • computer-executable instructions 1512 e.g., an application, software, code, and/or other executable data instance
  • Storage device 1506 may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination of data storage media and/or device.
  • storage device 1506 may include, but is not limited to, any combination of the non-volatile media and/or volatile media described herein.
  • Electronic data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in storage device 1506.
  • data representative of computer-executable instructions 1512 configured to direct processor 1504 to perform any of the operations described herein may be stored within storage device 1506.
  • data may be arranged in one or more databases residing within storage device 1506.
  • I/O module 1508 may include one or more I/O modules configured to receive user input and provide user output.
  • I/O module 1508 may include any hardware, firmware, software, or combination thereof supportive of input and output capabilities.
  • I/O module 1508 may include hardware and/or software for capturing user input, including, but not limited to, a keyboard or keypad, a touchscreen component (e.g., touchscreen display), a receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared receiver), motion sensors, and/or one or more input buttons.
  • I/O module 1508 may include one or more devices for presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers.
  • I/O module 1508 is configured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to a user.
  • the graphical data may be representative of one or more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical content as may serve a particular implementation.
  • any of the systems, hearing devices, computing devices, and/or other components described herein may be implemented by computing device 1500.
  • memory 112 may be implemented by storage device 1506, and processor 114 may be implemented by processor 1504.
  • An optical cochlear implant assembly adapted for insertion into a recipient, comprising: an optrode lead configured to be inserted at least partially within a cochlea of the recipient, the optrode lead including: a plurality of optrodes, and an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of optrodes and that includes one or more portions impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of neurons of the cochlea; and an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) configured to deliver optical stimulation to the recipient by way of one or more optrodes included in the plurality of optrodes.
  • ICS implantable cochlear stimulator
  • the spine portion includes a plurality of compound-impregnated sections; and each compound-impregnated section included in the plurality of compound-impregnated sections is separated from adjacent compound-impregnated sections by a portion of the elastomeric encapsulant that is not impregnated with the compound.
  • optical cochlear implant assembly of any of the preceding statements, wherein the compound is configured to be controllably released from the elastomeric encapsulant in response to optical stimulation provided by way of one or more of the plurality of optrodes.
  • optical cochlear implant assembly of any of the preceding statements, wherein the optical stimulation provided to controllably release the compound is provided by way of only a subset of optrodes included in the plurality of optrodes.
  • An optrode lead adapted for at least partial insertion into a cochlea of a recipient, comprising: a plurality of optrodes through which optical stimulation is provided to neurons of the cochlea; and an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of optrodes and that includes one or more portions impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons of the cochlea.
  • the elastomeric encapsulant includes a spine portion that extends along a length of the optrode lead, the spine portion configured to facilitate positioning the optrode lead during insertion.
  • the spine portion includes a plurality of compound-impregnated sections; and each compound- impregnated section included in the plurality of compound-impregnated sections is separated from adjacent compound-impregnated sections by a portion of the elastomeric encapsulant that is not impregnated with the compound.
  • the spine portion includes one or more of a lumen configured to receive a mechanical stylet, a compound-loaded polymer, or a self-curling portion.
  • a method comprising: providing, by a cochlear implant, optical stimulation to neurons of a cochlea by way of an optrode lead that is at least partially inserted within the cochlea of a recipient of the cochlear implant, [0119] wherein the optrode lead includes: a plurality of optrodes through which the optical stimulation is provided to the neurons of the cochlea; and an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of optrodes and that includes one or more portions impregnated with a compound that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons of the cochlea.
  • a system comprising: a memory that stores instructions; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to perform a process comprising: directing a cochlear implant to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient, the light having a first wavelength optically stimulating neurons of the cochlea; and directing the cochlear implant to emit light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength and triggering release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • directing of the cochlear implant to emit the light having the second wavelength includes directing the cochlear implant to emit the light having the second wavelength at least one of for a predefined duration of time or at a predefined intensity.
  • the optrode lead further includes an additional compound that is configured to be passively released from the optrode lead while the optrode lead is at least partially inserted within the cochlea of the recipient.
  • a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for: directing a cochlear implant to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient, the light having the first wavelength optically stimulating neurons of the cochlea; and directing the cochlear implant to emit additional light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength and triggering release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.
  • a method comprising: directing a cochlear implant to emit light having a first wavelength by way of one or more optrodes of an optrode lead inserted at least partially within a cochlea of a recipient, the light having the first wavelength optically stimulating neurons of the cochlea; and directing the cochlear implant to emit additional light having a second wavelength by way of the one or more optrodes, the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength and triggering release of a compound that is impregnated within the optrode lead and that facilitates light sensitivity of the neurons.

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Abstract

Un ensemble implant cochléaire optique donné à titre d'exemple de la présente invention conçu pour être inséré dans un receveur peut comprendre un fil d'optodes conçu pour être inséré au moins partiellement à l'intérieur d'une cochlée du receveur. Le fil d'optodes peut comprendre une pluralité d'optodes et un agent d'encapsulation élastomère qui encapsule la pluralité d'optodes et qui comprend une ou plusieurs parties imprégnées d'un composé qui améliore la sensibilité à la lumière des neurones de la cochlée. L'ensemble implant cochléaire optique peut en outre comprendre un stimulateur cochléaire implantable (ICS) conçu pour administrer une stimulation optique au receveur par l'intermédiaire d'un ou de plusieurs optodes inclus dans la pluralité d'optodes.
PCT/US2024/020867 2024-03-21 2024-03-21 Ensembles implant cochléaire optique, fils d'optodes et leurs procédés de mise en œuvre Pending WO2025198592A1 (fr)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2011258001A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2013-01-17 Lockheed Martin Corporation Laser-based nerve stimulators for, e.g., hearing restoration in cochlear prostheses
US20130030353A1 (en) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-31 Seymour John P Neuromodulation transfection system with passive fluid delivery
WO2024043886A1 (fr) * 2022-08-24 2024-02-29 Advanced Bionics Llc Ensembles implants cochléaires, fils d'électrode et leurs procédés de fabrication

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2011258001A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2013-01-17 Lockheed Martin Corporation Laser-based nerve stimulators for, e.g., hearing restoration in cochlear prostheses
US20130030353A1 (en) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-31 Seymour John P Neuromodulation transfection system with passive fluid delivery
WO2024043886A1 (fr) * 2022-08-24 2024-02-29 Advanced Bionics Llc Ensembles implants cochléaires, fils d'électrode et leurs procédés de fabrication

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