A^ IMFLANIAB^I COCHL^AR ACCESS BEVI€E

CMOSS-REFEREN€E TO RELATED APPLICATIONS umni 7 ^' be present sppHctuion claims die benefit «.f U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 /04 K 185; fύc-d March 31 ₅ 2008, which is hereby ωicorporuled by refβrejice lierem. Furthermore, this application is a related to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Patent λpplscaiiosi entitled "1MPIANTABLϊ- HEARING SYSTEM," fifed ooπeuxrenth- herewith under Attorney Docket No. 22409-00502-US. This application is hereby incorporated by reference herein..

BACKItOUND Fi&M of ike Invemiϋn

\$HQt\ The prsseϊst invention is generally directed κ> implantable devices, &nd ω%ϊT& to am i.tnpbϊ3ϊabk cochlear access device.

R&iaftrd Art jϊX>aβ| Heariϊsg k>ss, which may be 4ue to maiiy diOereai causes., is generally of two types, coπduedve and sensorineural In SOπK: eases;, an sαliviάn&i may have hearing loss of bath types. In many people wlss are profoundly deaf, however, the reSsSori for their de&ihess is hβarixsg loss. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs whsn diere is iiamage vo the irsrser ssir, or to t.be ϊϊerve pathways irom the inner e&r to the brain. As suck those suffering fe>a? setisorsneurs I hiϊέirmsξ loss urc tbus ajsjiblc k> derive sxiitable ϊxjisefst Croin c&nvestkm-f. acoustic hearκ3^ asd. As a result, hearing prostheses that deliver electrical stimulation to nerve cells of the- recϊpienfs siuditcsry sysiesrs have been developed to provide persoss havsBg sensorineisral heurmg loss wish •h© absliiv t<s perceive sound. S«ch prostheses dehvei elsetπcai stϊϊnulaϊiori lo rssrve cells of the reeψierst ^* s axs<!itory system,

\iMH\ As tLsc<l ^" hcrtύrϊj the recspienr's atκliκ>iy x^Sem includes ail scϊisoty systems conψoϊscπts used so perceive s sound sigisal, such as hearing sensatb∑ϊ receptors, setital pathways, iriclϋdsng the auditory nerve asd spkai gjjωglks∑j, and parts of fee lsrain used to seπsϋ sounds. Elecmcaily-stimuiatiπg heariug prostheses include, lor example, auditory brain

stimulators assd eodϊkaτ ^fM prostheses (coxmnorsly referred to as cochlear™ prosthetic devices, cochlear ⁷⁶⁴ impiaavs, cochlear™ devices, and the like: simply "cochlear implants ^'" herein.) fWS^ Musi sensorineural hearing loss is due io die absence or destruction of the cochlea hair cells which sr&nsducc acoustic signals into jκ:rve impulses. It is fur this purpose thai cochlear fmplaϊsϊs have been developed. Cochlear mψkiϊts use direct electrical siirrmlatiots of auditory nerve cdls to bypass ahseim or defective hair cells ih&\ normally ϊrassduce acoustic vibrisϊbϊss into ΏSMXSU activity. Such devices generally use- an electrode array kϊψiaiiϊed hi ihe cochlea so ikis the ekcϊrodeϊ asiy differensially activate aaditory neuroαs that ωortϊially encode dilfsrrential pitolses of so\ϊϊsd. are used to treat a smaller rrumbor of rscipienϊs witli bilaϊsKsi degeneration of the sudkor/ -ϊen'e. For such recipsetus, tha auditory brain stiiX3«latαr provides stimsilatbn of the cochlear nucleus m the brainstem, typically with a planar electrode array; tlias is, as dectrock array in which the elecirodc contacts arc disposed on a two diϊπssstGϊsal suriace that caa b« posiiiαned proximal to the brainstem.

IK cosiir&st to sessormeursl heari.ne loss wliidi results irom darasge in the ainer car, cosduetiv*;- hearing loss QCCIJIS wb«u the norπtsal mscboiika] pathways used to provide sound to hair celk in lije cϊsehtea are iuψeded, for exaoψie.. by damage Hs the ossicuiar chairs or to the ear csnal ϊndivsduaia who suffer &«m coriductive hearing to^s typscaHy have soϊϊstϊ fόππ of reskkia! heαrϊriS because ih<? has- cells ia the cochlea arc wπdaxrøged. Sach individuals ssr« typic lly not «ajκlidatci; for a cochlear raψlam due to the irreversible n&rure of ϊhc cochlear irnplasi. Spβtillcalh ¹ , rnssnioEs of ϊhs ekctrode arrsy into s recipient's cochlea exposes the recspsent k> the risk of desiriicdon of the majority «f the hair cells wtthiii the cochlea, ressilύiig in she toss of all residual hearing by ^ he rscipisst. s#«88l -^s ^s result, individuals suffering from conductive hesrkig loss typically receive an acousiic hsarisϊg aid. nat all individuals who suffer from conductive hearsrsg loss are able to derive suitable benefit froiu hearias" aids. For exaHψIe, some individuals arc prone to chronic srsi]aπ:ϋϊ5utκκ5 or mfccύoB «f the «ar canal and cannot wear hearing aids. Sύxsikdy, lϊeκrHsg aids src typksϋy imstiitabk for ώdsvidua.b who have snaifoπned, damaged or ijbscπi vuler e&rs, car caaals and/or ossicular chains.

fθδSHJ) Those individuals who suffer conductive lscsrmg loss, bus: e-ansun derive suitable bexKsin iroiti he&rmg aids may benefit from devices which simulate, natural hearing by generating mechanical sm&oα of the cochb&r fluid (perilymph) -withoat the need ibr operable outer atsd middle cars. Soπse such <levk:ss, sαmeϊimβs i-sisrrcd to mechanical sύαsulaiors bereέsx. has's one or 5ϊκsre coinponejjJs m direct voαlacl with the so thai a propagating wave msy be generated wiJhint the perslyπψh- The propagsdng wave sxckes Use cochlea fcsir osl's saκl thereby svtskeK a bearing percept.

SUMMARY

\$8ity In OB« aspect of Vhe present invention, an elongate hollow device for providing direct access to the vOciUsK of s recipient, the device having a symmetrica! shape about a longstiid ^j asl axis through the center of the device. The device cotsψmes a fsrst sad having a;* aperture with itv geumetrse center positioned at the Iongitsidinal axis. atκl a distal end having as aperture wish its geometric cstnsr posit_on«d at six? k>ωgitadtna! axis, wheresi the access device 5« configured to IK si lciist mirϊkύiy poήtkmcd hi ϊhe iπastosd bone of the reejρse&£ such thai the first end is posJSbned adjacent the surface of tlκs mastoid boive. and tlse distal «nd is inserted itϊto the cochlea.

[Sen] is another aspecέ of the present invention, a system for rehabilitating the hcsring of a recspiem is prtsvidώd. The ϊystsm cøisψriscs a:? slorsgEάe hollow sec^ss device liavhsg a first end and s distal end- srsd coiiFsgiired TO ?>e at bast partially positioned hs the mastoid bone of the recφiαiu such that ϊhe first etid is positioned adjacesst the surface of the mastoid hone, assd the distal crκl ;s itϊyc-ied into the cochlea; and a hearing prosthesis configured to be at least p&rsisliy bϊψlarϊied λis rlκ' access device atul eosδgurcd to at least arm at mcommiciuly unά electrically disωulaie ih<a recipient's cochlea.

BMEF BESCIFTIOfS OF TIfE FIGURES

λi* IlliiStrsisve enibodirserύs of the present inversion arc described herein with reference So the sccompairying drawings, is which:

\%iϊt$\ FlQ. ? is a perspective view of a cochlear access device posstsoned iι* S recipient in accordance with embodknents of the present invsntios; fϊMM4| HG. 2A is & perspective view of a cochlear access device m accordance with of Ihe present invention;

|SβiSf FIG. 2.B is a crcsss-seetkjsal view of the cochlear access device of FIO. 2A;

\iWl&l VJG- 3 A is a cross-sectional view of ass isnpianiable bearing sysien^ :ϊ5i accordance wst ^' h esnbc^<lim«πts of the present irsventson;

|0&l7] FiG. 3 ^' & is a cross-sectioiml view of a-i implantable hesritsg systesϊ, in aceor<laaec wish sjmbodiinώϊJts of the present invention;

(^H)ISf FIG. 3C is s, cross-sect kna&i view of a« impksitabk hesriπg sysiens, in accordatsce with «ϊ3bodsiϊ5<?rss;s of th« pr<fi?«tss inversion; fδrstδξ FiG. 4A ss a cmss-s£Gtioj*&! view of a5ϊ impkni&bk hearing systcπs, ia accordance vvish cmbodimsπts of the present iπvenύon; i§®2ty HG. 4B is a cross-secsioiial view of as) mipkntable hearing system, in accordance with βϊTsbodinsents ol ^' lhs ρr«sem irsvβrstioa;

\W2ϊ\ FlG. 5 is a psrspective view of an hnplsm&bte hesring system isxspkntcd in a r«eioic-πt, in accordsiκ-4? with embcsdiϊωerits oi ^" tb« prese ssvsinioi?;

|«δ22} FlG. 6 is a psrspective view of asi implantable hearmg system impkisted in & recipierst, m accordasce wkh ombodimests of die present

\M2S\ I ¹ IG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a recipient's head illustrating a cochlear access device }&sving elementa of a cochlear implant posrtiosed tlsersin, is ac<x>rdaτice wish vmlκκlitϊ5ei>s.s of she prsseist sπversύoti; and

|W24f FlG. 8 is a partial crross-scctioaal view of a recipient's head iHustratisg the positsøcx of a ctK-kk-ax access device lusviag SiCEϊicaϊ of a direct acoustkai cαcMear ώiπis∑lator feeretπ, is accordascs wiϊh embodiments of she prcsαu invcndon.

^' DETAILED DESCRIPTION f§&25] Aspects of She present inwrstsaπ arc generally directed to tits implantable device thai provides direct access; k> a recipient's cochlea. The cochlear a<xe_x device co-mprises. a holknv structure that, wheo koplamecL has OΏC end that resides mside the mastoid botss below the recipient 's skin, and another end that h directly inserted into the cochlea.

\iϊϋ26\ hϊ embodiments of tlss present jsventiem, the cochlear sec-ess device operates as a coπψϊmzm iff ΆϊI implantable hearing system. In such embodiments, the cochlear access device is dimensioned to receive hearing prosthesis components so tkst the coixspotjesus tmy be ixnpknied in the xecipiem without dsstKjying demerits of a recspiears outer, rπiddie ssd/or inner ears.- The implantable lsears^g system which includes the cochiesr access device xn&y be coBilgiired κ.> srsechaju ^' caiiy &sd/<sr sbctricaUy stimxtlate the rccspicia's cociϊka.

|δO2?[ B<sausc the cocMcax access device s direct path to the recipient's cαelika thro gh the sϊϊasto id bone, She eoπψOBenϊs of the hearing prosthesis may be implanted without dsirsagirsg the recspjft^i's oxster, middle or ssner ear. Similarly, because the components sre retained wjih coclsleαr access device, itϊϊpl&tϊtsάoϊϊ astά- ^J <>r repiscesuerst of &v ecsπiponeπts is siiTiplifaxl Isecaϊise a surgeon dses ϊϊOϊ iκtsd to work am;itκl aϊjy delicate ear stmctures.

\M2B\ I'ICJ, I is a psirϊisily-v&;- wsy view of & recspse.m's head illustrating the bcaέkm of a cochlear acces-s <k;vκ:s KK) SϊS accordance with βmlκκ!iaκm;s of tlκ; present mveBtioiL The oxjtώr ear 101. middle ear 105 and inner ear. 107 are described ;sext bsκ>w. iblkrwed by a descriptsoa of cochl«ϊar access device 100.

\M2V>\ ϊn s t\ύϊγ fiij>otioj3s.l esa-, outer ear 101 coaipris.es an aiirtcle 110 sxϊά an ear canal 102, AB acoustic pκj;mire or s^uπd wavs 103 is coilccied by a^icie 110 a∑sd chasπekd init? s^ϊd ihraxsgh <ssr casa! 102. Disposed across the distal oxid of ear canjjel 102 is a tympanic aseπϊforajϊe 104 which vibrates irs response to sound wave K33. This vJbraJion is coupled to oval wkdow or fesestfa ovalis 1 12 -hroiigh three bo^es csf :middk ear 105, collectively referred to as- >he osascks 106 stnd csjHspxisijig the malleus 108, the incus 109 ark! the stapes 111. Bones 108, 109 and 11 1 wf ϊαiddle issr 105 serve t« filter &sd mtψlify sound wave 103. eausbg oval window 1 12 to Ksisαilase, or vibrate in response so vibration ot n'nψnnic membrane 104. This vibration sets up waves of fluid motion of the fluid (p<sriiyts$ph) widύa cochlea 1 16. Stich HvM motion, iss tura.

activates tiny hair cells {.κ»t sl-own.) srsssde of cochlea H 6. Activation of the hair ceils causes appropriate- serve impulse;? so be generated and transferred through the spiral ganglion, ceils (not shows*) and aiulkoty mzw 114 U? Use brain (also not shewn) where they are perceived k& sound. fβfcMJ] However, as noted above, various causes may result in tise inability of sxt bdividuas to naturally process soiisui wsvs 103 in the manner described above- For example _* sensorineural hearing ks*s wcurs when ihero is damage to insier e&r 107, or tcs the nerve pathways, such as auditory serve ! 16, itoxn hmov z&r IQl to the hram (-sot shows). Iiearirsg prostheses sxsch as auditory brass sctmsulators and cochlear ^rM prαsdjeses {coaHπoaly referred TO as cochleae™ prosthetic devices, cochlear ^"55 * :bjψϊaur.% cochlear ^'53 * devsces, sad tlie like; skrjply "coehjsai imp lasts" hereiα.) ssve been developed to provide persons having ..e∑ssoriϊie uπd hearing .bss wish the- isbilisy to p«rce;v« sound. Cochlear tmpl&rϋs use direct elecϊrscal siiπitilaHoπ of aαdttory nerve ceJls lo bypass absent or defective cochka hair ceik showo.) thai normally tπmsdαce acouϊuc vibratsoiis l«ks iseursl activity. Such devices generally use an slscϊrode airay (tiot sk>v?a) iϊωpk∑iϊδd into the sc&k (yπψssi c*f cocMes 116 so ihM the elecrmdss -say differestsdly activate- audkory ϊ3«UγOSJS thai siojuαlly CBCode diflersatia! pttcbes of sotjisd,

|&O35| IB GtIiSf individuals, \bv m&hύivy to rtarαrally process sorød results from conductive hesririg bsss. Coriductjvc hcmrig loss OCCUγK whcs, the aoπnal mechasicsl pathways used io provide somκ! wave 103 to hair cslk in cochlea I KS are issψeded. Individuals who suffer from cojiductjve !κκsriπg loss typtcsϊlly Iϊ«ve some femti of residua! .hearing because the h.arr cells m cochka 116 are sisidainsged. Because such individuals are typically aoi caπdk!_ttώs kn: a cochlear implant due to she irreversible πalure of the ecekkar {πψksl, individuals suffering ikuπ voπduetivc hearing loss typically recesvs aa acoustic hearing aid. fθS32) tJ'aiortunatslv, siπiilar iχj isxlsviduak saffermg from sensorineural hearing los.s, sioi &\l nκlivn ^' kι&k who suiTar tarn coϊsdtictsv« hearing loss are able to derive suitable benefit from hearmg asds, Such individusϊs may !>eiseiit frcsm devices whtch simulate siatursl tearing by g«Beraύrig c\ster snd/«r middle C-Sϊ. Some such devices, xoinssώϊiss referred to meelianical ssimuϊators .hereirs, have ona or sm-*r« composϊents in direct contact with the periiyrtsph so that a propagating wave xrsay be gύiscj ^s akx! within thα cochlea. 1hz propagating wave esciies the cochlea h&ϊr cells arid thereby evokses a hearing percent.

|0833] As dsscαsssd is greater detail below, a cochlear access device m accordance with embodkneBts of the present invent ba may comprise an element <sf as implantable he&rs&g system which xnsxh&nicaliy elecirie&l stimulates the recipient 's ksner «ar. For exaiiψls, as discussed in greater deuiil below, a cochlear access device may comprise as element of a hearing system wMth include: a cochlear knpism or other devices lhst iricchsiiicaily gejseraie iπoiiou oϊ ihv cochlear p-sπly∑πph.. f$&34| FiG. I illustrates the posidon of an exemplary cochlear access device KK) following ijnpljjωtaiioti of ϊh« device into a recipiest. As shown, cochlear access device 100 extends through ass sts id bt?πe 1 19 beliisd ossicles 106, t)rse end (sot shown) of cochlear access device 100 js helovv sks> ! 17 of the recipient, while a distal CϊK! 131 is jnsericd into cochlea 116, Distal em! 131 may ms«nsd sslo cochlea 116 in si variely of beauotjs, stich as ϊhr<ivLgh oval wbsdow 1 12, roxsϊsci vvsπdov,- 12 K & cochleostoiiϊy 533 cochlea 1 16 near semicircular canals 1 {3 or another k>catiø!β. Detask of a cochlear access device, such as cochissr access device H)O, are provided below with re foresee to FIOS. 2A-2S. μjβS-Sj FIGS. 2λ and 2B ilhtstiate one <?snboilsm«av of cochlear access <tovJc« 100, referred to as cochlear access device 2€(i. FIQ. 2A provides a perspective view of cochlear access device 200, while FiG. ^' 2B provides a cross-sectional view of the device. Its the illustrative etπbo4imeπts, cochlear access device 200 comprises a holiow tubular structure that is configured IQ he itsψi&nieύ the sksu of s recipient sπ the recipient's .mastoid terse 119 (FIG. I), Specifically, when implanted, cociiiear access device 200 has one end below skin 117 (FIG. 1), ssϊd aii opposing άkuύ snύ positioned in cockles. 116 (FlG. i 16), thereby bypasskg fee recipsεrjϊ's outer 101 fPIG. I) aud sasddie 105 (FlG, 1) ears;. of FIG. 2A. the hallow tubular structure «f cochlear access dsvkc 200 comprises a first portion 302 and a second portion 204. First portion 202 has a fπisioeoxϊiαil shape aixl is rsfcsτ«d io herein as irustoconic&l member 202, Second portion 204 has H cylindrical shape ssd is referred so as cyHadricai ixsember 204. The ceaier poiπrs of h'iiii oco πκ:a; rjjcrπber 202 and cyliαdrsca; πϊe;;nbcr 204 are posjuoissd aksrss a lungititdii ^' sjsl iisis 213 cxϊcsdiøg through cochJear access device 200. In the illustrative cmlxjdiments, first poruøω 202 has ati iiveiHgs dias^eier which exceeds the average disπi-etor of second portion 204.

<>

H3837] As sk>vva fnistoeosseal member 202 is a hollow circular lrusrum having csrcuiar bases or ends, sJhowss US iirst esd 2(.Ki and second end 20S. First st-d 206 has a diameter which is larger thss the diameter of second e-jsd 208. Following implantation isrst end 2(Xi is; configured to Ix; adjacent skin 117 αf ihc recipient while second ssκl 20S is coupled k> cylindrical member 204. Furthermore, first wsd 2CkJ has aa spertwre 214 therein having its gsx>o:u?!nc center at loxsgitxKlintsl axis 213. Sixnilarh\ see-osd end 208 has an aøsfture 21? which also lsss iis gcxsxrastnc cejucr at hngimάimύ axis 213.

[0938] Cylindrical member 204 is as elongate- hollow slemeist having a proxiBias end 210 &nά s άisiiύ <«id 212, I^oximal end 210 is coupled to second end 208 of &issioconicai rssember 202 Siuch that the proxiissl end ss connected to the edges of aperture 21?. In other words, proxjsnal mκ3 210 of cyiindiicsl ϊπsϊriber 204 is coupled to SCCOϊK! snά 208 such thai the interiors of members 202 and 2(34 cornpfsse a contiguous ho How portion 2I 8_ CyliadrJcal member 204 iermmatss irs distal end 212 whieh, as soted above, is configured to be posϊtiorssϊd in cochlea 1 16, ωki&l cmi 242 also has aa apsrtxsre 216 therein which, similar to tlκs apertures discussed above, having its geometric eerier possiosed at toagifϋdisal ass 213.

IMS9\ In. certaiϊϊ emfoodiirsssits of the present gsvcatioa,. cochlear access device 200 a rigid sjlructusv nisirαiac-tured .froϊa, for ex&tsspk, titanium. ITS other eisbodiincnts. cochlear access device ?s Ά rcssiieuuy Oexibfe structure manuiiϊcmzvά Iross, for cxnnm\\ a biocoϊiψaϊibie ola&iic polymer. l$®4i}\ ϊn ϋϊϊώoάkiriQms. of She present itivertfwri, tπ»kJcoak;al member 202 and cylmdπcal member 204 comprise an lategraϊed unitary device. In oihzr <smboάixmxύ%, numbers 202 ;md 204 r?jay be detachable from oise another so permit corsaectiors of varioas simd &nά diraeisssoπsd si«mb«rs to orse another .

WHl ^' l As should be appreciated by s>aε of ofdlnery skill hi the art, the shape of cochlear access device 200 discussed above is provided for ilkistrstive purposes oαly, and oiher shapes of tnembors 202 ami 204 tsay be udlized in other emb*.κ!iss)C3its of the present iaveiϊtioii.

|*H>42i In accisrdassce wrdi smbodimests of the present invention, cochlear access device 200 sϊi&y be ϊsnplssiέed using a procedure which is sisϊϊϊiar to the procedure used to implant a cochlear itrψlaxsL Mora specifically, io eupsasij cochlear access device 200, a sisrgeo?* accesses irsasioid borse 1 1 S? behind the recipient's ear. The xurgessπ ilseπ drills a passage rksϊπ the sarfkce ui ^" the

mastoid through the ss&stoid to the- middle ear. The shape of this passage roughly corresponds to she skips of fhisvooorsjcsl raeinber 202. Cochlear access device 200 is inserted into this passage and distal CϊKI 212 is inserted ssto cochlea 116 through the rouad wiϊidow. oval window, or through a« artificial opening its the coclύca, commonly referred to as a cochleosiomy. For ease of iUαsirJitiors, SHibcsiimeals «£ ϊhe present invyjstkm will be discussed primarily .herem whh reference to smpkπtaiion of distal and 212 mside cochlea 1 16. However, it should be appreciated that cochlear access device 200 may also posidoEλed such tlsat distal cms 212 is sdkeeπt. abumsg or m physical corusel with ihe exterior of cochlea I hS. For example, dsstss e-xi 212 may contact the round svsiKikyw or the oval window or any suitable external area of the cochlea. Once άhxal <md 212 is positioned within cochlea 116, the skin. ! 17 of the recipient may be jjxjsstkstsed over first: end 2M. fδ04ϊl As nnioά abave, & cochlear access device in accordstscs wsϊh εmbodiϊnents of the preset mvsaϊiosϊ may operais? ss a corπp-oϊic-ϊst of an implantable isssring system. In such smbodanssyϋ, the cochlear access device is conisgtued to have components af a hearmg prosthesis positioised. !-1GS. 3A-3C arc cross-sectkm&i views of a cochlear access ^, device 300 in scώordaϊice -^^ϊlϊ cs.-ssbo<lάπcsts of the pxcseπ: in^^stksn having- cornpofiffjiJs of iieariiϊg prostheses 350 therein, to these embodiments, coclilesr access device SOO and hearing prosthesis 350 lire collectively τefeiτe<! $o as aα implantable hearing system. Ia the iMusfralsve «5:5bo<li∑ϊ!crsts of FiOS. 3A-SC ₁ hearing prostheses 350 are configured to riseeJianicaHy sdmislate She recipieiϊt's cochlea. In ceπasxs eπ)bo<liπscnts, h«uin§ prostheses 350 utilized in the cissfaodanenis of FKlS. 3A-3C csusc- mechanical motion of the fkiid withia the cockles using only cm-ssponests that do not require cksϊriea! power or electrical sigϊials to operate, Iu such embodiments the hearing prostheses are entirely passive devices. Jn slierastive crrfedimcms. the hearing prosthesis 350 ϊπ&Y include one or more eompsjnents which require electrical power OJ electfscal ssg^als to opera! e.

J8844J Cochlear access device 300 illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C is siϊTiilar to cochlear access <jsvke 200 described ateve with reierersce to FIGS. 2A-2B. Specifically, cochlear access device 300 co;rsprises a ho How rubxilas ¹ structure that is corUlgared to be implanted msdst ilκs skiu of a recipient in the rccip tout ^' s πusstoid bone 119 (FIQ. ) }. When smpiatned, codiiear access.

W

device 300 has one end. immediately below skin 117 (FIG. I), and nxi opposing, ύistnl cnά possttoned b cochlea 1 16 (FIG. 116).

|!MJ4S| FIR: hollow Uibulax structure of cochlear access device 300 cotXSpnses a llrst porUors

302 having a ivustoconical shape. referred k> herein _ts IrustoεoBicsI member 302, and & second portion 304 having a cylindrical shapϋ. referred to herein, ss cylindrical mesiher 304. The center pws.-ms of iVustsϊixjiϊical s>eπsi>er 302 am! cyUwiricsl member 304 &rε posit røϊed along a loαgjiuϊlirs&l s.κis 313 extending through cochlea.?' access device 300.

1<&4&1 Siαhkr to fhistoeomcal member 202. member 302 k & frυswm skφed .member ha vine circular bases or ends siiowa &≤ fet esκl 306 am! second end 308, Firsi end 306 has s dkϊωctϊ;r which is lssrger ύiatj the diameter of second end 308, Following sϊϊψkntation of cochlear access device 300, first eis<l 306 is cøritigure-d to be adjaceiu skin 1 17 ol lhs recipieut, while Ljccyisά -jnd 308 is coupled to cylindrical member 304. Furtlierows, &sf SΏ<ϊ 306 has SΏ ∑ipertiϊre 314 Therein havrog its gcojϊϊetrsc center st ksngimditial axis 313. Simikrly, second end 308 has as ¹ ! aperture 31.7 which also has its geometric ssnier ai bngi^dinal sxis 313, fOO47j Shiulsr ϊo cylsidrical member 204, trsejnber 304 is an elongate hollow desissjnt having a proximal end 310 and a dismi ersd 312, Proximal end 310 h coiψl&d to secosd e;sd 308 of δxistϊstonsca ! tsscsfsberr 302 such ϊhas the proxiiro&i SJKI is cαsnectsd to the edges of aperture 31 ^" ?. In c-iher words, prosimai end 310 is coupled u> second ersd 308 mcϊi th&t the ixiϊsrstirs of members 302 aji<! 304 eoϊiφπss a contiguous hollow portsois 318. Cylπκ!rksi rsember 304 Jerrπiϊisies ai ;s distal c∑id 312 which, ϋήlawmg impl&niatkin of cochlear access device 300, is posiuøsKsd S5 voehlea 116. Distal sjui 312 also lias nn aperture 31.6 tsserem wbkh, ssmilar Jo the :ipeslϋres discussed stove, has its geometrk eεnέer positiorseti at io.Tsgiiuάins! axis 313.

\mi%i FIG. 3A ilkstraϊ«s im sxemplary iπφiatn&bk: bearing system 390A comprsssng a he&rbg prosthesis 35OA and cochlear access device 300A, IB the illasiraϊive embodiment, hsariag prosthesis 350A comprises a first jnombranc 320 extendiag across aperαsre 314. and a sew>mϊ j∑icsϊsbrϊise 330 ex; ending across aperttire 316. As noted above, when cochlear access deviuώ 300A ;s isjjplsntstL first eisd 306 ;md thus sεmljr;me 320 are adj&cenf ski» 1 17. As such, iϊα iscoustic SOUJKI signal which is presented to tho rυeipϊeϊH will iravel ϊfeough xkin 117 to inuiisbrans 320. Mesibrstie 320 is ibrrnsd frosj a materia! that will vibrsie whets exposed to such & soλixai signal. The vibration of itietsibrane 320 is; transferred through hollow poπioπ. 358 of

cochlear access device 300 to tsembrane 330.. thereby causing corresponding vibration of membrane 330,

|δ«49] Because dsstsl esd 312, and thus membrane 330 arc positioned inside cochlea U ⁽ k vibration of ■ ^■ nembrane 330 causes motion of the cochlea perilymph. Specifically, the vihnslion of iϊseiϊibrase 330 causes a propagating wave within the perilymph. As should be appreciated by oxSK of ordinary skill m She srt, such a propagating wave excites the cochlear liair cells ami evokes a hsaring response by iite recipient.

|M5«| A.s sho ld be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. she iπstsxnal sssd/or elastic properties of a membrane cieCermins the resulting vibratiεm when a wave, such as a sousd sigrjal, is presented iherskt Ia emϊxxliraents of tlκ present invent soji, i ^' hc ujaierkl asd'Or elastic properties r>f membrsB^s 320, 330 are selected such that membrane 330 causes _* motion of the l>eriK-nϊph which rexiilts is s. perception of the sound signal prsseϊitsd to meπsbrane 320. In eertsϊtx embodissseats, ihe ϋrusioconical shape of lrustocomcal ∑ncmte 302 in cosibinatsoπ wills the cylindrical shape of oylϊisdrk-al member 304 exshasiccs this perception by siϊψHfyisg the vibration of meinbrssc 320.

{§ϋ$% \ As discussed above, distal stsd 312 may be inserted \nio cochlea 1 16 ai a variety <»f locaϊioas. F<jr es.anψie, distal end 312 may !>e inserted through oval window 112 (FKx. I), round wmdow \ 2l (FlG. I ), a yochl«ostomy in cochlea l lδ Bear ssnϊieireulKr canals ! 13 (FICY, I) or suio s her location. Irs certain embocliisients, the sntry hcasϊon of distal CTsd 312 should fee sealed to prevent Lhc egress of perijyjuph there from, in such embodiments, cochlear access device 300A includes a sealing member 326 which, sv.hea cochlear access device 300A is IvJIy implanted, ss positioned adjacent ;o the cochlea entry IOCSJUOB to prevent the egress of perilymph IϊOϊB cockles ? 16. In certain eτnbo<Rrosκts, sβaliπa; sϋember 326 comprises a material which is coniϋgnred to re;ϊ^sn physically separate irom cockles 116, In other embodiaients, sealisig iKemlxjr 326 coϊiψrises a materia] or costbg, sucii as a hydrosylapatite coating, which promotes integratksrs with ccsdilejt 1 16 or ϊhe Ijosy sHToiiiiding the cochlea,

PSS2] FIG. 3B illustrates jffi exsisψlsry implantable hearing systes∑s 3908 conψrsssig hcαxisϊg prasϊJsesis 35OB asd cociilcjff access devsce 300B. Is ?hc illustrative smbodkrrøit, .hcsriiϊg prosslic-sss 350B compra&cs a .first membrasie 320 exieudmg across aperture 314. Similar

to he-aπsg prosthesis 35OA described above, membrane 320 is formed from a material that will vibrate when exposed vo a sound signal received through, skint 1 1 ?.

^Ms53] In the illustrative embodiments: of FIG. 3B, aperture 316 does >κ>έ have a iiseα-braiie dis|>osed across thereof. As such, when distal e?κi 312 is positioned inside cochlea I K;, peiilympϊb irons cochkss 1 16 will ester cochlear access device 316 and remain in ilusdic witli the perilymph remaimsg inside cochlea 1 16. Aa such, vibration of •Bembisπe 320 sets; xψ a propagstiπg wave winds is transferred to the perilymph wiϊhiπ cochlea 1 Ui, therebv exdtssg the cochlear hair cells and e-vokitig a hearms response bv the rsomiesϊ, IB certain embodi-Tsetus of the preheat mvesstioB, cochlear access device 300 is shaped or positioned such that hollow portion 3 \ H is entirely filled with ϊhe perilymph.

\%&S4\ As ωotsd above, ihe material as<l/or ©ta _^ stse properties of mernbrcsπc 320 detennise the rs«u]tmg Vilsraύon when a .SOUϊK! sig«sl i« presents ihereto. In embodkπents; of the preserst sBvcøtios, the ϊssaterial axaά/^ar elastic properties of membrane 320 are selected such ϊ ^' hai memhr&nc 320 cause? πKHSOΏ of ιh« pcrilys)p.h which results m s perception of the sound stgii&I pKrsciiϊed to th.c rsseπϊbraπe.

10S55] Similar to ;h« embodb'nerit of FKk 3λ, cochlear access device 300.8 iischides a sealing πKγUIK-:;" 526 wh?cK when the txschseax access device is, tUlly issiplasited, is posiiios ^' sed adjacenϊ to the cochlea entry Iocas km to prevetit the esi'ess of perilymph Son? cochlea 1 16. .H\nvever, as noted gfeoYS, scaling nsember 326 peπϊiivs perilya^h to How ύsto asκl oat of cochlear access device 300B. f«ϊi>56] FiO. 3C illuxtsrases a ssψl&atabie hearing ϊysfenϊ 3 ⁴ XIC which, compriϋes a hearirig prosthesis 35OC a«<l a cochlear access device 300C, hi tlϊe- siiusrrsdvs emboli asetit:, hearmg prsssthests 35OC comprises; a ilrxt siKjmbxane 320 extending across aperture 314. S ^ή isikr to h«urϊ5ϊg prosεhss-is 35OA described above, 3«embrsne 320 is ibrtns<! fross a :mstyrssl that ^' wϋϊ vibrate, when. cx|5osed to s sowtd sigsmi rsjcβivsd through skits 117, jβSSTJi As slκswa, .bijarsπg prosthesis 35OC further coϊπprssεs a πrcchassicas coupling clemsat coupkd to membr&nsj 320. in the illustrative embodiment, aieeha^ical coupling altfmesit 340 is as doBg&ie rod 340 whsch extends fiπoEu ϊhc gcojωeiric center of sn€ϊϊsbrase. 320 &lo«g larsairudinaj nxh 513, Disposed at the distal end of rod 340 is an element 338 which functions as sa artificial stapes. Spscifscally, whejs cochlear access de-vice 300C is fully implanted, distal vnύ

ϊ4

312, and thus dement 338, 3X« positioned msidc cochlea U 6. Because ekraersi 338 ss ϊπ©CiS«jicaEy coupled to membrane 330, vibration αf EneEEJhrane 330 causes, long&iidiri&l rsøikm ot ^' eksnenε 338. Suds taotscro of element 338 results in. the generariesi of a propagating wave wkhis the perilyx&ph. There iαrs, element 338 acts as an artificial stapes; and, as suck is referred so herein ss stspes prosthesis 338.

10858] As rssHed above, ώe material ami/or elastic properties of membrtme 320 determine the result i«g vilmuios when a sorød signal is presented thereto, ϊn embodiinersls of the present iϊveϊitioϊij the Bisierku and/or elasvie properties of membrane 320 are sstscted such ύv&t merabrane 320 csuses xsoSbn of stapes prostliesis 338, and ifeus of the periiysψ-h, .resaitisg κ> a lϊe&rsng p^reφtion of the SOUΏ<S sigmϊl pressured to aseinbrans 320. ϊs)85δ| Although FIG, 3C has beets discussed with relerajsee to iise of a rod 340, ύ should be appreciated thst other nseciiaaica! ooϋpliags s"jay he used to couple- membrane 320 to stapes prosthesis 33 S. For esaasple, m certain cmbo<lisκ;rits» a mechtπsical eoispliag which amplifies the vibrjsϊkϊiϊ of sssnsbrane 320 may b& tised OBC such sssschanicκl co-upling element would eoaψrise a spriug-lftaded xncaifoer.

[IHkiO] Similar io (he zmboύimzm described above, cochlear access device 300C includes a seaiJBg sϊiεtysbeϊ- 326 which, whsss she eochjessr access device is .fully implanted, is posiύos^ed adjacent to the cochlea eafcry location 5» prevcαt lhs egress of perilymph liotπ codilβa 116. In the illasmsϊiv« e _* nlx>dirseats of FiG, 3€, se&lmg number 326 is conligαred to permit ax?vement of rod 34ø while maisϊύiming ϊhe seal

[Sδ<;i] As noted alκ?ve. is certain embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3C lhe shupc of cochlear se-ces-s devsce arnpiifks the vibration of aiembrane 320.. hi certain etxsbαdmietns of the present itweiilbϋ. a hearing 350 may coxϊψrise one or more &dditϊo-τϊal ebmeats which increase or ssrψlify liϊs vibration of sKtmbrarss 320.

\M62\ For example, m one such e-«b<κlimc*at a piezαelsctric disk assy be positioned on mcmbratse 320. As should be appreciated by o»<? of ordinary skill in the art, a piezoelectric disk Ix^ndis or <J«forms in rsspossse to aa ekcirical signal In one embodiment, svhes a sound signs! is received at msisihraae 320, HJI electrical signal woakl be concurresitJy delivered to the pse>;x>eleci.rsc disk, thereby incjxjasing the vihratiors of the meinbra.ie. Ii? csrtam emlxsdiitϊcϊϊtS _j lha eketπesi s»gx«il sisay he delivered by a sound input eleπsem such as a microphone.

FIGS, 4A ami 4JB are- cross-sections! views of mipkntsble hearing sysϊeøis 490 each comprising a cochlear access device 400 and a .hearing prosthesis 450. IB the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 413, bearing prostheses 459 arc acύve- devices configured to mechanically stimulate the recipsesifs cochlea. That is, hearing prostheses 450 utilized is the «miχκfeπ<;.π.ix of MGS. 4λ and AB cause nsechasitcai motion of the fluid within the cochlea using one or irs>re components ih&t nxjiύrc electrical power io operate.

|#8&sf Cochlear access device 400 OJustraied m FlOS. 4 ^' A and 4B h similar to cochlear access device 200 de-scribed abov≤ with reference to FIGS, 2A-2B. Specifically, cochlear ac-cess device 400 comprises a hollow mbislar structure that is configured to Ix? implanted ajidcr ϊho skin of a ree-ipicnt hi She rec;pie:m's HiasUxid bone 119 (FICs. I). Whεjs iπψkated. cochlear access device 400 has. one end immediately below skiα I ? ? (FIG- 1 ), and an opposing OϊKS posstbned its cochk-s 1 16 (FIG. 116).

[HMiSl Th« kϊliow mbtilar structure of cocMesr acccsϋ device- 400 comprises a first f>ortk>a 402 havmg & Irustocoϊiical shape, rsisπroti to hereas &s fruslocomeai member 402, a∑5<l a second portion 404 krv'kg a cylindrical shape, referred to herein as cylindrical meπibsr 404, Ilie censer poiϊϊts of irut;tocoxϊical sse∑nber 402 ami cylijjdrϊsutl member 404 are possioEied aiosg s kmgididinal axis 413 extesdisig through cochlear access device 4(K). fθθ& _> | Sitϊiikr Io ft-ustocoisbai πscπsbcr 202. merober 402 ss a tmsmm shsped member havasg cjrcϊilss: bases or ends shown as fk$t end 406 asxi second end 408. First end 406 hss a diameter which is larger dsaϊs the diasrseter of second end 4OS. Following implantation of cochlear access, device 400. Iirst sjid 406 is configured to be adjacsat skin 111 <sf vhe reeipiem, while seems! e;κ! 408 is caispkd to cylmdrical meτrtl>eϊ 404. Furthermore, first <saά 406 has a.t> apsrfure 414 ihereiu havijsg us geometric csster ai lαngiiudmal axis 413. Similarly, second ^s^d 408 has &n aperture 417 which also has tts geossietric center si tonga^din&I axis 413.

|0067] Simikr ϊO cylisdrical mesiiber 204. member 404 is &n elongate hollow clemesu ha ^y i-ig a proxinsal ώs4 410 sxid a distal end 412. Pro>:.b:md end 41.0 is coupled to second ead 408 of irasfocoπical ϊjie-mbor 402 such ih&t (he proximal cad is coiaKϊcϊed io She edges of aperture 417. in other words., proxinoal snd 410 is coupled Hs scc«πd crsd 408 such that the miersors of .Ersc-Bbcrϊ 402 ;KK1 404 coiϊspriss a contiguous hollow portsoa 4IS. Cylindrical sϊKíπiber 404 teπxjinaies m & άist&l esxl 41.2 whscls, following implantation of cochlear access device 400, is

positioned m cochlea 1 16. Distal end 412 also has. sea kpεmsre 416 therein which, similar to the apertures discussed above, has its geometric center positioned at longitudinal axis 413.

IMSSf HG. 4λ illustrates an implantable hearing system 490λ. sompjissKg a Iseurmg prosthesis; 450A anά a coekbsr sccess device 400A. Iu the illustrative embodiment, hearing pKJstlϊcsJs 45Oλ eoisψri&es a transducer module 452A, a coupling member 440, and a stapes proϋti}8si.s 438. In the ϋlαstradve smbodrøenL transducer module 452A is cosψlssd to iϊrs;t end 406 of fmslo-eoxsics! merfjcr 402. Mors specifically, transducer module 452A is co&figursd to fee removably mounted in aperture 414. As should be appreciated by on of ordinary skill m lh$ art a vaπety of axay be used <,o mounted transducer module 452 A in &p«rhιτ<s 414 &sd the details of such moiintissg will noi be described in detail hereiii.

|«0<**>} As showii, tsu^sdocer nsodiik ¹ 452A mciades SΏ eiectricslly operable mmsducer 454A which converts srs sisctrscai signal into a mechanical force. As wouki be appreciated, various typos of srasisdiicsjr which convert ek*cirical aigiuύs to mschanical force m&y be- usc4 its accordiαsce wills eπsbsdmicnls of the presexϊt mveBtioω. Jr. certain, embodiments, traustluccr 454A is a piexoelectrsc

Rϊ#?0| Irs. the: smbodimetits of FIO. 4A, extcjκling Ixam traasducer 454λ k a trisclsatsica! coupling cksrsejst 440. ϊΏ the illastrative eiTiboditneni, snechsnicsl coupling eknseist 440 JS ars elongate rod which extends from transducer 454A along iongriudijjs! axjs 413. Ossposed at the distal end of rod 440 is & stapes pKJsώesis 43$. Similar to cnilxxlimests described ab<jvc, wliea cochk-s: access devscs 400A is .Silly imp lasted, distal snd 412, and thus stapes prosthesis 438. arc pυsϊtiossd cochlea 116,

KHWV, As described in sweater dersjl hebw v?kh reference to FiGS, 5-6. durirss operation of ^" hearing ^rαsthe&b 450A, a smitκ! signal is presented to the racipi<snt of rhe prosthesis. ^' T ^' he prosthesis includes one or smsre eomposϊoms (not shown) which receive and process the sound signs!. Thsso compoϊiejsis generate aii electrical signal rcprcscrituig the processed sound sigaal Hm electrical signal is provided to traissdiiosr 454A. Transducer. 454λ eoϊiverts tho electrical sigϊMsi inio a k>ssgkiidsxsal ibrcc which is exerted nn rod -140. The force on rod 440 causes longitudinal inodmi of the rod arid of stapes prosthesis 43S. Such nrøtioπ of stapes pmslhe^is 438 results m the generation. of a propagating wave- withia ihe perilymph t?iκt piOvidcv ifae recψisϊJt with the ability ϊc- perceive Use «>U5κi signs i prescnSed io the reeipienS.

•s)β72| Cochlear access device 400A includes a sealing member 426 which, when the cochlear access device is fully isψianted, is positioned sd^scsat to the cochlea entry location to prcvets the egress of perilymph from cochlea 116. Ia die illustrative embodiments of .FIG. 4λ. sealing member 426 is coniδgured to permit tnovesπent of rod 440 while mainJ&ming the seal

RMS73] FIO. 4B slluisrates & implantable hearing system 49OB comprising a hs&rmg prostlwsis 450B and a cochlear access device 400B. in the illustrative esubodsmexH, hearing prosthesis 45OB comprises a transducer .module 452B and an excitation element 444. In the Illustrative smhodimsnt, transducer πXKluie 4528 ss co pled to first es<d 406 of frustocoaka! rssmber 402 in sahSiSϊiϊi&ϊly the same sϊϊartϊϊer as discussed shave with referaϊCtf ϊrasssdiicώr SϊKSCKϊIC 452λ. p®74\ In ths illusxraiivό smhadimnRis of FiG. 4A, wl>es άktώ 9nά 412 is positioned msiάs cochlea \ U\ peri.lymp.h from cociϊlea 116 %vil1 enter cochlear access device 400B ϊhro^gh apermre 416. Ia cemώs embodiments of the present invention, cochlear access device 400B is shaped or positioned such ilsat kϊllow porsio 418 is exairely tilled wish the perilymph.

;Oiϋ?sj AU described ss gϊ'e-atcr deiail below with reference to FIGS. 5-6, du ^ή ag operation of heurbg prosthesis 450B ₅ a sound ήgiv&l is piesemed to the rscipieπt of the prosthesis. The pjwtiniSiK mcljidβs o«e «r πsorc cosssjojsanis (not sho^vπ) which receive aisd process the so mid SJgrs&L 'lliess com[κ>neiit3 thsts generate as eleclrέcal sigsal reprssesting lhe processed sound sϊgrsai. This dearies! sigrssl is provided to a transducer 454B within iram-ducsr riwduie 452B- lnsis<kceer 454B corsveπs the electrical signal into Iatersi ϊnotioπ of exestatsoti eleϊnεϊit 444. In other words, transducer 454B causes moύoπ of dssial ead 419 of cscitaiiαa element 444 which is ortiiogoϊjai to longititdbsl axis 413. This moiiotj is ϋhϊstraSed in FIG. 4B by arrows 456. \W76} As discussed above, because perilymph enters cochlear access device 400 through aperture 4 16, ssc station dement 444 is in contact with the perilymph. As such, the lateral 3DOtSOt) of 4istsl end 419 results m use generation øf a propagating wave within the perilymph that is transferred to cochlea 116, thereby providing die recipient with the ability to perceive the SOUϊK! signal presented to the recipient. i«Ms?7| HG. 5 is a partus! cross-sectional view of a recipkars head illustrating ;m implantable hearing sysJem 590. i;:r4>ia!i5able beariag system 590 conφrises a cochlear access device 500, SϊK! a IK-XSγKSS prosthesis 550. ks the illustrative s-Ershadmieru, hearing prosthesis 550

coxπprises ;m csicmai e-ojnponest 542 which is dsreedy or indirectly attached tα the body of fee recipient, aad &B isϊerπsi coεϊψonesst 544 which is temporarily or peπnaneπily iinplsntcd in the ! ^χ :cipic!S . Externa] component 542 typically coEnprises ojje or more sotiad input elements, such as microphone 524 for detecting sound, a sound processing unit 526, a power source (not sk) W5ϊ), said an oxiexxnύ irwsmiiisr unit (noi shown}. The- external irsrismitier imxt and lhs amψoϊKml'i thereof have tees omitted for ease oi iHusϊratioϊi.

| ^§ δ?S| λs djscjjs'sed Jxtlow whh reference !o FϊG. 6, external trasisinittor xmii iypk&Uy compmes ;HS external coil (tan shown) nnd _^ preferably, s xπagπet («ot sk>wn) iwcunxl dsrectly or sjxlirectly t» the externa] coil. Soimd processing smit 526 processes; the oiitpαi of microphone S24 thai is posiϊϊoned, m Jhe <lq>kted ώjϊibodimcnl, by aurscie 119 of the r«ctρsest. Sonad processing unit 526 gst^emtes encoded sigrsals. somoύmes referred So .herein as encoded dsia stgrtaK which are provided to extamsl trassinitter ϋatt via, for esatϊφb, a cable (SKH ahowϊ?}, fδδ79| fejerasi compotseπt 544 comprises a transducer m&duls 552 coupled \a cochlear access device 500 extending throagb mastoid bone. 119 of the reesptαit Cochlear access device 500 is. mbxtsraially s^nslar to the access devices described above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B and λVJH rsof be deseribe<ϊ jjϊ greaSsr detail herem,

10880] As descrjhed bekπv whh reference to FIG. δ. transducer module 552 comprises an iEϊϊerjial ^rccsivei unit ijioi shown) sχχ& a Srasisducer (noi shows*} which h&ve bcsrn Qm ^' iticά sis FIG. 5 lor ease of ϊ]!us£rsiκm. Itsternal receiver mύi eoaψrises sa isierral coil (not shown), asd preferably, a Biagsiet (also noi shown) i'ised relative to the internal COVL ϊnt-snml receiver uxύt asd the srsssisducer ate hermetically sealed wkhin a biocompatible housissg. In ?iie illustrative embodiments, the jsism&i coil receives power ajκl eacode<l signals fzmn external coil Coupled ϊo ixεinsducer i?s>dule 552 is rod 540 having stapes prosthesis 538 disposed at « distal ead thereof. ^' Use transcKwer uses the power and encoded signals received by internal coil ϊe generate loagstudisisl nrødoa of stapes prosthesis 538. As descπbe4 above with reference to F1G.4A, the longitudinal irsovemcrπt of stapes prosthesis evokes a hearing percept by the Tecψiexst.

§5>δ82] FIG. {> is a functional block <Jiagraπϊ of a hesjrisg prosthesis 650 which may he i5τspleϊ!5<ϊnt«d with a eodϊkar access device (π.Oϊ shown} m accardance with csBbijdirrsxsils of Ae prcsfftjt snveiϊϊs«sf. As shown, hearing prosthesis 650 corjψmβs sxiemal conipotsenS 642 and &n

Lruϋπia] corsp-oneϊsl 5-44. Externa! coiϊϊpotie∑st 542 coaψriscs; one or :ϊX>γS sound input demerits 624, <i sound processing unit 626,. a power source 620, ami an external transmitter uait 631.

|es&5] Soimd tπpui element 624 receives a sound 607 and outputs m elecirseal signal 622 representing She sound to a sound processor 628 its sound processing ussii 626. Sound processor 628 generates encoded signals 624 which are provided to external transmitter unit 631, As should be appreciated., souiϊd processor 628 uses one or more of a plurals! y »f techniques to selectively pnxress, airipHiy aid/or filter elccSrics! sigϊsal 622 to generate encoded signals 624. IΏ cc-rtain ώrrsbodimeτsts, sound processor 628 :may cotnprise- substantially the same sound processor as is used m as air eotκhictk>ϊi hearing aid. Ia iursher ©mbodimests. sound processor 62S cossprtscs s digital signal processor.

(^3084) External transmitter umt 631 is coαfigur^d to trammis. the encoded dais sigssals to intem&i composjeϊϊt 644, In cerϊ&ss exiernal tratismkέβr Bnir 631 coiBprises an e:steπ)a1 cos] which ibrrm part of a radio frequency (RF) Iiak with coraponencs of iai«rua! coMiOiϊsnt 644.

|S4ISS| JtUcπsa! coϊϊsponcαi 644 comprises a traasduccr module <552 w ^" hk: ^" h is mspiasts*! in & αjchlsar .access <k:vice m accoκlaπce with embodiment s of \hv present aiverstiorL Transducer moduk: 652 cosψrises sn imemsl receiver un« 633, transducer drive component 606, SΏU sr«ϊis<Jiicer 654. Isueπyd receiver nmi 633 coπψrissjs an biteπsal coil which receives power atκl encoded signals froxsi tbsϊ sxtemsl coil m external transmitter smit: 631. pS86] The encoded signals 62 ! received by im«?π«ύ receiver unit 633 are provided to sxaπsdiλcer drive coxrφOωenis 606. Based <Hϊ the received signals., irsnsdυcer drive components 606 ojjipuϊ <JJϊ ekcSricsl ilrsve sig-sai 623 to transducer 654. Based or; drive sjgϊssi -623. ∑rajjsdiscar 654 acrαstes component 646 to cause a ptopagatiixg wave its the penlysψh of lϊsώ recipient "s cochles. 646 msy comprise & rod arsd stapes prosthesis as described above with rcfetc-see to FIO. 4A, or sn exciεsύori ekϊBSJS ss described &bovo with retereaec to HG. 4B.

|βO87] As shown m FIG. 6, sotsud processing link 626 further coϊϊψrises asi mtβrf&ee module 634 ursi control electronics 630. These components may .fanct:bn u>gβther \o pcumi a recipient cr tstlϊβr \iser of hearing prosthesis 650 to control or alter the operaύoω of Use prosihesis. ϊ'W example, in certain embodiments of thύ present jtjventio-ϊ, based on isψtiis received by an

bilαrfsce module 634. control electro&ies; 630 gsay provide instructions to, or request iϊdbrtrsatsos iroϊϊs, other coispojieπts ojTpro&ϊhesss 650.

{HM&) Although ϊhc embodimetsis of FIG, δ .have been described ws ^' ih reference Io sm exterml component, st mould be appreciated that in alternative embodiments ^" hearing prosthesis 650 ss; s loially implantable prosthesis. Its such eTπbadi∑rssωts, sound processing" unit 626 is smplsnted iis a recipient m a cochlear access device is accordance wsϊh embodiments of the prevesϊ ijsvt'stses. hi such emb<κRsBesnχ s'otmd processor may comnmmcnts directly with the trsωsduccr ddv<s components arsd the lrasisaatter &sκi receiver tnay Ix; eiύnύiitted. l$®H9l As noted above, s. cochlear access device m accordance with of the present bsvenύoB ■«&> ^■ be used with hcxsriπg prosthesis configured to electrically stimulate the nxφiώ∑ϊf s cochlea. OBC such ltearmg prosthesis is u cochlear impisiit. FIG. 7 is a pasiial cross- sscϊsoϊsal view of a rsciprøii's .head illustrating &ii implantable hearing systems ^" 90 conψπsiug a cochlear access device 700 ami a cochlear implant 750, As described isi greatsr detail below, components of cochlear iπψlatit 750 extend through cochlear access device 700. ξS090| I;α the embodiiπesit of FIG. 7, cochlear access device 700 is similar to the cochlear access device described &!x>ve with reference FIGS- 2A atsά 2B.. Specifscally. cochlear acce^ device 700 comprises a hollow tubular atruciure thai k coni1gurs«i to he implanted under the sksa ! 17 ol ^" a xeώipscnS m the recipient's mastoid bone 1 ) 9. Whes smplanied, cochlear access devics 700 lias otϊe ejκl immediately below skin 117, and an opposing end positioned ki cochlea 5 thereby bypass.-j.tsg !.hc recspscijt'β o^fer !OI and middle 105 esrs. Ths details of exemplary csj«hiε;sr aecesx devices .have been described above an<i will not be repeated with reiercrsice to HG. 7 ths ssuibisdsnients of FIG. 7, cocWsar smpkϋt 750 comprises a« e>aeπ)si eosrsfxmem 742 whicls is directly «r iadirsetlv attached to the bod> ^? of the recipieat, and sn internal co«ψon.ej5t 744 which Is sesψorarsly or pβrπmssCBtly mψkated is the recipient. Ais showjϊ in FlO. 7, elements of iatemal coπsponent 744 are positioned in cociileai' access device 7(K).

:ϋO92f External coπψoϊ.aesu 742 comprises ose or s«ore sound input eiemenis, such as !ϊijorophon.e 724 for detecsiag SOUSKI, a sot«κϊ processing unit 126, a power source (rsol skrws), aϊjd ais exϊeraai ϊrasϊssnittβr ujiit (ϊjot sho^va). External transmstter mist and tive componsrsxs thereof have not been shown in FlG. 7 ibr ease of illustration,

HMB3J Exrerαal transmitter unit eoaφrises as external ooil (nor. shows) and, preferably, is rεuignet <noϊ showrs) secured dsreetly or indirectly to ihs external coil Scmsid processing uak 726 processes, the _* :mtpus of microphonia 724 that is positioned, hi the depicted embodiment by auricle I K) of the recipient Sound processing unit 126 gsaersSes encoded signals, sometimes referred ks herein &> cαcodcd dats .vignab. which arc provided to iiie external transmitter virsa,

\W94\ Ijueπisl voaψoϊϊfiϊϊl 744 cαaψrisss an iπierrsal rec«svcr/«tt3ωukk>r unit 774 and &n «kssga;e electrode assembly 718 positbϊied m cochlear access device 7QQ, Recesver/stimulator ικύt 774 c«ϊsjρπs<ϊs ax* bternal coil (not shown j, and prefsrsbly, s πiagπeϊ (aki« not shown) fixed relative κ> the sπteraal coil The- ku«ma] coil receives power and stimulatioa data Hcύm the asternal coil via a radio &«quoϊκ;y (RF) link. l%®9$) EloϊsjpUe electrode asse;nfcly 71 K has a proximal end connecte4 to receiver/slsimiiator unii 774, and a dssial «iκ! irnplsmtsd m cochlea 1.16. Electrode assembly 71.8 extends frorπ recesver/stsmuktor uaiϊ 774 U> cocblos 115 througjj cochlear access device 700. IB certain cirvt5ϊnstaϊice«, electrode assembly 7! S rsisy be inserted into cochlea 116 via s cochiee-stonw 7S5. 5S> o;b«r eiecJrode sasessbly 718 raay !>e mserred though rootsd window 121 »r ovaHvisdtsw H 2.

:i%M| Elecr.trode ass^ssbly 718 comprises s loπgiϊudiBsily aligned and distaily cxfersdhϊg arrsiy 746 of eiecsrodes 748, sϋinetimes re&rrεd to as electrode array 746 herein, cksposcd along 8 length ibersof Although ekctrode airay 746 may be disposed on ekeSxode assembly 7 IS, in mosi praciiciϋ appiscssjoπs, elccLrodc array 746 is sniegsiatsd into sicctrøde assembly 71.8. As i^ referred io .herein as beiisg disposed m ek-ctr.ode assembly 718. Receiver/ st imuistor xinit 774 gessersUes stimalaύαn sigjufs which are applied by skturodes 748 to cochlea ! US. ϊh«reby sJ sπnlal ing auditory nerve 114.

[TO?! die eiubodkrsersts of HG. 7 have been described with refbreae* to an cxiemai co.sφorsD.nL it should be spprecistad that in alternative csibodjraents coohksr hisplant 750 is s to-slly πnplaϊitabie cochlear iϊBpkBL In such omfeodimejjts, sound processing unit 726 isml/or isψiu sk-srs-si 724 are implanted isϊ Uw recipient hi cocklear access device 700.

(W8| As ϊsαted sb«vB. s cochlear access device έti accordance with eαsbodimeras of ihc present sm ^; «3sύon siay be used with hearing prosthesis conilgured So niechanically sύraakis the recipient's cochlsK, Bmbodimsnts of such sjrcchameaOy sdmukting hearing prosUiesss are

described above ^• with reference 5<s HGS. 3A-6, FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of s recipient's liesd illustrating an implantable hearing system 890 which comprises & cochlear access device BOO am! & mechanically stismdatiiig hearing prosthesis 850.

[θrø] ϊϊS ihis illustrsiivy embodiment of FTG. 8, mechanically sύsBuktiag bearing prosthesis 850 comprises an externa! eonspoiieru 842 which ss directly or indirectly attached to the body of

• he rscipietϊU srsd an interna] eonψonent 844 which is temporarily or pcrmaseiuly implanted in the recipient. As shown in FlQ. <k hnvm&l component 844 is positioned in cochlear access device BOO, i«^l8J>l Extarøsi coπponeist H42 comprises one or πJOγC sound kφut ©lesneats, such as microphone 824 for detcctmg SOUSKI, a &O«ϊK1 pracss&iiig \xnή H26, a pcswat source (aot shows), arsd aii sxscπ^l irsasmitter mix (ΏOϊ. sho^πi). Hie sxtexrø! irasissnilter usiϊ SM components

• hereof lisve not b^-SB shown in FIO. S for s&se of jllusjtfatJoti-

IMVKViI Hxtexsal ϊrasismkter uϊsit cosisprises tin extcmal coil (m>t shown} and, preferably, a sccur<?4 direct !y or mdsrecih' to the external coil Sound processisg unji 826 processes the output of micropk>.ns '524 ihat is posiiioπsxl, in UK; depicted embodiment, foy aarsclc ! 10 of the s-eciρi«nt, Siound processing unit 826 generates encoded signals, somedmes referred to herein ss encoded data sisnals. which are provided to ώe estcrtisl transmitter unit,

|Os>tO:31 Interna! compossωt 844 c-caisprises an itstcrsssl receiver unϊt SS2 asd a trasisidticer tϊKsdule 823 e&ch posihonsd its cochlear access device S(X)- Receiver unit S82 cosnprises; as internal cosl (m>5 shownj, and preferably, a magnet (also not ^kown) lixed reialive to ths isiesiial «oϋ. The inienial coil receiver power and stimulation data ftam the externa ^] coil vk a radio frcqsaSBcy (RF) Imk.

|0Stf>3l In ooeraϊiosi, encoded signals received by internal receiver unit 882 are relayed to transducer :mo<liikj 823 via sigπai line 825, TnsKsducer m&dϋkr 823 ^j uclαdes a (ΆOI shown) ami trs∑sxducer drive components (also not si-own). The eroded signals ate provided to transducer drive components, which based an the received sigrsals _^ oαtpisi an electrical drsvs signal to she ■rεtωsdscer, Based an drive signal <S23, transducer 654 generates loBgstudmal !ϊκstioτ5 of a red 829. Disposed on the end of rod 829 ;s a rfapes prosthesis 827. Stapes prosthesis 827 comprises a rεsiiicπtly llexihle conipo-ient which is coxsiigiiied U> sctuaie is ϊesptϋise U> πκHi<rn of rod 829. The actisatiosi of stapes prosthesis 827 generates propagating

waves in the perilymph of cochlea ) 16 which evoke hearing percepts by the rsscψseat of the sound received si sound iϊϊpuϊ eismens 824.

|δδl?J4) Unless otherwise noted sbove. h shoiύά be- appreciated by one of ordissry skill in the αtϊ Ihaϊ U? e alx)v<; described shape;; of ihe cochlear accesj; devices are merely iJla.sii"ϊii5v«. As sudb, in <;s:ab<κ!s:ϊ)eπts oftlic ptescπϊ iiϊVSϊstksϊt, aiterastsw s-hspcs; for the cochlear access dεvsces may be ^x assd,

|8SiøSj Further features and advantages of the present invention may be found fes related to coϊϊimoϊϊly owned &nά cα-ρssκling U.S. Paϊenl Applscasioa entirisd "IMPLANTABLE IiEAiIING SYSTEM," &d coiscurrentiy herewith. This application is hereby iscorporaScd by reference herein. piSiO^ Although She present invenskϊπ. has b«eω fully described in conjiiijctsou wsih several embodtmenta thereof wkh refeejice to ihe accompsB>ying drawings., ϊi ss xo bv that various; change?; and modifications may be apparent xo those skilled hi UK art. For example, is rftoiskl be appreciased that embodiments described is the context of one aspect may be used hi other aspects without departing &«πs the scope of tlκ present bveruion. Such changes snd sϊodϊlϊeatϊoϊis are to be urjdexste«od as included wilhia she scope of ihe present ktvexilkm as defsωed by the appended ckitsss, unless ihcy depart there from.