Patent Description:
Many medical devices have been developed to help people who have lost a specific function, either congenital or acquired. As such medical devices, human body implant devices including nerve assist devices have also been developed. As one of the human body implant devices, the cochlear implant system, which stimulates auditory nerves of people who have functioning auditory nerves with electricity to help the people sense sound, has been recognized as the most efficient device among the nerve assist devices that have been developed thus far, and such cochlear implants are increasing every year.

The cochlear implant system may include an external device provided outside the body and an internal device provided inside the body.

The external device serves to receive sound from outside the human body and convert the received sound into an electrical signal, and includes a microphone (sender), a speech sound processor (language synthesizer), and a transmitting antenna (transmitter). In this case, the microphone and the transmitting antenna may be combined with a headset.

The internal device serves to stimulate the auditory nerve using signals transmitted from the external device, and includes a receiver and an electrode for reception and stimulation.

The cochlear implant system transmits an acoustic signal transmitted from the microphone attached to a part outside the human body to the auditory nerve fibers through the electrode implanted in the cochlear, without passing through the eardrum or the auditory ossicles, by converting physical vibration of the acoustic signal into an electrical signal through processes of amplification, filtering, and the like by the external speed sound processor.

The external device of the cochlear implant system consumes power to drive the microphone, the speech sound processor, and the like, and the internal device also requires power for driving the receiver. In a conventional cochlear implant system, an internal device provided inside the body includes an internal coil configured to supply power through radio frequency (RF) communication with an external coil provided outside the body.

In the conventional cochlear implant system, the internal device that is inserted into the body is inserted into the scalp at a central portion of a side of the head, and the external device is distributed across the outside of the scalp.

However, in such a configuration, since use of the cochlear implant system is easily recognizable by visual inspection, a user who does not want to let others know about his or her use of the cochlear implant system may be dissatisfied or mentally bothered.

Further, since the components of the cochlear implant system are exposed as they are, the exterior of the cochlear implant system is not preferable, and thus improvement is required.

That is, since areas where a user can wear the cochlear implant system are very limited, the degree of freedom of wearing the cochlear implant system is low, and thus improvement is required.

Further, the conventional electrode has problems in that the cost and time are increased and the yield is decreased because a platinum electrode and a wire are manually aligned and silicone-molded. Further, there is a problem in that current stimulation is relatively low due to a small electrode area.

An example of a known cochlear implant lead is described in <CIT>. The cochlear lead includes a thermoformed circuit with a substrate with electrodes formed on the substrate and shaped to curve around a longitudinal axis of the cochlear lead.

Embodiments may provide a human body implant device capable of providing an improved degree of freedom of wearing the same.

Further, a human body implant device that is easy to manufacture may be provided.

Further, a human body implant device in which an electrode area is widened so that a relatively high current stimulation is applicable may be provided.

Further, a human body implant device capable of injecting drugs while providing electrical stimulation may be provided.

The present invention provides a human body implant device as defined in appended claim <NUM>. The implant device includes a first unit including a transmission unit, and a second unit configured to communicate with the first unit, wherein the second unit includes a second package including a reception unit configured to receive power or an electrical signal from the transmission unit, a first package configured to generate a stimulation signal in response to the electrical signal, a connector configured to electrically connect the first package and the second package, and a cover configured to package the first package, the second package, and the connector.

The transmission unit may include a first coil, and the reception unit may include a second coil.

The first package includes a circuit configured to process the electrical signal and generate the stimulation signal, and an electrode array. The electrode array may include a plurality of power sources to which a current signal in response to the stimulation signal is applied.

The connector may electrically connect the reception unit and the circuit.

The connector may include a wire configured to electrically connect the reception unit and the circuit.

The first unit may include a sender configured to sense an acoustic signal, a voice processor configured to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal, and a transmitter configured to transmit the electrical signal.

The human body implant device may include an aligner including the first coil.

The aligner may include at least one of a sender configured to sense an acoustic signal, a voice processor configured to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal, and a transmitter configured to transmit the electrical signal.

The electrode array includes a substrate extending in a first direction, a plurality of lead wires disposed on the substrate, a mold member configured to cover the substrate and the lead wires, and a plurality of electrodes disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the mold member. The plurality of electrodes may each be electrically connected to the plurality of lead wires, and the plurality of electrodes may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

The electrodes have both ends inserted and fixed into the mold member, and one end of the electrodes is electrically connected to the lead wires.

The human body implant device may include a first section in which the electrodes are disposed, and a second section in which the electrodes are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and a ratio between widths of the first section and the second section in the first direction may be in a range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The mold member may include a flow path disposed therein and extending in the first direction, and a plurality of holes connected to the flow path.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the first package and the second package can be disposed independently from each other while being electrically connected by the connector, various positions may be selected as a position of the second package.

Therefore, the second package can be located at a position that makes the second package difficult to be identified by others through visual inspection, or a position that allows the second package to form a smoother operational relationship with the first unit.

In this way, since the first unit can be provided so as not to be fully exposed to the outside, or various shapes can be applied as the shape of the first unit so that a user is less aversive about the shape, a user who does not want to let others know about his or her use of the human body implant device can be satisfied, and the user can have an improved degree of freedom of wearing the human body implant device.

Further, the electrode array can be easily manufactured by injecting the mold member to the electrode.

Further, due to a widened electrode area, a relatively high stimulation can be applied.

Further, drugs can be injected into the human body.

The advantageous effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned advantageous effects, and it should be understood that the advantageous effects of the present invention include all advantageous effects that may be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention below or the configuration of the invention defined in the claims below.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in various other forms, and thus is not limited to the embodiments described herein. To clearly describe the present invention, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted from the drawings, and like elements are denoted by like reference numerals throughout.

Throughout the specification, when a certain part is described as being "connected" to another part, a case in which the certain part is "indirectly connected" to the other part via another element therebetween as well as a case in which the certain part is "directly connected" to the other part are included. When a certain part is described as "including" a certain element, this signifies that the certain part may also include another element rather than excluding the other element unless particularly described otherwise.

The following embodiments are merely examples for giving the description, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Configurations of each embodiment may be combined with each other and constitute a new embodiment. Although not described herein, specific configurations that may be easily substituted and/or changed by those of ordinary skill in the art may be applied to the embodiments herein. Further, specific configurations of the embodiments herein should be understood as illustrative.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a human body implant device according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> and <FIG> are exemplary views illustrating examples in which a second unit of the human body implant device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the human body, and <FIG> is an exemplary view illustrating an example in which a first unit of the human body implant device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the human body.

Referring to <FIG>, a human body implant device according to an embodiment may include a first unit <NUM> and a second unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a cochlear implant system, which is one of the human body implant devices, will be described as an example, but the human body implant device is not necessarily limited thereto.

The first unit <NUM> may convert an acoustic signal into an electrical signal, and include a first coil <NUM> provided outside the skin and configured to supply power.

The second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the skin, receive the electrical signal from the first unit <NUM>, and stimulate auditory nerve fibers in a cochlea <NUM>.

The second unit <NUM> may include a first package <NUM>, a second package <NUM>, and a connector <NUM>.

The first package <NUM> may include a circuit <NUM> configured to process a signal received from the first unit <NUM> and generate a stimulation signal, and an electrode array <NUM> having a plurality of electrodes <NUM> configured to stimulate auditory nerve fibers with a current signal in response to the stimulation signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM>.

The second package <NUM> may be disposed independently from the first package <NUM>, and include a second coil <NUM> configured to receive power from the first coil <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> may electrically connect the first package <NUM> and the second package <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, since the first package <NUM> and the second package <NUM> may be disposed independently from each other while being electrically connected, various positions may be selected as a position of the second package <NUM>.

The second package <NUM> may be located at a position that makes the second package <NUM> difficult to be identified by others through visual inspection, or a position that allows the second package <NUM> to form a smoother operational relationship with the first unit <NUM>.

In this way, since the first unit <NUM> can be provided so as not to be fully exposed to the outside, or various shapes can be applied as the shape of the first unit <NUM> so that a user is less aversive about the shape, a user who does not want to let others know about his or her use of the cochlear implant system can be satisfied, and the user can have an improved degree of freedom of wearing the cochlear implant system.

Although the cochlear implant system is described as an example in the embodiment of the present invention, the human body implant device is not limited thereto. For example, the second unit <NUM> may also provide an electrical signal to a different organ of the human body.

For example, the second unit <NUM> may also supply an electrical signal to the brain of the human body. Even in this case, since the first package <NUM> and the second package <NUM> may be disposed independently from each other, the position of the second package <NUM> may be different from that of the first package <NUM>.

Therefore, even when the first package <NUM> is disposed at a head portion to provide an electrical signal to the brain, the second package <NUM> configured to receive power from the outside may be disposed at a different portion, e.g., a portion that is less exposed to the outside, such as an auricle or an auditory pit.

Likewise, even when the first package <NUM> is disposed near an organ in the body such as the heart, the lung, or the liver, the second package <NUM> may be disposed at a different position. Therefore, since the user may carry the first unit <NUM> regardless of the position of an organ that requires electrical stimulation, the user's degree of freedom of wearing the human body implant device may be significantly improved.

That is, although the cochlear implant system is mainly described as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the human body implant device is not limited thereto and includes all human body implant devices capable of being inserted into the human body and providing electrical stimulation.

The first unit <NUM> may be provided outside the skin. That is, the first unit <NUM> may be mounted outside the body without being implanted in the body.

The first unit <NUM> may include a sender <NUM>, a voice processor <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM>, and the first coil <NUM>.

The sender <NUM> may sense an acoustic signal. The acoustic signal may include a voice signal or a sound signal.

The voice processor <NUM> may receive the acoustic signal sensed by the sender <NUM> and convert the received acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The voice processor <NUM> may include a speech processor.

The transmitter <NUM> may receive the electrical signal from the voice processor <NUM> and transmit the received electrical signal.

The transmitter <NUM> may be omitted. That is, the first unit <NUM> may not include a separate transmitter <NUM>. In this case, the first unit <NUM> may receive the electrical signal from the voice processor <NUM> and transmit the received electrical signal to the second unit <NUM> while power is being transmitted thereto through the first coil <NUM>.

The first unit <NUM> may include a power source (not illustrated). The power source is a configuration for supplying power to the first unit <NUM>, and may include a replaceable battery, a rechargeable battery, or the like.

The power source may also receive power from the outside and store the received power. For example, the power source may include a capacitive element such as a capacitor. The capacitive element may receive power from an external power source via a wire and store the received power, or wirelessly receive power from an external power source through the first coil <NUM> of the first unit <NUM>.

For example, the first coil <NUM> may wirelessly receive power from a coil of an external power source through electromagnetic induction and store the received power in a capacitive element in a charging mode, and wirelessly transmit power in the capacitive element to the second coil <NUM> of the second unit <NUM>.

Here, although the electromagnetic induction phenomenon may be used for transmitting power through the coil, embodiments are not limited thereto, and other wireless power transmission techniques may also be used.

The second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the skin. In other words, the second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the skin, e.g. the subcutaneous layer, or may be implanted in the body.

The second unit <NUM> may include the first package <NUM>, the second package <NUM>, and the connector <NUM>.

First, the first package <NUM> may have a receiver <NUM>, the circuit <NUM>, and the electrode array <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> may receive a signal from the second package <NUM>. For example, when the second package <NUM> receives a signal along with power from the first unit <NUM> through the second coil <NUM>, the second package <NUM> may extract the signal and transmit the signal to the receiver <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. When the first coil <NUM> of the first unit <NUM> transmits power to the second coil <NUM> of the second unit <NUM>, the first coil <NUM> may also transmit a data signal for electrical stimulation, along with a power signal, to the second coil <NUM>. For example, the first coil <NUM> may vary an amplitude or phase of a power signal and transmit a data signal along with the power signal.

Alternatively, the receiver <NUM> may directly receive a signal from the transmitter <NUM> of the first unit <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> may communicate using various communication techniques which are not limited to a specific communication technique. A data signal may also be transmitted separately from a power signal through a separate communicator or a separate frequency which is not described above.

The circuit <NUM> may process the signal received by the receiver <NUM> and generate a stimulation signal. The circuit <NUM> may have an integrated chip (IC) for generating a stimulation signal.

The electrode array <NUM> may have one or more electrodes <NUM>. The electrodes <NUM> may be provided at an insulating layer (not illustrated), and the insulating layer may be formed to be thin so that the insulating layer is insertable into the cochlea <NUM>.

The electrodes <NUM> may stimulate auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea <NUM> with a current signal in response to the stimulation signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM>, and may also collect, detect, and record a biometric signal from the auditory nerve fibers.

The second package <NUM> may be disposed independent of the first package <NUM> and may have the second coil <NUM>. The second coil <NUM> may receive power from the first coil <NUM> using the electromagnetic induction method, and the power received by the second coil <NUM> may be used as a power source of each component of the first package <NUM>. For example, when a current is applied to the first coil <NUM> and a magnetic field is formed around the coil, a magnetic field may be formed at the second coil <NUM> as a result, and a current may flow to the second coil <NUM> through the magnetic field. Alternatively, the second coil <NUM> may also receive power from the first coil <NUM> through radio frequency (RF) communication.

The connector <NUM> may electrically connect the first package <NUM> and the second package <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be in the form of a wire and be flexible. Accordingly, the second package <NUM> may be implanted in various positions spaced apart from the first package <NUM>. Although, preferably, a copper wire may be used as the connector <NUM>, embodiments are not limited thereto, and other conductive materials such as gold and platinum may also be used.

The length of the connector <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the length is smaller than <NUM>, it is difficult to arrange the second package at a desired position, and when the length is larger than <NUM>, the connector is too long such that the size of the connector is increased.

The second unit <NUM> may include a cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may seal and package the first package <NUM>, the second package <NUM>, and the connector <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may include a polymer-based material, preferably, a liquid crystal polymer. For example, the cover <NUM> may be a liquid crystal polymer film. The cover <NUM> may package the second unit <NUM> so that the second unit <NUM> is sealed and prevent body fluid from entering the second unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second coil <NUM> may be provided in the scalp behind the ear. For example, the second coil <NUM> may be located below the temporal bone and may be inserted and implanted in the mastoid process that is disposed below a rear side of the auricle when viewed from the outside.

The first package <NUM> may be formed to be hung on the ear. When the first package <NUM> is mounted to be hung on the ear, the second package <NUM> may be disposed at a lower portion of the auricle as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the first coil <NUM> of the first unit <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second coil <NUM> so that the first coil <NUM> is aligned in place with the second coil <NUM>.

In this way, communication may be stably performed between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM>. When the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are disposed to be aligned in place as described above, a coupling coefficient between the coils may be increased such that efficient power transmission and/or data communication is possible, and a magnetic field region may be minimized such that an influence of the magnetic field on the human body is minimized.

According to the present embodiment, since the second package <NUM> of the second unit <NUM> may be disposed independently from the first package <NUM>, even when the first package <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the cochlea <NUM> due to the characteristic of having the electrode array <NUM> inserted into the cochlea <NUM>, the second package <NUM> may be freely installed at an appropriate position. Therefore, when the first package <NUM> has a shape capable of being hung on the ear, the second coil <NUM> of the second package <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the position of the first coil <NUM> of the first unit <NUM>.

The first unit <NUM> may be in the form of a wearable device capable of being hung on the ear without a separate attaching means, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the first unit <NUM> may be attached to the human body using an adhesive tape, or the first unit <NUM> may include a magnet therein and be fixed to the second unit <NUM> by a magnetic force. The first unit <NUM> may also include an electromagnet therein. In this case, as the first unit <NUM> is switched on, the electromagnet may be operated, and the first unit <NUM> may be fixed to the human body by a magnetic force, and when the first unit <NUM> is switched off, the electromagnet may be deactivated and be detached, and the first unit <NUM> may be detached from the human body.

<FIG> is an exemplary view illustrating an example in which a human body implant device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the human body, and <FIG> is an exemplary view illustrating the human body implant device according to the other embodiment of the present invention, mainly on the basis of a first coil and a second coil thereof.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the human body implant device according to the present embodiment, a second coil <NUM> may be bent to surround an external auditory meatus <NUM> inside the skin of the external auditory meatus <NUM>.

The second coil <NUM> may also have a flat shape that comes into contact with the external auditory meatus <NUM> inside under the skin of the external auditory meatus <NUM>. Here, the second coil <NUM> coming into contact with the external auditory meatus <NUM> may mean that the second coil <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the external auditory meatus <NUM>.

Here, an electrode array <NUM> that a first package <NUM> of a second unit <NUM> includes may be located in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. In the present embodiment, a second package <NUM> may be provided at the external auditory meatus <NUM>, the second coil <NUM> may be bent to surround the external auditory meatus <NUM> or have a flat shape to be in contact with the external auditory meatus <NUM>, and a connector <NUM> may electrically connect the second package <NUM> and the first package <NUM>.

A first unit may further include an aligner <NUM> inserted into the auditory pit, and when insertion of the aligner <NUM> into the auditory pit is completed, a first coil <NUM> may be located in the external auditory meatus <NUM>. Here, the first coil <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second coil <NUM> so that the first coil <NUM> is aligned in place with the second coil <NUM>. Although the first coil <NUM> may be aligned in place with the second coil <NUM> in terms of position, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the first coil <NUM> may also be aligned in place so that the first coil <NUM> is bent to have the same curvature as the second coil <NUM>. Alternatively, the first coil <NUM> may be aligned in place with the second coil <NUM> in terms of both the position and curvature.

The first coil <NUM> may have a size or shape corresponding to that of the second coil <NUM>, and may be bent to correspond to the shape of the second coil <NUM>. For example, when the second coil <NUM> is bent to surround the external auditory meatus <NUM> inside the skin of the external auditory meatus <NUM>, the first coil <NUM> may be bent to correspond to the shape of the second coil <NUM> or have a flat shape. When the second coil <NUM> is formed in a flat shape coming into contact with the external auditory meatus <NUM> the skin of the external auditory meatus <NUM>, the first coil <NUM> may be formed in a flat shape or may be bent to correspond to the shape of the second coil <NUM>.

The aligner <NUM> may include one or more of a sender and a voice processor.

More specifically, the first unit may sense an acoustic signal by the sender of the aligner <NUM> and convert the sensed acoustic signal into an electrical signal by the voice processor. The electrical signal generated by the voice processor may be transmitted to the second coil <NUM> of the second unit <NUM> through the first coil <NUM>. Therefore, when transmitting power to the second coil <NUM>, the first coil <NUM> may transmit the electrical signal along with power to the second coil <NUM>. Alternatively, the aligner <NUM> may further include a separate transmitter, and may also transmit an electrical signal to the second unit <NUM> through the transmitter.

The first unit may include a separate sub-unit (not illustrated) that includes a sender, a voice processor, and a communicator. The sub-unit may sense an acoustic signal, convert the sensed acoustic signal into an electrical signal, and transmit the electrical signal to the aligner <NUM> through the communicator.

In a cochlear implant system according to still another embodiment of the present invention, a second coil may also be installed inside an auricle. Also, a first package may be detachably configured outside the auricle. For example, a clip member (not illustrated) coupled to the auricle may be further provided in the first package, or a piercing member (not illustrated) passing through the auricle may be further provided, and in this way, the first package may also be implemented in the shape of an earring.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram of a second unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the skin. As an example, the second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the subcutaneous layer or implanted in the body. The second unit <NUM> may receive an electrical signal from the first unit <NUM> and stimulate auditory nerve fibers in a cochlea.

The second unit <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM>, a circuit <NUM> configured to process a signal received from a first unit <NUM> and generate a stimulation signal, and an electrode array <NUM> having a plurality of electrodes (not illustrated) configured to stimulate auditory nerve fibers with a current signal in response to the stimulation signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> and the circuit <NUM> may be disposed on a support substrate and accommodated inside a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be formed of the same polymer material as the support substrate, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The electrode array <NUM> may extend in a first direction (X-axis direction). A length to which the electrode array <NUM> extends is not particularly limited. The electrode array <NUM> may have a predetermined length that allows the electrode array <NUM> to be inserted into the cochlea of the human body and provide stimulation thereto.

A plurality of electrodes <NUM> may receive a current signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM> and stimulate auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea, and may also collect, sense, and record a biometric signal from the auditory nerve fibers.

A lead wire <NUM> may be individually connected to each of the plurality of electrodes <NUM>, and the plurality of lead wires <NUM> may be connected to a pad <NUM>. The pad <NUM> may electrically connect the plurality of electrodes <NUM> and the circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram of an electrode array according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a view illustrating an electrode structure, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electrode array <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a substrate <NUM> extending in a first direction (X-axis direction), a plurality of lead wires <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>, a mold member <NUM> configured to cover the lead wires <NUM>, and a plurality of electrodes <NUM> disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the mold member <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> may have a predetermined width that allows the lead wires <NUM> to be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The width of the substrate <NUM> is not particularly limited. The number of lead wires <NUM> may vary in accordance with a length of the electrode array <NUM>, and the width of the substrate <NUM> may be determined in accordance with the number of lead wires <NUM>.

The lead wires <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM> and extend in the first direction (X-axis direction). The plurality of lead wires <NUM> may be electrically insulated from each other. The lead wires <NUM> may be patterned on the substrate <NUM> using a semiconductor process. However, a method of manufacturing the lead wires <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto.

The plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and electrically connected to the lead wires <NUM>, respectively. Therefore, the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be separately operated. The material of the electrodes <NUM> is not particularly limited. For example, the electrodes may contain platinum.

A thickness of the electrodes <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the thickness of the electrodes <NUM> is smaller than <NUM> or larger than <NUM> (for example, the electrodes <NUM> are bent in a ring shape), the electrodes <NUM> may be damaged. The thickness of the electrodes <NUM> may be equal to that of the lead wires <NUM>, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the mold member <NUM>. As an example, when the mold member <NUM> is in the shape of a rod, the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may have a ring shape. However, embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto, and the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may have any shape as long as the plurality of electrodes <NUM> are exposed along an outer surface of the mold member <NUM> and areas of the plurality of electrodes <NUM> are widened.

The plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be bent to surround the mold member <NUM>. That is, the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the mold member <NUM>. Therefore, areas of the electrodes <NUM> exposed to the outside may be relatively widened.

A ratio between widths of a first section L1 in which the electrodes <NUM> are disposed in the first direction and a second section L2 in which the electrodes <NUM> are not disposed may be in the range of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The first section L1 may be a section in which the electrodes <NUM> provide stimulation by a current applied thereto, and the second section L2 may be a flexible section.

When the ratio between the widths is smaller than <NUM>:<NUM>, there is a problem in that the second section is reduced and thus flexibility of the electrode array <NUM> is decreased, and when the ratio between the widths is larger than <NUM>:<NUM>, there is a problem in that the areas of the electrodes <NUM> are reduced and thus it is difficult to provide sufficient stimulation. As an example, when there are sixteen electrodes, the ratio between the widths of the first section and the second section may be <NUM>:<NUM>, and when there are one hundred electrodes, the ratio between the widths of the first section and the second section may be <NUM>:<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may have one end <NUM>-<NUM> that passes through the mold member <NUM> and is electrically connected to the lead wire <NUM>, and the other end <NUM>-<NUM> fixed to the mold member <NUM>. That is, since the both ends <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the electrodes <NUM> are fixed to the mold member <NUM>, the shape of the electrodes <NUM> may be maintained. <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the entire length of the electrodes <NUM> may be fixed to the inside of the mold member <NUM> for the shape of the electrodes <NUM> to be maintained, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The mold member <NUM> may serve to support inner portions of the plurality of electrodes <NUM>. A flexible material may be selected as a material of the mold member <NUM> for the mold member <NUM> to be inserted into the cochlea of the human body. As an example, the mold member <NUM> may be formed of a silicone material, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The mold member <NUM> may include a first mold member 215a disposed inside the electrodes <NUM>, and a second mold member 215b disposed outside the electrodes <NUM>. The first mold member 215a may be defined as a region surrounded by the electrodes <NUM>, and the second mold member 215b may be defined as a region that surrounds the electrodes <NUM>. Both of the ends <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the electrodes <NUM> may be fixed by being coupled between the first mold member 215a and the second mold member 215b.

The first mold member 215a and the second mold member 215b may be formed of the same material, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. A curvature of an outer diameter of the first mold member 215a and a curvature of an outer diameter of the second mold member 215b may also be different. The first mold member 215a may have a curvature that corresponds to an inner diameter of a ring structure.

A cover <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM> and protect the lead wires <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may have the lead wires <NUM> patterned thereon and have a flat surface.

The cover <NUM> may include a flat portion disposed to correspond to the substrate <NUM>, and a curvature portion disposed between the electrodes <NUM> and the first mold member 215a. According to an embodiment, the cover <NUM> may be disposed between the electrodes <NUM> and the first mold member 215a. When the cover <NUM> is a thermoplastic resin, the cover may be thermoformed in advance prior to an injection of the first mold member 215a so that an adhesive strength between the cover <NUM> and the first mold member 215a is improved.

Referring to <FIG>, at a portion of the electrode array <NUM> in which the electrodes <NUM> are not disposed, only the lead wires <NUM> may be disposed between the substrate <NUM> and the cover <NUM>. That is, the section in which the electrodes <NUM> are not disposed may be a relatively flexible section.

A thickness W1 of the electrode array <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, and a width W2 of the electrode array <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. The thickness and the width may be the same. Here, the maximum radius R1 from the center C1 of the cross-section may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the maximum radius R1 is smaller than <NUM>, the electrode array <NUM> may not maintain sufficient contact with an inner wall of the cochlea and thus signal transmission efficiency may be lowered, and when the maximum radius R1 is larger than <NUM>, due to a large diameter of the electrode array <NUM>, it may become difficult to insert the electrode array <NUM> into the cochlea, and flexibility of the electrode array <NUM> may be significantly reduced.

<FIG> are views showing a process of manufacturing an electrode array.

Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of lead wires 212a, 212b, and 212c and a plurality of electrodes 213a, 213b, and 213c may be patterned on a substrate <NUM>. A patterning method is not particularly limited. Any patterning method that is generally used in a semiconductor process may be applied. As an example, patterning may be performed by performing selective etching using a mask.

The substrate <NUM> may be formed of a liquid crystal polymer, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. Any material may be applied as the material of the substrate <NUM> as long as the material is flexible and allows patterns to be easily formed on the substrate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cover <NUM> may be laminated on the substrate <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be formed of the same material as the substrate <NUM>. The plurality of lead wires <NUM> and the plurality of electrodes <NUM> may be laminated between the substrate <NUM> and the cover <NUM>. Any general lamination method may be applied as the laminating method.

Referring to <FIG>, a portion of the cover <NUM> may be incised so that the plurality of electrodes <NUM> are partially exposed. As an example, portions of electrodes may be exposed using laser scribing, and the remaining portions may then be removed using oxygen plasma etching. Here, areas in which the plurality of electrodes <NUM> are exposed may be the same. Therefore, when the plurality of electrodes <NUM> are bent in a ring shape, areas thereof may be the same.

Referring to <FIG>, outer boundaries may be cut off to manufacture an electrode structure P. A cutting method is not particularly limited. Here, the substrate <NUM> may be left unchanged at rear surfaces of the plurality of electrodes <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode structure P may be disposed on a forming mold <NUM>, and a portion of the electrode structure P corresponding to a groove <NUM> of the forming mold may be pressed with a press <NUM> so that the electrode structure P is initially bent. Here, the electrodes <NUM> of the electrode structure P may be bent in a circular shape along an inner surface of the groove <NUM>. However, embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto, and the shape in which the electrodes <NUM> are bent may vary in accordance with the shape of the groove <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first injection cover <NUM> may be disposed on the forming mold <NUM>, and a molding resin may be injection-molded. Therefore, the firstly-bent electrodes <NUM> may be filled with the first mold member 215a. Here, a gap 215a-<NUM> between bent portions may also be filled with resin.

Referring to <FIG>, a second injection cover <NUM> having a groove 14a may be disposed on the forming mold <NUM>, and a resin may be injection-molded again. Therefore, outer surfaces of the electrodes <NUM> may be filled with the second mold member 215b.

According to an embodiment, through the two sessions of injection molding, the first mold member 215a may be formed inside the electrodes <NUM>, and the second mold member 215b may be formed outside the electrodes <NUM>. The shape of the electrodes <NUM> may be fixed by the first mold member 215a and the second mold member 215b.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram of a second unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a modified example of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the skin. As an example, the second unit <NUM> may be inserted into the subcutaneous layer, or may be implanted in the body. The second unit <NUM> may receive an electrical signal from a first unit and stimulate auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea.

The second unit <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM>, a circuit <NUM> configured to process a signal received from the first unit and generate a stimulation signal, and an electrode array <NUM> having a plurality of electrodes <NUM> configured to stimulate auditory nerve fibers with a current signal in response to the stimulation signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> and the circuit <NUM> may be disposed on a support plate and accommodated inside a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be formed of the same polymer material as the support substrate, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The electrode array <NUM> may extend in a first direction (X-axis direction). The length to which the electrode array <NUM> extends is not particularly limited. The electrode array <NUM> may have a predetermined length that allows the electrode array <NUM> to be inserted into the cochlea of the human body and provide stimulation thereto.

The plurality of electrodes <NUM> may receive a current signal transmitted from the circuit <NUM> and stimulate auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea, and may also collect, sense, and record a biometric signal from the auditory nerve fibers.

A pad <NUM> may be connected to an end of a lead wire and electrically connect the plurality of electrodes <NUM> and the circuit <NUM>.

The electrode array <NUM> may include a flow path <NUM> extending in a longitudinal direction. The electrode array <NUM> may include a plurality of holes <NUM> configured to communicate with the flow path <NUM>.

The electrode array <NUM> may be inserted into the cochlea of the human body to deliver stimulation. Here, drugs delivered through the flow path <NUM> of the electrode array <NUM> may be injected into the cochlea through the holes <NUM>. As needed, the drugs may solely be injected into the cochlea without the electrodes being inserted thereinto.

The drugs may serve to suppress or mitigate damage to tissues of the cochlea upon insertion of the electrode array <NUM> into the cochlea. The drugs may also serve to treat hearing loss. As an example, the drugs may be steroids, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

A diameter of the flow path <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the diameter is smaller than <NUM>, the drugs may not be injected to an end of the electrode array due to an internal pressure of the flow path <NUM>, and when the diameter is larger than <NUM>, there is a problem in that an overall diameter of the electrode array <NUM> has to be increased.

A method of injecting the drugs is not particularly limited. As illustrated, a drug storage <NUM> may be disposed inside a second unit, and the drugs may be injected into the flow path <NUM> by an osmotic pump <NUM> or the like.

A position of the drug storage <NUM> is not particularly limited. As an example, the drug storage <NUM> may be disposed above or beside a support plate <NUM>, or may be disposed at an appropriate position that allows the drugs to be regularly charged into the drug storage <NUM> using a syringe or the like. In this case, there is an advantage in that the drugs can be regularly charged into the drug storage <NUM> using the syringe or the like without removing the second unit from the human body.

As another embodiment, the drugs may be delivered in a state of having been inserted into a flow path <NUM> of an electrode array <NUM> in advance. Therefore, after the human body implant device is inserted into the human body, the drugs may be gradually melted due to internal body temperature and then injected into the body.

As still another embodiment, a flow path <NUM> may also be connected to an inlet (not illustrated) provided outside a second unit. In this case, an operator may inject the drugs into the inlet using the syringe or the like after insertion of the electrode array <NUM> is completed.

Referring to <FIG>, an electrode array <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>, an electrode <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>, a lower mold member 215d, and an upper mold member 215c. The flow path <NUM> may be formed in a lower mold member. Even in a structure of an electrode array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a flow path <NUM> may be formed in a second mold member 215b.

According to an embodiment, there is an advantage in that the flow path <NUM> and the holes <NUM> may be easily formed upon forming a mold member. Therefore, there is an advantage in that a member for separately injecting drugs may be omitted.

The description of the present invention given above is merely illustrative, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains should understand that the present invention may be easily modified to other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all aspects instead of limiting. For example, each element described as above a single element may be embodied in a distributed form, and likewise, elements described above as distributed elements may be embodied in a combined form.

Claim 1:
A human body implant device comprising:
a first unit (<NUM>) including a transmission unit; and
a second unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to communicate with the first unit (<NUM>),
wherein the second unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes:
a second package (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a reception unit (<NUM>) configured to receive power or an electrical signal from the transmission unit;
a first package (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising,
a circuit (<NUM>) configured to process the electrical signal and generate a stimulation signal; and
an electrode array (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to apply a current signal in response to the stimulation signal,
a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to electrically connect the first package and the second package;
a cover (<NUM>) configured to package the first package (<NUM>), the second package (<NUM>), and the connector (<NUM>),
wherein the electrode array (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes:
a substrate (<NUM>) extending in a first direction;
a plurality of lead wires (<NUM>) disposed on a surface of the substrate (<NUM>);
a plurality of electrodes (<NUM>) disposed on the surface of the substrate, and connected to the plurality of lead wires (<NUM>);
a cover (<NUM>) disposed on the surface of the substrate to cover the plurality of lead wires;
a mold member (<NUM>) configured to cover the substrate, and the plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode (<NUM>) comprises
a first end portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) inserted in the mold member (<NUM>) and electrically connected to the plurality of lead wires (<NUM>), and
a second end portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) inserted in the mold member (<NUM>) and wherein the plurality of electrodes are exposed to the outside of the mold member (<NUM>).