Patent ID: 7194314

Claim:
A method of positioning a cochlear implant in a human cochlea that includes a modiolus having a modiolar wall adjacent to scala tympani of the cochlea, the cochlear implant including a stimulating electrode array and a return electrode, wherein the stimulating electrode array includes a flexible insulating member, a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on one side of the flexible insulating member in a spaced relation, and a plurality of electrode wires extending within the flexible insulating member, said method comprising the steps of: locating the return electrode within the cochlea with at least a portion of the return electrode positioned adjacent to the modiolus; anchoring the return electrode to the modiolar wall; providing an expandable portion along a second side of the flexible insulating member; inserting the electrode array into the scala tympani with the expandable portion in an unexpanded form; and expanding the expandable portion of the insulating member to substantially fill the scala tympani and to urge the electrode contacts into close proximity with neurons in Rosenthal's canal.