Patent ID: 8280480

Claim:
A stapedius muscle electrode configuration for the detection of the action currents generated upon a contraction of a human stapedius muscle comprising: an electrode adapted for bipolar derivation for fastening on a human stapedius muscle, the electrode including two flexible elastic electrically-conductive oblong elements each having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein at least a portion of the electrode towards the distal end is pre-shaped in a coil so that: i. the distal end and an adjoining section of oblong element is adapted to be laid at least partially around a tendon running between the stapedius muscle and a stirrup ossicle, and ii. the coil shaped portion of the electrode may be moved along the tendon while guided in the direction toward the stapedius muscle and at least partially screwed into an area of muscle belly of the stapedius muscle adjoining the tendon and/or pushed onto this area, and wherein the oblong elements are electrically insulated and their coiled portions are interleaved so that the oblong elements circle a shared center line and are adapted to be laid around the tendon, guided along the tendon, and brought into contact with the stapedius muscle together.