Patent ID: 7050858

Claim:
An insertion tool for inserting an insertable element through a cochleostomy into a cochlea, the insertable element comprising a longitudinal flexible element having a lumen passing longitudinally therethrough into which a stylet wire is insertable, the insertion tool comprising: a handle ( 10 ); a guide assembly ( 20 ); and a slider assembly ( 30 ); wherein the guide assembly includes three parallel tubes ( 21 a , 21 b , 21 c ), bonded together within a holding bracket ( 22 ); and wherein the slider assembly includes a stabilizer wire ( 31 ), a long stylet wire ( 32 ) and a short stylet wire ( 33 ), all connected together at a knob ( 34 ) so as to be maintained substantially parallel to each other; and wherein the stabilizer wire ( 31 ), long stylet wire ( 32 ) and short stylet wire ( 33 ) are each inserted through respective ones of the three parallel tubes ( 21 a , 21 b , 21 c ), and a distal end of the stabilizer wire includes a bend (B); and wherein the holding bracket ( 22 ) of the guide assembly ( 20 ) is fixed within a front section of the handle ( 10 ); and wherein the slider assembly ( 30 ) is slidably engaged with the guide assembly ( 20 ); and wherein the long stylet wire ( 32 ) is adapted to be inserted into the lumen of the insertable element, and wherein the stabilizer wire ( 31 ) has a length adapted to position a distal end of the insertion tool at a desired location relative to the cochleostomy.