Patent ID: 6889094

Claim:
A cochlear electrode array ( 10 ) comprising: a flexible carrier ( 12 ), the flexible carrier having a proximal end, a distal end ( 13 ), a length L1 no greater than about 8 mm, and a pancake-shaped cross sectional area having opposing flat surfaces, the flat surfaces having a width W2, and the thickness of the carrier between the flat surfaces being a distance W1, wherein the distance W2 is greater than the distance W1 by at least a factor of two; a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes ( 14 ) carried on the flexible carrier on one of the flat surfaces thereof, the flat surface carrying the electrodes comprising a medial side of the electrode array; a plurality of wire contacts ( 22 ) embedded within the flexible carrier, at least one wire contact being connected to each electrode; a head ( 18 ) formed at the proximal end of the flexible carrier having a cross sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the flexible carrier, whereby a shoulder ( 19 ) is formed at the transition from the flexible carrier to the head; a plurality of flexible members ( 16 ) attached to the flexible carrier near its proximal end and slopping towards the head; wherein the plurality of wire contacts pass through the head and comprise a cable ( 20 ) attached to the proximal end of the electrode array, the cable and wire contacts carried therein providing a means for making electrical contact with each of the electrodes.