Patent ID: 7797029

Claim:
A brain stimulating electrode array for implantation into the inferior colliculus, the inferior colliculus having a central nucleus surrounded by an outer layer having a thickness and an exterior surface, the electrode array comprising: a substantially straight elongate member configured to be inserted into an inferior colliculus of an implantee, and having: a tip at a distal end of said elongate member configured to assist in passage of said member into the inferior colliculus and so as to cause minimal trauma to the inferior colliculus; and a plurality of electrodes wherein each of said electrodes comprises an operative edge that is substantially perpendicular to said elongate member, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are spaced apart from one another along said elongate member and configured to apply pre-selected tissue stimulation to one or more layers of the different frequency layers of the inferior colliculus; and a skirt radially extending from the elongate member, the skirt proximally spaced from a most proximal electrode of the plurality of electrodes by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the outer layer.