Patent ID: 8805546

Claim:
An implantable electrode array for insertion into an implantee's body, the array comprising: an elongate carrier having a first portion adjacent a proximal end and a second portion adjacent a distal end that does not overlap the first portion in the direction of longitudinal extension of the elongate carrier, the first portion being made of a first material and the second portion being made of a second material, the first portion comprising more of the first material than the second material, the second portion comprising more of the second material than the first material, the first and second materials having different mechanical properties, the first portion biased in a curved configuration and comprising a curve having an angle of curvature of about 360°, and the second portion biased in a substantially straight configuration; and a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective longitudinally spaced locations on the carrier, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion have at least one of the plurality of electrodes supported thereon.