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BionicEar.com:  Home > Bionic Ear System > Internal Components > CLARION HiFocus Electrode with Positioner

External Components
Internal Components
Bionic Ear Mode™ and
Cochlear Implant Mode

Imaging Tools
Performance
CLARION HiFocus Electrode with Positioner


Standard Resolution –
Cochlear Implant Mode™

The patented CLARION® HiFocus™ Electrode with Electrode Positioning System™ is the latest advance in electrode technology - a 3rd generation design that surpasses older straight, precurved and contoured electrode arrays.. The new HiFocus Electrode and Positioner are designed to deliver sound information to the hearing nerve via Cochlear Implant Mode™ processing strategies (SAS, PPS, CIS) and high resolution Bionic Ear Mode™ full sound delivery options. The HiFocus Electrode combined with Bionic Ear Mode is capable of delivering sound information to the hearing nerve up to 1,000,000 times each second through up to 31 distinct stimulation channels. That is over 10 times more sound information than other electrode systems can manage, providing the fine details of sound for better hearing.


High Resolution –
Bionic Ear Mode™
HiFocus Electrode Array
  • Soft forward-bending mechanical properties intended to facilitate easy and deep surgical insertion and avoid constrictive pressure against the modiolus (inner cochlear wall)
  • Designed to protect cochlear structures through special bending properties that restrict lateral and vertical movement
  • Architected to automatically adjusts to individual variations in cochlear size

Electrode Positioner

  • Intended to provide consistent electrode placement in close proximity the hearing nerve fibers and follows the natural shape of different sized cochleas.
  • Designed to protect the delicate structures of the cochlea by reducing scar tissue - thereby leaving the cochlea open and maintaining the potential for future technology

Electrode Contacts

  • 31 distinct channels of sound for maximum clarity of full sound in high resolution - 16 direct channels and 15 intermediate channels (software in development)
  • Multiple output circuits enable each electrode to be operated independently for the greatest flexibility in how sound is delivered
  • Directional surface area focuses electrical current toward targeted groups of hearing nerve fibers

Dielectric Partitions

  • Pillow-like silastic elevations separate each electrode contact for focused delivery of sound information
  • Designed to prevent electrical current from spreading longitudinally toward neighboring groups of nerve fibers
  • Engineered to buffer modiolus from contact with platinum iridium electrode contacts

Electrode Stimulation Characteristics

  • Reduced electrical stimulation requirements to achieve (T) threshold and (M) most comfortable levels
  • Option of Monopolar, Bipolar, Multipolar coupling
  • Flexibility of choosing between non-simultaneous stimulation, simultaneous stimulation and hybrid stimulation methods




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