Presented herein are pre-operative surgical planning techniques that enable a user to optimize placement of an implantable component of an implantable medical device in/within the body of a recipient. In particular, a computing device/system is configured to obtain anatomical data associated with the part body of the recipient in which the implantable component is to be implanted. The computing system is configured to analyze the recipient anatomical data to determine one or more suggested implantable placements for the implantable component. The computing device may be configured to predict, at least based on the recipient anatomical data, an estimated outcome for the recipient with the implantable component implanted at a suggested implantable placement.

An eustachian tube (ET) drug eluting stent includes a plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars, creating smooth arcs between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars while minimizing impediment of mucociliary flow. The combination of the plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements are configured to enter into the ET uncompressed.

A myringotomy device includes a housing; an elongated tube extending from the housing; and a retractable cutting tool extendable through the elongated tube, the cutting tool comprising a blade. The cutting tool is configured such that when advanced, the blade of the cutting tool extends beyond a distal end of the elongated tube. The cutting tool is also configured such that when retracted, the blade is retracted into the elongated tube and a fluid conduit is created from the distal end of the elongated tube to the housing.

An eardrum incision device includes a main body, a replaceable inserting portion and a display device. The replaceable inserting portion is detachably connected to the main body. The replaceable inserting portion has an insertion end located on a side far away from the main body and adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user. The replaceable inserting portion includes an image-capturing device, a mounting hole and a replaceable incision component. The image-capturing device is disposed at the insertion end. The mounting hole extends in a direction from the insertion end toward the main body. The replaceable incision component is removably disposed in the mounting hole and adapted to pierce out of the mounting hole in a direction toward the insertion end, so as to incise the eardrum of the user. The display device is disposed on the main body and electrically connected to the image-capturing device.

A method and system of treating connective tissue to increase flexibility of the connective tissue or decrease tension in the connective tissue includes forming perforations in the connective tissue to at least 90% of the depth or thickness of the connective tissue and maintaining the perforations in the connective tissue. The method alters the tissue to enhance the fundamental mechanisms involved the immunology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics of the metabolism of the connective tissue.

Presented herein are dual-function surgical tools for insertion of implantable stimulating assemblies, such as intra-cochlear stimulating assemblies. In addition to facilitating intra-operative positioning of a stimulating assembly within a recipient (e.g., operating to guide the stimulating assembly of an implantable medical device into position), the surgical tool also includes a plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electroporation electrical field to a recipient's nerve cells to enable introduction of treatment substance into the nerve cells.

A malleable implantable medical device for implanting in a recipient comprising a flexible region of the medical device, one or more structures proximate to the flexible region, wherein the one or more structures is configured to provide a bending force to the flexible region, and one or more hermetically sealed medical components coupled to the flexible region, wherein the one or more medical components is configured to provide a therapeutic effect on the recipient.

A method of forming an electrode array from an electrode array blank that includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts. The method includes the steps of forming a first window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a first one of the electrically conductive contacts, the first window defining a first window perimetric center, and forming a second window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a second one of the electrically conductive contacts, the second window defining a second window perimetric center that is perimetrically offset from the first window perimetric center when the flexible body is straight and not twisted around the longitudinal axis of the flexible body.

A method of forming an electrode array from an electrode array blank that includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts. The method includes the steps of forming a first window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a first one of the electrically conductive contacts, the first window defining a first window perimetric center, and forming a second window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a second one of the electrically conductive contacts, the second window defining a second window perimetric center that is perimetrically offset from the first window perimetric center when the flexible body is straight and not twisted around the longitudinal axis of the flexible body.

An auricular support system can include a substrate and a mold material. The substrate can include a substrate body having a first end and an opposed second end. At least a portion of the first end can be configured to carry an adhesive suitable to attach to a dermal surface. The second end defines at least one void. The mold material can be configured to be applied to both an auricular structure and the second end of the substrate body such that the mold material becomes disposed in the void and molds about the auricular structure. The mold material can be configured to cure after the mold material is applied to the auricular structure and the substrate body so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate. The auricular support system can further include an auxiliary support structure configured to attach to the auricular structure, such that the mold material is further configured to be applied to the auxiliary support structure so as to support the at least one auxiliary support structure relative to the substrate, and thus the dermal surface.