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Application · Implantable hearing

Medical silicone for cochlear implants & implantable hearing

Cochlear implants are decades-long implants, so silicone is central: a soft, flexible, unrestricted implant-grade elastomer carries and insulates the platinum electrode array; the receiver/stimulator is encapsulated for protection and a biocompatible tissue interface. The priorities are long-term biocompatibility, low modulus and flexibility, fatigue durability through millions of flex cycles, and reliable adhesion to platinum electrodes and the titanium case via the correct primer.

Solution essentials

  • Grade: long-term implant → unrestricted, platinum-cure implant-grade silicone, ISO 10993 device-level evaluation.
  • Electrode-array carrier: low-modulus, flexible elastomer/gel for an atraumatic, fatigue-durable carrier around the Pt array.
  • Encapsulation: protective, biocompatible encapsulation of the receiver/stimulator with a soft tissue interface.
  • Adhesion: bond to platinum and titanium with the matching primer (often after surface activation).

What BIO provides

BIO provides selection, process and adhesion support, regulatory documentation and reliable supply of NuSil / Avantor implant-grade silicone for cochlear and implantable-hearing programs in China.

FAQ

What silicone is used in cochlear implants?

Unrestricted, long-term implant-grade, platinum-cure silicone — a soft low-modulus elastomer for the electrode-array carrier and a biocompatible encapsulant for the receiver/stimulator, all with ISO 10993 device-level evaluation.

Why does flexibility and fatigue durability matter?

The electrode array and lead flex repeatedly over the device's life; a low-modulus, fatigue-durable silicone keeps the array atraumatic and avoids cracking or delamination over millions of cycles.

How is silicone bonded to platinum electrodes and the titanium case?

With the matching primer system, usually after surface activation (e.g., plasma) — titanium uses a dedicated metal primer; platinum contacts use a compatible primer.

What can BIO support?

NuSil / Avantor implant-grade selection, process/adhesion support, documentation and supply. Contact [email protected] / +86-21-6054-7148.

Need exact grade selection and a quote for your device and annual volume? Talk to a BIO engineer ([email protected] / +86-21-6054-7148), or browse medical silicone by type.

Tell us your device — we return the grade and the paperwork.

Genuine NuSil / Avantor medical-grade silicone, matched to your application, with TDS / CoA and lot-level traceability.

Get selection / quote