An exemplary assembly may be adapted for insertion into a cochlea. The assembly may comprise a tubular element and an electrode lead having a flexible body and one or more electrode contacts located on the flexible body. The tubular element may comprise a lumen that extends along a length of the flexible body; and a plurality of fiber windings that wrap around and extend along the length of the tubular element. The plurality of fiber windings may include a first section having a first winding configuration and second section having a second winding configuration. In response to application of pressure within the lumen, the first section is configured to move in a first manner based on the first winding configuration and the second section is configured to move in a second manner based on the second winding configuration such that the electrode lead is steerable during insertion into the cochlea.
A sound processing device is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant. The sound processing device may obtain an audio signal represented in a time domain and comprising a series of audio frames. Based on the audio signal, the sound processing device may generate a set of input spectrum signals in a frequency domain, and, based on one or more of these input spectrum signals, may determine an analytic signal that can be used to generate an envelope signal and a fine structure signal for a particular channel. For each audio frame of the series, the envelope signal may include more than one envelope value and the fine structure signal may include more than one phase value. The sound processing device may transmit, to the cochlear implant, a series of stimulation frames generated based on these envelope and fine structure signals. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
A cochlear implant including a housing, an antenna within the housing, a stimulation processor within the housing operably connected to the antenna and an electrode array, operably connected to the stimulation processor, including a flexible array body, a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the flexible array body, a plurality of flexible projections that extend outwardly from the flexible array body, and a vibration device.
A magnet system including a non-magnetic spacer, a hermetically sealed case, and at least one magnet located within the hermetically sealed case as well as associated cochlear implants and associated methods.
An illustrative cochlear trauma management system determines, intraoperatively during an insertion procedure to introduce an electrode lead of a cochlear implant system into a cochlea of a recipient, an electrical potential evoked in response to acoustic stimulation applied to the recipient as part of a diagnostic test. The system estimates a depth of the electrode lead within the cochlea for the diagnostic test and accesses recipient attribute data that represents a hearing attribute of the recipient. The recipient attribute data is generated based on preoperative analysis of the recipient. Based on the electrical potential and the recipient attribute data, the system intraoperatively determines a likelihood that the electrode lead is inflicting trauma on the cochlea at the estimated depth. The system then performs an action based on the likelihood that the electrode lead is inflicting the trauma on the cochlea. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
An exemplary system comprises a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a process. The process may comprise directing stimulation to be applied to a recipient of a hearing system, the stimulation configured to elicit an evoked response within the recipient, directing a cochlear implant included in the hearing system to continuously record, during an acquisition time window and using at least one electrode electrically coupled to the cochlear implant, data representative of the evoked response, and directing the cochlear implant to stream, by way of a back telemetry channel, the data to a computing device external to the recipient during the acquisition time window while the cochlear implant is continuously recording the data.
A magnet assembly in accordance with at least one of the present inventions may include a case defining a central axis and including first and second end walls and a side wall, with an inner surface, between the first and second end walls, a frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, a plurality of diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the frame, that each define a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction, and that are rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the frame, and a ring, defining an outer surface, between the frame and the case side wall and offset from the case side wall such that a first air gap is located between the inner surface of the case side wall and the outer surface of the ring.
An exemplary cochlear implant system comprises an electrode array comprising a plurality of stimulation electrodes; a frequency filtering unit configured to divide an input audio signal into a plurality of input signal channels; and a stimulation control unit configured to generate from the plurality of input signal channels a dedicated stimulation signal for each of a plurality of stimulation channels, each stimulation channel being associated with one of the electrodes. The stimulation control unit is further configured to provide at least a subgroup of electrodes with stimulation signals, each of which is windowed in such a manner that at a time only to one of the electrodes of the subgroup, or only to non-adjacent electrodes of the subgroup, an active window is awarded during which the respective electrode is supplied with stimulation current. The stimulation signals of the electrode subgroup comprise (i) analog waveforms or wavelets which each correspond to a waveform of the input signal of a respective input signal channel associated with the respective stimulation channel, or (ii) pulse trains having an amplitude modulated by an amplitude of a waveform of the input signal of a respective input signal channel associated with the respective stimulation channel.
Illustrative communication interfaces and protocols for multi-service data communication between a hearing device and an accessory are described herein. For example, an example hearing system may include a hearing device configured to be worn by a recipient, an accessory configured to interoperate with the hearing device while worn separately by the recipient, and a communication interface between the hearing device and the accessory. The communication interface may include two physical conductors configured to carry differential signaling generated in accordance with a frame protocol that defines a data frame configured to communicate a first dataset and a second dataset. The first dataset is associated with a first data service performed in accordance with a first quality-of-service. The second dataset is associated with a second data service performed in accordance with a second quality-of-service different from and incompatible with the first quality-of-service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
A magnet assembly including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, first and second elongate magnets, located within in the frame, that are diametrically magnetized, that each define a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction, that are rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the frame, that are separated from one another by a fixed non-zero distance that is perpendicular to at least one of the longitudinal axes, and that are not mechanically biased to respective N-S rotational orientations, and a third elongate magnet, located between the first and second elongate magnets, that defines a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and that is mechanically biased to a predetermined N-S rotational orientation.
An exemplary electrode lead includes a plurality of metallic electrode contacts and an elastomeric encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of metallic electrode contacts and that defines an outer surface of the electrode lead. The elastomeric encapsulant includes a non-conductive portion configured to define a portion of the outer surface of the electrode lead and a plurality of conductive portions that form a remainder of the outer surface of the electrode lead. Each of the conductive portions included in the plurality of conductive portions is in conductive contact with a respective metallic electrode contact included in the plurality of metallic electrode contacts.
Magnet assemblies including a case, a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets within the case, and damping liquid within the case, and methods of assembling such magnet assemblies.
An exemplary system comprises memory that stores instructions; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to perform a process. The process may comprise accessing post-operative scan images of a cochlea after an electrode lead insertion procedure, the post-operative scan images depicting an electrode lead with a plurality of electrode contacts inserted at least partially within the cochlea, processing the post-operative scan images together with an active shape model (ASM) of the cochlea to determine candidate positions of the plurality of electrode contacts in relation to the cochlea, and determining, based on the candidate positions of the plurality of electrode contacts, a position of each electrode contact included in the plurality of electrode contacts in relation to the cochlea.
There is provided a system for inserting an electrode lead (10) into a cochlea (12) of a patient (14). The system comprises a vibration generator unit (16) configured to be temporarily attached to the head of the patient so as to transduce vibrations into the cochlea during an insertion procedure of the electrode lead into the cochlea for reducing friction of the electrode lead in the cochlea and a control unit (18) for controlling the vibration generator unit according to input from a user interface and/or input from a sensor unit (50) for sensing the insertion of the electrode lead into the cochlea of the patient.
A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61B 34/10 - Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
15.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COCHLEAR TRAUMA MANAGEMENT DURING AN ELECTRODE LEAD INSERTION PROCEDURE
An illustrative cochlear trauma management system determines, intraoperatively during an insertion procedure to introduce an electrode lead of a cochlear implant system into a cochlea of a recipient, an electrical potential evoked in response to acoustic stimulation applied to the recipient as part of a diagnostic test. The system estimates a depth of the electrode lead within the cochlea for the diagnostic test and accesses recipient attribute data that represents a hearing attribute of the recipient. The recipient attribute data is generated based on preoperative analysis of the recipient. Based on the electrical potential and the recipient attribute data, the system intraoperatively determines a likelihood that the electrode lead is inflicting trauma on the cochlea at the estimated depth. The system then performs an action based on the likelihood that the electrode lead is inflicting the trauma on the cochlea. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
A magnet system including a non-magnetic spacer, a hermetically sealed case, and at least one magnet located within the hermetically sealed case as well as associated cochlear implants and associated methods.
A magnet assembly in accordance with at least one of the present inventions may include a case defining a central axis and including first and second end walls and a side wall, with an inner surface, between the first and second end walls, a frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, a plurality of diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the frame, that each define a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction, and that are rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the frame, and a ring, defining an outer surface, between the frame and the case side wall and offset from the case side wall such that a first air gap is located between the inner surface of the case side wall and the outer surface of the ring.
A cochlear lead includes a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea and a flexible body supporting the plurality of electrodes along a length of the flexible body. A stiffening element is slidably encapsulated within the flexible body, the stiffening element extending past a most distal electrode at the tip of the cochlear lead, wherein a distal portion of the stiffening element plastically deforms upon insertion into a curved portion of the cochlea.
An exemplary method of acoustically controlling a cochlear implant system includes acoustically transmitting, by a remote control subsystem, a control signal comprising one or more control parameters, detecting, by a sound processing subsystem communicatively coupled to a stimulation subsystem implanted within a patient, the control signal, extracting, by the sound processing subsystem, the one or more control parameters from the control signal, and performing, by the sound processing subsystem, at least one operation in accordance with the one or more control parameters. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
An implantable medical device includes a housing component comprising a flexure; and a ceramic feedthrough attached to the flexure such that the flexure reduces transmission of forces from housing component to the ceramic feedthrough. According to one illustrative embodiment, the implantable medical device is a cochlear implant which includes a titanium feedthrough case made up of a body portion and a flexure; and a ceramic feedthrough being hermetically joined to the flexure by an active braze, the flexure reducing transmission of forces from the titanium feedthrough case to the ceramic feedthrough.
Systems for detecting one or more central auditory potentials include an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient and to generate a stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, a signal processing unit configured to be located external to the patient and to be communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator, and one or more electrodes configured to be removably coupled to the signal processing unit. The electrodes are configured to detect the one or more central auditory potentials and the signal processing unit is configured to process the detected central auditory potentials.
A microcircuit cochlear electrode array and process for the manufacture thereof, the electrode array comprising first and second flat microcircuits comprising a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending electrical conductors and longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads extending laterally from the conductors, the first flat microcircuit being helically wrapped in a first direction along an axis with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an end of an outer surface hereof and the second flat microcircuit helically being wrapped in an opposite direction on and along an outer surface of the first helically wrapped microcircuit with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an outer surface thereof adjacent the exposed longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads of the first microcircuit, and ring electrodes around and electrically secured to the electrode receiving pads of the first and second microcircuits.
An exemplary method includes a sound processing unit 1) directing an implantable cochlear stimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes to generate an electrical stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, 2) automatically detecting an impedance of at least one of the electrodes, and 3) directing, in accordance with the detected impedance, the implantable cochlear stimulator to adjust a pulse width of the electrical stimulation current to maintain constant a total electric charge level of the electrical stimulation current.
An impact resistant implantable antenna coil assembly comprising a flat antenna coil having a plurality of laterally separated turns of wire encapsulated with a non-orthogonal force absorbing coil reinforcement in a flexible biocompatible polymer and axially anchored with the reinforcement to a feedthrough case. Thus configured, non-orthogonal impact forces applied to the antenna coil assembly are absorbed and lateral components thereof that would otherwise be reflected as tensile forces in the plane of the coil are prevented from forming or from fracturing wire within the antenna coil.
An exemplary method includes 1) applying a main current to a first electrode disposed within a patient and associated with a first pitch, 2) concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the patient and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and 3) optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An electrical feedthrough includes a ceramic body and a ribbon via extending through the ceramic body, an interface between the ribbon via and the ceramic body being sealed using partial transient liquid phase bonding. The ribbon via extends out of the ceramic body and makes an electrical connection with an external device.
An implantable hermetic system includes a hermetic case and a hermetic feedthrough sealed into an aperture in the case. The hermetic feedthrough includes vias which form electrically conductive paths through the hermetic feedthrough. A header that includes integral interconnection contacts is attached to the case. The vias are electrically joined to the interconnection contacts.
An electrical feedthrough includes a ceramic body and a ribbon via extending through the ceramic body, an interface between the ribbon via and the ceramic body being sealed using partial transient liquid phase bonding. The ribbon via extends out of the ceramic body and makes an electrical connection with an external device.
An implantable hermetic system includes a hermetic case and a hermetic feedthrough sealed into an aperture in the case. The hermetic feedthrough includes vias which form electrically conductive paths through the hermetic feedthrough. A header that includes integral interconnection contacts is attached to the case. The vias are electrically joined to the interconnection contacts.
A cochlear implant system includes a cochlear electrode array which has a flexible body with a distal end, a plurality of electrodes supported along a length of the flexible body, and a lumen formed in the flexible body. The cochlear implant system also includes a stiffening stylet which is fully inserted into the lumen prior to insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The stiffening stylet is configured such the stylet does not extend to the distal end of the flexible body and remains stationary within the lumen to prevent buckling of the electrode array during insertion of the electrode array through a cochleostomy and into the cochlea. The stiffening stylet is configured to be withdrawn from the lumen after the electrode array is positioned within the cochlea. A method for implanting an electrode array into a cochlea is also provided.
A cochlear implant system includes a cochlear electrode array which has a flexible body with a distal end, a plurality of electrodes supported along a length of the flexible body, and a lumen formed in the flexible body. The cochlear implant system also includes a stiffening stylet which is fully inserted into the lumen prior to insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The stiffening stylet is configured such the stylet does not extend to the distal end of the flexible body and remains stationary within the lumen to prevent buckling of the electrode array during insertion of the electrode array through a cochleostomy and into the cochlea. The stiffening stylet is configured to be withdrawn from the lumen after the electrode array is positioned within the cochlea. A method for implanting an electrode array into a cochlea is also provided.
A cochlear lead (190) includes a plurality of electrodes (1005, 1015) configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea (150) and a flexible body supporting the plurality of electrodes along a length of the flexible body. A stiffening element (500) is slidably encapsulated within the flexible body and positioned such that the stiffening element plastically deforms upon insertion into a curved portion of the cochlea.
A miniature electrical connector comprising a floating spring contact within but not physically secured to an electrically-conductive connector block of a female connector wherein the spring and connector block are designed such that the spring compresses when a male connector is inserted into the female connector to provide a conductive path between the male contact of the male connector and the connector block of the female connector.
An exemplary cochlear system includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audio signal, an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit and configured to apply stimulation representative of the audio signal to a patient via one or more electrodes in accordance with the processing of the audio signal, and a user input facility communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit. The sound processing unit and the implantable cochlear stimulator are configured to operate in accordance with a plurality of control parameters, which may be selectively associated and disassociated with the user input facility in order to facilitate manual adjustment of one or more of the control parameters. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
An exemplary method includes generating, by an external control device selectively and communicatively coupled to an implantable stimulator, a calibration table indicating transmit power levels required to achieve a plurality of distinct combinations of compliance voltages and maximum stimulation current levels by the implantable stimulator, determining, by the external control device, a maximum stimulation current level to be delivered by the implantable stimulator via one or more electrodes to one or more stimulation sites within a patient during a stimulation frame, determining, by the external control device, an optimal compliance voltage that allows the implantable stimulator to deliver the determined maximum stimulation current level, and selecting, by the external control device in accordance with the calibration table, a transmit power level that results in the implantable stimulator operating at substantially the optimal compliance voltage during the stimulation frame. Corresponding methods, apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.
A method for fabricating a hermetic electrical feedthrough (104) includes engraving a circuitous groove (204) into a surface of an electrically conductive monolithic slab (202) so that the interior of the circuitous groove (206) forms a pin (208). A dielectric material (302) is formed in the circuitous groove (206). The pin (208) is then electrically isolated from the surrounding material and provides electrical access through the hermetic feedthrough.
H01L 21/60 - Attaching leads or other conductive members, to be used for carrying current to or from the device in operation
H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements
H01L 23/045 - ContainersSeals characterised by the shape the container being a hollow construction and having a conductive base as a mounting as well as a lead for the semiconductor body the other leads having an insulating passage through the base
A cochlear lead (190) includes a plurality of electrode assemblies (750) partially embedded in a flexible body (475) configured to stimulate an auditory nerve (160) from within a cochlea (150). Each of the electrode assemblies includes a flexible electrically conductive material forming a plurality of support structures (904) and an electrode pad (512) attached a support structure (904), the electrode pad (512) having a surface that is configured to be exposed to cochlear tissue and fluids and has a charge transfer to the cochlear tissue and fluids that is higher than the flexible electrically conductive material.
A special accessory adapter for use with a BTE device of a cochlear implant (CI) system provides two inputs: a T-Mic input and an auxiliary audio input. Both inputs (the T-Mic input and the auxiliary audio input) are connected to a special mixer circuit integrated into a body of the accessory adapter. The body of the accessory adapter connects to the BTE using the same earhook attachment mechanism used by other accessories used by the CI system. The special mixer circuit prevents signals from either the T-Mic input or the auxiliary audio input from interfering with each other. Both signals, however, can still be processed by the processing circuits of the BTE and combined in such a way that user is able to perceive both signals at the same time.
An exemplary signal processing unit includes a plurality of filters configured to divide an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, one or more detection stages configured to detect an energy level within each of said analysis channels, a selection stage configured to select one or more of said analysis channels for presentation to a patient, a synthesizer stage configured to synthesize said selected analysis channels, and a mapping stage configured to map said selected analysis channels to a number of stimulation channels within an implantable cochlear stimulator, wherein a total number of said analysis channels is greater than a total number of said stimulation channels.
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61F 11/04 - Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense, e.g. through the touch sense
A stylet (400) for inserting a portion of a lead (190) into a cochlea (150) includes a first sensor (700) insertable within a lumen (511) of the lead (190) and sensitive to force applied by a lumen wall to the first sensor (700) and a first actuator (515) adapted to move the lead (190) in response to the force sensed by the first sensor (700).
A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
A61F 11/04 - Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense, e.g. through the touch sense
A61F 2/18 - Internal ear or nose parts, e.g. ear-drums
42.
Remote audio processor module for auditory prosthesis systems
An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted within a head of a patient and to apply electrical stimulation representative of an audio signal to one or more stimulation sites within the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, a behind-the-ear sound processing unit configured to be secured to an ear of the patient and to transmit the one or more stimulation parameters to the auditory prosthesis, and a remote audio processor module separate from the behind-the-ear sound processing unit and communicatively coupled to the behind-the-ear sound processing unit via a communication link, the remote audio processor module configured to perform at least a portion of a signal processing heuristic on the audio signal in order to facilitate generation of the one or more stimulation parameters.
An exemplary cochlear implant system includes an external module configured to be positioned external to and worn by a patient, the external module having an external microphone configured to detect an input audio signal presented to the patient, and an external speaker configured to acoustically transmit an audio signal representative of the input audio signal. The exemplary cochlear implant system further includes an implantable module configured to be implanted within the patient, the implantable module having an internal microphone configured to detect the acoustically transmitted audio signal, an internal sound processor configured to generate one or more stimulation parameters based on the acoustically transmitted audio signal, and an internal cochlear stimulator configured to apply electrical stimulation representative of the input audio signal to one or more stimulation sites within the patient in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An exemplary cochlear implant system includes an external module configured to be positioned external to and worn by a patient, the external module having an external microphone configured to detect an input audio signal presented to the patient, and an external speaker configured to acoustically transmit an audio signal representative of the input audio signal. The exemplary cochlear implant system further includes an implantable module configured to be implanted within the patient, the implantable module having an internal microphone configured to detect the acoustically transmitted audio signal, an internal sound processor configured to generate one or more stimulation parameters based on the acoustically transmitted audio signal, and an internal cochlear stimulator configured to apply electrical stimulation representative of the input audio signal to one or more stimulation sites within the patient in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted within a head of a patient and to apply electrical stimulation representative of an audio signal to one or more stimulation sites within the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, a behind-the-ear sound processing unit configured to be secured to an ear of the patient and to transmit the one or more stimulation parameters to the auditory prosthesis, and a remote audio processor module separate from the behind-the-ear sound processing unit and communicatively coupled to the behind-the-ear sound processing unit via a communication link, the remote audio processor module configured to perform at least a portion of a signal processing heuristic on the audio signal in order to facilitate generation of the one or more stimulation parameters. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
An exemplary method of representing different spectral components of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient includes identifying one or more spectral peaks of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient, applying electrical stimulation representative of the one or more spectral peaks to at least one stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a partial multipolar stimulation configuration, and applying electrical stimulation representative of one or more other spectral components of the audio signal to at least one other stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a monopolar stimulation configuration. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An exemplary method includes displaying a graphical user interface configured to include a patient list displayed therein, receiving user input representative of a search term comprising one or more characters selected to identify a particular patient included within a plurality of patients, dynamically updating the patient list in response to the received user input to only include a plurality of entries that contain the search term, each of the entries comprising patient information associated with a distinct one of the patients, and preventing one or more non-search term characters contained within each of the entries of the patient list from being displayed within the graphical user interface. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
48.
REDUCING AN EFFECT OF AMBIENT NOISE WITHIN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM
An exemplary method of reducing an effect of ambient noise within an auditory prosthesis system includes dividing an audio signal presented to an auditory prosthesis patient into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a frequency domain signal representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal, determining a signal-to-noise ratio and a noise reduction gain parameter based on the signal-to-noise ratio for each of the frequency domain signals, applying noise reduction to the frequency domain signals in accordance with the determined noise reduction gain parameters to generate a noise reduced frequency domain signal corresponding to each of the analysis channels, and generating one or more stimulation parameters based on the noise reduced frequency domain signals and in accordance with at least one of a current steering stimulation strategy and an N-of-M stimulation strategy. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
G10K 11/175 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound
G10K 11/178 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
49.
DYNAMIC NOISE REDUCTION IN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEMS
An exemplary method of dynamically adjusting an amount of noise reduction applied in an auditory prosthesis system includes dividing an audio signal presented to a patient into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a signal representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal, determining an overall noise level of the signals within the analysis channels, and dynamically adjusting an amount of noise reduction applied to the signals within the analysis channels in accordance with the determined overall noise level. The dynamic adjustment of noise reduction is configured to minimize the amount of noise reduction applied to the signals within the analysis channels if the overall noise level is less than a predetermined minimum threshold. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
G10K 11/175 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound
G10K 11/178 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
G10L 21/02 - Speech enhancement, e.g. noise reduction or echo cancellation
A cochlear lead includes a plurality electrodes forming an electrode array configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea; a lead body connected to the electrode array; a plurality of wires passing through the lead body and connecting to the plurality of electrodes; an integrated wire carrier extending between an exit of the wires from the lead body and a first electrode in the electrode array, the integrated wire carrier comprising a cavity along its longitudinal axis configured to contain the plurality of wires and shape the plurality of wires into a wire bundle in which the plurality of wires passing through the integrated wire carrier are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrated wire carrier; and a flexible body encapsulating the integrated wire carrier and the wires.
A cochlear lead (190) includes a plurality electrodes (465, 470) to stimulate an auditory nerve (160) from within a cochlea (150) and a plurality of wires (455) configured to connect the plurality of electrodes (465, 470) to an internal processor (185). An integrated wire carrier (605) with a cavity (607) along its longitudinal axis is configured to contain the plurality of wires (455) and shape the plurality of wires (455) into a wire bundle; and a flexible body (475) encapsulating the integrated wire carrier (605) and the plurality of wires (455).
An exemplary insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of a lead into a bodily orifice includes a handle assembly configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool, an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube configured to removably couple to a portion of the lead, and a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button. The release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube in response to user actuation of the release button. Corresponding insertion tools, systems, and methods are also described.
A connector system for Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing devices provides a means to detachably connect a variety of accessories to a sound processor, including batteries, earhooks, telecoils, auxiliary microphones, FM receivers, and input jacks for miscellaneous devices. The present invention provides an efficient and economical sealing connection, eliminating the introduction of sweat, body fluid and other contaminants into the connection area, which otherwise would result in corrosion and eventually disable the connected device. A wiping contact formed by a configuration of cam contacts and a flex circuit with a configuration of corresponding contacts is combined with a rotational engagement mechanism to create a vibration-resistant high contact density connector that is moisture proof when engaged.
Exemplary cochlear implant systems (400) include an implantable head module (402) configured to be implanted within a head of a patient. The implantable head module includes a cochlear stimulator (110) configured to be coupled to an electrode lead (114), the electrode lead including one or more electrodes configured to be in communication with one or more stimulation sites within the patient. The implantable head module also includes a signal receiver (408) configured to receive a telemetry signal representative of an audio signal from a signal transmitter (420) located external to the patient, a sound processor (106) configured to process the telemetry signal and direct the cochlear stimulator to generate and apply electrical stimulation representative of the audio signal to the one or more stimulation sites via the electrode lead, and a power receiver (410) configured to receive power for operating the implantable head module from a power transmitter (422) located external to the patient.
A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).
An exemplary cochlear stimulation method includes applying a main current to a first electrode associated with a first pitch and disposed within a cochlea of a patient, concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the cochlea and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An exemplary cochlear stimulation method includes applying a main current to a first electrode associated with a first pitch and disposed within a cochlea of a patient, concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the cochlea and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board. The telemetry flux guide is configured to direct magnetic flux of the telemetry magnetic field away from the circuit board.
A cochlear implant system includes: an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with the electrode array; an implanted antenna which is electrically coupled to the internal processor; and a modular external headpiece which is removably positioned over the implanted antenna, the modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to the implanted antenna; and a modular component configured to releasably engage the core and supply electrical power to the core. A modular speech processor headpiece includes a core comprising a microphone and sound processor for producing a signal representing ambient sound to be transmitted to a cochlear implant, the core further comprising a number of electrical contacts; and a modular component containing a number of electrical contacts corresponding to the electrical contacts of the core; wherein the core is configured to engage with the modular component such that electrical communication is made between the core and the modular component.
An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions.
A system for mechanically assisted insertion of an electrode includes: an insertion tool configured to insert the electrode into biological tissues; and a controller configured to control the insertion tool, in which the controller is further configured to select operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations. Also, a method for insertion of a cochlear lead, includes: selecting operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters; inserting the cochlear lead while sensing real time force and position; and continuing the insertion while the real time force is below the maximum allowable force profile, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations.
An exemplary method of conveying fine structure information to a cochlear implant patient includes dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, generating electrical stimulation in accordance with the information contained within each of the analysis channels, applying the electrical stimulation to at least one stimulation site within a patient via a plurality of stimulation channels, and at least partially isolating one of the stimulation channels from a rest of the stimulation channels, wherein fine structure information is conveyed to the patient via the isolated stimulation channel. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
An exemplary method of spectral tilt optimization for a cochlear implant patient includes applying electrical stimulation representative of an audio signal to the cochlear implant patient in accordance with a plurality of spectral tilt values, recording a recognition score achieved by the patient for each of the spectral tilt values, the recognition score corresponding to an ability of the patient to recognize at least one attribute of the audio signal applied in accordance with each of the spectral tilt values, and selecting one of the spectral tilt values as an optimal spectral tilt value for the patient based on the recorded recognition scores. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
Methods and systems of optimizing sound sensation of a cochlear implant patient include dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, generating one or more tonality indices each representing a tonality of one of the analysis channels, generating one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent the audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, and adjusting at least one of the stimulation parameters based on at least one of the tonality indices.
A system for delivering therapeutic agents to biological tissue includes a surgically implantable lead configured to be inserted into the biological tissue, the surgically implantable lead including a preformed cavity; and a modular capsule containing a therapeutic agent which includes dexamethasone base; the modular capsule being secured within the preformed cavity; the modular capsule releasing the therapeutic agent into the biological tissue. A method of delivering therapeutic agents to biological tissue includes obtaining a surgically implantable lead with a preformed cavity; obtaining a modular capsule containing a therapeutic agent comprising dexamethasone base and securing it within the preformed cavity; and inserting the surgically implantable lead into the biological tissue.
A method for delivering dexamethasone base (DXMb) via an implantable electrode (195, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600) includes coupling DXMb to the implantable electrode (195, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600) and inserting the implantable electrode (195, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600) into animal tissue (150), the DXMb eluting into the animal tissue (150). An implantable nerve stimulating device (100, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600) includes an elongated member (195) having a distal end bearing at least one electrode; and DXMb coupled to the elongated member (195), the DXMb being eluted into tissue (150) surrounding the elongated member (195).
A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
A61K 9/00 - Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
A61F 11/00 - Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense Non-electric hearing aidsMethods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing senseProtective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
67.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A THRESHOLD CURRENT LEVEL REQUIRED TO EVOKE A STAPEDIAL MUSCLE REFLEX
Exemplary cochlear implant systems (100) include an implantable cochlear stimulator (105) configured to be implanted within a patient and generate a stimulation current having an adjustable current level, one or more electrodes (107) communicatively coupled to the stimulator (105) and configured to apply the stimulation current to one or more locations within an ear of the patient, and a sound processor (103) configured to derive an acoustic reflectance of the patient's ear. The implantable cochlear stimulator (105) is configured to adjust the current level of the stimulation current until the sound processor (103) detects a change in the acoustic reflectance above a threshold.
Information can be stored in a cochlear stimulation system by determining an item of patient specific information, transferring the item of patient specific information to an implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system, and permanently storing the item of patient specific information in the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. The item of patient specific information can comprise a parameter for use in generating a stimulation current. The implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system also can be configured to permanently store one or more items of patient specific information in an alterable fashion. Further, an item of patient specific information can be retrieved from the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. Additionally, an item of non-patient specific information for use in processing a received acoustic signal can be determined and permanently stored in an external portion of the cochlear stimulation system.
A system for treating patients affected both by hearing loss and by balance disorders related to vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source, and an implantable electrical stimulator capable of stimulating areas of the cochlea and areas of the vestibular system.
Systems and methods for efficiently transmitting power using a high frequency (e.g., RF) telemetry transmitter are provided. The telemetry transmitter may include a fixed clock source (which may provide a fixed clock signal), telemetry phase shift circuitry (which may include switching circuitry and phase shifting circuitry), and a push-pull network. The telemetry phase shift circuitry generates a phase shifted clock signal that is phase shifted with respect to the fixed clock signal. The fixed and phase shifted clock signals may drive the switching circuitry to produce a high frequency signal that is passed through the push-pull network. The power or magnitude of the high frequency signal is based on the phase delay between the fixed clock signal and the phase shifted clock signal.
A system for treating patients affected both by hearing loss and by balance disorders related to vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source, and an implantable electrical stimulator capable of stimulating areas of the cochlea and areas of the vestibular system.
An electrode array design is provided which is intended for deep insertion into a human cochlea. The distal most portion of the lead can be very thin and flexible and have a wider arc than the remainder of the curved electrode array portion of the lead, which has a more aggressive arc. As a result, the distal most portion of the electrode array can be laterally positioned in a selected cochlear duct, whereas, concurrently, the remaining, more proximal part of the electrode array may be positioned medially (perimodiolar) within the cochlear duct.
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