Implantable cochlear system with inner ear sensor
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Publication Number
US-11806531-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Cochlear implant systems can include an inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from the cochlear tissue of a wearer and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The inner ear sensor can be configured to detect pressure, for example, within a wearer's cochlear tissue and generate an input signal based on the detected pressure. The inner ear sensor can be integrated with a cochlear electrode implanted in the cochlear tissue. Systems can include a signal processor programmed with a transfer function and configured to receive an input signal and output a stimulation signal based on the received input signal and transfer function. Systems can include an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to interface with and update the transfer function of the signal processor.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a fully implantable cochlear implant system that includes an inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid and to generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The system includes a signal processor programmed with a transfer function that receives the input signal and outputs a stimulation signal based on the received input signal and the transfer function.
The stimulation signal causes an electrical stimulator to output electrical signals to a cochlear electrode. In some embodiments, the system includes an acoustic stimulator, and employs analog processing and digital processing to generate and normalize a stimulus signal, including calibration to flatten gain across frequencies of the sensor frequency response.
The system further includes an implantable module comprising an implantable battery and/or an implantable communication module that provides electrical power to the signal processor(s), and supports updating the programmed transfer function. An external hub including a speaker and a wireless communication interface can communicate wirelessly with the implantable module, output predetermined acoustic signals, exchange information regarding the predetermined acoustic signals, analyze a relationship between acoustic output and the sensor input, and update the transfer function accordingly.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features focus on inner ear sensing to form an input signal, application of a programmed transfer function in a signal processor to generate stimulation signals for cochlear electrodes, and implantable power/communications with optional wireless external-hub acoustic signaling and transfer-function updating.
Inner ear sensing with transfer-function stimulation for a cochlear electrode
A cochlear electrode; a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode; an inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid of a wearer and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal; and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the inner ear sensor, the signal processor being programmed with a transfer function and being configured to receive the input signal and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and the transfer function to cause the stimulator to output electrical signals to the cochlear electrode.
First and second subsystems with respective electrodes, stimulators, sensors, and transfer functions
A first subsystem including a first cochlear electrode, a first stimulator, a first inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid and generate a first input signal, and a first signal processor programmed with a first transfer function to receive the first input signal and output a first stimulation signal to the first stimulator to cause the first stimulator to output first electrical signals to the first cochlear electrode; and a second subsystem including a second cochlear electrode, a second stimulator, a second input source configured to receive a second stimulus signal and generate a second input signal, and a second signal processor programmed with a second transfer function to receive the second input signal and output a second stimulation signal to the second stimulator to cause the second stimulator to output second electrical signals to the second cochlear electrode.
Implantable module providing power to transfer-function signal processors
An implantable module comprising an implantable battery and/or an implantable communication module in communication with the signal processor and/or the first signal processor and the second signal processor and configured to provide electrical power to the signal processor and/or the first signal processor and the second signal processor.
External hub outputting predetermined acoustic signals and communicating information wirelessly to update implant behavior
An external hub including a speaker and a wireless communication interface, the external hub being configured to communicate wirelessly with the implantable module, the external hub being configured to output a first predetermined acoustic signal via the speaker and communicate information regarding the first predetermined acoustic signal to the implantable module via the wireless communication interface.
Overall, the claim set covers cochlear implant systems that convert a sensor-derived input signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid using a programmed transfer function to generate stimulation signals for cochlear electrodes, supported by implantable battery and/or implantable communication module power, with an optional external hub that outputs predetermined acoustic signals and communicates acoustic information wirelessly to the implantable module.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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