Implantable cochlear system with inner ear sensor
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Publication Number
US-12214195-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-04
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 relates to 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 generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The system further includes a signal processor and a stimulator in electrical communication with a cochlear electrode so that the signal processor outputs stimulation signals to the stimulator for electrical signals to the cochlear electrode.
A core aspect is that the signal processor includes an analog processing stage and a digital processing stage, and the processor is programmed with a transfer function configured to compensate for variability in a frequency response of the inner ear sensor. The analog processing stage processes the input signal to generate an analog processed signal with reduced variability in gain relative to the input signal across a range of frequencies, and the digital processing stage further processes the analog processed signal to generate a digitally processed signal with reduced variability in gain relative to the analog processed signal across the range of frequencies.
The document also describes embodiments in which the inner ear sensor is integrated into the cochlear electrode, and modular hardware includes separable processor/stimulator/sensor components. The transfer function and/or processing behavior can be updated using an external wireless interface for calibration, including concepts for normalizing sensor frequency response, and physiology-based calibration using stapedial reflex signals to map electrical intensity to sound pressure.
In further embodiments, the invention describes multi-subsystem configurations for a first ear and a second ear, including respective electrodes, stimulators, sensors/input sources, signal processors, and transfer functions, with separate transfer functions adjustable via an implantable battery and/or communication module. The system includes wireless commands for calibration and transfer-function updates, and optional acoustic stimulation with a speaker and fitting hub.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim coverage is centered on a cochlear implant system architecture that uses an inner ear sensor, a stimulator, and a signal processor with analog and digital processing stages programmed with a transfer function to reduce gain variability and compensate for the sensor’s frequency-response variability across a range of frequencies.
Sensor-based input signal for cochlear tissue and/or fluid
An inner ear sensor is configured to receive a stimulus signal from surrounding cochlear tissue and/or fluid and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal.
Analog-to-digital gain-variability reduction across frequencies
A signal processor includes an analog processing stage and a digital processing stage, and is programmed with a transfer function that receives the input signal, processes it via the analog processing stage to generate an analog processed signal with reduced variability in gain relative to the input signal across a range of frequencies, and then processes the analog processed signal via the digital processing stage to generate a digitally processed signal with reduced variability in gain relative to the analog processed signal across the range of frequencies.
Transfer function compensating sensor frequency-response variability
The analog processing stage and the digital processing stage combine to compensate for variability in a frequency response of the inner ear sensor, as reflected in reduced variability in gain across the range of frequencies.
Stimulation signal output to cochlear electrode
The signal processor outputs a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the digitally processed signal and the transfer function, and the stimulator is configured to provide electrical signals to the cochlear electrode in response to the stimulation signal.
The independent claim requires sensor-based input generation from cochlear tissue and/or fluid, a two-stage analog-plus-digital processing architecture programmed with a transfer function to reduce gain variability across frequencies, and combined processing that compensates for the inner ear sensor’s frequency-response variability, ultimately producing stimulation signals for electrical delivery to the cochlear electrode.
Stated Advantages
Reduced variability in gain relative to the received stimulus signal across a range of frequencies.
The analog processing stage and digital processing stage combine to compensate for variability in a frequency response of the inner ear sensor.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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