Multipath stimulation hearing systems

Abstract

A prosthetic hearing system is described that provides multi-path stimulation of the patient auditory system. A mechanical stimulation component applies mechanical stimulation signals to cerebral tissue such as the dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, vestibular structures, etc. using multiple separate mechanical stimulation channels. And an electrical stimulation component provides electrical stimulation of auditory neural tissue of the patient user.

Description

[0001] cross reference [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application 61 / 090,758, filed August 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference. field of invention [0003] The present invention relates to medical implants, and more particularly to hearing restoration implant systems that produce mechanical and electrical stimulation. Background technique [0004] The seemingly simple role of hearing is easily taken for granted. While it may seem like we can hear the sounds around us effortlessly, hearing is a remarkable process from a physiological standpoint. The mechanism of hearing involves a complex system of levers, membranes, fluid reservoirs, nerve cells, and hair cells that must all cooperate to deliver neural stimulation to the brain, where this information is encoded into higher-level sensations that are relatively High-level sensations are what we perceive as sound. [0005] In this complex mix of acoustic, mechanical, and neurologi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But previous devices have not been so tightly coupled to the cochlear fluid that the resulting sound is often significantly distorted because the vibrations transmitted to the cochlea 104 do not exactly correspond to the sound waves detected by the microphone

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