Multi-electrode cochlear implant system with distributed electronics

a cochlear implant and distributed electronics technology, applied in the field of tissue stimulation prosthesis, can solve the problems of increasing the number of wires in conjunction with an increase in the number of electrodes, limiting the maximum dimensions of the cochlea, and limiting the maximum stiffness of the array, so as to ensure the long-term charge balance of the system

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-01-20
COCHLEAR LIMITED +1
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0041] Despite the above, precise charge balance may not be achievable in practice due to small timing errors or variation in electrode properties. To overcome this problem, the output transmission gates (switches) are preferably closed after the second stimulation phase, thereby connecting all intra-cochlea electrodes to stim 1 and stim 2 simultaneously. These electrodes can be connected to VDD via the output switches of ...

Problems solved by technology

The dimensions and spiral shape of the cochlea also limit the maximum dimensions, particularly the diameter, and the stiffness of any array used as part of a cochlear implant.
In existing designs, this has limited the number of electrically conducting electrodes that can be incorporated into the array, due in the main to limitations imposed on the number of wires that can extend through the array to the electrodes.
However, it has been demonstrated that increasing the...

Method used

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  • Multi-electrode cochlear implant system with distributed electronics
  • Multi-electrode cochlear implant system with distributed electronics
  • Multi-electrode cochlear implant system with distributed electronics

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Embodiment Construction

[0062] While it is to be understood that the present invention has wider application, the invention will be hereinafter described with reference to its application in a cochlear implant.

[0063] Before describing the features of the present invention, it is appropriate to briefly describe the construction of one type of known cochlear implant system with reference to FIG. 11.

[0064] Known cochlear implants typically consist of two main components, an external component including a speech processor 29, and an internal component including an implanted receiver and stimulator unit 22. The external component includes a microphone 27. The speech processor 29 is, in this illustration, constructed and arranged so that it can fit behind the outer ear 7. Alternative versions may be worn on the body or be totally implantable. In the depicted arrangement, a transmitter coil 24 receives signals from the speech processor 29 which in turn transmits electrical signals to the implanted unit 22 via a...

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Abstract

An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising a carrier member having a plurality of electrodes (11) mounted thereon, and at least one signal transmitting wire (13) extending through at least a portion of the carrier member and adapted to transmit signals through the carrier member to and/or from the electrodes (11). The number of wires (13) within the carrier member is less than the number of electrodes (11) mounted thereon.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a tissue-stimulating prosthesis and, in particular, to an implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis, such as an electrode array for a cochlear implant-type auditory prosthesis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Cochlear implants have been developed to assist people who are profoundly deaf or severely hearing impaired, by enabling them to experience hearing sensation representative of the natural hearing sensation. In most of these cases, the individuals have an absence of or destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea which naturally transduce acoustic signals into nerve impulses which are interpreted by the brain as sound. The cochlear implant therefore bypasses the hair cells to directly deliver electrical stimulation to the auditory nerves with this electrical stimulation being representative of the sound. [0003] Cochlear implants have traditionally consisted of two parts, an external speech processor unit and an im...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61F2/18A61F11/00A61N1/05H04R25/00
CPCA61N1/0541
Inventor IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM HANNAPARKER, JOHN L.
Owner COCHLEAR LIMITED
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