Physiological measurement management using prosthetic and / or other techniques

Abstract

A medical device, where the medical device is configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated, where the data is physiological data associated with a recipient of the medical device. In exemplary embodiments, the medical device may be a prosthesis, such as an implantable prosthesis, and in other embodiments, the medical device is distinct from the prosthesis.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with the application date of November 1, 2019, application number 201980055979.3, and invention name “Physiological measurement management using prosthetic technology and / or other technologies”.

[0002] Cross-references

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 754,776, filed on November 2, 2018, entitled “PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT MANAGEMENT UTILIZING PROSTHESIS TECHNOLOGY AND / OR OTHER TECHNOLOGY,” the inventor of which is Kenneth OPLINGER of Macquarie University, Australia, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present application relates to a medical device, method and system. Background Art

[0005] Some people suffer from sensory impairments, such as visual impairment, hearing impairment, loss of smell, etc. With regard to hearing impairment, this can be attributed to many different causes, generally of two types: conductive and neural. Neurological hearing impairment is due to the loss or damage of hair cells in the cochlea that convert sound signals into nerve impulses. Various hearing prostheses are commercially available to provide individuals with neurological hearing impairments with the ability to perceive sound. One example of a hearing prosthesis is a cochlear implant.

[0006] Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathway that provides sound to the hair cells in the cochlea is blocked, for example by damage to the ossicular chain or the ear canal. Individuals with conductive hearing loss may retain some form of residual hearing because the hair cells in the cochlea may remain intact.

[0007] Individuals with hearing impairments typically receive acoustic hearing aids. Conventional acoustic hearing aids rely on the principle of air conduction to transmit acoustic signals to the cochlea. Specifically, the hearing aids typically use an arrangement positioned in the recipient's ear canal or on the outer ear to amplify the sound received by the recipient's outer ear. This amplified sound reaches the cochlea, causing movement of the perilymph and stimulating the auditory nerve.

[0008] Cases of conductive hearing loss can be addressed with the help of bone conduction devices. Compared to conventional hearing aids, these devices use mechanical actuators coupled to the skull to apply amplified sound. Other types of devices, such as middle ear implants, can be used to induce hearing perception to address conductive hearing loss.

[0009] In contrast to hearing aids, which rely primarily on the principle of air conduction, certain types of hearing prostheses, often referred to as cochlear implants, convert received sound into electrical stimulation. The electrical stimulation is applied to the cochlea, which produces the perception of the received sound.

[0010] In addition, some people may be completely blind or legally blind. Retinal implants can provide stimulation to the recipient to induce visual perception. In some cases, retinal implants are intended to restore useful vision to people who have lost their vision due to degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or macular degeneration. In some cases, at least in some cases not mutually exclusive with the foregoing examples, retinal implants are provided to provide at least a small amount of spatial perception and / or situational awareness to people who are otherwise blind.

[0011] In general, there are three types of retinal implants that can be used to restore some vision: epiretinal implants (on the retina), subretinal implants (behind the retina), and suprachoroidal implants (above the vascular choroid). Retinal implants provide low-resolution images to the recipient by electrically stimulating surviving retinal cells. Such images may be sufficient to restore specific visual abilities, such as light perception and object recognition.

[0012] Additionally, other types of sensory disorders include somatosensory deficits and chemosensory deficits. Therefore, there may be somatosensory implants and chemosensory implants that can address such issues.

[0013] The various restorations described above sometimes utilize sophisticated processing (eg, sound processing, image processing, etc.) techniques to improve the induced perception (hearing, vision, etc.) relative to what would otherwise be possible.

[0014] Many devices, such as medical devices that interface with a recipient, have structural and / or functional features where there is utility in adjusting such features for an individual recipient. One medical device where there is utility in making such adjustments is the cochlear implant described above. That is, there are other types of medical devices, such as other types of hearing prostheses, and other types of prostheses, such as retinal implants, where there is utility in adapting such devices and prostheses to a recipient. Summary of the invention

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, there is a medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on non-mobile data associated with a recipient of the medical device, wherein the data is physiological data associated with the recipient of the medical device.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, there is a method comprising: obtaining, using a device of a recipient of a restoration, first data indicating the occurrence of an event associated with the recipient, and determining, based on the obtained first data, whether to perform at least one of the following: implement a measurement involving the recipient, or discount second data involving the recipient.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, there is a system comprising: a first subsystem configured to sense a phenomenon associated with an individual; a second subsystem configured to perform at least one of capturing sound, capturing light, or capturing electromagnetic radiation; and a third subsystem configured to perform at least one of the following operations:

[0018] analyzing output from at least the second subsystem and determining at least one of: whether to activate the first subsystem, or the activation level of the second subsystem; or

[0019] Outputs from at least the second subsystem and the first subsystem are analyzed, and at least one of the following is determined: whether to activate a fourth subsystem that stimulates the recipient, or the activation level of the fourth subsystem. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hearing prosthesis in which at least some of the teachings detailed herein apply;

[0022] Figure 2 presenting a functional block diagram of an example cochlear implant;

[0023] Figure 3A and Figure 3B presenting an exemplary system according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 4 presenting exemplary exterior components;

[0025] Figure 5 and 6 and 7 presents schematic diagrams of some exemplary human monitoring systems;

[0026] Figure 8 presenting exemplary sensory restorations;

[0027] Fig. 9 , 10 and 11 provide an exemplary algorithm for an exemplary method;

[0028] Fig.12 presents a functional diagram of an exemplary system; and

[0029] Figures 13 to 16 Schematic diagrams of some exemplary human monitoring systems are presented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The teachings detailed herein are implemented in sensory prostheses, such as specifically, hearing implants, and generally, neural stimulation devices. Other types of sensory prostheses may include retinal implants. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, as long as the field supports this, any teachings herein about sensory prostheses correspond to the disclosures that these teachings are used for hearing implants / used in combination with hearing implants and for retinal implants / used in combination with retinal implants, unless otherwise stated. In addition, with respect to any teachings herein, unless otherwise stated, as long as the field supports this, the teachings correspond to the disclosures that these teachings are combined with all or part of cochlear implants, bone conduction devices (active and passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices, and transcutaneous bone conduction devices) and middle ear implants. Specifically, any teachings herein about a specific sensory prosthesis correspond to the disclosures that these teachings are used for any of the above-mentioned hearing prostheses / used in combination with any of the above-mentioned hearing prostheses, and vice versa. It is inferred from this that at least some of the teachings detailed herein can be implemented in somatosensory implants and / or chemical sensory implants. Thus, any teachings herein regarding sensory prostheses correspond to disclosures of utilizing / using such teachings in conjunction with somatosensory implants and / or chemosensory implants.

[0031] While the teachings detailed herein will be described to the greatest extent possible with respect to hearing prostheses, it should be noted in light of the above that any disclosure herein with respect to hearing prostheses corresponds to disclosure of another embodiment utilizing the associated teachings with respect to any other prosthesis noted herein, whether a hearing prosthesis or a sensory prosthesis, such as a retinal prosthesis. In this regard, unless otherwise indicated and / or unless the art does not support this, any disclosure herein with respect to inducing hearing perceptions corresponds to disclosures in other embodiments inducing other types of neural perceptions, such as visual / vision perceptions, tactile perceptions, olfactory perceptions, or taste perceptions. Any disclosure herein of an apparatus, system, and / or method for or producing a resulting stimulation of the auditory nerve corresponds to disclosures utilizing similar components / methods / systems for similar stimulation of the optic nerve.

[0032] Figure 1is a perspective view of a cochlear implant, referred to as cochlear implant 100, implanted in a recipient, to which some of the embodiments and / or variations thereof described in detail herein are applicable. In some embodiments, cochlear implant 100 is part of a system 10 that may include external components, as described in detail below. In addition, it should be noted that the teachings described in detail herein are also applicable to other types of hearing prostheses, such as bone conduction devices (transcutaneous, active transcutaneous and / or passive transcutaneous), direct acoustic cochlear stimulators, middle ear implants, and conventional hearing aids, by way of example only and not limitation. In fact, it should be noted that the teachings described in detail herein are also applicable to so-called multi-mode devices. In exemplary embodiments, these multi-mode devices apply both electrical and acoustic stimulation to the recipient. In exemplary embodiments, these multi-mode devices induce hearing perception through electrical hearing and bone conduction hearing.

[0033] In this regard, it should be understood that the technology presented herein can also be used in conjunction with a variety of other medical devices that can benefit from changes in settings based on the location of the medical device while providing a wide range of therapeutic benefits to the recipient, patient, or other user. For example, the technology presented herein can be used with other hearing prostheses, including acoustic hearing aids, bone conduction devices, middle ear hearing prostheses, direct acoustic stimulators, other electrical stimulation hearing prostheses (e.g., auditory brain stimulators), etc. The technology presented herein can also be used in conjunction with visual prostheses (i.e., bionic eyes), sensors, pacemakers, drug delivery systems, defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, catheters, etc. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, or unless its disclosure is incompatible with a given device based on the current level of technology, any disclosure herein about one of these types of hearing prostheses corresponds to the disclosure of another type of these types of hearing prostheses or related any medical devices. In at least some embodiments, the teachings detailed herein are applicable to partially implantable and / or fully implantable medical devices that provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits to a recipient, patient, or other user, such as hearing devices with implanted microphones, auditory brain stimulators, visual prostheses (e.g., bionic eyes), sensors, and the like.

[0034] In view of the above, it should be understood that at least some of the embodiments and / or variations thereof described herein relate to a sensory supplement medical device (e.g., Figure 1Hearing prostheses that supplement hearing even in the absence of natural hearing, for example because of previous deterioration of natural hearing or, for example, lack of any natural hearing from birth). It should be noted that at least some exemplary embodiments of some sensory assistance medical devices relate to devices such as conventional hearing aids that supplement hearing in the presence of some natural hearing, as well as vision prostheses (those applicable to recipients with some natural vision as well as those applicable to recipients without natural vision). Therefore, the teachings detailed herein are applicable to any type of sensory assistance medical device, and the teachings detailed herein are capable of being used in a practical manner with the sensory assistance medical device. In this regard, the phrase sensory assistance medical device refers to any device for providing sensation to a recipient, regardless of whether the applicable natural sensation is only partially impaired or completely impaired or has never actually existed.

[0035] The recipient has an outer ear 101, a middle ear 105, and an inner ear 107. Components of the outer ear 101, the middle ear 105, and the inner ear 107 are described below, and then the cochlear implant 100 is described.

[0036] In a fully functional ear, the outer ear 101 includes the auricle 110 and the ear canal 102. Sound pressure or sound waves 103 are collected by the auricle 110 and directed into and through the ear canal 102. The eardrum 104, which vibrates in response to the sound waves 103, is at the distal end of the ear canal 102. This vibration is coupled to the oval or elliptical window 112 through three bones of the middle ear 105, which are collectively referred to as the ossicles 106 and include the malleus 108, the incus 109, and the stapes 111. The bones 108, 109, and 111 of the middle ear 105 serve to filter and amplify the sound waves 103, causing the oval window 112 to pivot or vibrate in response to the vibrations of the eardrum 104. This vibration causes the perilymph within the cochlea 140 to generate waves of fluid motion. This fluid motion, in turn, activates tiny hair cells (not shown) inside the cochlea 140. Activation of the hair cells causes appropriate nerve impulses to be generated and transmitted through spiral ganglion cells (not shown) and the auditory nerve 114 to the brain (also not shown), where they are perceived as sound.

[0037] As shown, cochlear implant 100 includes one or more components that are temporarily or permanently implanted within a recipient. Figure 1 1 shows a cochlear implant 100 having an external device 142, which (together with the cochlear implant 100) is part of a system 10, and the external device is configured to provide power to the cochlear implant as described below, wherein the implanted cochlear implant includes a battery that is charged from the power provided by the external device 142.

[0038] exist Figure 1In the illustrative arrangement of , the external device 142 may include a power source (not shown) disposed in the behind-the-ear (BTE) unit 126. The external device 142 also includes components of a transcutaneous energy transfer link referred to as an external energy transfer assembly. The transcutaneous energy transfer link is used to transfer power and / or data to the cochlear implant 100. Various types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), electromagnetic, capacitive, and inductive transfer, may be used to transfer power and / or data from the external device 142 to the cochlear implant 100. In Figure 1 In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the external energy transfer assembly includes an external coil 130 that forms part of an inductive radio frequency (RF) communication link. The external coil 130 is typically a wire antenna coil composed of multiple turns of electrically insulated single or multiple strands of platinum or gold wire. The external device 142 also includes a magnet (not shown) positioned within the turns of the external coil 130. It should be understood that Figure 1 The external devices shown in are illustrative only, and other external devices may be used with the embodiments.

[0039] The cochlear implant 100 includes an internal energy transfer assembly 132 that can be positioned in a recess of the temporal bone adjacent to the recipient's auricle 110. As described in detail below, the internal energy transfer assembly 132 is a component of a transcutaneous energy transfer link and receives power and / or data from an external device 142. In the illustrative embodiment, the energy transfer link includes an inductive RF link, and the internal energy transfer assembly 132 includes a primary internal coil 136. The internal coil 136 is typically a wire antenna coil composed of multiple turns of electrically insulated single or multiple strands of platinum or gold wire.

[0040] The cochlear implant 100 also includes a main implantable component 120 and an elongated electrode assembly 118. In some embodiments, the internal energy transfer assembly 132 and the main implantable component 120 are hermetically sealed within a biocompatible housing. In some embodiments, the main implantable component 120 includes an implantable microphone assembly (not shown) and a sound processing unit (not shown) to convert sound signals received by the implantable microphone in the internal energy transfer assembly 132 into data signals. That is, in some alternative embodiments, the implantable microphone assembly may be located in a separate implantable component (e.g., having its own housing assembly, etc.), and the separate implantable component is in signal communication with the main implantable component 120 (e.g., via leads between the separate implantable component and the main implantable component 120, etc.). In at least some embodiments, the teachings and / or variations thereof detailed herein may be used with any type of implantable microphone arrangement.

[0041] The main implantable component 120 also includes a stimulator unit (also not shown) that generates electrical stimulation signals based on the data signals. The electrical stimulation signals are delivered to the recipient through the elongated electrode assembly 118.

[0042] The elongated electrode assembly 118 has a proximal end connected to the main implantable member 120 and a distal end implanted in the cochlea 140. The electrode assembly 118 extends from the main implantable member 120 through the mastoid bone 119 to the cochlea 140. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 118 can be implanted at least in the basal region 116, and sometimes more deeply. For example, the electrode assembly 118 can extend toward the top end of the cochlea 140, known as the cochlear apex 134. In some cases, the electrode assembly 118 can be inserted into the cochlea 140 through a cochleostomy 122. In other cases, the cochleostomy can be formed through the round window 121, the oval window 112, the promontory 123, or through the top turn 147 of the cochlea 140.

[0043] The electrode assembly 118 includes a longitudinally aligned and distally extending array 146 of electrodes 148 disposed along its length. As noted, the stimulator unit generates stimulation signals that are applied by the electrodes 148 to the cochlea 140, thereby stimulating the auditory nerve 114.

[0044] Therefore, as seen above, a variety of implantable devices rely on external components to provide certain functions and / or power. For example, the recipient of the implantable device can wear an external component that provides power and / or data (e.g., a signal representing sound) to the implanted portion to allow the implantable device to function. Specifically, the implantable device may not have a battery and may actually rely entirely on an external power source that provides continuous power to the implantable device to function. Although the external power source can continuously provide power, the characteristics of the power provided do not have to be constant and may fluctuate. In addition, in the case where the implantable device is a hearing prosthesis such as a cochlear implant, the implantable device may not have its own sound input device (e.g., a microphone). Sometimes, it is practical to remove the external component. For example, the recipient of the hearing prosthesis usually removes the external part of the prosthesis when sleeping. Doing so may result in a loss of function of the implanted portion of the prosthesis, which may prevent the recipient from hearing ambient sound. This may not be very practical and may cause the recipient to be unable to hear sound when sleeping. The loss of function will also prevent the implanted portion from responding to a signal representing streaming content (e.g., music streamed from a phone) or providing other functions, such as providing tinnitus suppression noise.

[0045] As described in detail above, the external component that provides power and / or data can be worn by the recipient. When the wearable external device is worn by the recipient, the external device is usually very close to the implanted component and closely aligned with the implanted component. The wearable external device can be configured to operate under these conditions. Relatively speaking, in some cases, the unworn device may generally be away from the implanted component and not so closely aligned with the implanted component. This can cause difficulties when the implanted device relies on the external device in terms of power and data (for example, when the implanted device does not have its own battery and microphone), and the external device may need to continuously and consistently provide power and data in order to achieve the continuous and consistent function of the implanted device.

[0046] The technology disclosed herein can be used to provide power and / or data to an implantable device, and / or retrieve data from an implantable device, when the recipient is not wearing an external device. The technology can overcome one or more challenges associated with it. In an example, the disclosed technology can provide power and / or data to an implanted medical device through a system comprising a pillow or other headrest or other bodyrest components (mattress, blanket, etc.). The disclosed technology can be configured to continuously and / or intermittently provide power and data to an implantable medical device over a period of time (e.g., substantially during the entire period of time when the recipient rests his head on the pillow). The characteristics of the power provided continuously do not have to be constant. For example, because the link efficiency between the implant and the pillow can change as the recipient's head moves, thereby changing the proximity of the coil, the power can fluctuate. For example, a tank capacitor can be used to smooth the power supplied to the implanted electronic parts. Recipients of implanted medical devices usually remove their external devices when sleeping, and during this period, the pillow is usually placed very close to the implanted prosthesis. Specifically, hearing implants are often placed very close to the recipient's ears, and people often rest their heads on pillows so that one or both ears are close to the pillow. Therefore, it may be practical to incorporate a pillow into a system for providing the functionality of a worn external device while the recipient of the implantable device is sleeping. For a recipient of bilateral hearing implants, it may be sufficient for only one of the two devices to function during nighttime use. For example, a first device closest to the pillow may receive enough power and / or data to function, while a second device further away from the pillow may receive insufficient power and / or data to function.

[0047] For simplicity, reference may be made herein to pillows or other headrests, but the disclosed technology can be used in conjunction with a variety of articles. Headrests can include, for example, pillows, cushions, pads, head supports, and mattresses. Such articles can be covered (e.g., by a pillow cover) or uncovered. In addition, the disclosed external system components can be used in conjunction with any of a variety of systems according to embodiments of the present technology. For example, in many embodiments, the technology is used in conjunction with a conventional cochlear implant system. Figure 1 An exemplary cochlear implant system that may benefit from use in conjunction with the techniques disclosed herein is depicted.

[0048] Figure 2 2 is a functional block diagram of a cochlear implant system 200 that may benefit from the use of a pillow system according to certain examples of the techniques described herein. The cochlear implant system 200 includes an implantable component 201 (e.g., Figure 1 implantable component 100) and external device 240 (e.g., Figure 1 external device 142).

[0049] External device 240 may be configured as a wearable external device such that external device 240 is worn by a recipient in close proximity to an implantable component, which may enable implantable component 201 to receive power and stimulation data from external device 240. Figure 1 As described in , magnets can be used to facilitate operative alignment of external device 240 with implantable component 201. In the case where external device 240 and implantable component 201 are in close proximity, transfer of power and data can be achieved through the use of near-field electromagnetic radiation, and components of external device 240 can be configured for use in conjunction with near-field electromagnetic radiation.

[0050] The implantable component 201 may include a transceiver unit 208, an electronics module 213, which may be a stimulator component of a cochlear implant, and an electrode assembly 254, which may include a transceiver unit 208, an electronics module 213, which may be a stimulator component of a cochlear implant, and an electrode assembly 254. Figure 1The transceiver unit 208 is configured to receive power and / or data percutaneously from the external device 240. As used herein, the transceiver unit 208 refers to any collection of one or more components that form part of a transcutaneous energy transfer system. In addition, the transceiver unit 208 may include or be coupled to one or more components that receive and / or transmit data or power. For example, an example includes a coil of a magnetic inductive arrangement coupled to the transceiver unit 208. Other arrangements are also possible, including antennas, capacitive plates, or any other practical arrangements for alternative RF systems. In an example, data modulates an RF carrier or a signal containing power. The transcutaneous communication link established by the transceiver unit 208 may use time interleaving of power and data on a single RF channel or band to transmit the power and data to the implantable component 201. In some examples, the processor 244 is configured to cause the transceiver unit 246 to interleave power and data signals, such as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0216296 issued to Meskens. In this way, the data signal is modulated with the power signal, and a single coil can be used to transmit both power and data to the implanted component 201. Various types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), electromagnetic, capacitive, and inductive transfer, can be used to transfer power and / or data from the external device 240 to the implantable component 201.

[0051] Various aspects of implantable component 201 may require power to provide functions, such as receiving signals, processing data, or delivering electrical stimulation. The power source that directly powers the operation of various aspects of implantable component 201 can be described as operating power. There are two exemplary ways that implantable component 201 can receive operating power: a power source (e.g., a battery) inside implantable component 201 or a power source outside the implantable component. However, other methods or combinations of methods are possible. For example, an implantable component may have a battery, but still receive operating power from an external component (e.g., to maintain internal battery life when the battery is fully charged).

[0052] The internal power source may be a power storage element (not depicted). The power storage element may be configured for long-term storage of power and may include, for example, one or more rechargeable batteries. Power may be received from an external source such as an external device 240 and stored in the power storage element for long-term use (e.g., charging the battery of the power storage element). The power storage element may then provide power to other components of the implantable component 201 as needed for operation over time without the need for an external power source. In this way, power from an external source may be considered charging power rather than operating power, because power from the external power source is used to charge the battery (which in turn provides operating power) rather than to directly power various aspects of the implantable component 201 that require power to operate. The power storage element may be a long-term power storage element configured to serve as the main power source for the implantable component 201.

[0053] In some embodiments, implantable component 201 receives operating power from external device 240, and implantable component 201 does not include an internal power source (e.g., a battery) / internal power storage device. In other words, implantable component 201 is powered only by external device 240 or another external device that provides sufficient power to implantable component 201 to allow the implantable component to operate (e.g., receive data signals and take actions in response). The operating power may directly power the functions of the device rather than charging the power storage elements of implantable component 201. In these examples, implantable component 201 may include ancillary components that can store charge (e.g., capacitors) or ancillary components that can store small amounts of power, such as a small battery (e.g., a motherboard CMOS battery) used to keep volatile memory powered or power a clock. However, such ancillary components themselves do not have sufficient power to allow the implantable component to provide the primary function of implantable component 201 (e.g., receive data signals and take actions in response thereto, such as providing stimulation), and therefore, even if the ancillary components are indispensable for the operation of implantable component 201, they cannot be said to provide operating power.

[0054] As shown, the electronics module 213 includes a stimulator unit 214 (e.g., which may correspond to Figure 1 The electronic module 213 may also include one or more other components for generating the electrical stimulation signal 215 or controlling the delivery of the electrical stimulation signal to the recipient. Figure 1 As described, leads (e.g., Figure 1 The elongated lead 118 of the stimulator unit 214 may be inserted into the cochlea of ​​the recipient. The lead may include an electrode assembly 254 configured to deliver the electrical stimulation signal 215 generated by the stimulator unit 214 to the cochlea.

[0055] exist Figure 2In the example system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 , the external device 240 includes a sound input unit 242, a sound processor 244, a transceiver unit 246, a coil 247, and a power supply 248. The sound input unit 242 is a unit configured to receive sound input. The sound input unit 242 may be configured as a microphone (e.g., arranged to output audio data representing the surrounding sound environment), an electrical input (e.g., a receiver for a frequency modulation (FM) listening system), and / or another component for receiving sound input. The sound input unit 242 may be or include a mixer for mixing multiple sound inputs together.

[0056] Processor 244 is a processor configured to control one or more aspects of system 200, including converting sound signals received from sound input unit 242 into data signals and causing transceiver unit 246 to transmit power and / or data signals. Transceiver unit 246 may be configured to send or receive power and / or data 251. For example, transceiver unit 246 may include circuit components that transmit power and data through coil 247 (e.g., inductively). Data signals from sound processor 244 may be transmitted to implantable component 201 using transceiver unit 246 for providing stimulation or other medical functions.

[0057] The transceiver unit 246 may include one or more antennas or coils, such as coil 247, for transmitting power or data signals. Coil 247 may be a wire antenna coil of electrically insulated single or multi-strand wire having multiple turns. The electrical insulation of coil 247 may be provided by a flexible silicone molding. Various types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic, capacitive and inductive transfer, may be used to transfer power and / or data from external device 240 to implantable component 201.

[0058] Figure 3A An exemplary system 210 according to an exemplary embodiment is depicted, comprising: a hearing prosthesis 100, which in the exemplary embodiment corresponds to the cochlear implant 100 described in detail above; and a portable body-carrying device (e.g. Figure 3A 2401) in the form of a mobile computer with a display 2421. The system includes a wireless link 230 between the portable handheld device 2401 and the hearing prosthesis 100. In an embodiment, the prosthesis 100 is an implant (functionally composed of a hearing aid) implanted in the recipient 99. Figure 3A 100 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 100 ).

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 210 is configured such that the hearing prosthesis 100 and the portable handheld device 2401 have a symbiotic relationship. In an exemplary embodiment, the symbiotic relationship is the ability to display data related to one or more functions of the hearing prosthesis 100, and in at least some cases the ability to control the one or more functions. In an exemplary embodiment, this can be achieved by the ability of the handheld device 2401 to receive data from the hearing prosthesis 100 via a wireless link 230 (but in other exemplary embodiments, other types of links, such as wired links, etc., can be utilized). As will be described in detail below, this can be achieved by communicating with a geographically remote device that communicates with the hearing prosthesis 100 and / or the portable handheld device 2401 via a link, such as, by way of example and not limitation, an Internet connection or a cellular telephone connection. In some such exemplary embodiments, the system 210 may also include a geographically remote device. Again, additional examples of this will be described in more detail below.

[0060] As noted above, in an exemplary embodiment, portable handheld device 2401 includes a mobile computer and display 2421. In an exemplary embodiment, display 2421 is a touch screen display. In an exemplary embodiment, portable handheld device 2401 also has the functionality of a portable cellular telephone. In this regard, by way of example only and not limitation, device 2401 may be what is commonly known as a smart phone. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, portable handheld device 2401 includes what is still commonly known as a smart phone.

[0061] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the device 2401 need not be a computer device, etc. It can be a lower-tech recorder, or any device that can implement the teachings herein.

[0062] The phrase "mobile computer" includes devices configured to enable human-computer interaction, where the computer is expected to be moved away from a stationary position during normal use. Likewise, in an exemplary embodiment, the portable handheld device 2401 is what is commonly known as a smart phone. However, in other embodiments, less complex (or more complex) mobile computing devices may be utilized to implement the teachings and / or variations thereof detailed herein. In at least some embodiments, any device, system, and / or method that enables the teachings and / or variations thereof detailed herein to be practiced may be utilized. (As will be described in detail below, in some cases, the device 2401 is not a mobile computer, but rather a remote device (remote from the hearing prosthesis 100. Some of these embodiments will be described below).)

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the portable handheld device 2401 is configured to receive data from a hearing prosthesis and present one of a plurality of different interface displays on a display based on the received data. Exemplary embodiments will sometimes be described in terms of data received from the hearing prosthesis 100. However, it should be noted that any disclosure that is equally applicable to data sent from the handheld device 2401 to the hearing prosthesis is also encompassed by such disclosure (and vice versa), unless otherwise specified or otherwise incompatible with the relevant art.

[0064] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the system 210 is configured such that the cochlear implant 100 and the portable device 2401 have a relationship. By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, the relationship is the ability of the device 2401 to act as a remote microphone for the prosthesis 100 via the wireless link 230. Thus, the device 2401 can be a remote microphone. That is, in an alternative embodiment, the device 2401 is a stand-alone recording / sound capture device.

[0065] It should be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, device 2401 corresponds to the Apple Watch commercially available in the United States as of September 15, 2018. TM Series 1 or Series 2. In an exemplary embodiment, device 2401 corresponds to a Samsung Galaxy Gear XT, commercially available in the United States as of September 15, 2018. TM Gear 2. The device is programmed and configured to communicate with the prosthesis and / or to implement the teachings detailed herein.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the telecommunications infrastructure may communicate with the hearing prosthesis 100 and / or the device 2401. By way of example only and not limitation, a telecoil 2491 or some other communication system (Bluetooth, etc.) is used to communicate with the prosthesis and / or the remote device. Figure 3B An exemplary quasi-functional schematic diagram is depicted depicting communication between an external communication system 2491 (e.g., a telecoil) and the hearing prosthesis 100 and / or the handheld device 2401 via links 277 and 279, respectively (note that Figure 3B Depicted are bidirectional communications between the hearing prosthesis 100 and the external audio source 2491 and between the handheld device and the external audio source 2491 - in alternative embodiments, the communications are only unidirectional (eg, from the external audio source 2491 to the respective device)).

[0067] It should be noted that while some of the embodiments detailed herein are described in terms of communicating and / or powering implanted components using a stationary or otherwise relatively immobile external device (e.g., a device integrated into, for example, a bed) or a device that may be in an object that may be relatively easily moved (a pillow, a shirt, etc.), it should be understood that these devices may also be powered by and / or communicate with conventional external components thereof. In this regard, Figure 4 An exemplary external component 1440 is depicted. The external component 1440 may correspond to the external component 142 of the system 10. As can be seen, the external component 1440 includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) device 1426 connected to an exemplary head member 1478 via a cable 1472, the head member including an external inductive coil 1458EX, which corresponds to Figure 1 As shown, the external component 1440 includes a head member 1478, which includes a coil 1458EX and a magnet 1442. This magnet 1442 interacts with the implanted magnet (or implanted magnetic material) of the implantable component to maintain the head member 1478 on the skin of the recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the external component 1440 is configured to transmit magnetic data and / or power to an implantable component including an inductive coil and / or receive magnetic data in a transdermal manner through the coil 1458EX. The coil 1458X is electrically coupled to the BTE device 1426 via the cable 1472. The BTE device 1426 may include at least some of the components of the external devices / components described herein, for example.

[0068] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the external component 1440 may be used in conjunction with an implantable component, such as an implantable hearing prosthesis and / or an implantable retinal implant and / or an implantable sensory prosthesis as described in detail herein, wherein the implant coil is implanted near or in the head.

[0069] In some embodiments, with respect to any of the devices detailed herein and / or variations thereof, there may be utility in measuring physiological characteristics of a user. In the case of a cochlear implant, in an exemplary embodiment, the electrically evoked compound action potential in response to stimulation of the cochlea may be measured. In another example, the EEG of the patient / recipient is measured. Many physiological and environmental factors may affect the recording. It is beneficial to understand such factors when measuring physiological characteristics of the user / recipient.

[0070] In exemplary embodiments, there may be sensors, such as implanted or internal sensors, that may be useful in at least partially assisting in a process that includes determining a time period during which it may be useful to obtain a measurement of something associated with a person. By way of example only and not limitation, in embodiments where acoustic probing is performed (e.g., by utilizing any of the hearing prostheses disclosed herein that can do so, including conventional hearing aids, or by utilizing a non-prosthetic device, such as a speaker of a smart phone or smart device, etc.) to obtain data related to a recipient based on a reaction or response to a probe or any other detectable useful phenomenon, for example, a microphone may be used to obtain data that may be used to determine, directly and / or through latent variables, that there is an environment in which external noise is at a certain level and / or below a certain level such that use of an acoustic probe and / or data generated by such use may be used with minimal efficacy (e.g., the person may hear sounds generated by the acoustic probe as well as ambient noise). In exemplary embodiments, acoustic detection is performed using acoustic type signals and / or acoustic simulation signals, while in other embodiments, the acoustic signal is a pure acoustic signal, while in other embodiments, the acoustic type signal does not include a pure acoustic signal. In some embodiments, the detection is detection of tissue using electrical stimulation or the like.

[0071] In view of the above, there is a device, which includes a medical device, such as any of the medical devices disclosed herein, such as the above cochlear implant and / or conventional hearing aid, or retinal implant, etc. In this exemplary embodiment, the medical device is configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be started, wherein the data is physiological data associated with the recipient of the medical device. In an exemplary embodiment where the medical device is a hearing prosthesis, the hearing prosthesis is configured to evaluate the sound environment of the hearing prosthesis to determine whether a data collection activity should be started. By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, a hearing prosthesis according to at least some of the teachings detailed herein is utilized in conjunction with data collection associated with recording electroencephalogram (EEG) data. In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, an acoustic transducer or any other available sound creation or hearing perception inducing device is utilized to induce hearing perception. By way of example only and not limitation, this can be accomplished using an implanted actuator such as a bone conduction device or a middle ear implant. In addition, this can be accomplished using a cochlear implant, an auditory brainstem implant, or an auditory midbrain implant, etc. In alternative embodiments, a conventional hearing aid may be used to induce hearing perception. In some embodiments, a combination of two or more of the foregoing devices may be used to induce hearing perception. Other devices may also be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, the portable handheld device 2401 described above, or a noise or sound generating device designed and manufactured specifically for medical procedures may be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, a determination is made based on whether the recipient is moving, while in other embodiments, movement is determined based on non-movement data / data that is not related to movement data (e.g., data that is not based on the output of an accelerometer and / or a device that determines that the recipient is moving, which is different from a device that can determine that the recipient has moved / is in a new position different from a previous situation). Specifically, "non-movement data" as used herein means that the data is not related to movement, not that the recipient is not moving.

[0072] In many cases, the teachings detailed herein will relate to implantable components, etc. and / or prostheses. It should be noted that any disclosure of implantable components herein corresponds to alternative disclosures of non-implanted devices or components having the same or sufficiently effective similar functions as the implanted components. In addition, any disclosure of prostheses herein corresponds to alternative disclosures of devices or components that are not prosthetic components. Any disclosure of prostheses herein corresponds to alternative disclosures of wearable or body-carrying devices. It should also be noted that any disclosure of wearable or body-carrying devices and / or prostheses and / or implanted components corresponds to disclosures of static or semi-static devices having the function. All of this depends on the field of support for such, as well as any explicit limiting conditions that the statements detailed herein are not such.

[0073] In many cases, implantable devices such as implantable electrodes are disclosed herein for use in monitoring physiological characteristics. Consistent with the above statement in the previous paragraph, any disclosure herein of implanted components for measurement or sensing purposes also corresponds to alternative disclosures of devices and / or apparatus for components that are not implanted but have such functions or otherwise support such functions, which are also subject to the above limitations.

[0074] In this exemplary embodiment discussed, sounds produced or otherwise used to induce auditory perception are used to elicit time-specific responses in the brain, such as EEG responses. In this regard, sounds or perceived sounds can cause the brain to be stimulated and thus produce brain waves that can be detected / recorded, and data associated therewith can be analyzed, sometimes in real time, to assess the state of the human brain.

[0075] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of an EEG system implanted in a recipient is provided, wherein the reading / sensing electrodes 1220 are arranged in the recipient's head and communicate signals with the coil 1210 via electrical leads. In this embodiment, the implanted device does not have recording / storage capabilities, and an external device is required to receive signals from the implanted inductive coil 1210 in order to retrieve the signals therefrom in real time. The implantable components that convert the electricity sensed by the sensor / reading electrodes into signals transmitted by the inductive coil 1210 are not shown. In the exemplary embodiment, Figure 5 The sensor arrangement seen in is an implantable EEG sensor arrangement.

[0076] Figure 6 Another arrangement of an implantable sensor arrangement that also includes a sensor / reading electrode 1220 and a lead is depicted. Here, in this embodiment, there is a housing 1330 that includes a circuit system that is configured to receive signals from the electrode 1220 by the lead and record data therein or otherwise store data, and allow the data to be periodically read from an external device when the external device is in signal communication with the implanted inductive coil 1210. Alternatively, and / or in addition, the circuit system is configured to periodically energize the inductive coil 1210, thereby providing data to the coil 1210, so that the coil generates an inductive signal, which in turn communicates with an external component that reads the signal and therefore reads the data associated with the electrode. Therefore, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the implantable device is configured to stream the data. Additionally, in some embodiments, the data is not streamed, but instead provided in bursts.

[0077] In at least some exemplary embodiments, any arrangement that enables data associated with the reading electrodes to be provided from inside the recipient to outside the recipient may be utilized.In this regard, conventional implantable EEG sensor arrangements may be obtained and modified to implement the teachings and / or variations thereof detailed herein.

[0078] It should be noted that Fig.13 Some embodiments of the sensor arrangement include an implanted battery or otherwise implanted power storage arrangement, while in other embodiments the arrangement explicitly does not make the arrangement similar to Fig.12 Embodiment of the invention.

[0079] In view of the above, it should be understood that in at least some exemplary embodiments, there are external devices (e.g., Figure 4 In an exemplary embodiment, the structure implanted in the recipient is exactly the same thing as these conventional sensor systems, except that the structure has been modified to operate in the various modes detailed herein, such as by programming or by structural modification or by the inclusion of logic circuitry, etc. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, Figure 5 and 6 The sensory system is used in combination with the pillow charger detailed above for communication and / or power and / or charging. Any disclosure herein of the use of the pillow charger associated with the hearing prosthesis detailed above also corresponds to the device for data transfer and / or for Figure 5 and 6 The use of a pillow charger for powering and / or charging a sensor system, or any other sensor system detailed herein, just as any disclosure associated with the pillow charger with respect to a cochlear implant also corresponds to such disclosure with respect to implanted middle ear prostheses, DACIs, and active transcutaneous bone conduction devices.

[0080] Returning to the features that started the above discussion about EEG, in an embodiment where the medical device is a hearing prosthesis and the hearing prosthesis is configured to evaluate the sound environment of the hearing prosthesis to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated, the microphone of the hearing prosthesis, whether it is an external microphone or an implanted microphone or even a microphone that is not part of the hearing prosthesis itself but can be used to communicate with the hearing prosthesis, captures the ambient sound. The prosthesis is configured to evaluate the ambient sound, or more precisely, to evaluate / analyze the data (signal data) output by the sound capture device (microphone) and infer the current sound environment. By way of example only and not limitation, a signal-to-noise ratio may be formed or otherwise identified based on the data from the microphone. An absolute sound level / average sound level, such as 77 dB, 40 dB, 100 dB, etc., may be derived based on the data from the microphone. Using a predetermined algorithm or data embodied in a lookup table, a comparison may be made between the results of the analysis and the predetermined data to determine the level of quietness or loudness, etc. of the environment based on the data. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, the hearing prosthesis may include a processor or a logic circuit or some other form of circuit system that can be used for the above analysis.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus / device herein is configured to identify the presence and / or absence of at least one of ambient sound, ambient light, electromagnetic radiation, or magnetic field that at least meets or at least does not meet predetermined criteria and determine whether data collection activities should be initiated based on the presence and / or absence of the identification, and / or is configured to evaluate at least one of the intensity, spectrum, or fluctuation of ambient sound and / or light and determine whether these aspects meet and / or do not meet predetermined criteria, and determine whether data collection activities should be initiated based on the presence and / or absence of the identification.

[0082] The hearing prosthesis may determine, based on the analysis, whether data collection activities should be initiated and / or whether data should be ignored, or otherwise provide output / data that may support such determinations. In an exemplary embodiment, if the ambient sound is fluctuating such that the signal level varies, for example, by more than 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 dB in a given time period, for example, greater than or less than 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 seconds, then the prosthesis may determine that data collection should not be initiated because, for example, the ambient sound may induce a response in the brain that produces an EEG signal that will obfuscate the brain's general activity unrelated to the ambient sound, thereby reducing the usefulness of the EEG when analyzed for the purpose of analysis (e.g., the signal amplitude will vary partially in response to the ambient sound, which may be sufficient to affect the usefulness of the EEG response in terms of the general activity of interest in the EEG signal).

[0083] The hearing prosthesis may determine whether data collection activities should be initiated based on the analysis. In another exemplary embodiment, if the ambient sound is determined to be at a level of 100 dB, the prosthesis may determine that data collection should not be initiated because, in embodiments utilizing a sound source to induce a brain response, it is believed that the recipient of the hearing prosthesis may not be able to hear the sound, or even if the recipient can hear the sound or even otherwise distinguish the sound from the surrounding environment, the resulting EEG signal will not be useful when analyzed for analysis purposes (e.g., the signal amplitude will only change slightly compared to the situation before data collection began, or more accurately, before additional noise is initiated or actions to induce hearing perception are initiated for the purpose of stimulating the brain).

[0084] There are various devices, systems and methods that enable the ambient acoustic environment to be analyzed. These aspects can be included in a hearing prosthesis by adding dedicated specific circuitry to the hearing prosthesis or by modifying its existing circuitry (e.g., reprogramming an existing processor, etc.).

[0085] It should be noted that with respect to the configuration for evaluating the sound environment of the hearing prosthesis to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated, in some embodiments, the hearing prosthesis is configured to subsequently initiate a data collection activity. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, for example and not limitation, in the case of using detection, the external component 1440 may output sound from any one of the speaker devices / receiver devices associated therewith, such as in the case of a speaker in the ear canal of a conventional hearing aid, or cause an implanted actuator to operate to induce hearing perception, or cause an implanted cochlear implant electrode array, etc. to provide stimulation to the cochlea to induce hearing perception, etc. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the external component 1440 may be configured to communicate with the implant coil 1210 to extract data recorded or otherwise collected by the reading electrode 1220, etc. from the recipient. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the external component 1440 is not configured to communicate in this manner. Alternatively, a separate device may be utilized to retrieve the data. In this regard, the device for retrieving data may be a component completely separate from the hearing prosthesis, or a medical device for evaluating the sound environment. In fact, it should be noted that in some exemplary embodiments, even the hearing prosthesis is not used to induce hearing perception or otherwise generate sound. In exemplary embodiments, as noted above, separate devices may be utilized. That is, there may be practical value in combining devices, at least with respect to the device that analyzes the sound environment and the device that causes hearing perception to be induced to stimulate the brain.

[0086] In view of the above, it can be seen that in some embodiments, the hearing prosthesis does not necessarily participate in any affirmative action associated with the data collection activity. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, the hearing prosthesis may only output data indicating the results of the analysis. By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, for example, in the case where the recipient is an active participant in the data collection activity, the prosthesis may indicate to the recipient a situation such as "now is a good time to perform brain monitoring". This may be a simulated voice generated by the hearing prosthesis. In the case of an implantable hearing prosthesis, the simulated voice may be something that only the recipient can hear. In an exemplary embodiment of this exemplary embodiment, the recipient may then affirmatively participate in the test protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, the recipient may close his eyes and relax briefly. Or in an exemplary embodiment, in addition, when the recipient is in a suitable physical state and desires to be tested when a sound is generated or otherwise induced to induce hearing perception, the recipient may affirmatively participate in the test protocol and the data collection activity begins. This process may be as simple as the recipient closing their eyes (and affirmatively detecting this activity by the measuring device) or the recipient saying "Let's go" or a similar event within a limited time period starting from the above notification from the hearing prosthesis. This may also be the recipient affirmatively pressing a button on an external component, etc., where the recipient can activate an application on the portable handheld electronic device 241 to perform the test, etc. In at least some exemplary embodiments, any device, system and / or method that can implement the teachings detailed herein can be utilized.

[0087] It should also be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the hearing prosthesis does not communicate with the recipient, at least not directly. Instead, in exemplary embodiments, after assessing the sound environment, the hearing prosthesis may communicate with a remote device, such as the portable handheld electronic device 2401 detailed above, which may control the overall effort to cause the hearing prosthesis to cancel brain stimulation. That is, the hearing prosthesis may communicate with a remote device in a topographically remote location, such as a remote server, etc., which may control data collection activities and testing, etc.

[0088] Moreover, at least some exemplary embodiments include an integrated system and / or a semi-integrated system of which the hearing prosthesis is a part, which integrated system and / or semi-integrated system can perform at least one or more or all of the method actions detailed herein, or have the functionality of one or more or all of the functions detailed herein.

[0089] Thus, it can be seen that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the medical device can be configured to perform EEG monitoring. In an exemplary embodiment, the data collection activity is EEG signal collection / recording / reading. As will be described in detail below, alternatively, the data collection activity can be EKG signal collection / recording / reading. The data collection activity can also be a single action potential, a multi-unit cluster recording, a compound action potential, or other neural response. Other types of data collection activities can be utilized. In at least some exemplary embodiments, any data collection activity that can have practical value in analyzing features associated with the recipient's body can be utilized.

[0090] Consistent with the embodiments associated with EEG / EKG monitoring detailed above, in exemplary embodiments, the data collection activity is data collection performed using implanted electrodes that are part of a medical device. It should be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, electrodes from a cochlear electrode array may be utilized. These electrodes may be electrodes implanted in the cochlea, or additional cochlear electrodes, and in some embodiments any electrode used to induce hearing perception may be used. As described above, the electrode(s) may also be return extracochlear electrodes used in monopolar stimulation (e.g., so-called ball electrodes, or flat electrodes located on the receiver stimulator of the cochlear implant, etc.). These may also be additional electrodes added to the cochlear implant electrode array, such as Figure 5 An arrangement of electrodes as seen in , which is integrated with or otherwise communicates with a cochlear implant.

[0091] Similar to these, Figure 7 Present the above detailed Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of a modified version of an embodiment. In this embodiment, which is presented in functional conceptual terms (e.g., coil 1201 and housing 1330 will be part of an integrated assembly), the cochlear implant is represented as a cochlear implant electrode array represented by an "X." This is an example of how a cochlear implant electrode array can be integrated with an EEG reading electrode device. In this embodiment, the housing 1330 can contain implant circuitry and components of a cochlear implant electrode array that can be modified to have functionality for EEG reading purposes or, alternatively, separate circuitry for EEG reading purposes can also be contained in the housing.

[0092] It should also be noted that Figure 7 Conceptually represents a different type of hearing prosthesis than a cochlear implant. A middle ear actuator may be represented by an "X", or an implanted actuator of a bone conduction device may be represented by an "X", and housing 1330 may contain circuitry for controlling the implanted actuator, as well as circuitry contained within the housing that enables EEG readings.

[0093] It should also be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, housing 1330 may contain a speech processor or the like, such as would be implanted in the case of a fully implantable hearing prosthesis.

[0094] Returning to features associated with sound, as can be seen, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the prosthesis (or other medical device) may include an acoustic sensor. In exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor may be an implantable / implanted acoustic sensor and / or may be an external acoustic sensor. In some embodiments, this may be a microphone or the like. In some embodiments, this implanted acoustic sensor may be used to obtain data associated with the acoustic environment of the hearing prosthesis, as noted above. It should be noted that the use of implanted acoustic sensors may have practical value in capturing aspects such as body noise. Indeed, in some embodiments, features captured in body noise monitoring can indicate the physiological state of the user. Such features may indicate rest levels or stress levels or post-meal digestion stages, and may be valuable in determining whether it is an appropriate time to take a measurement. Similarly, the amplitude of body noise may have temporal characteristics or be high enough to make the above-described test less practical than otherwise. That is, in at least some exemplary embodiments, not only are features such as temporal fluctuations, spectral shapes, or amplitude of ambient sound determined and utilized to determine whether to implement a test, but features such as temporal fluctuations, spectral shapes, and amplitude of body sounds are also determined and utilized to determine whether to implement a test.

[0095] As a corollary, in at least some exemplary embodiments, a medical device includes an implantable component configured to perform acoustic detection using an acoustic sensor.

[0096] In some embodiments, the detection may be active detection. In some embodiments, the data obtained based on the active detection is non-mobile data associated with the recipient, and in some embodiments, the data is physiological data, and in some embodiments, the detection is mobile data. Therefore, at least some decisions may be to determine whether to initiate active detection, and in some embodiments, such decisions may be based on non-mobile data associated with the recipient of the medical device.

[0097] In some embodiments, the non-mobility data is biologically based data. In some embodiments, the data (whether or not it is non-mobility data) may be non-biologically based data.

[0098] It should also be noted that in exemplary embodiments, the medical device may include only one sensor system that can be used to collect both physiological and non-physiological data. In exemplary embodiments, the data obtained based on the active detection detailed herein is physiological data.

[0099] It should also be noted that the teachings detailed herein are not limited to utilizing only a sound capture device to obtain data upon which the determinations and / or analyses detailed herein are based. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, there is a medical device configured to obtain data indicative of a type and / or amount of neuronal activity of a recipient of the medical device and to evaluate the obtained data. Consistent with other embodiments detailed herein, the device may also be configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on the evaluation. With respect to the ability to obtain data indicative of a type and / or amount of neuronal activity of a recipient, this may be utilized Figure 6 or Figure 7 Alternatively, and / or in addition, electrodes in a cochlear implant electrode array may be utilized. In some embodiments, the same electrodes may be used to obtain data indicating the type and / or amount of neuronal activity for data collection. In other embodiments, the electrodes are separate electrodes. In fact, according to the teachings detailed above with respect to some embodiments, the medical device is not a device that performs data collection activities (while in other embodiments, it is a device that performs data collection activities).

[0100] It should also be noted that electrodes are not necessarily used to obtain data indicating the type and / or amount of neuronal activity. Any device that can achieve this can be used. It should also be noted that although the embodiments disclosed herein relate to implanted electrodes for obtaining data, in some embodiments, non-implanted or semi-implanted electrodes can be used. In at least some exemplary embodiments, any device, system and / or method that can implement the basic teachings detailed herein can be used.

[0101] By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, electrodes may be used to detect whether the auditory part of the brain is stimulated. In this regard, this may be a potential variable indicating whether the recipient is in an environment that is quiet enough for the acoustic stimulation described above. In fact, the amount of sound in the environment is a potential variable indicating whether the recipient is in a state in which the acoustic stimulation described above can be performed in a manner that will produce practical value relative to the collected data. In any case, for example, the electrodes in the cochlear implant electrode array can be used to assess the type and / or amount of neuronal activity in the recipient, which may be an indication that the recipient is in a sound environment, or an indication of brain function that is occurring in the recipient that does not contribute to achieving practical value from any data collected. Likewise, in at least some exemplary embodiments, components associated with the ability to obtain data indicating the type and / or amount of neuronal activity of the recipient may be integrated into any of the prostheses described in detail herein.

[0102] It should be noted that some other embodiments may include obtaining data associated with the visual cortex. In this exemplary embodiment, the electrodes may be used to obtain data associated with visual cortex activity. By way of example only and not limitation, the read electrodes may be used to determine the level and / or number of neurons that are excited (similar to how the auditory cortex is analyzed in at least some exemplary embodiments).

[0103] The more neurons that fire, whether in the auditory cortex or the visual cortex, can indicate the level of stimulation applied to the recipient at a given time. The medical device can be configured to analyze data obtained by the medical device indicating the number of neurons that fire, or any other basic marker that may have practical value, and determine whether to start data collection activities based on the analysis, etc.

[0104] In view of the above, it can be seen that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the medical device includes multiple sensor systems. For example, a medical device according to the teachings detailed herein may include a first sensor system and a second sensor system. The first sensor system may be a sensor system for collecting data after data collection begins. This may be any one of the reading electrodes detailed herein, etc. The second sensor system may collect non-physiological data. For example, the second sensor may collect ambient sound in the recipient's environment according to the teachings detailed above. According to the above embodiments, the medical device is configured to evaluate the collected non-physiological data to determine whether data collection activities should be started. In at least some exemplary embodiments, the medical device is configured to evaluate the collected non-physiological data in the absence of any data that may be collected by the first sensor system / without considering any data that may be collected by the first sensor system. It follows that in at least one exemplary embodiment, the second sensor system is configured to collect only non-physiological data. Relatively speaking, in other embodiments, the second sensor system is configured to collect both. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, the medical device may use two sensor systems together to make a determination.

[0105] Therefore, in some embodiments, there may be a medical device comprising a first sensor system and a second sensor system, wherein the first sensor system is a sensor system for collecting data after data collection begins, the second sensor system collects non-physiological data, and the medical device is configured to evaluate the collected non-physiological data to make one or more determinations described in detail herein.

[0106] Although the above embodiments focus on a second sensor system that collects sound or otherwise captures sound, in some alternative embodiments, the second sensor system may be a sensor system that collects light. By way of example only and not limitation, ambient light may be a potential variable that indicates brain stimulation, etc. Therefore, embodiments include capturing light and evaluating the amount and / or content of light to make the above-mentioned determination as to whether data collection activities should be started. In an exemplary embodiment, the light sensor may be located at a hearing prosthesis, such as on a behind-the-ear device, or on a button sound processor, or otherwise located on and outside the ear device, etc. In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, a light sensor of a portable handheld device 2401 may be utilized. In this regard, the embodiment enables the handheld device to transmit a signal indicating the amount of light to a prosthesis or other medical device, and the medical device may analyze the signal to make the above-mentioned determination. The same may be true for the microphone of the portable handheld device 2401.

[0107] While the above embodiments, at least in some cases, focus on capturing and evaluating the amount of light present, by way of example and not limitation, the second sensor system may capture video images or the surrounding environment, analyze these images to determine if certain features are present, and determine if measurements should be taken. For example, these features may be determining the presence of other people near the user, or may be determining a stationary physical environment.

[0108] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the above-mentioned medical device described in detail herein may be configured to determine and / or infer the state of the recipient of the medical device and / or the environment of the medical device (and / or the environment of the recipient-the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive), and determine whether to start data collection activities based on the determination of the state of the recipient. The function associated with the determination can be achieved by, for example, monitoring the brain waves of the recipient and determining that the recipient is, for example, sleeping. The function associated with the inference can be achieved by, for example, monitoring the noise indicating sleep in the ambient sound and / or the absence of noise, at least for a specified time period at a specified time position, the absence of the noise indicates that the recipient is sleeping. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be configured to determine and / or infer that the recipient is in, for example, an exercise state or a physical activity state. Another possible state may be a highly focused state. In some embodiments, any one or more states may be states in which data collection activities may produce data that is less practical relative to other situations. That is, in some embodiments, since the data associated with the state is particularly needed, there may be practical value in collecting data in those states. In addition, this can be as simple as trying to avoid waking up the recipient using a sound-based test.

[0109] In at least some exemplary embodiments, the medical device is configured to receive information indicating the state of the recipient. In exemplary embodiments, this can be achieved by real-time input to the medical device by another device such as a handheld device. In fact, in exemplary embodiments, the recipient can speak to the handheld device to indicate its state. The recipient can, for example, activate the activation of the recipient by pressing an icon, wherein the recipient can enter its state, the icon indicating relaxation, happiness, ecstasy, deterioration, fatigue, irritability, sexual arousal, never wanting to see another woman or man again, etc., and other icons can include the ability to enter the recipient's current activity (exercise, reading, fishing, work, driving, driving in bad traffic conditions, etc.). It should also be noted that instead of or in addition to using icons, a voice system can be used to receive data. That is, the medical device can also be used in a way that bypasses the handheld device. For example, a microphone of a hearing prosthesis can be used, where the recipient only indicates that it is happy, etc. In addition, it should be noted that potential variables can also be used to infer any of the above scenarios. For example, the sound capture device of the prosthesis can capture the sound of the recipient complaining about his boss, shouting, etc., indicating that the recipient is in a state of not being very happy. Repeated horn sounds may indicate that the recipient is in a traffic environment. Sounds indicating a description of another person's level of attractiveness may indicate the above-mentioned sexual arousal (or the degree to which the person is unattractive, etc.). In any case, the medical device is configured in one way or another to receive inputs indicating one or more of the above-mentioned situations. The medical device may be configured to receive these inputs and evaluate the inputs, and determine whether data collection activities should be initiated. Therefore, embodiments include the use of non-latent variables.

[0110] It should also be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the medical device may be configured to identify the geographic location of the recipient and / or the environment in which the recipient is located. This may be accomplished using GPS technology and / or computer-aided positioning devices such as on a smart phone. This may also be accomplished using the above-mentioned contexts such as sound capture (speakers are equivalent to traffic, long typing sounds indicate work, etc.). In fact, many hearing prostheses contain advanced scene classification systems and algorithms. These systems and algorithms are used to analyze the sound environment and adjust the hearing prosthesis based on the analysis to better present the sounds associated with the environment, rather than other background situations that are more practical for other environments. Here, instead of adjusting the hearing prosthesis, the basic results of the sound environment analysis are used to infer the environmental conditions of the recipient. It should also be noted that visual devices can be used to infer the environmental conditions of the recipient. In this regard, advanced image processing can be used to determine a given location of the recipient, etc. This can be accomplished using a small camera located on the hearing prosthesis or on the medical device or, for example, on the portable handheld device 2401 detailed above. Therefore, in some embodiments, the occurrence of an event refers to the existence of the location of the recipient (e.g., at a playground, football field, workplace, etc.). Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the first data is based on captured sound captured by the recipient's device. Additionally, the camera can be used to collect data to assess other things, such as the recipient's condition (a "selfie" can be taken, and the image recognition software can determine whether the recipient is "healthy as usual", and other determinations can be made based on the determination, etc.).

[0111] In an exemplary scenario, there may be practical value in determining, for example, whether the recipient is in an amusement park, etc. When the recipient is riding a roller coaster, it may not be practical to collect data. Therefore, based on the data obtained associated with the recipient's environment, data collection may or may not be started.

[0112] In an exemplary scenario, there may be practical value in determining the three-level environmental factors through the above analysis. For example, the user's environment uses the geographic location and the camera (to determine whether the person is outside or inside the vehicle, or in the vehicle, etc.) to determine the atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature, humidity, wind energy characteristics, any possible practical weather characteristics (windy, rainy, sun, strong sun, night, day, etc.), etc. All of these can be used to evaluate whether to implement a measurement and / or whether to ignore the measurement value, etc.

[0113] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the medical device includes an environment classification system. The medical device may be configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on the classification of the environment by the classification system. In some other embodiments, other types of classification systems are used, and thus in some embodiments, the medical device includes a classification system, and the medical device is configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on the classification of physiological and / or non-physiological characteristics associated with the recipient and / or the recipient's environment by the classification system.

[0114] Still referring to method 900 consistent with the above embodiments, in an exemplary embodiment, the first data may indicate the movement of the recipient, and the second data may be any EEG measurement that can be performed and / or performed by the implanted component implanted in the recipient. In this regard, there may be practical value in obtaining EEG measurements or otherwise evaluating EEG measurements obtained when the recipient is stationary, because the measurements may be more indicative of the basic phenomena associated with brain signals than when the recipient is moving. In fact, in this regard, in some embodiments, actions are taken when the recipient is stationary or moving and / or when the prosthesis is stationary or moving (wherein the noun differences are not mutually exclusive). In some embodiments, the prosthesis and / or the recipient is locally stationary, which means that the prosthesis and / or the recipient does not move relative to its surrounding environment (for example, the recipient may be sitting still in an office, or may be sitting in a car driving on a very smooth road, but the recipient is sitting still in the car). In some embodiments, the recipient and / or the prosthesis is globally stationary, which will exclude situations where the recipient is in a moving car, even on a smooth road, etc. In some embodiments, the event occurrence used to evaluate or otherwise determine whether to perform measurement or ignore measurement is different from the situation that the recipient is actually stationary. In this regard, the event occurrence can be something that occurs regardless of whether the recipient is stationary or not. Or, the event occurrence can be the difference of the recipient's stationary situation. In fact, this is consistent with the teachings of this article, wherein multiple data can be used as the basis for implementing or ignoring measurement. For example, if accelerometer data indicates that the prosthesis is stationary, but other data indicate that the recipient is emotionally disturbed or in a noisy environment, etc., then although the recipient is stationary, the test may not be started or the data may be ignored. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the existence of a stationary situation can be determined without an accelerometer. For example, the recipient can input the data that the recipient is stationary (for example, by answering questions on the device, and selecting a yes / no prompt). In addition, in some embodiments, a determination can be made without sensor input about the recipient's movement and / or without data indicating the recipient's movement, and the various actions in this article can be taken when the recipient is stationary according to any one of the contexts of this article. That is, in some embodiments, the teachings herein may be performed even if there is no positive determination and / or direct determination that the recipient is stationary.

[0115] At a perhaps more basic level, the medical device may be configured to sense phenomena that indicate movement of the recipient. In some embodiments, the above data collection may not be very practical when collected during the movement of the recipient and the movement may indicate at least a little physical activity. That is, in some embodiments, the phenomenon indicative of movement can be the amount of movement associated with the recipient. For example, for a scenario in which data is collected while the recipient is walking rather than running, at least some data collection activities may be practical. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the medical device is configured to sense phenomena that indicate movement of the recipient, and is configured to evaluate the sensed phenomenon indicative of movement to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated.

[0116] Briefly noted, at least some exemplary embodiments provide for any one or more or all of the method actions and / or functions detailed herein to be performed by a medical device. In exemplary embodiments, one or more or all of the method actions and / or functions detailed herein are generally performed by a prosthesis, specifically, for example, a hearing prosthesis or a retinal prosthesis. That is, in some embodiments, one or more of the method actions detailed herein and / or the functions detailed herein may be performed by a non-medical device under a non-prosthetic device, wherein data indicative of the method actions or functions or results thereof are communicated to the medical device so that other method actions in functions that rely on such data may be performed.

[0117] Fig. 9 An exemplary flow chart of an exemplary method, method 900, is presented, the method comprising method action 910, the method action comprising an action of obtaining, using a device of a recipient, first data indicating the occurrence of an event associated with a recipient of a prosthesis. The device of the recipient may be a prosthetic device that the recipient has received. The device of the recipient may be an implantable prosthetic device or an external prosthetic device. Furthermore, the device of the recipient need not necessarily be a prosthetic device. Alternatively, it may be some form of medical device of the recipient. Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the device of the recipient may not even be a medical device itself. By way of example only and not limitation, it may be the portable handheld electronic device 2401 described in detail above. More information on this is provided below.

[0118] Method 900 also includes method action 920, which includes determining whether to perform at least one of the following based on the first data obtained: implement a measurement involving the recipient, or ignore the second data involving the recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, by way of example only, the first data indicates at least one of the recipient's environment, the activity in which the recipient participates, or the recipient's state. Consistent with the teachings detailed above, the environment can be a noisy environment, a stimulating environment (playground, etc.), a car environment, a traffic environment, a space environment full of children, etc. Also consistent with the teachings detailed above, the activities in which the recipient participates can be exercise, driving, reading, sleeping, etc. The recipient's state can be deteriorating or happy or ecstatic or excited, etc.

[0119] The first data obtained may be obtained by any device herein, such as any prosthesis herein or medical device herein or remote device, such as portable handheld device, etc. Alternatively, and / or in addition, the determination action, method action 920, may be performed by a device remote from the recipient, such as a geographical remote server, etc. That is, method action 920 may be performed using another device remote from the recipient, such as a hearing prosthesis, wherein the device for performing method 910 may be a dedicated EEG monitoring device as indicated above. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the device for performing method action 920 may be the portable handheld device 2401 detailed above, while the device for performing method action 910 may be a prosthesis, such as a hearing prosthesis, or any other medical device, and is therefore a device remote from other devices. Relatively speaking, the determination action method action 920 may be performed by a device that is the subject of method 910 / for obtaining the first data. Similarly, such a device may be implemented using any integrated device and / or its variants detailed herein.

[0120] In view of the above, the measurement of method act 920 includes measuring (one or more) physiological characteristics of the recipient using an implantable device implanted in the recipient. In this regard, in exemplary embodiments where the second data obtained is also obtained by performing the measurement, at least in some exemplary embodiments, both measurements associated with the possible arrangements of method act 920 include measuring the physiological characteristics of the recipient using an implantable device implanted in the recipient.

[0121] Fig.10An exemplary flow chart of an exemplary method is presented, and method 1000 includes method action 1010, which includes executing method 900. Method 1000 also includes method action 1020, which includes evaluating the first data and determining based on the evaluation that the environment, activity and / or state indication is harmful to the practical value of the measurement. For example again, in a situation where sound will be used to stimulate brain activity, the environment can be a noisy environment. The activity can be that the recipient is exercising or at a playground, etc., wherein the activity causes the recipient's brain to operate in a certain way, and this way makes the recorded EEG signal not practical due to overall stimulation. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, in the case where a man daydreams about a woman he finds attractive, the recipient's state will be excited, and the brainwave pattern of a male in such a state is likely to be suppressed, strengthened or skewed in a certain way, which is just a possible situation. In an exemplary embodiment, the determination action in method action 1020 may include ignoring the second data based on the evaluation. Likewise, in an exemplary embodiment where a noisy environment is present and testing is performed using prosthesis-induced hearing perception, the resulting data will be skewed or may be unusable, for example, because the recipient may not respond to the prosthesis-induced hearing perception and / or the prosthesis-induced hearing perception is drowned out by the ambient noise. Indeed, if the recipient cannot perceive sound, the data obtained will be like any other data obtained in the absence of sound, and so on.

[0122] In short, regarding ignoring the second data, there is a situation where the first data is collected regardless of the activity or environmental state of the recipient. In this regard, there are some types of sensory systems that can obtain sufficient power and / or processing power and / or data collection working elements so that the system can continuously, possibly continuously or semi-continuously collect data. In at least some exemplary embodiments, this provides practical value under the premise that more data is worse than less data. However, the opposite concept is that more data containing more bad data is not as practical as less data containing less bad data. Of course, there is practical value for more data containing more good data and less bad data. In view of this, it can be seen that the teachings detailed in this article can be used to achieve any desired combination. Regarding ignoring, the concept is: you have a lot of data containing a lot of bad data because the system collecting the second data collects the second data at a certain rate or in an ambiguous way for whether the collected data is good or bad. However, using the efficacy of the teachings according to the present application, the collected data can be related to the first data in some way (in time, numerical value, etc.), and then subsequently (or in real time) evaluate whether the first data proves that the second data should be ignored. For example, if the data was collected while the recipient was emotionally distracted for whatever reason, this second data may justify disregarding the first data. This is in contrast to a situation where the system or you determine that the second data indicates that the first data should not have been collected in the first situation.

[0123] In view of the above, it can be seen that the options for implementing the teachings detailed herein are extensive and vast. The innovations according to the present application enable the healthcare community to obtain a variety of options that simply did not exist heretofore, at least in terms of practical implementation.

[0124] Specifically, an exemplary embodiment of ignoring may include ignoring various amounts of first data based only on second data. An exemplary embodiment of ignoring may be deleting various amounts of first data based on second data. An exemplary embodiment of ignoring may be performing more actions to verify or otherwise further analyze the first data, which would not have occurred in other cases with respect to the second data. By way of example only and not limitation, in the case where the recipient is very excited, the first data collected during this period may indicate a high probability of epilepsy, etc., due to brain activity, but because the method / system "knows" that this data is collected during excitement, it may not automatically issue a warning to the recipient (or to some other caregiver) that epilepsy is about to occur, but instead increase the monitoring frequency and / or monitoring duration and / or increase the span or duration, etc. This is in contrast to the first data indicating that epilepsy may be about to occur, where the second data indicates that the recipient is relaxed. In such a scenario, the first data will not be ignored, and any warning may be automatically issued without a moment's wait or the like. That is, the first data is never ignored. In this regard, the concept of ignoring may be a relative concept of processing data and other times or under other collection schemes.

[0125] As will be understood from the above, at least some embodiments are implemented using hearing prostheses such as cochlear implants. In this regard, cochlear implants induce hearing perception based on captured ambient sound. Therefore, a noisy environment will produce noise perceived by the recipient, as well as electrical artifacts (artefacts) from electrical stimulation of the cochlea. In some embodiments, the medical device may be configured to stop supplying ambient noise to the recipient so that no sound is perceived and no electrical artifacts are recorded in the signal measurement in the system 1. In another embodiment, the background noise representation is stopped, and then the electrical probe is activated, which is the sound for the test. This can even be implemented in an environment that would otherwise be harmful to the data obtained. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, in a variation of the method action described in detail herein, after analyzing the first data obtained, a determination can be made to implement a measurement involving the recipient, but in a controlled manner in which the sound of the surrounding environment is blocked by the prosthesis. That is, method action 920 may be accompanied by a modification, which further includes preventing the induction of hearing perception based on ambient sound during the test. Alternatively, for example, in the case of using an acoustic probe, the only hearing perception induced is based on a test sound.

[0126] In an exemplary embodiment, the data that is the subject of the methods herein is non-EEG data and / or non-EKG data.

[0127] In an exemplary embodiment, the medical device may be configured to notify the recipient that there will be a period of time when the recipient cannot hear the surrounding environment. Therefore, the recipient will be alerted. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical device may be configured to request or otherwise request input from the recipient regarding whether such an event is appropriate for the recipient to occur. In some embodiments, the medical device may be designed to require an affirmative input from the recipient to continue, while in other embodiments, the medical device will not continue only if the recipient overrules the medical device.

[0128] Method 900 may have practical value in determining whether to speed up measurement or recording, etc., from basic recording / measurement schemes to more complex or processor-intensive or data-intensive things. In this regard, the data recording feature of a given medical device or hearing prosthesis may periodically obtain first data at a given rate and / or a given amount, which is less than the amount that may occur during a more concerned period or during an event associated with a recipient, such as an epileptic seizure or pre-epileptic seizure. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment of method 900, there may be the following scenario: the method includes performing a low-fidelity recording, and then after determining to implement a measurement involving the recipient, the medical device implements a high-fidelity recording. In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, even if there is no determination to implement a measurement, a low-fidelity recording may have occurred when the determination action is performed. In this regard, method action 920 may involve determining to change from a low-fidelity recording to a high-fidelity recording. Method action 920 may also involve determining not to change from a low-fidelity recording to a high-fidelity recording, and only maintaining the low-fidelity recording operation.

[0129] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment of method 900, the measurements are high fidelity recordings, while low fidelity recordings occur at a determined time.Determination Action Method action 920 includes determining to perform a high fidelity measurement and thus transitioning from a low fidelity measurement to a high fidelity measurement.

[0130] Still referring to method 900, obtain action method action 910 is performed using hearing prosthesis components. This is different from using a hearing prosthesis. In this regard, there are devices and systems that are developed or otherwise manufactured from components removed from hearing prosthesis designs. In this regard, there are devices corresponding to, for example, cochlear implants that are configured to perform method 900 and its variations. In addition, there are devices that are not cochlear implants themselves, but use components of cochlear implants or other implants / prostheses, such as FDA-approved / cleared products, such as FDA-approved / cleared cochlear implants as of September 1, 2018.

[0131] For example, microphone components and sound capture devices and / or scene classification algorithms and / or sound level detection / identification devices, etc., may be used in devices that are not hearing prostheses themselves. Alternatively, these devices may be used to obtain first data and / or analyze first data. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, at the same time as and / or concurrently with the action of obtaining first data, the components used to obtain first data and / or analyze first data are also used elsewhere for hearing prosthesis purposes, such as to ultimately induce hearing perception using a hearing prosthesis. In this regard, embodiments include utilizing components used in hearing prostheses for non-hearing prosthesis purposes. Therefore, there are methods that include using those components in a hearing prosthesis while those components or designs of components having exactly the same given features and / or parts and / or structures, etc., are used in non-hearing prosthesis devices to implement at least some of the teachings detailed herein.

[0132] It should also be noted that noise cancellation techniques can be used to determine ambient / environmental noise. For example, many hearing prostheses may include noise cancellation devices. The operation of these noise cancellation devices may be analyzed or otherwise evaluated to determine the amount of noise in the surrounding environment. Similarly, the teachings detailed herein may involve the use of FDA-approved components of hearing prosthesis devices for non-hearing perception inducing purposes, in fact to determine or otherwise identify the occurrence of other events. Specifically, the above-mentioned human noise system or noise cancellation system may never be used to induce hearing perception. That is, consistent with the teachings detailed above, there are devices, systems and methods that include hearing prosthesis components and / or methods that are used in conjunction with hearing prostheses that are originally used to induce hearing perception, where hearing perception is not induced based on their use.

[0133] It follows that, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the devices, systems, and / or methods disclosed herein in connection with hearing prosthetic technology and / or retinal implant / bionic eye technology are used for people who do not have hearing impairments and / or visual impairments or who do not have sensory impairments. In exemplary embodiments, the devices, systems, and / or methods disclosed herein are associated with hearing prosthetic technology and / or retinal implant / bionic eye or any one or more of the aforementioned senses as of September 15, 2018 under the Americans with Disabilities Act as interpreted by statute and law as of this date. That is, the person associated with the methods and devices herein is a person who is not considered to have a given sensory disability under the law. That is, under the Act, the person would not be considered to have a visual disability or a hearing disability under U.S. law. This is not to say that if the person does not have other sensory disabilities, then the person is not disabled under the Act. This is to say that there is no particular sensory disability with respect to a given person.

[0134] Return to reference Figure 4An external device that can be used in conjunction with the exemplary EEG system and / or EKG system disclosed herein. In fact, in exemplary embodiments such as the EKG system detailed herein where the implanted coil is located in the upper torso, such as at the top of the chest, it is possible to utilize the external device 1440 and such systems by winding the lead 1472 down through the collar of a person's shirt or the like to the person's chest or shoulder. That is, in alternative embodiments, a dedicated external device specifically for an EKG system can be utilized, wherein, for example, the non-coil portion (e.g., the equivalent of the BTE component 1426) is worn on a chain around a person's neck like a pendant, and the coil is magnetically adhered to the coil inside the human body. In addition, an off-the-ear (OTE) device can be used, which can be a single unit located above the coil, wherever it is located. This device may not be on a pendant, but instead may be held to the recipient by a magnet or the like.

[0135] Likewise, in some embodiments, the external device is essentially an external device for a hearing prosthesis, whether the hearing prosthesis is a cochlear implant, a middle ear implant, a bone conduction device, or a conventional hearing aid. In some embodiments, this external device is used for people who do not have hearing problems, in accordance with the above. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, this external device is used in a manner that does not involve using the device itself to induce hearing perception or visual perception or sensory perception, etc., with the possible exception of using the device for testing purposes.

[0136] Embodiments include utilizing a hearing prosthesis or a component based on a hearing prosthesis in a manner that does not induce hearing perception, at least for one or two or more days, if not forever, at least not for purposes unrelated to measurement. The same is true for other types of sensory prostheses, for example, optical prostheses, the so-called bionic eye. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, there are methods that include utilizing a device having a sound processor or otherwise configured for sound processing, which processing can be used to induce hearing perception when the device is used in a hearing prosthesis. There are also methods that include utilizing a device having sound processor technology, such as noise cancellation and / or human noise cancellation or detection features, etc., which can be used to accomplish these things when used in a hearing prosthesis. In these methods, the device is used during a period of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 or 1000 hours or days, but is not used to induce auditory perception or visual perception or sensory perception, again, except for doing so to obtain a measurement. Thus, there may be methods that include situations where any one or more of the actions detailed herein are performed by the basic processing components, if not all of the components of a hearing prosthesis, with or without output components (receiver / speaker, actuator, electrodes) to accomplish something unrelated to inducing hearing perception. The same may be true of retinal implants (which may or may not have electrodes) where things are accomplished / devices are utilized to do something unrelated to inducing light perception.

[0137] In exemplary embodiments, according to some embodiments, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the components of the device are components found in hearing prostheses manufactured by at least one hearing prosthesis manufacturing company in the world on said date, based on costs at a given point in time to support like-for-like comparisons. In some exemplary embodiments, the above percentages are for: components related to one or more of: determining whether a data collection activity should be initiated and / or obtaining data for such determination, and / or determining whether collected data should be ignored and / or obtaining data for such determination; and / or components for obtaining the above first data, the first data indicating an event associated with a recipient occurring and / or used to determine whether to perform a measurement or ignore a measurement; and / or components of the second subsystem and / or the third subsystem. In exemplary embodiments, the above percentages exclude software, while in other embodiments, the above percentages include software.

[0138] Consistent with the above, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the cochlear implant fully implantable hearing prosthesis implant component can be utilized to perform the obtaining action, action 910, and / or any analysis associated with the data obtained by the action. Likewise, the concept is to disassemble or otherwise use an existing given design originally developed for a hearing prosthesis for non-hearing prosthesis purposes.

[0139] As noted above, the first data of the evaluation method act 910 may have practical value in utilizing sound scene classification, etc. Fig.11 Present an exemplary flow chart of an exemplary method, method 1100 includes method action 1110, which involves executing method 900. Method 1100 also includes method action 1120, which involves executing a sound scene classification program to evaluate the first data and determine the position of the recipient. Therefore, in at least some exemplary embodiments, method action 1120 occurs between method action 910 and method action 920. In this regard, it should be noted that any method action detailed herein can be performed in any order relative to any other method action detailed herein, provided that the field enables such diseases to be identified in other ways. Therefore, the order of presentation of the given method actions detailed herein does not necessarily correspond to the actual order in which those method actions will be performed. That is, in other embodiments, this is the order in which those method actions will be performed.

[0140] Sound scene classification is a technology developed and perfected by Cochlear Limited of Sydney, Australia. In some cases, sound scene classification can be used as a latent variable to determine any number of things, such as location, activities in which the recipient is involved, or even the status of the recipient. By way of example only and not limitation, a sound scene consisting of loud rock music or a political commentary television program can be a latent variable indicating that the recipient may be more avant-garde compared to listening to elevator music, listening to a weather report, or silence. In an exemplary embodiment, there is utilization of a sound scene classification system, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 0359659, entitled Advanced Scene Classification For Prosthesis, filed on June 9, 2016 by Australian inventor Alex Von Brasch.

[0141] In an exemplary embodiment of method 900, the first data obtained in method act 910 is obtained at a plurality of times during the first time period. By way of example only and not limitation, the first data may be collected every X seconds or minutes, less than or greater than X seconds or minutes, where X is equal to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 .5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 0, 270, 280, 290, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 00, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 15000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 86400, 90000, 100000, 1250000, 150000, 175000, 200000, 250000, 300000 or more, or any value or range of values ​​therebetween in increments of 0.01 seconds (e.g., 25, 22.3, 5 to 30.22 seconds, etc.).

[0142] It should also be noted that the first data may be collected at nine even intervals, such as every five seconds in some cases, every 10 seconds in other cases, etc. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, consistent with the teachings detailed above, for any of the above time periods, data collection may be suspended due to various circumstances that may occur that may indicate that the data collection will produce data that contains less useful data than data collected at other time periods. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, depending on the circumstances, data collection may be increased to a rate that falls within any of the above values ​​or variations thereof.

[0143] In any case, the first data obtained are obtained at a plurality of times in the first cycle.It should also be noted that the first time period may correspond to any one of the values ​​of X seconds or minutes detailed above, including any range of values ​​therebetween.

[0144] It should also be noted that the plurality of times may correspond to greater than, less than, or equal to Y times, where Y is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 , 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 275, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, 14,000 or 15,000 or more, or any value or range of values ​​in integer increments therebetween.

[0145] In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the determination action in method action 920 is performed multiple times for the corresponding first data. The multiple times can be equal to any value of Y or any value of Y minus Z detailed above, where Z is equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 0, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 275, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, 14,000 or 15,000, or any value or range of values ​​in integer increments therebetween.

[0146] In addition, in some embodiments, the first data obtained includes corresponding data indicating a sensory noisy environment. The sensory noisy environment is not limited to a sound noisy environment. This may also be attributed to visual stimulation. In fact, unlike sound noise, visual noise can be a feature associated with bionic eyes and retinal implants, etc. Specifically, the phrases "noise" and "noisy" used in this article always correspond to sound noise without modifiers. The phrase "sensory noise" and its variants are categories that cover, for example, various visual noises and sound noises. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the data indicating a sensory noisy environment may be data indicating a sound noisy environment in some embodiments. Specifically, considering visual noise, the visual noise may also be harmful or otherwise disadvantageous to accurate measurement, or may otherwise affect or otherwise skew the measured value. Any type of sensory stimulation equivalent to sound noise and intended to affect the measured value obtained in the embodiments of this article can produce a sensory noisy environment.

[0147] In fact, this raises another point. One practical value of the teachings detailed herein is to identify the situation where the recipient or individual is experiencing "sensory overload". At least in some exemplary embodiments, sensory overload can be the worst case scenario about the measured value obtained in at least some exemplary embodiments, because at least in some embodiments, this will skew the data to the greatest extent, and therefore most likely cause false positives or false negatives, which is at least in part the goal of some embodiments of the teachings detailed herein (identifying false positives and / or false negatives, and / or identifying false relevant data and / or false irrelevant data, and / or avoiding false positives and / or false negatives, or more accurately, avoiding data collection containing data that will cause false positives and / or false negatives and / or data that will contain false relevant data and / or false irrelevant data, etc., the teachings detailed herein, in some embodiments, can be used to perform any one or more of the above things). Therefore, the embodiment also includes identifying the sensory overload environment about the action associated with obtaining the first data, and continues accordingly based on the lack of such identification or identification.

[0148] In addition, the corresponding determination of action 920 includes respectively determining not to implement the measurement related to the corresponding first data obtained in time and / or ignoring the corresponding second data related to the corresponding first data obtained in time. In addition, in some embodiments, the obtained first data includes corresponding data indicating that the noisy environment no longer exists, and the corresponding determination includes determining to implement the measurement related to the corresponding first data obtained in time or not ignoring the second data related to the corresponding first data obtained in time.

[0149] Furthermore, with respect to the above, in an exemplary embodiment, the first data obtained includes first sub-data obtained during a first time period in which the recipient is experiencing a first classification of an event occurrence associated with the recipient. Additionally, the first data obtained may include second sub-data obtained during a second time period in which the recipient is experiencing a second classification of an event occurrence associated with the recipient after the first time period. In an embodiment to which one of the above is applicable, the determination action action 920 includes a first determination to implement a measurement related to the first sub-data in time or not to ignore the third sub-data included in the second data, and a second determination to stop the measurement related to the second sub-data in time or to ignore the fourth sub-data included in the second data.

[0150] For example, in the case where the event occurrence is a movement of the recipient, the first classification of the event occurrence can be a non-significant movement of the recipient, and the second classification of the event occurrence can be an occurrence of a significant movement of the recipient. Therefore, in an embodiment where the occurrence of a significant movement of the recipient is considered to be something that will seriously affect such measurements, the determination action in method action 920 may include a first determination of a measurement that is temporally related to the first sub-data. This is because the classification of the event occurrence is a non-significant movement of the recipient. Therefore, the measurement value is likely to be a good measurement value or a measurement value with practical value, and the measurement value should continue to be obtained. With respect to an embodiment in which the measurement value is obtained without regard to an event occurrence associated with the recipient of the restoration, in which the measurement value is actually ignored, the determination action 920 may include not ignoring the third sub-data contained in the second data. For example, the second data can be EEG measurements obtained in the first time period and the second time period and the cycles before and / or after. Therefore, the EEG measurements obtained in the first time period will correspond to the third sub-data, and therefore will not be ignored because of the classification.

[0151] In addition, the determination action in action 920 may also include the above-mentioned second determination, which is a determination to stop the measurement that is temporally related to the second sub-data. This is because the second classification of the occurrence of the event is a significant movement of the recipient. Therefore, the measured value is likely to be a not-so-good measurement value or a measurement value of little practical value, at least compared to the measurement value that may be obtained when the recipient does not move. Regarding an embodiment in which the measurement value is obtained without regard to the occurrence of an event associated with the recipient of the restoration, in which the measurement value is actually ignored, the determination action 920 may include ignoring the fourth sub-data contained in the second data. For example, the second data may be EEG measurements obtained in a first time period and a second time period, as well as in periods before and / or after, etc. Therefore, the EEG measurement value obtained in the second time period will correspond to the fourth sub-data, and will therefore be ignored due to classification.

[0152] It should be noted that while the above exemplary embodiments have been described in terms of non-significant movement and significant movement, other embodiments include other scenarios, such as non-significant distraction and significant distraction, non-significant excitement and significant excitement (this can be extended to any kind of excitement type that may be practical), non-significant irritation and significant irritation, non-significant fatigue and significant fatigue, etc. It should also be noted that the event occurrence associated with the recipient can be based on various other aspects disclosed herein, such as the recipient is at work, at an amusement park, driving, driving in traffic, relaxing, sleeping, etc. Therefore, the classification can be grouped into two or more groups (see "More" below for more details), one group is classified as something that helps to obtain a good measurement value, and the other group is something that does not help to obtain a good measurement value, and the above method will be implemented accordingly with appropriate modifications.

[0153] With respect to the "more" in the phrase "two or more groups", there may be a third classification or a fourth classification, etc. The third classification may be "in between". This may trigger the start of data collection, which may then be considered for disregard later. This is a scenario in which the method triggers the start of data collection or not based on the first and second classifications, respectively. Both the third and fourth classifications may be "in between", where the third classification does not cause the data to be disregarded if other characteristics are present, and the fourth classification causes the data to be disregarded if other characteristics are present.

[0154] Another point is raised above. It should be noted that the initiation of data collection and the act of ignoring data are not mutually exclusive. In other words, the actions detailed above may exist separately and separately. For example, a method may include initiating the collection of data and then subsequently ignoring the data. A method may include initiating the collection of data and not ignoring some of the data but ignoring other portions of the data. A method may include always collecting data and ignoring some of the data but not ignoring other portions, etc. Any arrangement that will provide practical value may be utilized in at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0155] Referring back to the embodiments where sound is used to induce a brain response, or even in embodiments where sound is not used for this purpose but only noise can skew the measurement, in an exemplary embodiment, the first classification is that the recipient was not significantly exposed to noise (sound noise, according to the conventional case detailed above, where the use of noise without a modifier corresponds to sound noise), and the second classification of the event occurrence is the occurrence where the recipient was significantly exposed to noise. In addition, as will be understood from the above, some embodiments may include the use of visual stimulation to induce a brain response, or even in embodiments where visual stimulation such as light is not used to achieve this purpose but only light and / or visual stimulation can skew the measurement, in an exemplary embodiment, where the event occurrence is the recipient being exposed to visual noise, the first classification is that the recipient was not significantly exposed to visual noise, and the second classification of the event occurrence is the occurrence where the recipient was significantly exposed to visual noise. Any other type of sensory noise that can affect the measurement may also be considered. Smell can be one. Tactile input can be another. Electromagnetic fields can be another. Temperature can be another. Wind can also be another. Air pressure can also be one. Taste is also. Regarding the latter, latent variables can be used to determine or otherwise determine whether the recipient is eating or chewing, etc. In this regard, a human noise algorithm can be used to obtain data indicating such actions in place of and / or in addition to its typical operation of removing human noise from a signal, in this case, removing non-human noise from a signal, and inferring or inferring that the recipient is eating or drinking or the like by treating the data as a latent variable. In such exemplary embodiments, the teachings detailed herein can make it possible not to obtain measurements when the recipient is eating or chewing or drinking, or to ignore the data accordingly. The reverse is also true. Therefore, exemplary embodiments include devices, such as medical devices, such as prostheses, which are configured to identify or detect the occurrence of human noise, otherwise evaluate human noise, and use this as a basis for starting or not starting measurement or ignoring or not ignoring measurement values, etc. Therefore, embodiments include prostheses configured to detect human noise. In exemplary embodiments, a human noise elimination algorithm can be analyzed during its operation to determine the amount of human noise present or the type of human noise, etc. Thus, embodiments include modified hearing prostheses in which the basic processor or circuitry, etc., used for human noise cancellation is also used to extract data for the purpose of determining that something is occurring that may affect the sense of taste. For example, the amount of cancellation in a given frequency may indicate human noise. Noise detected at certain frequencies by an implanted accelerometer, etc. may be used to identify the occurrence of such human noise. This may also be true in terms of amplitude, etc. Any device, system, and / or method that can utilize human noise detection and / or cancellation technology in the prior art that has been modified to implement the teachings detailed herein to determine whether a recipient is eating or drinking or chewing or smoking, etc. may be used in at least some exemplary embodiments.

[0156] In an exemplary embodiment, the devices detailed herein may be configured to identify the presence and / or absence of at least one of the following: internal body noise that at least meets or at least does not meet predetermined criteria (e.g., using any one of the human body noise cancellation and / or noise detection devices, systems and / or methods commercially available and / or FDA-approved in the United States as of October 31, 2018), scalp EMG, eye EMG, eye movements, body temperature, body heart rate, body blood pressure, or user speech; and determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on the presence and / or absence of the identifier.

[0157] In some embodiments, also in the case where the event occurrence is a location presence of the recipient, the first data is based on sound captured by the recipient's device. Likewise, in an exemplary embodiment, scene classification may be used in order to identify the location presence.

[0158] Embodiments include systems that may have practical value. For example, reference is now made to Fig.12 , there may be a system 1210, which includes a first subsystem 1220 configured to sense a phenomenon associated with an individual, a second subsystem 1230 configured to capture at least one of sound, light, or electromagnetic radiation, and a third subsystem 1240, wherein the third subsystem is configured to perform at least one of: (i) analyzing output from at least the second subsystem and determining at least one of: whether to activate the first subsystem or the activation level of the second subsystem; or (ii) analyzing output from at least the second subsystem and the first subsystem and determining at least one of: whether to activate a fourth subsystem that stimulates the recipient, or the activation level of the fourth subsystem. Fig.12 System 1210 is presented with the various subsystems enclosed in dashed lines. This is because in some embodiments, system 1210 is a single integrated device containing all three subsystems, while in other embodiments, the subsystems are separate devices and / or two of the subsystems are in a device separate from the device of the third subsystem, or even each subsystem may have subsystems dispersed across multiple devices, and in some embodiments, some devices may contain subsystems from different systems. An exemplary embodiment utilizing captured electromagnetic radiation may be a device that can distinguish whether an external coil is in use, wherein the presence or absence of such a condition may determine whether a test is performed and / or whether the test results are ignored, etc. In another embodiment, such a condition may indicate the location of the recipient, which may also be used to make, at least in part, the various determinations detailed herein.

[0159] Specifically, return reference Figure 3A and 3B, it can be seen that in at least some exemplary embodiments, any one or more of the functions detailed herein may be performed by the prosthesis and / or by a handheld electronic device, and / or remotely via communication with a telecoil, etc. In this regard, in exemplary embodiments, various determinations and / or detections that may be inferred from such measurements may be performed by a separate component than the component that made the measurement and / or that determined that the measurement should be taken or should not be ignored, etc. Unless otherwise noted, any method action disclosed herein and / or any function disclosed herein may be performed by any one or more devices disclosed herein, as long as the art supports so.

[0160] According to the teachings detailed above, in an exemplary embodiment, the first subsystem is an EEG monitor. Again, this can be a stand-alone subsystem as detailed above, or can be integrated with other medical device systems / subsystems such as hearing prosthesis systems / subsystems. In an exemplary embodiment, as will be described below, the subsystem can be an EKG monitor. In at least some embodiments, any device that can have practical value in monitoring phenomena associated with a recipient can be utilized.

[0161] Likewise, consistent with various teachings herein, in at least some embodiments, system 1210 is configured to analyze at least the output from at least the second subsystem and identify at least one of: a location situation of the recipient, an activity in which the recipient is engaged, or a state of the recipient. System 210 is further configured to make a determination based on the identification. Likewise, it is contemplated that there are situations where it is more practical to collect data and / or obtain data than other data collected at other times, and the teachings detailed herein can enable identification of a given situation, or at least provide an indicator that one situation exists versus another situation, etc.

[0162] exist Fig.12 In an exemplary embodiment of the system, the system is configured to analyze at least the output from at least the second subsystem and identify at least one of the following: the location of the recipient, or the activity in which the recipient is participating, or the state of the recipient. In addition, the system can be configured to make a decision based on the identification. In this regard, it should be noted that Fig.12 The embodiments disclosed in the present invention present two-way communication between all subsystems. It should be noted that in some embodiments, there is only one-way communication between one or more or all subsystems. In addition, in some embodiments, there may be subsystems that do not communicate with each other in one way or another. Any drug arrangement between subsystems that can implement the teachings detailed herein can be utilized, provided that there is practical value in doing so.

[0163] exist Fig.12In variations of the embodiments, the system may include a fourth subsystem. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth subsystem may be an electrotherapy system. In this regard, in at least some exemplary embodiments, one or more existing systems may be used to assess whether there is a condition associated with the recipient that indicates an impending seizure, or the like. Based on this determination, the fourth subsystem may be involved in attempts to avoid or otherwise mitigate the effects of the seizure. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth subsystem may be integrated with the other subsystems in accordance with other teachings herein. Alternatively, the fourth subsystem may be a separate device relative to a device containing one or more or all of the other subsystems. In other embodiments, other types of devices for applying stimulation may be utilized in addition to the electrotherapy system.

[0164] In at least some exemplary embodiments, the second subsystem is part of an environment classifier and outputs data indicating the environment classification. Likewise, in some embodiments, an environment classifier known to be used in the hearing repair field and / or in the retinal implant sector may be used in whole or in part as part of the second subsystem.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second subsystem is contained in an at least partially implantable prosthesis, while in other embodiments, this is not the case. Additionally, in accordance with the teachings detailed above, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the first, second, and third subsystems are part of an integrated prosthesis system and / or part of an integrated medical device, and in some embodiments, this is also the case with respect to the fourth subsystem and / or other subsystems, which may include a stimulation system configured to stimulate or otherwise apply a form of energy to a recipient to achieve a medical treatment. In at least some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the subsystems detailed herein may or may not be integrated into the device relative to any one or more of the other subsystems.

[0166] In some embodiments, the third subsystem is further configured to identify whether the recipient is moving and / or quantify the movement of the recipient based on the output from at least the second subsystem, and determine one or more of the following based on the identification: whether to activate the first subsystem, the activation level of the second subsystem, or the activation level of the fourth subsystem that applies stimulation to the recipient (this includes whether to activate). Similarly, as detailed above, in some cases, the teachings detailed herein involve deliberately not obtaining data or measurements in certain situations. Regarding the issue of the activation level of the second subsystem, in an exemplary embodiment, the second subsystem is used as a sensory prosthesis or is part of a system of sensory prostheses. In some embodiments, there may be practical value in limiting the amount of stimulation associated with the recipient's environment. For example, if it appears that the recipient may be developing towards epilepsy, it may be practical to reduce the amount of sound noise that the recipient is receiving and / or applying to the recipient. That is, in some embodiments, the goal is not necessarily to reduce stimulation for therapeutic purposes, but to reduce stimulation for measurement purposes. In this regard, if a sound probe or the like is utilized, where the use of this probe in a quiet environment has practical value, the system can artificially reduce the amount of ambient sound that the recipient hears by utilizing the second subsystem. Regarding the fourth subsystem, this may be a system specifically dedicated to applying stimulation to a recipient for medical purposes such as electroshock therapy, or any other system that may have practical value.

[0167] In some embodiments, the third subsystem is configured to identify whether the recipient is in a sensory noisy environment and / or quantify the sensory noise in the noisy environment based on the output from at least the second subsystem, and determine whether to activate the activation level of the first subsystem or the second subsystem based on the identification. Similarly, according to the above, the noise can be light noise or sound noise or odor noise, etc. In some embodiments, the phenomenon sensed by the first subsystem is a physiological phenomenon. In addition, the third subsystem is configured to analyze the output from at least the second subsystem and the first subsystem to determine the activation level of the second subsystem and / or, if present, the activation level of the fourth subsystem that applies stimulation to the recipient. In some embodiments, the phenomenon sensed by the first subsystem is a physiological phenomenon.

[0168] Additionally, also in some embodiments where the phenomenon sensed by the first subsystem is a physiological phenomenon, the third subsystem is configured to analyze the output from at least the second subsystem based on the identifier, independent of any output from the first subsystem if any, to determine whether to activate the first subsystem or the activation level of the second subsystem or, if any, to apply stimulation to the recipient's fourth subsystem.

[0169] Additionally, while the embodiments detailed above have addressed the possibility of ignoring measurements or otherwise not obtaining measurements, it should also be noted that in some other embodiments, the frequency of measurement acquisition and / or the amount of measurement acquisition, etc., may actually be increased depending on a given context. By way of example only and not limitation, it was mentioned above that the measurements may include EKG measurements. In an exemplary embodiment, this may be useful in determining that the recipient is exercising or participating in an activity or may increase the risk of a heart attack, etc., and thus the number of measurements may be increased after a given subsystem determines that the recipient is participating in such an activity.

[0170] It should also be noted that, although the above tends to focus on increasing or decreasing or ignoring or paying attention to the measured value in a semi-binary manner, it should also be noted that some embodiments may include paying more attention to a given measured value. Similarly, in the example where the system determines that the recipient has started exercising, this can provide instructions to health care professionals, etc. to monitor the measured value more closely. In an exemplary embodiment, this can indicate that the measured value should be evaluated and / or monitored in real time rather than later (later for data collection purposes or otherwise for analyzing trends). In fact, based on the instructions of the recipient's activities and / or environment, etc., an automated monitoring and / or analysis system can even be implemented based on a determination associated with the input implemented by a given subcomponent. In addition, the holding content (holds) can be adjusted accordingly. Similarly, according to the concept, in the case where the recipient starts exercising, after determining that the recipient is exercising, the abnormal measured value that may have been ignored will be unlikely to be ignored because there may be a greater chance of heart attack, etc. In at least some exemplary embodiments, any data evaluation and / or manipulation process that can be utilized in a practical manner based on a given determination detailed herein can be used.

[0171] It should be noted that the phrase recipient is sometimes used herein. Unless otherwise indicated, any disclosure herein referring to a recipient corresponds to an equivalent disclosure of a person, regardless of whether the person is the recipient of the restoration, and vice versa, as long as the art supports this.

[0172] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more devices and / or systems and / or subsystems, etc., disclosed herein and variations thereof include a processor, which may be a standard microprocessor supported by software or firmware, etc., programmed to perform one or more actions and functions herein. The processor may include input and / or output connections. By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, the microprocessor may have access to a lookup table, etc., with data and / or may compare features of an input signal and compare these features with features in a lookup table, and make a determination about the input signal by the relevant data associated with these features in the lookup table, and thus make a determination, etc. A numerical analysis algorithm may be programmed in a processor, etc. to implement the teachings herein.

[0173] It should be noted that the teachings detailed herein can be implemented in any processor-based device capable of implementing the teachings herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensory prosthesis such as a hearing prosthesis or an optical prosthesis can be modified by adjusting the circuit system or otherwise providing programming to a given processor, thereby implementing the teachings detailed herein. In addition, methods based on the Internet of Things can be utilized. In addition, various components and systems and subsystems can be networks, so that some actions and / or functions detailed herein are performed by components in remote locations of other components and / or components geographically far away from other components. Therefore, the teachings detailed herein can be implemented using the Internet or landline-based devices or wireless communication systems such as cellular telephone communication systems. Any prosthesis and / or medical device detailed herein can correspond to a wearable device or a carry-on device. Similarly, these wearable or carry-on devices can have a processor that is programmed to receive input and / or provide output to implement the teachings detailed herein. In some embodiments, a program personal computer and / or a laptop and / or a personal handheld device, such as a smart phone or a smart watch, can be used to perform at least some of the functions and method actions detailed herein.

[0174] Many of the embodiments detailed above focus on devices implanted in the head or otherwise including an inductive coil located in the head. Indeed, the embodiments detailed above generally focus on hearing prostheses, such as cochlear implants (although it should be noted that in at least some other exemplary embodiments, the hearing prosthesis is a DACI prosthesis and / or a middle ear hearing prosthesis and / or an active transcutaneous bone conduction device hearing prosthesis, all of which include an implanted radio frequency coil, such as a coil in the form of an inductive coil or any other coil that can implement the teachings detailed herein, or a radio frequency antenna, or any other device that can implement communication - any disclosure of a cochlear implant herein corresponds to the disclosure of one of the other aforementioned hearing prostheses in an alternative embodiment). Some other embodiments may be embodiments that include implanted components implanted elsewhere than the head. By way of example only and not limitation, in exemplary embodiments, there may be a cardiac monitor and / or cardiac stimulator (pacemaker), for example, by way of example only and not limitation. Fig.13 As seen in FIG. , the heart monitor includes a plurality of sensor / reader electrodes 720 connected to an inductive coil 710 via leads 730. In this embodiment, the implanted device does not have recording / storage capabilities, and an external device is required to receive signals from the implanted inductive coil 710 in order to retrieve the signals therefrom in real time. The implantable components that convert the electricity sensed by the sensor / reader electrodes into signals transmitted by the inductive coil 710 are not shown. In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 7 The sensor arrangement seen in is an implantable EKG sensor arrangement. Fig.14Another arrangement of an implantable sensor arrangement is depicted that also includes a sensor / reading electrode 720 and a lead 730. Here, in this embodiment, there is a housing 830 that includes a circuit system that is configured to receive signals from the electrode 720 by the lead and record data therein or otherwise store data, and allows the data to be periodically read from an external device when the external device is in signal communication with the implanted inductive coil 710. Alternatively, and / or in addition, the circuit system is configured to periodically energize the inductive coil 710, thereby providing data to the coil 710, so that the coil generates an inductive signal, which in turn communicates with an external component that reads the signal and therefore reads the data associated with the electrode. Therefore, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the implantable device is configured to stream the data. In addition, in some embodiments, the data is not streamed, but instead provided in bursts.

[0175] In at least some exemplary embodiments, any arrangement that enables data associated with the reading electrodes to be provided from inside the recipient to outside the recipient may be utilized.In this regard, conventional implantable EKG sensor arrangements may be obtained and modified to implement the teachings and / or variations thereof detailed herein.

[0176] It should be noted that Fig.14 Some embodiments of the sensor arrangement include an implanted battery or otherwise implanted power storage arrangement, while in other embodiments the arrangement explicitly does not make the arrangement similar to Fig.13 Embodiment of the invention.

[0177] In view of the above, it can be seen that the above measurements may also correspond to EKG measurements, etc. In this regard, there may be practical value in determining whether the recipient is exercising, etc. so as to ignore or otherwise not even monitor (or, for example, monitor EKG measurements more carefully and frequently).

[0178] Fig.15 Another exemplary embodiment of an implantable device is presented that can be used to obtain measurements that may be applicable in some embodiments of the teachings detailed herein. With respect to the implantable device, Fig.15 An exemplary functional arrangement of an implantable device 1540 is provided, wherein the implantable device is configured to communicate with the Fig.14 The implantable component 1540 may correspond to an external device or similar device that can communicate transcutaneously. Figure 1 implantable component of system 10. Alternatively, and / or in addition, Fig.15The implantable components of the embodiment may correspond representatively to the implantable components of the EEG embodiment or the EKG embodiment or the retinal implant embodiment. As can be seen, the external component 1540 includes an implantable housing 1526, which is connected to an exemplary implantable coil device 1578 via a cable 1572, and the implantable coil device includes a corresponding to the implantable coil device 1578 in this exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 The external coil is an implantable inductive coil 1558IM, wherein Fig.15 express Figure 1 As shown, implantable component 1540 includes an implantable inductive communication assembly including coil 1558IM and magnet 1542. This magnet 1152 interacts with an external magnet of the implantable component to maintain head member 1478 on the skin of the recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, implantable component 1540 is configured to transmit magnetic data and / or receive magnetic data and / or power from an external component including the inductive coil detailed above in a transdermal manner via coil 1558IM. Coil 1558IM is electrically coupled to housing 1526 via cable 1572. Housing 1526 may include, for example, Figure 1 at least some of the components of an implantable component, such as a stimulator for a cochlear implant, wherein Fig.15 The embodiments of show such components.

[0179] Implantable component 1540 also includes a stimulation assembly, which, as seen, includes leads extending from housing 1526 and ultimately to electrode 1520. Fig.15 In the embodiment representing the implantable component of a cochlear implant, the electrode 1520 and the functionally associated leads represent the electrode assembly of the cochlear implant, but it is important to note that in a real cochlear implant, the electrode 1520 will be supported by a load-bearing member, rather than being "free" as shown. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, Fig.15 Can represent the EEG and / or EKG system detailed above, wherein electrode 1520 is a reading / sensing electrode. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, Fig.15 The implantable component may represent a retinal implant. It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, the electrode 1520 is replaced by a mechanical actuator, and thus Fig.15 Embodiments of the invention represent active transcutaneous bone conduction devices and / or middle ear implants, among others.

[0180] At this point, for conceptual purposes only Fig.15 To indicate Figure 4How an external component of an implantable component communicates with an implanted component. Similar to these, in an exemplary embodiment, a magnet of the external component is magnetically aligned with a magnet of the implantable component, thereby aligning the external coil with the implanted coil. This can have practical value because aligning the coils relative to the situation where the coils are misaligned provides efficiency. By way of example only and not limitation, in an exemplary embodiment, the magnets are disk-shaped magnets with their north and south poles aligned with the rotational axis of the disk. In this regard, the magnets need to align the magnetic fields with each other, and therefore by utilizing the structure of the external component and / or the implantable component (e.g., a silicone body) to maintain the respective coils at a predetermined controlled distance from the respective magnets, the coils will become aligned with each other as the magnets become aligned with each other. Fig.16 Depicts how the respective magnets are aligned with each other relative to their north and south poles. As can be seen, the two magnets are aligned around the axis. This has the effect of aligning the respective coils.

[0181] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, implantable component 1540 may be used in conjunction with an external component, such as an external component of a hearing prosthesis, and / or an external component of a retinal implant, and / or an external component of a sensory prosthesis as described in detail herein.

[0182] Exemplary embodiments include an implantable EEG monitor or another type of monitor having an internal power source that operates in two different operating modes. One of the modes is for daytime use, where the recipient is awake and / or active. The daytime mode allows the implanted components to operate autonomously without any external components, but in some embodiments, the implantable components may also operate in the daytime mode with external components. Consistent with the teachings detailed above, the daytime mode allows the implanted components to receive power only from an implanted battery or other power source implanted in the recipient. In this exemplary embodiment, the implant monitors and / or stores data, such as EEG and / or EKG data, during the daytime operating mode. In addition, in at least some exemplary embodiments, during the daytime operating mode, the implantable components may analyze the data, and may determine whether an alarm should be provided to the recipient based on the data. In an exemplary embodiment, the alarm is provided using all components implanted in the recipient according to the teachings detailed herein.

[0183] It should be noted that in some embodiments, where there is a day or night mode, the teachings detailed herein may be used to cause the device to transition from one mode to another based on data obtained by a second subsystem or the like.

[0184] The teachings detailed herein may be applicable to the management or monitoring of epilepsy-prone populations. In this regard, epileptic seizures may be infrequent, with seizures occurring months apart. Diagnosis requires capturing at least one epilepsy. Due to the lack of long-term monitoring, many patients remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. As can be seen, using the teachings detailed herein, EEG data capture may be provided before and / or during epilepsy. Therefore, some exemplary methods include practicing the details of the methods herein for treating and / or monitoring epilepsy.

[0185] It should be noted that although the embodiments described in detail herein focus on electrical detection / electrical monitoring / electrical analysis (ECE / EEG), other embodiments involve detecting / monitoring and analyzing changes in the chemical composition of substances in the body. By way of example only and not limitation, Fig.16 A schematic diagram of an implantable component 1740 configured to monitor the chemical properties of a body fluid is provided. In this regard, there is a housing 1726 containing a processor or the like, the processor being programmed to analyze data via signals from a blood capture device 1720. The blood capture device 1720 is configured to capture blood and / or analyze blood to assess its chemical properties. By way of example only and not limitation, the implantable component 1740 may be a blood glucose implantable monitor that directly or indirectly monitors blood to determine its glucose content. The captured blood is then analyzed by the device 1726.

[0186] It should also be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, implantable component 1740 can be a new drug analyzer. By way of example only and not limitation, implantable component 1740 can be configured or otherwise programmed to analyze blood chemistry to assess the effects of a new drug.

[0187] As described above, it should be noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the EEG system can be used to evaluate blood glucose levels and / or new drug efficacy. In this regard, there may be a use scenario in which a new drug is introduced, and the evaluation scheme for the introduction of the new drug includes brain monitoring, wherein the brain monitoring includes the application of EEG monitoring. At least some exemplary embodiments detailed herein provide for the implementation of continuous monitoring, and this can be very practical for new drug evaluation.

[0188] Briefly, it is noted that a three-stage monitoring approach through EEG analysis can detect hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). To maximize utility value, the implantable component can be monitored continuously and over a long period of time.

[0189] Traditionally, a problem associated with monitoring the above phenomenon is that an external component is required if data is to be streamed in real time or semi-real time. Again, typically the external component is one that is worn on the head. However, during sleep or an epileptic seizure, this component is typically removed or dropped. Therefore, the teachings detailed herein can provide streaming and / or recording of data without the traditional external components used with implants.

[0190] It is particularly noted that in at least some exemplary embodiments, the implantable device is not a hearing prosthesis as one skilled in the art might understand it. In this regard, just because a device induces hearing perception does not mean that it is a hearing prosthesis. As used herein, the phrase hearing prosthesis means that the device is configured to capture sounds and induce hearing perceptions based on the captured sounds. Specifically, the teachings detailed herein for providing instructions to a recipient using hearing perceptions do not require captured sounds. In this regard, the implantable component is preprogrammed and / or preconfigured to induce only a limited number of hearing perceptions regardless of the environment.

[0191] That is, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the teachings detailed herein may be combined with, or even limited to, a hearing prosthesis. In this regard, in exemplary embodiments, the implantable component is an implantable component of a hearing prosthesis that includes a tissue stimulator that provides the indication.

[0192] In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable component includes a tissue stimulator that provides the indication. The tissue stimulator can be part of a device that, among other functions, provides the following functions: (i) stimulate tissue to provide the indication (for example, the system can be an EEG monitor, an EKG monitor, a body fluid monitor, a drug efficacy monitor, etc.); and (ii) if the implantable component is configured to provide a hearing prosthesis function, stimulate tissue to provide hearing perception based on an external stimulus. The external stimulus includes sound captured by a sound capture device, streaming audio transmitted to a hearing prosthesis, etc.

[0193] In an exemplary embodiment, the implantable component is part of a human monitoring device configured to monitor various aspects of the recipient's body, wherein the implantable component is configured to evaluate the monitored aspects and determine whether a certain aspect is outside of given parameters, and provide an indication to the recipient after such determination, wherein the indication is an indication that the certain aspect is outside of the given parameters. Similarly, as detailed above, in an exemplary embodiment, the EEG monitor monitors signals for potential epilepsy, etc. The implantable component can analyze the signals in real time or near real time, and if the signals indicate potential epilepsy, the recipient is alerted by providing an indication, which will be a warning that an epileptic seizure may be imminent.

[0194] Figure 8Exemplary embodiments of neural prostheses and retinal prostheses and environments for their use are generally presented, and in particular, components thereof may be used in whole or in part in some of the teachings herein. In some embodiments of the retinal prosthesis, a retinal prosthesis sensor-stimulator 10801 is positioned proximate to the retina 11001. In an exemplary embodiment, photons entering the eye are absorbed by a microelectronic array of the sensor-stimulator 10801, which is hybridized with a glass piece 11201 containing, for example, an embedded microwire array. The glass may have a curved surface that conforms to the inner radius of the retina. The sensor-stimulator 10801 may include a microelectronic imaging device, which may be made of thin silicon containing an integrated circuit system that converts incident photons into electronic charges.

[0195] The image processor 10201 is in signal communication with the sensor-stimulator 10801 via a cable 10401 that extends through a surgical incision 10601 in the eye wall (although in other embodiments, the image processor 10201 is in wireless communication with the sensor-stimulator 10801). The image processor 10201 processes the input of the sensor-stimulator 10801 and provides control signals back to the sensor-stimulator 10801 so that the device can provide a processed output to the optic nerve. That is, in alternative embodiments, the processing is performed by a component that is close to or integrated with the sensor-stimulator 10801. The charge generated by the conversion of the incident photons is converted into a proportional amount of electronic current, which is input to the nearby retinal cell layers. The cells are excited, and signals are sent to the optic nerve, thereby inducing visual perception.

[0196] The retinal prosthesis may include an external device placed in a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit or in a pair of glasses, or any other type of component that may have practical value. The retinal prosthesis may include an external light / image capture device (e.g., located in / on a BTE device or a pair of glasses, etc.), and as noted above, in some embodiments, the sensor-stimulator 10801 captures light / images, which is implanted in the recipient.

[0197] To make the disclosure compact, any disclosure of a microphone or sound capture device herein corresponds to a similar disclosure of a light / image capture device such as a charge coupled device. It follows that any disclosure of a stimulator unit herein that generates an electrical stimulation signal or otherwise imparts energy to tissue to induce hearing perception corresponds to a similar disclosure of a stimulator device for a retinal prosthesis. Any disclosure of a sound processor or the processing of captured sound, etc. herein corresponds to a similar disclosure of a light processor / image processor having similar functions of a retinal prosthesis and processing captured images in a similar manner. In fact, any disclosure of a device for a hearing prosthesis herein corresponds to a disclosure of a device for a retinal prosthesis having similar functions of a retinal prosthesis. Any disclosure of placing a hearing prosthesis herein corresponds to a disclosure of placing a retinal prosthesis using similar actions. Any disclosure of a method of using or operating a hearing prosthesis or otherwise acting in conjunction with a hearing prosthesis herein corresponds to a disclosure of using or operating a retinal prosthesis or otherwise acting in conjunction with a retinal prosthesis in a similar manner.

[0198] The exemplary system includes one or more exemplary devices that can implement the teachings detailed herein, which can utilize automation in at least some embodiments, as will now be described in the context of an automated system. That is, the exemplary embodiments include performing one or more or all of the methods and variations thereof detailed herein at least partially in an automated or semi-automated manner using any of the teachings herein.

[0199] It should also be noted that any disclosure of a device and / or system detailed herein also corresponds to disclosure of providing the device and / or system and / or utilizing the device and / or system in other ways.

[0200] It should also be noted that any disclosure herein of any process for making or otherwise providing a device corresponds to the disclosure of the device and / or system produced thereby. It should also be noted that any disclosure herein of any device and / or system corresponds to the disclosure of a method for producing or otherwise providing or otherwise making such a device and / or system.

[0201] Unless explicitly indicated and / or unless the art does not support this, any embodiment or any feature disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more or other embodiments and / or other features disclosed herein. Any embodiment or any feature disclosed herein may be expressly excluded from use in combination with any one or more other embodiments and / or other features disclosed herein, unless such combination is explicitly indicated and / or unless the art does not support such exclusion.

[0202] Any functional or methodological acts detailed herein correspond to disclosures for doing so in an automated or semi-automated manner.

[0203] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device, include: A medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to determine whether a data collection activity should be initiated based on non-mobile data associated with a recipient of the medical device, wherein the data is physiological data associated with the recipient of the medical device.

2. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is a hearing prosthesis; and The hearing prosthesis is configured to assess a sound environment of the hearing prosthesis to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated.

3. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device includes an external acoustic sensor.

4. The device according to claim 2, in: The medical device includes an implantable acoustic sensor.

5. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device includes an implantable component configured to perform acoustic probing of the recipient's body.

6. The device according to claim 5, in: The detection is detection using acoustic type signals.

7. The device according to claim 5, in: The probing is probing using electrical stimulation directly to the tissue.

8. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is further configured to sense a phenomenon indicative of movement of the recipient; and The medical device is configured to evaluate sensed phenomena indicative of movement to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated.

9. The device according to claim 1, in: The data collection activity is data collection utilizing implanted electrodes that are part of the medical device.

10. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to perform EEG monitoring.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is configured to: obtaining data indicative of a type and / or amount of neuronal activity in a recipient of the medical device; Evaluate the data obtained; and Based on the assessment, a decision is made as to whether data collection activities should be initiated.

12. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device comprises a first sensor system and a second sensor system; The first sensor system is a sensor system for collecting the data after data collection begins; The second sensor system collects non-physiological data; and The medical device is configured to evaluate the collected non-physiological data to make a determination.

13. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device comprises a classification system; and The medical device is configured to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated based on a classification by the classification system of a physiological characteristic associated with the recipient and / or the recipient's environment.

14. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to determine and / or infer a status of a recipient of the medical device; and The medical device is configured to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated based on a determination of the status of the recipient.

15. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to determine and / or infer the recipient's environment; and The medical device is configured to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated based on a determination of the environment of the recipient.

16. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to determine and / or infer the state of the recipient of the medical device and / or the environment of the medical device; and The medical device is configured to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated based on a determination of the state of the recipient and / or the recipient's environment.

17. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device comprises an environmental classification system; and The medical device is configured to determine whether the data collection activity should be initiated based on the classification of the environment by the classification system.

18. The device according to claim 1, in: The data is EEG data and the non-movement data is non-EEG data.

19. The device according to claim 1, in: The non-mobile data is biometric-based data.

20. The device according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to determine whether to initiate active detection of the recipient.

21. The device according to claim 20, in: Determining whether to initiate active probing is based on the non-mobile data associated with a recipient of the medical device.

22. The device according to claim 20, in: The data obtained based on the active detection is the non-mobile data associated with the recipient.

23. The device according to claim 20, in: The data obtained based on the active detection is the physiological data.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to identify the presence and / or absence of at least one of: internal body noise, scalp EMG, eye EMG, eye movement, body temperature, body heart rate, body blood pressure, or user speech that at least meets or at least does not meet predetermined criteria; and A determination is made based on the presence and / or absence of the identification whether the data collection activity should be initiated.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, in: The medical device is configured to identify the presence and / or absence of at least one of: ambient sound, ambient light, electromagnetic radiation, or a magnetic field that at least meets or at least does not meet a predetermined criterion; and A determination is made based on the presence and / or absence of the identification whether the data collection activity should be initiated.

26. The device according to claim 25, in: The medical device is configured to evaluate at least one of the intensity, spectrum or fluctuation of ambient sound and / or light and determine whether these aspects meet and / or do not meet predetermined criteria; and A determination is made based on the presence and / or absence of the identification whether the data collection activity should be initiated.

27. A system, include: a first subsystem configured to sense a phenomenon associated with the individual; a second subsystem configured to perform at least one of capturing sound, capturing light, or capturing electromagnetic radiation; as well as A third subsystem is configured to perform at least one of the following: analyzing output from at least the second subsystem and determining at least one of: whether to activate the first subsystem, or the activation level of the second subsystem; or Outputs from at least the second subsystem and the first subsystem are analyzed, and at least one of the following is determined: whether to activate a fourth subsystem that stimulates the recipient, or the activation level of the fourth subsystem.

28. The system according to claim 27, in: The first subsystem is an EEG monitor.

29. The system according to claim 27, in: The system is configured to at least analyze the output from at least the second subsystem and identify at least one of a location of the recipient, an activity in which the recipient is engaged, or a status of the recipient; and The system is configured to make a determination based on the identification.

30. The system according to claim 27, in: The system includes the fourth subsystem; and The fourth subsystem is an electrotherapy system.

31. The system according to claim 27, in: The second subsystem is part of an environment classifier and outputs data indicative of a classification of the environment.

32. The system according to claim 27, in: The second subsystem is comprised in an at least partially implantable prosthesis.

33. The system according to claim 27, in: The first, second and third subsystems are parts of an integrated restoration system.

34. The system according to claim 27, in: The third subsystem is also configured to identify whether the recipient is moving and / or quantify the movement of the recipient based on the output from at least the second subsystem, and to determine one or more of the following based on the identification: whether to activate the first subsystem, the activation level of the second subsystem, or the activation level of a fourth subsystem that applies stimulation to the recipient.

35. The system according to claim 27, in: The third subsystem is configured to identify whether the recipient is in a sensory noisy environment and / or quantify the sensory noise in the noisy environment based on the output from at least the second subsystem, and determine whether to activate the first subsystem or the activation level of the second subsystem based on the identification.

36. The system according to claim 27, in: The phenomenon is a physiological phenomenon; and The third subsystem is configured to analyze outputs from at least the second subsystem and the first subsystem to determine the activation level of the second subsystem and / or, if present, the activation level of a fourth subsystem that applies stimulation to the recipient.

37. The system according to claim 27, in: The phenomenon is a physiological phenomenon; and The third subsystem is configured to, independently of any output from the first subsystem, if any, analyze the output of the second subsystem to determine whether to activate the first subsystem or the activation level of the second subsystem and / or, if any, to apply stimulation to the fourth subsystem of the recipient.

38. A method, include: obtaining, with a device of a recipient of a restoration, first data indicative of an occurrence of an event associated with the recipient, wherein the restoration is substantially stationary relative to a local position when the first data is obtained; as well as Based on the obtained first data, it is determined whether to at least one of: perform a measurement related to the recipient, or ignore second data related to the recipient.

39. The method according to claim 38, in: The measurements are recorded with high fidelity; and Low fidelity recording already occurs when making decisions.

40. The method according to claim 38, in: The measurements described are high fidelity recordings; Low-fidelity recording is occurring at the time of the determination; and The act of deciding includes deciding to perform a high fidelity measurement and thus transitioning from a low fidelity measurement to a high fidelity measurement.

41. The method according to claim 38, in: The determining action is performed remotely from the device of the recipient.

42. The method according to claim 38, in: The determining action is performed by the device.

43. The method according to claim 38, in: The second data is also obtained by performing measurement; and The measuring includes measuring a physiological characteristic of the recipient using an implantable device implanted in the recipient.

44. The method according to claim 38, in: The second data is also obtained by performing measurement; and The measuring includes measuring a physiological characteristic of the recipient using a non-implantable device that is not implanted in the recipient.

45. The method according to claim 38, in: The first data indicates at least one of: an environment of the recipient, an activity in which the recipient is engaged, or a status of the recipient; The method includes evaluating the first data and determining, based on the evaluation, that the environment, the activity, and / or the status indication is detrimental to the practical value of the measurement; and The act of determining includes disregarding the second data based on the evaluation.

46. ​​The method according to claim 38, in: The first data is obtained at multiple times in a first time period; The determination is performed multiple times on the corresponding first data respectively; The obtained first data includes respective data indicating the respective noisy environment, and the respective determinations of the determination action include respectively determining not to perform a measurement temporally associated with the respective obtained first data and / or to ignore respective second data temporally associated with the respective obtained first data; The obtained first data includes corresponding data indicating that the noisy environment no longer exists, and the corresponding determination includes determining whether to perform the measurement temporally correlated with the corresponding obtained first data or not to ignore the second data temporally correlated with the corresponding obtained first data.

47. The method according to claim 46, in: The corresponding data indicative of the corresponding sensory noisy environment is corresponding data indicative of the corresponding acoustic noisy environment.

48. The method according to claim 38, in: The obtained first data includes first sub-data obtained during a first time period in which the recipient experiences a first classification of event occurrence associated with the recipient; the first data obtained includes second sub-data obtained during a second time period after the first time period in which the recipient experiences a second classification of event occurrence associated with the recipient, The determination includes: performing a first determination of measuring or not disregarding third sub-data included in the second data in time correlation with the first sub-data; as well as A second determination is made to stop measurement temporally associated with the second sub-data or to ignore fourth sub-data included in the second data.

49. The method according to claim 48, in: The event occurrence is the movement of the recipient; The first classification of the occurrence of an event is a non-significant movement of the recipient; and The second classification of an event occurrence is a significant movement of the recipient.

50. The method according to claim 48, in: The event occurrence is the recipient being exposed to noise; The first classification is that the recipient was not significantly exposed to noise; and The second classification of event occurrence is an occurrence in which the recipient was significantly exposed to noise.

51. The method according to claim 48, in: The event occurrence is exposure of the recipient to visual noise; The first classification is that the recipient was not significantly exposed to visual noise; and The second classification of event occurrence is an occurrence in which the recipient is significantly exposed to visual noise.

52. The method according to claim 38, in: The obtaining action is performed using a hearing prosthesis component.

53. The method according to claim 38, in: The obtaining actions are performed using a cochlear implant fully implantable hearing prosthesis implant component.

54. The method according to claim 38, in: The event occurrence is the existence of the location of the recipient; and The first data is based on captured sound captured by the device of the recipient.

55. The method according to claim 54, further comprising: include: A sound scene classification procedure is performed to evaluate the first data and make a determination as to the presence of the position of the recipient.

56. The method according to claim 38, in: The event occurrence is the existence of the location of the recipient; and The first data is based on captured sound captured by the device of the recipient.

Images