Techniques for adaptation in medical devices using bilateral body noise

Abstract

A medical device includes a component for generating a first output signal based on body noise of a recipient of the medical device. The component is implantable on a first side of the recipient. The medical device also includes an adaptation circuit for generating an adapted signal based on the first output signal and based on a second output signal that is indicative of the body noise and that is generated by an apparatus implantable on a second side of the recipient.

Description

Techniques For Adaptation In Medical Devices Using Bilateral Body NoiseCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 63 / 555,198, filed February 19, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHN ICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems, and methods for performing adaptation of a signal using bilaterally generated body noise.BACKGROUN D

[0003] Medical devices have provided a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients over recent decades. Medical devices can include internal or implantable components / devices, external or wearable components / devices, or combinations thereof (e.g., a device having an external component communicating with an implantable component). Medical devices, such as traditional hearing aids, partially or fully-implantable hearing prostheses (e.g., bone conduction devices, mechanical stimulators, cochlear implants, etc.), pacemakers, defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, and other medical devices, have been successful in performing lifesaving and / or lifestyle enhancement functions and / or recipient monitoring for a number of years.

[0004] The types of medical devices and the ranges of functions performed thereby have increased over the years. For example, many medical devices, sometimes referred to as "implantable medical devices," now often include one or more instruments, apparatus, sensors, processors, controllers or other functional mechanical or electrical components that are permanently or temporarily implanted in a recipient. These functional devices are typically used to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat, or manage a disease / injury or symptom thereof, or to investigate, replace or modify the anatomy or a physiological process. Many of these functional devices utilize power and / or data received from external devices that are part of, or operate in conjunction with, implantable components.BRI EF SU MMARY

[0005] According to a first embodiment disclosed herein, a medical device includes a first component for generating a first output signal based on body noise of a recipient of the medical device, wherein the first component is implantable on a first side of the recipient; and an adaptation circuit for generating an adapted signal based on the first output signal and based on a second output signal that is indicative of the body noise and that is generated by an apparatus implantable on a second side of the recipient.

[0006] According to a second embodiment disclosed herein, a medical device includes a first component that generates a first signal indicative of body noise generated on a first side of a recipient of the medical device, a first filter that filters the body noise received in the first signal, and a controller that receives a second signal generated by the first filter and a third signal generated by a second filter in a second component on a second side of the recipient in response to the body noise. The controller determines at least one of a fault, miscalibration, or misconfiguration in the first filter or in the second filter based on the second signal and based on the third signal.

[0007] According to a third embodiment disclosed herein, a method for cancelling body noise in a bilateral medical system comprises generating a first signal indicative of the body noise received at a first device on a first side of a recipient of the bilateral medical system; and combining information in the first signal and in a second signal using adaptation circuitry to generate a third signal, wherein a second device generates the second signal based on the body noise received on a second side of the recipient.

[0008] According to a fourth embodiment disclosed herein, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a medical device, cause the medical device to receive a first signal indicative of body noise from a first component implanted on a first side of a recipient; receive a second signal indicative of the body noise from a second component implanted on a second side of the recipient; and process the first signal and the second signal using adaptation circuitry to generate a third signal that comprises the body noise indicated by the first signal and the body noise indicated by the second signal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary cochlear implant that can be configured to implement aspects of the techniques presented herein, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0010] Figure IB is a functional block diagram of the cochlear implant of Figure 1A.

[0011] Figure 1C is a diagram illustrating an example of an auditory prosthesis that can include one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

[0012] Figure ID is a functional block diagram of an exemplary totally implantable cochlear implant.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram that depicts an example of a bilateral hearing system that includes two cochlear implants that are implantable on two sides of the head of a recipient to provide hearing assistance to the recipient.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram that depicts an example of a bilateral medical system that includes two medical devices that are implantable on opposite sides of the head of a recipient.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram that depicts another example of a bilateral medical system that includes two medical devices implantable on opposite sides of the head of a recipient.

[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a computing system within which one or more of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Merely for ease of description, the techniques presented herein are primarily described herein with reference to an illustrative medical device, namely a cochlear implant system. However, it is to be appreciated that the techniques presented herein may also be used with a variety of other medical devices that, while providing a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients, patients, or other users, may benefit from the teachings herein. For example, any techniques presented herein and described for one type of hearing prosthesis, such as a cochlear implant, correspond to a disclosure of another embodiment of using such teaching with other hearing prostheses, including bone conduction devices (percutaneous, active transcutaneous and / or passive transcutaneous), middle ear auditory prostheses, direct acoustic stimulators, and also utilizing such with other electrically simulating auditory prostheses (e.g., auditory brain stimulators), etc. The techniques presented herein may also be used with vestibular devices (e.g., vestibularimplants), visual devices (i.e., bionic eyes), sensors, pacemakers, drug delivery systems, defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, catheters, seizure devices (e.g., devices for monitoring and / or treating epileptic events), sleep apnea devices, electroporation, etc.

[0018] The teachings detailed herein can be implemented in or with sensory prostheses, such as hearing implants. Other types of sensory prostheses can include retinal implants. Accordingly, any teaching herein with respect to a sensory prosthesis corresponds to a disclosure of utilizing those teachings in / with a hearing implant and in / with a retinal implant, unless otherwise specified, providing the art enables such. Moreover, with respect to any teachings herein, such corresponds to a disclosure of utilizing those teachings with a cochlear implant, a bone conduction device (active and passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices, and percutaneous bone conduction devices) and a middle ear implant, providing that the art enables such, unless otherwise noted. To be clear, any teaching herein with respect to a specific sensory prosthesis corresponds to a disclosure of utilizing those teachings in / with any of the aforementioned hearing prostheses, and visa-versa. Also, at least some teachings detailed herein can be implemented in somatosensory implants and / or chemosensory implants. Accordingly, any teaching herein with respect to a sensory prosthesis corresponds to a disclosure of utilizing those teachings with / in a somatosensory implant and / or a chemosensory implant.

[0019] While the teachings detailed herein are described for the most part with respect to hearing prostheses, in keeping with the above, it is noted that any disclosure herein with respect to a hearing prosthesis corresponds to a disclosure of another embodiment of utilizing the associated teachings with respect to any of the other devices or prostheses noted herein, whether a species of a hearing prosthesis, or a species of a sensory prosthesis, such as a retinal prosthesis. In this regard, any disclosure herein with respect to evoking a hearing percept corresponds to a disclosure of evoking other types of neural percepts in other embodiments, such as a visual / sight percept, a tactile percept, a smell precept or a taste percept, unless otherwise indicated and / or unless the art does not enable such. Any disclosure herein of a device, system and / or method that is used to, or results in, ultimate stimulation of the auditory nerve corresponds to a disclosure of an analogous stimulation of the optic nerve utilizing analogous components, methods, and / or systems.

[0020] Figure (FIG.) 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary cochlear implant 100 configured to implement aspects of the techniques presented herein. FIG. IB is a block diagram of the cochlear implant 100 of FIG. 1A. For ease of illustration, FIGS. 1A and IB aredescribed together. The cochlear implant 100 comprises an external component 102 and an internal / implantable component 104. The external component 102 is directly or indirectly attached to the body of a recipient and typically comprises an external coil 106 and, generally, a magnet (not shown in FIGS. 1A-1B) fixed relative to the external coil 106. The external component 102 also comprises one or more input elements / devices 113 for receiving input signals at a sound processing unit 112. In this example, the one or more input devices 113 include sound input devices 108 (e.g., microphones positioned by auricle 110 of the recipient, telecoils, etc.) configured to capture / receive input signals, one or more auxiliary input devices 109 (e.g., audio ports, such as a Direct Audio Input (DAI), data ports, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, cable port, etc.), and a wireless transmitter / receiver (transceiver) 111, each located in, on, or near the sound processing unit 112.

[0021] The sound processing unit 112 also includes, for example, at least one power source 107, a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver 121, and a processing module 125. The processing module 125 comprises a number of elements, including an environmental classifier 131, a sound processor 133, and an individualized own voice detector 134. Each of the environmental classifier 131, the sound processor 133, and the individualized own voice detector 134 can be formed by one or more processors (e.g., one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), one or more processing cores, etc.), firmware, software, etc. arranged to perform operations described herein. That is, the environmental classifier 131, the sound processor 133, and the individualized own voice detector 134 can each be implemented as firmware elements, partially or fully implemented with digital logic gates in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), partially or fully in software, etc.

[0022] In the examples of FIGS. 1A and IB, the sound processing unit 112 is a behind-the- ear (BTE) sound processing unit configured to be attached to, and worn adjacent to, the recipient's ear. However, it is to be appreciated that sound processing unit 112 can have other arrangements, such as an off the ear (OTE) processing unit (e.g., a component having a generally cylindrical shape and which is configured to be magnetically coupled to the recipient's head), etc., a mini or micro-BTE unit, an in-the-canal unit that is configured to be located in the recipient's ear canal, a body-worn sound processing unit, etc.

[0023] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A and IB, the implantable component 104 comprises an implant body (main module) 114, a lead region 116, and an intra-cochlear stimulating assembly 118, all configured to be implanted under the skin / tissue (tissue) 105 of the recipient. The implant body 114 generally comprises a hermetically-sealed housing115 in which RF interface circuitry 124 and a stimulator unit 120 are disposed. The implant body 114 also includes an internal / implantable coil 122 that is generally external to the housing 115, but which is connected to the RF interface circuitry 124 via a hermetic feedthrough (not shown in FIG. IB).

[0024] As noted, stimulating assembly 118 is configured to be at least partially implanted in the recipient's cochlea 137. Stimulating assembly 118 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced intra-cochlear electrical stimulating contacts (electrodes) 126 that collectively form a contact or electrode array 128 for delivery of electrical stimulation (current) to the recipient's cochlea 137. Stimulating assembly 118 extends through an opening in the recipient's cochlea (e.g., cochleostomy, the round window, etc.) and has a proximal end connected to stimulator unit 120 via lead region 116 and a hermetic feedthrough (not shown in FIG. IB). Lead region 116 includes a plurality of conductors (wires) that electrically couple the electrodes 126 to the stimulator unit 120.

[0025] As noted, the cochlear implant 100 includes the external coil 106 and the implantable coil 122. The coils 106 and 122 are typically wire antenna coils each comprised of multiple turns of electrically insulated single-strand or multi-strand wire. Generally, a magnet is fixed in position relative to each of the external coil 106 and the implantable coil 122, but the magnet may rotate or change orientation. In some embodiments, the external component 102 and / or the implantable component 104 can include magnet assemblies that each have more than one magnet component. The magnets fixed relative to the external coil 106 and the implantable coil 122 facilitate the operational alignment of the external coil with the implantable coil. In other embodiments, the external coil 106 and the implantable coil 122 are operationally aligned without the use of magnets. This operational alignment of the coils 106 and 122 enables the external component 102 to transmit data, as well as possibly power, to the implantable component 104 via a closely-coupled wireless link formed between the external coil 106 and the implantable coil 122. In certain examples, the closely-coupled wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link. However, various other types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), electromagnetic, capacitive and inductive transfer, can be used to transfer the power and / or data from an external component to an implantable component and, as such, FIG. IB illustrates only one exemplary arrangement.

[0026] As noted above, sound processing unit 112 includes the processing module 125. The processing module 125 is configured to convert input audio signals into stimulation control signals 136 for use in stimulating an ear of a recipient (i.e., the processing module 125 is configured to perform sound processing on input audio signals received at the soundprocessing unit 112). Stated differently, the sound processor 133 (e.g., one or more processing elements implementing firmware, software, etc.) is configured to convert the captured input audio signals into stimulation control signals 136 that represent electrical stimulation for delivery to the recipient. The input audio signals that are processed and converted into stimulation control signals 136 can be audio signals received via the sound input devices 108, signals received via the auxiliary input devices 109, and / or signals received via the wireless transceiver 111.

[0027] In the embodiment of FIG. IB, the stimulation control signals 136 are provided to the RF transceiver 121, which transcutaneously transfers the stimulation control signals 136 (e.g., in an encoded manner) to the implantable component 104 via external coil 106 and implantable coil 122. That is, the stimulation control signals 136 are received at the RF interface circuitry 124 via implantable coil 122 and provided to the stimulator unit 120. The stimulator unit 120 is configured to utilize the stimulation control signals 136 to generate electrical stimulation signals (e.g., current signals) for delivery to the recipient's cochlea via one or more stimulating contacts 126. In this way, cochlear implant 100 electrically stimulates the recipient's auditory nerve cells, bypassing absent or defective hair cells that normally transduce acoustic vibrations into neural activity, in a manner that causes the recipient to perceive one or more components of the input audio signals.

[0028] Figure (FIG.) 1C is a diagram illustrating an example of an auditory prosthesis 150 that can include one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The auditory prosthesis 150 of FIG. 1C is an example of a cochlear implant. As more specific examples, auditory prothesis 150 can be a mostly implantable cochlear implant (MICI) or a totally implantable cochlear implant (TICI).

[0029] Auditory prothesis 150 includes an internal / implantable component 154. In some embodiments, auditory prothesis 150 can also have an external component (not shown) that is positioned by an auricle 159 of the recipient and that is configured to be attached to, and worn adjacent to, the recipient's ear. However, the external component can have other arrangements, such as an off the ear (OTE) processing unit (e.g., a component configured to be magnetically coupled to the recipient's head), an in-the-canal unit that is configured to be located in the recipient's ear canal 156, etc.

[0030] The implantable component 154 comprises an implant body 160, a lead region 116, and an elongated intra-cochlear stimulating assembly 118, all configured to be implanted under the skin / tissue 155 of the recipient. The implant body 160 comprises a hermetically sealed housing that houses various components. The housing of implant body 160 operatesas a protective barrier between the components within the housing of implant body 160 and the recipient's tissue and bodily fluid.

[0031] Stimulating assembly 118 is configured to be at least partially implanted in the recipient's cochlea 162. Stimulating assembly 118 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced intra-cochlear electrical stimulating contacts (electrodes) 126 that collectively form a contact or electrode array 128 for delivery of electrical stimulation (current) to the recipient's cochlea 162. Stimulating assembly 118 extends through an opening in the recipient's cochlea (e.g., cochleostomy, the round window, etc.) and has a proximal end connected to a stimulator unit in implant body 160 via lead region 116 and a hermetic feedthrough (not shown in FIG. 1C). Lead region 116 includes a plurality of conductors (wires) that electrically couple the stimulating contacts 126 to the stimulator unit.

[0032] FIG. ID is a functional block diagram of an exemplary totally implantable cochlear implant (TICI) 170. Because the cochlear implant 170 is totally implantable, all components of cochlear implant 170 are configured to be implanted under skin / tissue 175 of a recipient. An external device 172 can be used to, for example, charge an internal power source (battery) 177. External device 172 can be a dedicated charger or a cochlear implant sound processor.

[0033] Cochlear implant 170 includes an implant body (main implantable component) 174, one or more input elements for capturing / receiving input audio signals (e.g., using an implantable microphone 178 and a wireless transceiver 181), an implantable coil 182, and an elongated intra-cochlear stimulating assembly, as described above. The microphone 178 and / or the implantable coil 182 can be positioned in, or electrically connected to, the implant body 174. The implant body 174 further comprises the battery 177, RF (radio frequency) interface circuitry 184, a processing module 185, and a stimulator unit 180. The processing module 185 can be similar to processing modules described previously, and includes environmental classifier 191, sound processor 193, and individualized own voice detector 195.

[0034] In the embodiment of FIG. ID, the implantable microphone 178 is configured to receive input audio signals. The processing module 185 is configured to convert received input audio signals into stimulation control signals 196 for use in stimulating an ear of a recipient. Stated differently, sound processor 193 is configured to convert the input audio signals into stimulation control signals 196 that represent electrical stimulation for delivery to the recipient.

[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. ID, the processing module 185 is implanted in the recipient. As such, in the embodiment of FIG. ID, the stimulation control signals 196 do not traverse an RF link, but instead are provided directly to the stimulator unit 180. The stimulator unit 180 is configured to utilize the stimulation control signals 196 to generate electrical stimulation signals that are delivered to the recipient's cochlea via one or more stimulation channels that include lead region 116 and stimulating assembly 118 having electrode array 128.

[0036] In addition to the sound processing operations, the environmental classifier 191 is configured to determine an environmental classification of the sound environment associated with the input audio signals and the individualized own voice detector 195 is configured to perform individualized own voice detection (OVD).

[0037] Hearing devices (e.g., totally implantable cochlear implants or totally implantable middle ear implants) that have implantable microphones, such as implantable microphone 178 in TICI 170, often have difficulty distinguishing between body noise generated by a recipient and sound that is generated from the environment outside the body of the recipient. Body noise generated by a recipient includes breathing, chewing, swallowing, hair movement, blood flow, etc. Body noise can generate skull vibrations that are sensed by an implantable microphone in a hearing device and translated into acoustic information that is provided to the recipient (e.g., to the cochlea of the recipient). Some hearing devices may not be able to distinguish body noise from sound that is generated in the environmental outside the recipient.

[0038] Some types of cochlear implants have two implantable microphones. For example, a cochlear implant can have one microphone (e.g., an accelerometer sensor) positioned close to the skull of the recipient, and another subcutaneous microphone positioned just under (or near) the skin of the recipient. The microphone that is positioned close to the skull of the recipient mostly senses skull vibrations that are typically indicative of body noise generated by the recipient. The subcutaneous microphone senses body noise generated by the recipient and environmental sounds generated outside the recipient. The cochlear implant can use a signal generated by the microphone positioned close to the skull of the recipient as a noise reference to adaptively remove noise from a signal generated by the subcutaneous microphone to produce a clean electrical signal that is provided to the recipient (e.g., to stimulate the cochlea and / or auditory nerve). However, this technique only removes body noise that is sensed by the microphone positioned close to the skull of the recipient, including body noise transmitted via bone vibrations such as breathing,chewing, or scratching. Body noise transmitted via skin contact, such as hair noise or head movement, may not reach the microphone positioned close to the skull of the recipient. As a result, body noise transmitted via skin contact is typically not cancelled by the cochlear implant.

[0039] Some individuals that have experienced hearing loss in both ears may receive a hearing device, such as a cochlear implant, in each ear. Two hearing devices that are used in the ears of a recipient can function as a bilateral hearing system that provides binaural hearing assistance to the recipient. The first hearing device can be configured to provide a first electrical signal to a first ear of the recipient, and the second hearing device can be configured to provide a second electrical signal to a second ear of the recipient. Either of the hearing devices can be referred to as a contralateral hearing device relative to the other hearing device.

[0040] According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a bilateral medical system includes two medical devices that are implantable on two sides of a recipient. The medical devices can be, for example, two hearing devices, such as two cochlear implants, that are implantable in or near both ears of a recipient. A first medical device includes a first component that generates a first output signal based on body noise of a recipient of the first medical device and based on environmental signals received from outside the recipient. The first component is implantable on a first side of the recipient. The first medical device also includes an adaptation circuit that generates an adapted signal based on the first output signal and based on a second output signal that is indicative of the body noise and that is generated by a second medical device that is implantable on a second side of the recipient. The first medical device also includes a second component that is implantable on the first side of the recipient and that generates a third output signal based on the body noise. The first medical device also includes a body noise filter that cancels at least a portion of the body noise from the third output signal using the adapted signal. As examples, the first component can be an accelerometer sensor, and the second component can be a microphone sensor.

[0041] Figure 2 is a diagram that depicts an example of a bilateral hearing system that includes two cochlear implants that are implantable on two sides of the head of a recipient to provide hearing assistance to the recipient. The bilateral hearing system of FIG. 2 includes a first cochlear implant 202 and a second cochlear implant 203. The first cochlear implant 202 is implantable in a first side of the head 201 of the recipient (i.e., the left side in FIG. 2) near a first ear of the recipient. The second cochlear implant 203 is implantable in asecond side of the head 201 of the recipient (e.g., the right side in FIG. 2) near a second ear of the recipient. Cochlear implants 202 and 203 can be mostly implantable cochlear implants (MICI), totally implantable cochlear implants (TICI), or a MICI and a TICI.

[0042] Cochlear implant 202 includes an implantable component 204 that is implantable in the first side of the head 201. Cochlear implant 203 includes an implantable component 205 that is implantable in a second side of the head 201. Each of the implantable components 204 and 205 can include a first subcutaneous microphone that is implanted just under the skin of the recipient and a second microphone (e.g., an accelerometer sensor) that is positioned close to the skull of the recipient. The second microphone in each of the implantable components 204 and 205 generates an electrical output signal based on body noise of the recipient.

[0043] The cochlear implant 202 also includes first adaptation circuitry that generates a first adapted signal based on an electrical output signal of the microphone positioned close to the skull in component 204 and based on an electrical output signal of the microphone positioned close to the skull in component 205 of cochlear implant 203. The electrical output signal of the microphone positioned close to the skull in component 205 can be transmitted to cochlear implant 202 through a wireless or wired link as depicted in FIG. 2 by arrow 206. The cochlear implant 202 can also include a mixer that cancels at least a portion of the body noise from an electrical output signal of the subcutaneous microphone in component 204 using the first adapted signal. The cochlear implant 202 can use the output of the mixer to provide hearing assistance to the left side (e.g., the left cochlea or auditory nerve) of the recipient.

[0044] The cochlear implant 203 also includes second adaptation circuitry that generates a second adapted signal based on the electrical output signal of the microphone positioned close to the skull in component 205 and based on the electrical output signal of the microphone positioned close to the skull in component 204 of cochlear implant 202. The electrical output signal of the microphone in component 204 positioned close to the skull can be transmitted to cochlear implant 203 through a wireless or wired link as depicted in FIG. 2 by arrow 206. The cochlear implant 203 can also include a mixer that cancels at least a portion of the body noise from an electrical output signal of the subcutaneous microphone in component 205 using the second adapted signal. The cochlear implant 203 can use the output of the mixer to provide hearing assistance to the right side (e.g., the right cochlea or auditory nerve) of the recipient.

[0045] Figure 3 is a diagram that depicts an example of a bilateral medical system that includes two medical devices 301 and 302 that are implantable on opposite sides of the head of a recipient. The medical devices 301 and 302 can be, as examples, hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, acoustic implants, or other types of hearing protheses that provide binaural hearing assistance to a recipient. As another example, the medical devices 301-302 can be cortical devices (e.g., for epileptic seizure detection) having one or more sensors that generate cortical wave recordings that mostly capture a signal of interest or a disturber signal. As another example, the medical devices 301-302 can include one or more sensors that capture heart beat electrical signals (e.g., electrocardiogram signals) representing body noise.

[0046] The medical devices 301-302 generate electrical output signals that are indicative of external sound generated from the environment outside the recipient. The medical devices 301 and 302 both sense body noise generated by the recipient. The bilateral medical system of FIG. 3 combines body noise information from both of the medical devices 301-302 on both sides of the head of the recipient to provide improved reduction of the body noise in the electrical output signals. As a result, the medical devices 301-302 generate the electrical output signals with increased signal-to-noise ratios with regard to body noise.

[0047] The body noise information from both of the medical devices 301-302 on both sides of the head of the recipient can also be used for classification of the electrical output signals, for example, with machine learning algorithms, such as artificial neural networks. As another example, the body noise information from both of the medical devices 301-302 can be used for determining directionality of the external sound (e.g., whether the external sound is originating from the right or left side of the recipient).

[0048] Medical device 301 includes two microphones 303 and 304. Microphone 303 is a subcutaneous microphone sensor implanted in the recipient near or just under the skin of the recipient on the left side of the recipient's head. Alternatively, microphone 303 can be located in the left ear canal of the recipient. Microphone 304 can be, for example, an accelerometer sensor. Microphone 304 is implanted close to the skull of the recipient on the left side of the recipient's head. Both of the microphones 303-304 sense external sound and body noise. Medical device 301 also includes an adaptation circuit 317 (e.g., including an adaptive filter) and a mixer circuit 318.

[0049] Medical device 302 includes two microphones 305 and 306. Microphone 305 is a subcutaneous microphone sensor implanted in the recipient near or just under the skin of the recipient on the right side of the recipient's head. Alternatively, microphone 305 can belocated in the right ear canal of the recipient. Microphone 306 can be, for example, an accelerometer sensor. Microphone 306 is implanted close to the skull of the recipient on the right side of the recipient's head. Both of the microphones 305-306 sense external sound and body noise. Medical device 302 also includes an adaptation circuit 327 (e.g., including an adaptive filter) and a mixer circuit 328.

[0050] Each of the 4 microphones 303-306 in the bilateral medical system of FIG. 3 receives and senses some external sound generated from the environment outside the body of the recipient and some noise generated by the body of the recipient. Because microphones 303 and 305 are subcutaneous microphones, microphones 303 and 305 sense mostly external sound generated outside the body of the recipient, including sound from the recipient's environment and externally generated body noise. Examples of externally generated body noise include hair or head scratching, hair movement, head movement, etc. Because microphones 304 and 306 are implanted close to the skull of the recipient, microphones 304 and 306 sense mostly internally generated body noise. Examples of internally generated body noise include breathing, chewing, swallowing, blood flow, heartbeat, etc.

[0051] Microphone 303 receives the external sound on the left side of the head of the recipient, including externally generated body noise. Microphone 303 receives some of the internally generated body noise on the left side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 303 generates an electrical output signal MIC1 that is provided to a plus (+) input of mixer circuit 318. Output signal MIC1 is indicative of the internally generated body noise and the external sound as received on the left side of the head of the recipient at microphone 303. Because microphone 303 is a subcutaneous microphone (or in the left ear canal), signal MIC1 is mostly indicative of the external sound received on the left side of the head of the recipient.

[0052] Microphone 304 receives some of the external sound on the left side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 304 also receives the internally generated body noise on the left side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 304 generates an electrical output signal ACC1. Output signal ACC1 is provided to an input of adaptation circuit 317 and to an input of adaptation circuit 327 in medical device 302. Signal ACC1 is indicative of the internally generated body noise and the external sound as received on the left side of the head of the recipient at microphone 304. Because microphone 304 (e.g., an accelerometer) is implanted close to the skull of the recipient, signal ACC1 is mostly indicative of the internally generated body noise received on the left side of the head of the recipient.

[0053] Microphone 305 receives the external sound on the right side of the head of the recipient, including externally generated body noise. Microphone 305 also receives some of the internally generated body noise on the right side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 305 generates an electrical output signal MIC2 that is provided to a plus (+) input of mixer circuit 328. Signal MIC2 is indicative of the internally generated body noise and the external sound as received on the right side of the head of the recipient at microphone 305. Because microphone 305 is a subcutaneous microphone (or in the right ear canal), signal MIC2 is mostly indicative of the external sound received on the right side of the head of the recipient.

[0054] Microphone 306 receives the external sound on the right side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 306 also receives the internally generated body noise on the right side of the head of the recipient. Microphone 306 generates an electrical output signal ACC2. Signal ACC2 is provided to an input of adaptation circuit 327 and to an input of adaptation circuit 317 in medical device 301. Signal ACC2 is indicative of the internally generated body noise and the external sound as received on the right side of the head of the recipient at microphone 306 (e.g., an accelerometer), which is implanted close to the skull of the recipient. Because microphone 306 is implanted close to the skull of the recipient, signal ACC2 is mostly indicative of the internally generated body noise received on the right side of the head of the recipient.

[0055] The adaptation circuit 317 in medical device 301 receives the signals ACC1 and ACC2 from microphones 304 and 306 (e.g., the accelerometers) in the medical devices 301-302. The adaptation circuit 317 adaptively processes signals ACC1 and ACC2 to generate an output signal AOS1. For example, the adaptation circuit 317 can combine the information indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise in signal ACC1 as received at the left side of the recipient's head with the information indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise in signal ACC2 as received at the right side of the recipient's head to generate output signal AOS1. Thus, in this example, output signal AOS1 is indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise as received at microphones 304 and 306 on both sides of the recipient's head.Because microphones 304 and 306 are implanted close to the skull of the recipient, output signal AOS1 is mostly indicative of the internally generated body noise received on both sides of the recipient's head.

[0056] The output signal AOS1 of adaptation circuit 317 is provided to the minus (-) input of mixer circuit 318. Mixer circuit 318 performs cancellation of body noise in signal MIC1using output signal AOS1 to generate a left side output electrical signal LHS that contains substantially less body noise than signal MICl. Mixer circuit 318 is able to cancel internally generated body noise in signal MICl using signal AOS1, because output signal AOS1 is mostly indicative of internally generated body noise received on both sides of the recipient's head, and signal M IC1 is mostly indicative of external sound received at the left side of the recipient's head. For example, mixer circuit 318 can remove or subtract the information indicated by output signal AOS1 from the information indicated by signal MICl to generate an output electrical signal LHS that contains less internally generated body noise. Thus, medical device 301 is able to process more robust information on the internally generated body noise from both sides of the recipient's head, allowing for improved body noise reduction in the electrical output signal LHS. As a result, mixer circuit 318 generates an electrical output signal LHS that is indicative of the external sound generated from outside the recipient with substantially less of the internally generated body noise. The mixer circuit 318 can, for example, cause the output signal LHS to have a frequency spectrum and a signal-to-noise ratio that have substantially less body noise.

[0057] The adaptation circuit 327 in medical device 302 receives the signals ACC1 and ACC2 from microphones 304 and 306 (e.g., the accelerometers) in the medical devices 301-302. The adaptation circuit 327 adaptively processes signals ACC1 and ACC2 to generate an output signal AOS2. For example, the adaptation circuit 327 can combine the information indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise in signal ACC1 as received at the left side of the recipient's head with the information indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise in signal ACC2 as received at the right side of the recipient's head to generate output signal AOS2. Thus, in this example, output signal AOS2 is indicative of the external sound and the internally generated body noise as received at microphones 304 and 306 on both sides of the recipient's head.Because microphones 304 and 306 are implanted close to the skull of the recipient, output signal AOS2 is mostly indicative of the internally generated body noise received on both sides of the recipient's head.

[0058] The output signal AOS2 of adaptation circuit 327 is provided to the minus (-) input of mixer circuit 328. Mixer circuit 328 performs cancellation of the body noise in signal MIC2 using output signal AOS2 to generate a right side electrical output signal RHS that contains substantially less body noise than signal MIC2. Mixer circuit 328 is able to cancel internally generated body noise in signal MIC2 using signal AOS2, because signal AOS2 is mostly indicative of internally generated body noise received on both sides of the recipient's head,and signal MIC2 is mostly indicative of external sound received at the right side of the recipient's head. For example, mixer circuit 328 can remove or subtract the information indicated by output signal AOS2 from the information indicated by signal MIC2 to generate an electrical output signal RHS that is indicative of less internally generated body noise. Thus, medical device 302 is able to process more robust information on the internally generated body noise from both sides of the recipient's head, allowing for improved body noise reduction in the output signal RHS. As a result, mixer circuit 328 generates an output signal RHS that is indicative of the external sound generated from outside the recipient with substantially less of the internally generated body noise. The mixer circuit 328 can, for example, cause the output signal RHS to have a frequency spectrum and signal-to-noise ratio that have substantially less body noise.

[0059] As a specific example, body noise that is generated externally to the recipient's body (e.g., noise generated by hair movement on the recipient's head or by scratching the recipient's head) is sensed mostly by the subcutaneous microphones 303 and 305. The microphones 304 and 306 implanted close to the recipient's skull are less sensitive to externally generated body noise. Although externally generated body noise may be sensed by both microphones 303 and 305, externally generated body noise often manifests differently on each side of a recipient's head. As a result, externally generated body noise is typically sensed more by one of the microphones 303 and 305 than by the other microphone 303 or 305. Medical devices 301-302 can detect and cancel externally generated body noise that is sensed differently on each side of a recipient's head. As an example, body noise from scratching the left side of the recipient's head is barely captured by microphone 305, but is more strongly sensed by microphone 303. As another example, noise from hair movement appears differently in the microphones 303 and 305 on each side of the recipient's head. The medical devices 301-302 can identify externally generated body noise as different from external sound generated in the environment outside the recipient's body using the difference in the signals sensed by microphones 303 and 305 and cancel the externally generated body noise.

[0060] Figure 4 is a diagram that depicts another example of a bilateral medical system that includes two medical devices 401 and 402 implantable on opposite sides of the head of a recipient. The medical devices 401 and 402 can be, as examples, hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, acoustic implants, or other types of hearing protheses that provide binaural hearing assistance to a recipient. As another example, the medical devices 401-402 can be cortical devices (e.g., for epileptic seizure detection) having one or more sensors thatgenerate cortical wave recordings that mostly capture a signal of interest or a disturber signal. As another example, the medical devices 401-402 can include one or more sensors that capture heart beat electrical signals (e.g., electrocardiogram signals) representing body noise.

[0061] The medical devices 401-402 generate electrical output signals LHS and RHS that are indicative of external sound generated from the environment outside the recipient (i.e., environmental signals). The bilateral medical system of FIG. 4 combines sound information from both of the medical devices 401-402 on both sides of the head of the recipient to reduce the body noise in the electrical output signals LHS and RHS. As a result, the medical devices 401-402 cause the electrical output signals LHS and RHS to have an increased signal- to-noise ratio that is indicative of less body noise.

[0062] Medical device 401 includes microphones 303 and 304, which are described above in detail with respect to FIG. 3. Medical device 401 also includes a controller 412, a filter circuit 414, an adaptation circuit 417 (e.g., including an adaptive filter), and a mixer circuit 418. Medical device 402 includes microphones 305 and 306, which are described above in detail with respect to FIG. 3. Medical device 402 also includes a controller 422, a filter circuit 424, an adaptation circuit 427 (e.g., including an adaptive filter), and a mixer circuit 428. Each of the controllers 412 and 422 includes an algorithm running on controller circuitry or processor circuitry. The functions of the algorithms running in controllers 412 and 422 are described in detail below.

[0063] In medical device 401, the signal MIC1 generated by microphone 303 is provided to an input of filter circuit 414 and to a first input of controller 412. The output signal MFO1 of filter circuit 414 is provided to the plus (+) input of mixer circuit 418. The signal ACC1 generated by microphone 304 is provided to inputs of adaptation circuits 417 and 427 and to a second input of controller 412. In medical device 402, the signal MIC2 generated by microphone 305 is provided to an input of filter circuit 424 and to a first input of controller 422. The output signal MFO2 of filter circuit 424 is provided to the plus (+) input of mixer circuit 428. The signal ACC2 generated by microphone 306 is provided to inputs of adaptation circuits 417 and 427 and to a second input of controller 422.

[0064] In some embodiments that are described in further detail below, one, a subset of, or all of the signals MIC1, ACC1, MIC2, and ACC2 generated by the microphones 303-306 include information sensed from sound signals in two or more frequency bands. Each of the frequency bands sensed by one or more of the microphones 303-306 may correspond to a different bandwidth of frequencies of sound relative to the other frequency bands. Themicrophones 303-306 can, for example, sense frequency bands of sound that are within the hearing range of an individual with normal hearing. As a specific example that is not intended to be limiting, one, some, or all of the microphones 303-306 can sense sound frequencies in 22 different non-overlapping frequency bands.

[0065] Medical devices 401 and 402 cause signals LHS and RHS to indicate the frequency bands of the sound signals sensed by the microphones 303-306. Signals LHS and RHS can, for example, be used to stimulate electrodes in medical devices 401-402 (e.g., cochlear implants) to provide hearing to the recipient using a stimulating assembly, as described above, for example, with respect to FIGS. 1A-1D. Each of the frequency bands indicated by signal LHS can, for example, be used to stimulate a different one of the electrodes in medical device 401. Each of the frequency bands indicated by signal RHS can, for example, be used to stimulate a different one of the electrodes in medical device 402.

[0066] According to a first embodiment of the bilateral medical system of FIG. 4, the controller 412 receives multiple different frequency bands of sound signals as indicated by each of the signals MIC1 and ACC1 from microphones 303-304. The algorithm in controller 412 performs signal processing techniques to estimate a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (or other quality measurement) of each of the different frequency bands of the sound signals indicated by each of signals MIC1 and ACC1. Controller 412 identifies the external sound as the signal and the body noise as the noise in the signal-to-noise ratio estimation for each of the frequency bands in signals ACC1 and MIC1. The controller 412 can, for example, identify the external sound and the body noise for estimating the signal-to-noise ratio in each frequency band by comparing signal MIC1, which indicates mostly external sound, with signal ACC1, which indicates mostly internally generated body noise as described above, in corresponding frequency bands.

[0067] Also, in the first embodiment of FIG. 4, the controller 422 receives multiple different frequency bands of sound signals as indicated by each of the signals MIC2 and ACC2 from microphones 305-306. The algorithm in controller 422 performs signal processing techniques to estimate a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (or other quality measurement) of each of the different frequency bands of sound signals indicated by each of signals MIC2 and ACC2. The controller 422 identifies the external sound as the signal and the body noise as the noise in the SNR estimation for each of the frequency bands. The controller 422 can, for example, identify the external sound and the body noise for estimating the SNR in each frequency band by comparing signal MIC2, which indicates mostly external sound, withsignal ACC2, which indicates mostly internally generated body noise as described above, in corresponding frequency bands.

[0068] In the first embodiment of FIG. 4, the controllers 412 and 422 can exchange the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and / or other quality measurements for one, a subset of, or all of the frequency bands of the sound signals through channel 410 (e.g., a wired or wireless link). For example, controller 412 can provide the SNR for each of the frequency bands indicated by each of signals MICl and ACC1 to controller 422 through channel 410. As another example, controller 422 can provide the SNR for each of the frequency bands indicated by each of signals MIC2 and ACC2 to controller 412 through channel 410.

[0069] In the first embodiment of FIG. 4, one or both of the controllers 412 and 422 determines which frequency bands in the corresponding sound signals have the largest signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) as indicated by signals MICl, MIC2, ACC1, and ACC2 generated on opposing sides of the recipient's head. The controllers 412 and 422 then cause the filter circuits 414 and 424 and the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide the frequency bands having the largest SNRs to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating output signals LHS and RHS, respectively. As a result, the medical devices 401-402 provide the highest quality frequency bands with the largest SNRs from signals MICl, MIC2, ACC1, and ACC2 to signals LHS and RHS, for example, to provide stimuli to the cochleae of the recipient.

[0070] As an example, each of the signals MICl and MIC2 can indicate a first frequency band of sound, a second frequency band of sound, a third frequency band of sound, etc. One or both of controllers 412 and 422 can determine which of signals MICl or MIC2 has a larger SNR in the first frequency band, which of signals MICl or MIC2 has a larger SNR in the second frequency band, which of signals MICl or MIC2 has a larger SNR in the third frequency band, etc. The controllers 412 and 422 then cause the filters 414 and 424 to provide only the frequency bands of sound that have larger SNRs in signals MICl or MIC2 to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating signals LHS and RHS, respectively.

[0071] According to this example, if the first and third frequency bands in signal MIC2 have larger SNRs than the respective first and third frequency bands in signal MICl, then filter circuits 414 and 424 both provide the first and third frequency bands from signal MIC2 to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating signals LHS and RHS, respectively. In this example, if the second frequency band in signal MICl has a larger SNR than the second frequency band in signal MIC2, then filter circuits 414 and 424 both provide the second frequency band from signal MICl to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating signals LHS and RHS, respectively.

[0072] As another specific example, controllers 412 and 422 can cause the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide only the frequency bands of the sound that have larger SNRs in signals ACC1 and ACC2 to mixer circuits 418 and 428 as signals AOS1 and AOS2, respectively. Thus, if one frequency band in signal ACC1 has a larger SNR than the same frequency band in signal ACC2, then controllers 412 and 422 cause both of the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide that frequency band from signal ACC1 to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating signals LHS and RHS, respectively. If another frequency band in signal ACC2 has a larger SNR than the same frequency band in signal ACC1, then controllers 412 and 422 cause both of adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide that frequency band from signal ACC2 to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating signals LHS and RHS, respectively.

[0073] According to a second embodiment of the bilateral medical system of FIG. 4, the controller 412 receives multiple different frequency bands of sound signals from each of the signals MICl and ACC1 from microphones 303-304, as with the first embodiment. The algorithm in controller 412 performs signal processing techniques to determine which (if any) of the different frequency bands of sound from each of signals MICl and ACC1 have saturated. Also, in the second embodiment of FIG. 4, the controller 422 receives multiple different frequency bands of sound signals from each of the signals MIC2 and ACC2 from microphones 305-306. The algorithm in controller 422 performs signal processing techniques to determine which (if any) of the different frequency bands of sound from each of signals MIC2 and ACC2 have saturated. Saturation of a sound signal can be identified when the sound signal exceeds or falls below one or more predefined thresholds. Saturation can be perceived as a distortion or otherwise lower quality signal by the recipient.

[0074] In the second embodiment of FIG. 4, controllers 412 and 422 can exchange saturation information through channel 410 that indicates the frequency bands of the signals MICl, MIC2, ACC1, and ACC2 that have saturated. For example, controller 412 can provide saturation information indicating which of the frequency bands of signals MICl and ACC1 have saturated to controller 422 through channel 410. As another example, controller 422 can provide saturation information indicating which of the frequency bands of signals MIC2 and ACC2 have saturated to controller 412 through channel 410.

[0075] In the second embodiment of FIG. 4, one or both of the controllers 412 and 422 determines which of the frequency bands in signals MICl, MIC2, ACC1, and ACC2 are saturated. If any of the frequency bands are saturated, the controllers 412 and 422 causethe filter circuits 414 and 424 and / or the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide only the corresponding frequency bands that are not saturated to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating electrical signals LHS and RHS, respectively. As a result, the medical devices 401- 402 provide only non-saturated frequency bands from signals MICl, MIC2, ACC1, and ACC2 to signals LHS and RHS. The second embodiment of FIG. 4 replaces saturated frequency bands in sound signals from either of medical devices 401-402 with non-saturated corresponding frequency bands of sound signals from the other medical device 401 or 402.

[0076] As an example, controllers 412 and 422 can cause filter circuits 414 and 424 to provide a first frequency band in signal MICl that is non-saturated to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating both of signals LHS and RHS, respectively, if the corresponding first frequency band in signal MIC2 is saturated. Controllers 412 and 422 can cause filter circuits 414 and 424 to provide a second frequency band in signal MIC2 that is non-saturated to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating both of signals LHS and RHS, respectively, if the corresponding second frequency band in signal MICl is saturated. The controllers 412 and 422 can cause the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide a third frequency band in signal ACC1 that is non-saturated to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating both of signals LHS and RHS, respectively, if the corresponding third frequency band in signal ACC2 is saturated. The controllers 412 and 422 can cause the adaptation circuits 417 and 427 to provide a fourth frequency band in signal ACC2 that is non-saturated to mixer circuits 418 and 428 for generating both of signals LHS and RHS, respectively, if the corresponding fourth frequency band in signal ACC1 is saturated.

[0077] According to a third embodiment of the bilateral medical system of FIG. 4, microphone 303 causes signal MICl to indicate multiple different frequency bands of sound, and microphone 305 causes signal MIC2 to indicate multiple different frequency bands of sound. The controllers 412 and 422 exchange information through channel 410 about the frequency bands of the sound received in signals MICl and MIC2. The algorithm in one or both of the controllers 412 and / or 422 then performs signal processing techniques on the information about the frequency bands of the sound to compute the coherence between the sound indicated by signal MICl on the left side of the recipient's head and the sound indicated by signal MIC2 on the right side of the recipient's head. The controllers 412 and 422 then cause the frequency bands with low coherence in the sound to be attenuated (e.g., by filter circuits 414 and 424 and / or by adaptation circuits 417 and 427), because the frequency bands with low coherence are less likely to contain speech.

[0078] The third embodiment of FIG. 4 can be used to remove asymmetrical noises that are generated on one side of the recipient's head, but that are not generated on the other side of the recipient's head. The third embodiment of FIG. 4 can also be used to remove noises that are more generally uncorrelated between the two sides of the recipient, such as noises caused by movement of the recipient's hair, scratching the recipient's head, or movement of the recipient's head or hair.

[0079] In the third embodiment of FIG. 4, the algorithms executed by controllers 412 and / or 422 cause speech signals generated by microphones 303 and 305 that are correlated between the left and right sides of the recipient's head to be retained in signals LHS and RHS, while attenuating noise signals (e.g., caused by externally generated body noise) generated by microphones 303 and 305 that are uncorrelated between the left and right sides of the recipient's head. The algorithm executed by one or both of the controllers 412 and / or 422 computes the coherence function in each frequency band of sound between signals MICl and MIC2 generated by microphones 303 and 305.

[0080] For example, if one or both of the controllers 412 and / or 422 determine that the magnitude of the coherence function in a frequency band between signals MICl and MIC2 generated by microphones 303 and 305 is high (e.g., close to 1), the controllers 412 and / or 422 determine that the speech signal is dominant in that same frequency band, and therefore, the controllers 412 and 422 do not cause the filter circuits 414 and 424 to attenuate the sound in signals MICl and MIC2 in that frequency band (e.g., provide a gain of ~ 0 decibels (dB)). If instead one or both of the controllers 412 and / or 422 determine that the magnitude of the coherence function in a frequency band between signals MICl and MIC2 is close to zero, the controllers 412 and / or 422 determine that this same frequency band in one or both of signals MICl and MIC2 mostly contains uncorrelated noise (e.g., speech is absent), and therefore, the controllers 412 and 422 cause filter circuits 414 and 424 to attenuate or suppress this frequency band (e.g., by providing a gain « 0 dB).

[0081] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the algorithms executed by the controllers 412 and 422 can include artificial neural networks (ANNs) that are used to distinguish between internally generated body noise, externally generated body noise, and / or external sound from the environment in the signals generated by microphones 303- 306. The ANNs in controllers 412 and 422 can be, for example, deep neural networks (DNNs). The DNNs can be trained for each recipient to identify body noise, because body noise is different for each recipient. The DNNs can be trained to identify specific types of body noise for each recipient, such as chewing, swallowing, breathing, turning the head(e.g., for hair noise), etc. The DNNs can initially contain pre-trained sets of coefficients for the nodes and can be personalized during a fitting session or using an application as part of a remote check or rehabilitation program. The DNNs can be slowly updated and trained during real operation, for example, when the DNNs classify a sound signal as a specific type of body noise (e.g., chewing or biting), and the application can provide a user interface that requests the recipient for either confirmation of the body noise or additional information.

[0082] Each of the medical devices 401 and 402 can include a body noise cancellation (BNC) filter that filters body noise from sound indicated by a signal generated by one of the microphones 303-306 using a body noise cancellation (BNC) algorithm to generate an output signal that has a greater signal-to-noise ratio than the original signal. The BNC filters can be, for example, filters 414 and 424, in adaptation circuits 417 and 427, and / or in controllers 412 and 422. Each of the BNC filters internally estimates when body noise is present in a signal from one of the microphones 303-306 compared to external sound generated in the recipient's environment. The estimates about when body noise is present in the signal are used to adapt the BNC filter only during periods of body noise and to maintain adaptation during external sound generated in the recipient's environment. Adapting the BNC filter improves the convergence speed, and hence the cancellation performance, of the BNC algorithm, but also avoids inadvertently suppressing part of the external sound (e.g., speech).

[0083] According to a fourth embodiment of the bilateral medical system of FIG. 4, the controllers 412 and 422 exchange information through channel 410 regarding the filtering of the body nose and the adaptation of the filtering of the body noise from the signals MICl, ACC1, MIC2, and ACC2 generated by microphones 303-306. The controllers 412 and 422 can compare information (i.e., regarding the filtering of body noise and / or the filtering adaptation) between medical devices 401-402 to allow the detection of misconfigurations or faulty states of the body noise cancellation (BNC) filters. Misconfigurations or faulty states of the BNC filters can occur, for example, when skin properties of the recipient change significantly on one side of the recipient compared to the other side of the recipient.

[0084] A body noise cancellation (BNC) filter in medical device 401 that filters signal MICl (e.g., filter 414) and a BNC filter in medical device 402 that filters signal MIC2 (e.g., filter 424) can be relatively similar. A persistent and significant difference in the output signals of these two BNC filters in medical devices 401 and 402 may indicate a possible misconfiguration of either a BNC filter calibration procedure used to calibrate the BNC filters or that one of the BNC filters is improperly adapting during external speech. Also, the adaptation of the twoBNC filters is expected to be very similar between the medical devices 401 and 402. Therefore, one BNC filter adapting, while the other BNC filter is not adapting, may indicate that one or both BNC filters were not calibrated correctly. The controllers 412 and 422 can compare output signals of the BNC filters (e.g., filters 414 ad 424) to identify a possible misconfiguration, miscalibration, or faulty state in one of the BNC filters based on a difference in the output signals of the BNC filters or based on a difference in filtering adaptation between the BNC filters. When one or both of the controllers 412 or 422 detects a possible misconfiguration, miscalibration, or faulty state in at least one of the BNC filters or that the adaptation of the BNC filters has diverged, the controllers 412 and 422 can reset the BNC filter coefficients and allow the BNC filters to converge again. If the error is persistent, one or both of the medical devices 401-402 can request input from a user or clinician.Monitoring the performance of the BNC filters can help to maintain proper performance of the BNC filters through the lifespan of the medical devices 401-402.

[0085] Figure 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a computing system 500 within which one or more of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented. For example, computing system 500 can be used to generate and provide input to one or more of the medical devices or systems disclosed herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1D, 2, 3, and 4.

[0086] Computing systems, environments, or configurations that can be suitable for use with examples described herein include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held devices, laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessorbased systems, programmable consumer electronics (e.g., smart phones), network computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, tablets, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. The computing system 500 can be a single virtual or physical device operating in a networked environment over communication links to one or more remote devices. The remote device can be a medical device (e.g., the device or system of any one of FIGS. 1A-1D), a personal computer, a server, a router, a network personal computer, a peer device, or other common network node.

[0087] Computing system 500 includes at least one processing unit 502 and memory 504. The processing unit 502 includes one or more hardware or software processors (e.g., Central Processing Units) that can obtain and execute instructions. The processing unit 502 can communicate with and control the performance of other components of the computing system 500. The memory 504 is one or more software-based or hardware-based computer- readable storage media operable to store information accessible by the processing unit 502.

[0088] The memory 504 can store instructions executable by the processing unit 502 to implement applications or cause performance of operations described herein, as well as store other data. The memory 504 can be volatile memory (e.g., random access memory or RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory or ROM), or combinations thereof. The memory 504 can include transitory memory or non-transitory memory. The memory 504 can also include one or more removable or non-removable storage devices. In examples, the memory 504 can include non-transitory computer readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM (Electronically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory, optical disc storage, magnetic storage, solid state storage, or any other memory media usable to store information for later access. In examples, the memory 504 encompasses a modulated data signal (e.g., a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal), such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, the memory 504 can include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio-frequency, infrared and other wireless media or combinations thereof.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the system 500 further includes a network adapter 506, one or more input devices 508, and one or more output devices 510. The system 500 can include other components, such as a system bus, component interfaces, a graphics system, a power source (e.g., a battery), among other components.

[0090] The network adapter 506 is a component of the computing system 500 that provides network access to network 512. The network adapter 506 can provide wired or wireless network access and can support one or more of a variety of communication technologies and protocols, such as Ethernet, cellular, Bluetooth, near-field communication, and RF (radio frequency), among others. The network adapter 506 can include one or more antennas and associated components configured for wireless communication according to one or more wireless communication technologies and protocols.

[0091] The one or more input devices 508 are devices over which the computing system 500 receives input from a user. The one or more input devices 508 can include physical ly- actuatable user-interface elements (e.g., buttons, switches, or dials), touch screens, keyboards, mice, pens, and voice input devices, among others input devices.

[0092] The one or more output devices 510 are devices by which the computing system 500 is able to provide output to a user. The output devices 510 can include, displays, speakers, and printers, among other output devices.

[0093] Any embodiment or any feature disclosed herein can be combined with any one or more other embodiments and / or other features disclosed herein, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Any embodiment or any feature disclosed herein can be explicitly excluded from use with any one or more other embodiments and / or other features disclosed herein, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It is noted that any method detailed herein also corresponds to a disclosure of a device, computer readable storage medium, and / or system configured to execute one or more or all of the method actions associated with the device, computer readable storage medium, and / or system as detailed herein. It is further noted that any disclosure of a device, computer readable storage medium, and / or system detailed herein corresponds to a method of making and / or using that device, computer readable storage medium, and / or system, including a method of using that device, system, or computer readable storage medium, according to the functionality detailed herein.

[0094] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the examples disclosed herein. In some instances, features of the present invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features as set forth. Many modifications, substitutions, and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A medical device comprising: a first component for generating a first output signal based on body noise of a recipient of the medical device, wherein the first component is implantable on a first side of the recipient; and an adaptation circuit for generating an adapted signal based on the first output signal and based on a second output signal that is indicative of the body noise and that is generated by an apparatus implantable on a second side of the recipient.

2. The medical device of claim 1 further comprising: a second component for generating a third output signal based on the body noise and based on environmental signals generated outside of the recipient.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the first component is an accelerometer sensor, and wherein the second component is a microphone implantable on the first side of the recipient.

4. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the first component is a first electrode that senses electrical signals indicative of the body noise, and wherein the second component is a second electrode that senses the environmental signals.

5. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the first component is an electrical sensor, and wherein the second component is a microphone implantable on the first side of the recipient.

6. The medical device of any one of claims 2-5 further comprising: a filter that cancels at least a portion of the body noise from the third output signal.

7. The medical device of any one of claims 2-6 further comprising: a mixer circuit that generates a fourth output signal indicative of the environmental signals by canceling at least a portion of the body noise in the third output signal using the body noise indicated by the adapted signal.

8. The medical device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first component is configured to generate the first output signal based on sound received from outside the recipient and based on the body noise.

9. The medical device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first component is configured to generate the first output signal based on electrical signals or responses received from the recipient.

10. The medical device of any one of claims 1-9 further comprising:a controller that causes the medical device to provide stimulus to the recipient based on a quality measurement between a frequency band in the first output signal and the frequency band in the second output signal.

11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the quality measurement comprises at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio, saturation, or coherence of the first output signal or of the second output signal.

12. The medical device of any one of claims 2-7 further comprising: a controller that causes the medical device to provide stimulus to the recipient based on a quality measurement between a frequency band in the third output signal and the frequency band in a fourth output signal, wherein the apparatus generates the fourth output signal based on the environmental signals.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein the quality measurement comprises at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio, saturation, or coherence of the third output signal or of the fourth output signal.

14. The medical device of any one of claims 1-13 further comprising: a second component for generating a third output signal based on sound generated outside the recipient; a body noise cancellation filter that filters the body noise in the third output signal; and a controller that compares information regarding filtering the body noise or adaptation of the filtering performed by the body noise cancellation filter to detect a misconfiguration, miscalibration, or a faulty state of the body noise cancellation filter.

15. A medical device comprising: a first component that generates a first signal indicative of body noise generated on a first side of a recipient of the medical device; a first filter that filters the body noise received in the first signal; and a controller that receives a second signal generated by the first filter and a third signal generated by a second filter in a second component on a second side of the recipient in response to the body noise, wherein the controller determines at least one of a fault, miscalibration, or misconfiguration in the first filter or in the second filter based on the second signal and based on the third signal.

16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the first filter filters the body noise received in the first signal to cause the second signal to have a reduced amount of the body noise relative tothe first signal, and wherein the second filter filters the body noise to generate the third signal.

17. The medical device of any one of claims 15-16, wherein the first filter causes the second signal to indicate filtering adaptation of the first filter, and wherein the second filter causes the third signal to indicate filtering adaptation of the second filter.

18. The medical device of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the first component is one of a first implantable microphone, a first electrode, or a first accelerometer, and wherein the second component is one of a second implantable microphone, a second accelerometer, or a second electrode.

19. A method for cancelling body noise in a bilateral medical system, the method comprising: generating a first signal indicative of the body noise received at a first device on a first side of a recipient of the bilateral medical system; and combining information in the first signal and in a second signal using adaptation circuitry to generate a third signal, wherein a second device generates the second signal based on the body noise received on a second side of the recipient opposite the first side.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: generating a fourth signal indicative of the body noise received at a third device on the first side of the recipient; and mixing the third signal with the fourth signal to generate a fifth signal that the bilateral medical system uses to provide stimulus to the recipient.

21. The method of any one of claims 19-20, wherein generating the first signal comprises causing the first signal to be indicative of at least one of recorded electronic responses from the recipient or environmental signals generated outside the recipient.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second device causes the second signal to be indicative of at least one of the recorded electronic responses or the environmental signals.

23. The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein the first device is a first accelerometer, and wherein the second device is a second accelerometer.

24. The method of any one of claims 19-23 further comprising: generating a quality measurement between a frequency band in the first signal and the frequency band in the second signal using a controller; and providing stimulus to the recipient using the quality measurement.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the quality measurement comprises at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio, saturation, or coherence of the first signal or of the second signal.

26. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a medical device, cause the medical device to: receive a first signal indicative of body noise from a first component implanted on a first side of a recipient; receive a second signal indicative of the body noise from a second component implanted on a second side of the recipient; and process the first signal and the second signal using adaptation circuitry to generate a third signal that comprises the body noise indicated by the first signal and the body noise indicated by the second signal.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the instructions further cause the medical device to: generate a fourth signal indicative of the body noise and environmental signals received at a third component implanted on the first side of the recipient; and cancel at least a portion of the body noise indicated by the fourth signal using the body noise indicated by the third signal.

28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any one of claims 26-27, wherein the instructions further cause the medical device to: generate a quality measurement between a frequency band in the first signal and the frequency band in the second signal using a controller; and adapt the third signal based on the quality measurement using the adaptation circuitry.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any one of claims 26-28, wherein each of the first component and the second component is an accelerometer.

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