Animal-Human Neural Interface for Auditory Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implants face limitations in restoring melody perception and dynamic range due to coarse spectral and temporal resolution, reducing 120 dB acoustical levels to 6-12 dB, and reducing 50 perceptual channels to about 4, failing to effectively mimic the nonlinearity and frequency selectivity of the normal auditory system.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes a non-human mammal's healthy inner ear to process and encode sensory information, recording neural correlates from a chronically implanted electrode in the midbrain and transmitting this information to a human via a receiver, effectively acting as a neural interface that maps frequency information from the animal onto a human cochlear implant, using an electrode array, processing device, and transmitting device to convert and deliver sensory outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cochlear implants use conventional electrode arrays and signal processing, then the device can be manufactured and implanted, but the spectral and temporal resolution remains coarse, reducing 120 dB acoustical levels to 6-12 dB and 50 perceptual channels to about 4
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auditory nerve stimulation into multiple independently controllable electrode contacts (e.g., 16 or more channels) along the cochlear implant electrode array. Each contact can be stimulated independently with tailored pulse parameters, enabling finer spectral and temporal resolution while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing that adapts stimulation parameters in real-time based on acoustic input characteristics. The system dynamically adjusts pulse amplitude, duration, and timing across multiple channels to preserve the full 120 dB dynamic range and maintain 50+ independent perceptual channels, overcoming the static limitations of conventional implants
2Device complexity
If cochlear implants reduce the number of perceptual channels to about 4, then the device complexity and power consumption decrease, but melody perception and frequency selectivity are significantly impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different stimulation characteristics to different electrode contacts along the cochlear array. Each contact targets a specific frequency region with optimized pulse parameters, enabling frequency-selective stimulation that preserves melody perception while using a manageable number of physical channels through spatial differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds temporal dimension to the stimulation by using precisely controlled pulse timing and inter-stimulus intervals across multiple channels. This temporal coding enables the system to convey complex auditory information including melody and speech in noisy environments, effectively increasing information capacity without proportionally increasing physical channel count
3Ease of manufacture
If cochlear implants use conventional electrical stimulation methods, then the implementation is straightforward, but cross-correlation between stimulation sites occurs and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic, pulsed electrical stimulation with carefully controlled duty cycles and inter-pulse intervals. This periodic action allows neural tissue to reset between stimuli, reducing cumulative energy requirements and minimizing cross-correlation effects while maintaining effective auditory nerve activation through rhythmic stimulation patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor stimulation responses and adjust pulse parameters accordingly. By detecting neural response thresholds and adapting stimulation intensity, the system minimizes energy waste from excessive stimulation while preventing cross-correlation through real-time parameter optimization based on measured neural activity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves melody recognition and maintains the full dynamic range of acoustical signals, increases frequency selectivity, and allows for independent stimulation of more nerve fibers, potentially increasing the number of independent channels by a factor of 5, while reducing power consumption and avoiding cross-correlation between stimulation sites.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode implantable into the animal auditory nerve, brainstem, or midbrain of the non-human mammal, configured to record the electrical signal of the non-human mammal
Implementation Method 2
a processing device electrically coupled with the electrode, configured to process the electrical signal and convert the processed electrical signal into a digital signal
Implementation Method 3
a transmitting device electrically coupled with the processing device, configured to transmit the digital signal
Implementation Method 4
a receiving device electrically coupled with the transmitting device, configured to receive the transmitted digital signal, convert the received digital signal into a sensory output perceptible to the human
Implementation Method 5
convert the received digital signal into a sensory output perceptible to the human, and apply the sensory output to the human
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention include system and method for transmitting neural data extracted from an electrical signal of a non-human mammal to a human. The system includes an electrode implantable into the animal auditory nerve, brainstem, or midbrain of the non-human mammal, configured to record the electrical signal of the non-human mammal, the electrical signal being in the form of sequences of pulses or pulse trains encoding frequency information of the non-human mammal, a processing device electrically coupled with the electrode, configured to process the electrical signal and convert the processed electrical signal into a digital signal, a transmitting device electrically coupled with the processing device, configured to transmit the digital signal, and a receiving device electrically coupled with the transmitting device, configured to receive the transmitted digital signal, convert the received digital signal into a sensory output perceptible to the human, and apply the sensory output to the human.