Apical Cochlear Electrode Assembly for Low-Frequency Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cochlear implants struggle to directly stimulate the apical region of the cochlea, which is responsible for low frequency responses, due to the conical spiral structure and delicate anatomical structure of the cochlea, leading to challenges in insertion and limited access to low frequency tonotopic regions, contributing to issues like difficulty with speech in noise, music perception, and binaural timing perception.
Innovation Solution
An apical cochlear implant with a specifically configured apical electrode assembly is inserted directly into the apical region of the cochlea, complemented by a basilar electrode assembly, enabling direct stimulation of both high and low frequency regions using a full-spectrum coordinated stimulation strategy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional basilar electrode assembly is inserted via the basal region of the cochlea, then high frequency regions can be stimulated, but direct access to low frequency apical regions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into two separate components: a basilar electrode assembly for high frequency stimulation and an apical electrode assembly for low frequency stimulation. This segmentation allows each assembly to be optimized for its specific frequency region, with the apical assembly designed specifically to access the apical region through an apical cochleostomy, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of access to low frequency regions and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of access by creating an apical cochleostomy (a new opening pathway) in addition to the traditional basal approach. This dimensional change in the insertion pathway enables direct access to the apical region without requiring the electrode to traverse the entire cochlear length from the base, thereby improving access to low frequency regions while managing device complexity
2Reliability
If the cochlea's conical spiral structure and delicate anatomical structure are considered, then insertion difficulty increases, but direct stimulation capability improves
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode system into separate basilar and apical assemblies with distinct insertion pathways, each assembly can be optimized for its specific insertion route. The apical assembly is designed specifically for apical cochleostomy insertion, avoiding the need to navigate the entire conical spiral from the base, thereby improving direct stimulation capability while reducing insertion difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by creating a separate apical cochleostomy as a mediator pathway. This intermediary opening provides direct access to the apical region, serving as a shortcut that bypasses the delicate anatomical challenges of traversing the conical spiral from the base, thereby improving reliable direct stimulation while easing insertion difficulties
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
The apical cochlear implant provides improved speech understanding, reduced frequency shifting, and enhanced coding of speech in noise and music by directly stimulating the low frequency peripheral processes, addressing limitations of traditional cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
stimulator unit configured to generate and deliver, based on the stimulation control signals, a plurality of stimulation signals to the cochlea of the recipient via the basilar electrode assembly and the apical electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An apical cochlear implant comprises an apical electrode assembly in combination with a basilar electrode assembly. The apical cochlear implant is configured to stimulate a cochlear of a recipient via the apical electrode assembly in combination with the basilar electrode assembly.