Auditory Neural Interface With Multichannel Somatosensory Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing aid technologies, such as cochlear implants and auditory brainstem implants, are invasive, risky, and limited in accessibility, failing to provide effective sound perception for individuals with severe hearing loss, especially those without auditory nerve fibers, and lack flexibility and fidelity in sound representation.

Innovation Solution

An auditory neural interface device that uses a receiver module to encode sound signals into multi-channel neurostimulation signals to stimulate afferent sensory neurons in the central nervous system, bypassing the auditory system and providing non-auditory perceptions through somatosensory channels, with on-line auto-calibration to optimize channel fidelity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cochlear implants or auditory brainstem implants are used to treat sensorineural hearing loss, then sound perception capability is improved, but surgical risks and invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound perception capabilityVSAvoidsurgical risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auditory nerve fiber regeneration agent as an intermediary substance that facilitates the regrowth of damaged auditory nerve fibers. This mediator enables the restoration of natural neural pathways between the cochlea and the brain, providing a less invasive alternative to direct electrical stimulation implants while still achieving sound perception restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical stimulation system of cochlear implants with a biochemical system. Instead of using electrodes to directly stimulate neurons, the invention uses pharmacological agents to regenerate and restore the natural auditory nerve fibers, substituting a chemical-biological mechanism for the electro-mechanical approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If auditory brainstem implants are used to bypass the cochlear nerve, then hearing capability is restored for patients without auditory nerve fibers, but surgical complexity and failure risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing restoration for nerve fiber absenceVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bypassing the cochlear nerve as done in auditory brainstem implants, the patent inverts the approach by attempting to regenerate the cochlear nerve fibers themselves. This reverse strategy addresses the root cause of the problem rather than working around it, potentially simplifying the overall treatment approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs the body's own biological regenerative capacity by administering agents that stimulate the nervous system to naturally regrow damaged auditory nerve fibers. This self-service approach leverages the body's inherent healing mechanisms rather than requiring complex external implantation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional implants are used for patients with hearing loss, then sound perception is enabled, but accessibility and eligibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound perceptionVSAvoidpatient eligibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal treatment approach using auditory nerve fiber regeneration agents that can potentially benefit multiple types of hearing loss patients, including those with sensorineural hearing loss, nerve damage, or degenerative conditions. This multi-functional approach expands eligibility beyond the narrow criteria required for cochlear implant candidacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If cochlear implants are implanted to provide sound perception, then hearing capability is improved, but residual hearing may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing capabilityVSAvoidresidual hearing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a protective approach by using regenerative agents that preserve and restore the natural auditory nerve infrastructure before it can be permanently damaged. This beforehand cushioning prevents the loss of residual hearing by maintaining the integrity of the neural pathways rather than replacing them with implants that may cause further damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12447340B2Auditory neural interface device

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 CEREGATE GMBH

AI summary

An auditory neural interface device for sound perception by an individual that may be used as a hearing aid. The auditory neural interface device includes a receiver configured to receive sound signals, a processor operably connected to the receiver and configured to encode a received sound signal as a multi-channel neurostimulation signal, and a neurostimulation device operably connected to the processor and configured to apply the multi-channel neurostimulation signal to a neurostimulation electrode of the individual. The neurostimulation signal is configured to directly stimulate afferent sensory neurons of the central nervous system of the individual and thereby to elicit, for each channel of the neurostimulation signal, one or more non-auditory, preferably somatosensory, perceptions in a cortex area of the individual. Each channel of the neurostimulation signal is associated with a different non-auditory perception.