Broad Wavelength Optical Nerve Stimulation for Cochlear Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cochlear implants using electrical stimulation often lack specificity in targeting auditory nerve pathways, leading to unintended stimulation of other nerves and potential overheating, which can obfuscate signals and limit the dynamic range of sound perception.

Innovation Solution

An optical stimulation system employing a broad wavelength profile to homogenize tissue absorption, using infrared light with multiple wavelengths to stimulate nerve-action potentials in spiral ganglion cells, allowing for more precise and even tissue heating without overheating, thereby optimizing sound perception across varying loudness levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical stimulation is used in conventional cochlear implants, then nerve stimulation can be achieved, but specificity in targeting auditory nerve pathways deteriorates leading to unintended stimulation of other nerves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecificity of nerve pathway targetingVSAvoidunintended stimulation of other nerves

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical stimulation with optical stimulation using infrared light to activate auditory nerve pathways. This substitution eliminates the spread of electrical current that causes unintended nerve activation, providing more precise targeting of specific auditory nerve pathways while reducing harmful lateral stimulation effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If electrical stimulation is used in conventional cochlear implants, then nerve stimulation can be achieved, but overheating occurs which obfuscates signals and limits dynamic range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation powerVSAvoidtissue temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical stimulation with optical stimulation using infrared light, which heats tissue more evenly and controllably. This replacement prevents the localized overheating associated with electrical stimulation, thereby avoiding signal obfuscation and extending the dynamic range of sound perception without sacrificing stimulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a single wavelength infrared light is used, then optical stimulation can be achieved, but non-uniform tissue absorption occurs leading to uneven heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical energy utilizationVSAvoiduniformity of tissue heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the infrared light source into multiple discrete wavelengths (e.g., 1064 nm, 1550 nm, 2000 nm) that penetrate tissue to different depths. By combining these segmented wavelengths, the system achieves uniform energy distribution throughout the tissue volume, resulting in homogeneous heating across different tissue layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite approach by combining multiple infrared wavelengths with different tissue penetration characteristics. This composite wavelength profile creates a synergistic effect where shorter wavelengths absorb near the surface and longer wavelengths penetrate deeper, achieving uniform bulk heating that neither wavelength could accomplish alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 optical stimulation system provides improved specificity and extended dynamic range in sound perception by ensuring even tissue heating and reducing the risk of overheating, enhancing the ability to perceive both low-frequency and high-frequency sounds with greater fidelity.

Implementation Method 1

different wavelengths have different tissue-penetration depths... the broad wavelength profile extends the physical volume of tissue that is stimulated, thus homogenizing the spatial light-absorption profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the triggering of NAPs and CNAPs by optical stimulation light is due in large part to localized momentary heating of nerve tissue due to absorption of the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9011508B2Broad wavelength profile to homogenize the absorption profile in optical stimulation of nerves

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 NUROTONE MEDICAL LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides an apparatus that includes an infrared (IR) light source having two or more wavelengths (e.g., a relatively broad wavelength-profile light source and/or a light source with a plurality of relatively narrowband wavelengths), wherein the different wavelengths have different tissue-penetration depths. The IR light provides optical stimulation of nerves to generate nerve-action potentials (NAPs) in one or more individual nerve cells, and/or compound nerve-action potentials (CNAPs) in a nerve bundle. In some embodiments, the stimulation of NAPs and CNAPs is used to restore hearing. In some embodiments, the broad wavelength profile extends the physical volume of tissue that is stimulated, thus homogenizing the spatial light-absorption profile of the stimulation light used, e.g., for optical triggering of NAPs and CNAPs in the cochlea.