Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Fitting Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant fitting methods are time-consuming and risk over-stimulation due to not accounting for electrode-specific particularities, often requiring separate adjustments for each channel and using fixed starting values that may be too high or low, leading to inefficiencies and potential harm.
Innovation Solution
A method that starts with a common electrode stimulation charge level, adjusted until a desired percept criteria is met for all channels, then uses this baseline to efficiently fit individual channels, reducing the number of fitting steps and avoiding over-stimulation by using sequential or simultaneous stimulation strategies and amplitude bursts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate adjustments are made for each electrode channel using fixed starting values, then individual electrode fitting precision is improved, but the fitting time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a common fitting adjustment for all electrode channels before individual channel adjustments. The processor first determines a common fitting adjustment value based on aggregate electrode data, then uses this as a starting point for individual channel fitting. This preliminary common adjustment reduces the range of adjustments needed for each individual channel, thereby reducing overall fitting time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fitting process into two stages: a common fitting stage where all channels are adjusted together using a common adjustment value, and an individual fitting stage where channels are adjusted separately. This merging approach allows the system to benefit from both collective optimization (reducing overall fitting time) and individual optimization (maintaining precision for each channel).
2Ease of operation
If fixed starting values are used for electrode stimulation, then the fitting process is simplified, but over-stimulation risk increases due to electrode-specific particularities being ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining electrode-specific fitting adjustment values after the common fitting stage. While the first stage uses a common adjustment value for all channels (simplicity), the second stage customizes the adjustment for each individual electrode channel based on its specific characteristics (safety). This ensures that each electrode receives appropriately tailored stimulation levels, reducing over-stimulation risk while maintaining overall process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by measuring electrode-specific responses during the common fitting stage and using this information to guide individual channel adjustments. The system monitors the aggregate response to the common fitting adjustment and uses this feedback to determine subsequent individual channel adjustments, ensuring safe and effective stimulation levels for each electrode.
3Measurement precision
If the fitting process scans a wide charge range for each channel, then fitting accuracy is improved, but the number of fitting steps and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a common fitting adjustment that establishes a baseline for all channels. This preliminary step narrows the charge range that needs to be scanned for individual channels, reducing the number of fitting steps required while maintaining accuracy. The common fitting effectively pre-positions the charge levels close to optimal values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fitting process into two distinct phases: common fitting (applying a single adjustment value to all channels) and individual fitting (adjusting each channel separately). This segmentation allows the system to perform a broad initial search efficiently, then focus subsequent scanning on narrower, electrode-specific ranges, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches are described for fitting an implanted cochlear implant having electrode array contacts to the implanted patient. A normal electrode stimulation arrangement is used to deliver electrode stimulation signals to the active electrode channel electrode contacts at an initial common charge level. The common charge level is increased until a desired common percept criteria is met to establish a common baseline charge level for the stimulation electrode contacts. For each individual electrode contact, a fitting stimulation signal is delivered to the electrode starting from the common baseline charge level and the charge level is increased until an individual electrode percept criteria is met.