Cochlear Implant Electrode Modules with Autonomous Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implants are limited by the number of electrodes due to the rigidity of the electrode carrier, which increases the difficulty of insertion and the risk of damaging the inner ear, and the current number of electrodes is insufficient for achieving good hearing quality.
Innovation Solution
The electrodes are supplied with current autonomously through modules with their own decoding and control circuits, reducing the number of wires and the rigidity of the implant, allowing for a higher number of electrodes without increasing stiffness, using a galvanic, inductive, or capacitive feed, and enabling efficient data and energy transmission through a common two-wire line or separate antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of electrodes is increased to improve frequency resolution and hearing quality, then the rigidity of the electrode carrier increases, making insertion more difficult and increasing the risk of damaging the inner ear
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode carrier is divided into multiple segments or sections, each containing a subset of electrodes. This segmentation allows the overall structure to remain flexible while still providing sufficient electrodes for good frequency resolution. Each segment can be independently positioned and activated, reducing the mechanical constraints on the entire array.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the electrode carrier have different mechanical properties - some areas are designed to be more flexible while others provide structural support. This local differentiation allows the carrier to maintain rigidity where needed for electrode positioning while remaining flexible enough for safe insertion into the cochlea.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate wires are used to supply current to each electrode, then each electrode can be individually controlled, but the number of wires increases, further stiffening the electrode carrier
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode connections are merged into a single flexible cable or bus structure. Instead of having separate wires for each electrode, the invention uses a shared communication and power transmission medium that can carry multiple signals simultaneously, dramatically reducing the number of individual wire connections needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cable serves multiple functions - it provides both power delivery and data communication to all electrodes through a single interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated wires for each electrode, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining individual electrode controllability.
3Measurement precision
If more electrodes are added to the implant, then better hearing quality is achieved, but the implanted electronics become more complex and require additional components
Solution Approach 1:
A single integrated control unit manages all electrodes through a unified architecture. This universal controller can selectively activate and regulate current to any electrode or combination of electrodes, providing full individual control without requiring separate control circuits for each electrode, thus avoiding exponential growth in electronic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a hardware-based control approach (separate circuits for each electrode) to a software-based control approach (digital addressing and control). By using programmable parameters and digital signals, the system can control any number of electrodes through the same electronic infrastructure, making the system scalable without proportionally increasing hardware complexity.
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 design allows for a significant reduction in the rigidity of the cochlear implant, enabling more electrodes to be used while simplifying the implanted electronics and improving hearing quality by enhancing frequency resolution without additional components, thus facilitating easier insertion and better auditory stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
In the case of a cochlear implant according to the preamble of claim 1, this object is achieved by the features of this claim. Each module (14) has its own decoding and control circuits (18) and electrodes (16). The modules (14) are supplied with electrical operating energy from an energy source (40) which is common to all modules (14) via a galvanic connection through a two-wire line (40).
Implementation Method 2
In the case of a cochlear implant according to the preamble of claim 1, this object is achieved by the features of this claim. With a galvanic feed, two wires are sufficient, with an inductive or capacitive feed there are even no wires between the individual modules.
Implementation Method 3
In the case of a cochlear implant according to the preamble of claim 1, this object is achieved by the features of this claim. With a galvanic feed, two wires are sufficient, with an inductive or capacitive feed there are even no wires between the individual modules.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A cochlear implant of a cochlear implant system is described. The cochlear implant comprises electrodes which are mechanically connected to one another and can be inserted in a row in the form of a spiral into a cochlea in order for auditory nerve receptors to be stimulated, a control circuit that can specifically apply electric pulses to the individual electrodes, and an energy source. The control circuit allows the electrodes to be fed in a pulsed manner with electric signals generated by a processor from the acoustic signals, and auditory nerve receptors adjacent to the electrodes to be stimulated. The electrodes are components of modules, each of which comprises its own decoder-and-control circuit for decoding module addresses and stimulation signals and generating electric pulses for the electrodes. Encoded module addresses and stimulation signals generated from acoustic signals are applied to inputs of the decoder-and-control circuit.