Cochlear Implant Sound Processor Antenna Frequency Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implant systems face challenges in adjusting the sound processor unit for optimal audio perception due to varying mutual inductance caused by differences in skin thickness, magnetic strength, antenna alignment, and power requirements, leading to complex algorithms and compromised inductive link efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The sound processor unit incorporates a switching element and an inductive element to form a resonant circuit, allowing the unit to switch between two resonant frequencies. This enables the unit to adapt to different skin thicknesses without exchanging antennas, improving user convenience and inductive link efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed sound processor antenna is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different skin thicknesses and magnetic strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna system adjustable rather than fixed. The sound processor antenna includes a switching element that can dynamically change its resonant frequency between at least two different frequencies, allowing adaptation to different skin thicknesses and magnetic strengths without changing the physical antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna system by introducing a switching element that modifies the resonant frequency. The sound processor antenna is designed with different resonant frequencies that can be switched between, allowing the system to adapt to varying mutual inductance conditions caused by different skin thicknesses and magnetic strengths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sound processor antennas are provided for different skin thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and user selection burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single sound processor antenna that can perform multiple functions - operating at different resonant frequencies to match different user conditions (skin thicknesses and magnetic strengths). This eliminates the need for users to select from multiple antennas, as one antenna can adapt to all user types through frequency switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by automatically detecting the appropriate resonant frequency and switching to it without user intervention. The sound processor unit autonomously adapts to the user's specific conditions, eliminating the need for manual antenna selection and configuration by the user.
3Reliability
If complex algorithms are used to adjust for varying mutual inductance, then communication reliability is improved, but processing complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the sound processor antenna with specific resonant frequencies that correspond to different mutual inductance conditions. Instead of using complex algorithms to calculate and adjust parameters in real-time, the system has pre-configured frequency options that can be directly selected, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining communication reliability.
4Reliability
If the sound processor unit continuously monitors antenna connection, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent monitoring of the antenna connection status rather than continuous monitoring. The sound processor unit periodically checks whether a sound processor antenna is connected, which maintains reliable detection of connection status while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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 solution allows for automatic adaptation of the sound processor unit to different skin thicknesses, eliminating the need for users to select matching antennas, thereby enhancing user convenience and maintaining efficient power transfer and communication.
Implementation Method 1
Both the power supply of the implant unit and the signal transmission between the sound processor unit and the implant unit happen transcutaneously, i.e. penetrating the skin, by means of electromagnetic induction.
Implementation Method 2
The switching element is adapted to switch the resonant frequency of the sound processor antenna between the first and the second resonant frequency
Implementation Method 3
By means of the magnets, the sound processor antenna of the sound processor unit adheres on the skin above the implant unit antenna of the implant unit.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to a first aspect, a sound processor unit of a cochlear implant system is disclosed. The sound processor unit comprises an electric circuit, which comprises a sound processor antenna with a sound processor antenna capacitance and a sound processor antenna inductance, wherein the sound processor antenna capacitance and the sound processor antenna inductance are connected in series and form a resonant circuit. An improved cochlear implant system is provided in that the electric circuit of the sound processor unit further comprises a switching element connected in series with the sound processor antenna capacitance and the sound processor antenna inductance, and the electric circuit of the sound processor unit further comprises an inductive element connected in parallel with the switching element, wherein when the switching element is in a closed state, the inductive element is in a short-circuited state and the sound processor antenna has a first resonant frequency, and when the switching element is in an open state, the inductive element is in a non-short-circuited state and the sound processor antenna has a second resonant frequency which differs from the first resonant frequency.