Cochlear Implant Calibration via Basilar Membrane Vibration Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlea implants lack tonotopic mapping, which is essential for accurate frequency stimulation, as the relationship between electrode positions and corresponding auditory nerve frequencies is unknown due to variations in the basilar membrane and insertion depth, making it difficult to provide effective sound stimulation for bilateral deaf individuals.
Innovation Solution
A calibration method that uses sensors in the cochlea implant to measure the excitation pattern of the basilar membrane in response to an acoustic test signal, establishing a mapping of characteristic frequencies to electrode positions, allowing for precise stimulation and improved auditory experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cochlea implant bypasses the middle ear and basilar membrane to stimulate auditory nerves directly, then the implant can deliver significant auditory functionality to patients with profound hearing loss, but the tonotopic mapping from acoustic frequency to electrode position becomes unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration process that uses acoustic test signals and sensor measurements to establish the mapping relationship between electrode positions and characteristic frequencies. This intermediary calibration phase bridges the gap between direct electrical stimulation and the natural tonotopic organization, allowing the system to recover frequency-place mapping information that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using sensors to measure basilar membrane vibrations in response to acoustic test signals with known spectra. By varying the acoustic frequency and measuring the corresponding vibration patterns, the system establishes a mapping between frequency parameters and electrode position parameters, effectively recovering the tonotopic information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode array is implanted in the scala tympani with variations in insertion depth, then the implant can be adapted to individual anatomical differences, but the frequency mapping associated with each electrode position becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-calibration mechanism where the implanted sensors automatically measure the basilar membrane vibration patterns in response to acoustic test signals. This self-service approach allows the system to determine its own frequency-position mapping without requiring external calibration equipment or subjective patient feedback, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from sensor measurements of basilar membrane vibrations to establish and refine the frequency-position mapping. By measuring the actual vibration patterns and comparing them with expected patterns from acoustic test signals, the system adjusts and confirms the mapping relationship, ensuring precision even when insertion depth varies.
3Measurement precision
If pitch mapping and objective measures like ASSR are used for unilateral deafness, then the mapping from acoustic frequency to electrode position can be obtained, but this method is not applicable for bilateral deafness without a healthy reference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional calibration approach by using sensors to directly measure basilar membrane vibrations rather than relying on subjective pitch matching or objective measures like ASSR that require a healthy reference ear. This inverted approach measures the physical vibration patterns directly at the site of stimulation, making it applicable to both unilateral and bilateral deafness cases without requiring a healthy reference.
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 calibration method enables the cochlea implant to accurately stimulate the cochlea at frequencies corresponding to sensitive areas, providing a better sound experience by matching the frequency-to-place conversion, even in bilateral deafness where a healthy reference is absent.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensors configured to sense vibrations of the basilar membrane
Implementation Method 2
the middle ear converts the acoustic test sound to mechanical excitation of the basilar membrane, which responds with motion that performs a frequency-to-place conversion
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of calibrating a cochlea implant and present disclosure relates to a cochlea implant. Further, the present disclosure relates to use of cochlea implants and use of calibration method for cochlea implants. The methods, uses, and implants of the present disclosure provides improved auditory experience for the users of cochlea implants.