Cochlear Implant Diagnostic System for Objective Threshold Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cochlear implant systems face challenges in objectively determining minimum and comfortable amplitude levels for stimulation in prelingually or congenitally deaf patients, especially children, due to their inability to describe hearing impressions, leading to rough estimations and inadequate acoustic input for speech and hearing development.

Innovation Solution

An objective diagnostic measurement system that synchronizes acoustic and electrical signals to measure evoked responses, allowing for frequency-specific analysis and customization of cochlear implant operation, using near and far field measurements to optimize stimulation and preserve remaining hearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If subjective impression methods are used to determine MCLs and THLs, then the method works without problems with postlingually deaf patients, but problems occur with prelingually or congenitally deaf patients who cannot interpret or describe hearing impressions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of determining MCLs and THLsVSAvoidprecision of MCLs and THLs determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective behavioral methods with objective physiological measurement methods. Specifically, it uses electrically evoked action potentials (EAPs) recorded from the auditory nerve to objectively determine MCLs and THLs, eliminating the need for patients to subjectively report hearing impressions. This substitution of measurement approach resolves the contradiction by enabling precise measurement in prelingually or congenitally deaf patients who cannot provide subjective feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system that bridges the gap between stimulus delivery and response measurement. By recording EAPs from the auditory nerve as an intermediary physiological response, the system can objectively quantify hearing thresholds and comfortable levels without requiring direct patient subjectivity. This intermediary approach allows precise measurement in patients who cannot self-report.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If rough estimations based on behavioral methods are used, then the situation can be managed, but adequate acoustic input for infant's speech and hearing development cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fitting procedureVSAvoidreliability of acoustic input for development

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rough behavioral estimations with objective EAP-based measurement systems. By using physiological recordings from the auditory nerve, the system provides reliable, quantifiable data about actual hearing thresholds and comfortable levels, enabling precise customization of acoustic input for infant development without relying on imprecise behavioral methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high-rate pulsatile stimulation strategies are used, then high levels of speech recognition are achieved, but objective measurement of MCLs and THLs becomes more challenging in prelingually or congenitally deaf patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeech recognition levelVSAvoidprecision of MCLs and THLs determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs objective EAP measurement methods that are independent of the stimulation strategy used. By directly recording from the auditory nerve, the system can accurately determine MCLs and THLs regardless of whether high-rate pulsatile or other stimulation strategies are employed, thus maintaining measurement precision while achieving high speech recognition levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise determination of stimulation parameters, improving auditory perception and speech recognition in cochlear implant patients, particularly beneficial for prelingually or congenitally deaf individuals and hybrid systems with combined electric and acoustic stimulation.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless connection between the speech processor and the implanted stimulator can be established by encoding digital information in an rf-channel and coupling the signal percutaneously using an inductive coupled coils arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The implanted stimulator decodes the information by envelope detection of the rf signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnvelope detection:

Implementation Method 3

An objective diagnostic measurement system that synchronizes acoustic and electrical signals to measure evoked responses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvoked potential measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS8170678B2Synchronized diagnostic measurement for cochlear implants

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH

AI summary

Objective measurement of cochlear implant operation is described which coordinates the delivery to a patient of an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The acoustic signal is developed as an acoustic stimulation input to the ear canal of a patient, and the electrical signal is developed as an electrical stimulation input to intracochlear electrodes of a cochlear implant. The evoked response in the patient to the delivered signals is then measured.