Cochlear Implant Memory Segmentation for Data Transmission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear stimulation systems face challenges in efficiently storing patient-specific information and non-patient specific information, requiring frequent data transmission and validation, and necessitate complex reconfiguration procedures when updating speech processing strategies.
Innovation Solution
The system permanently stores patient-specific information in the implantable portion and non-patient specific information in the external portion, allowing for alterable storage and reprogramming without affecting patient-specific data, using internal and external memories like EEPROM, FRAM, and embedded programmable non-volatile memory, enabling reduced data transmission and simplified communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If patient-specific information is stored in the implantable portion, then data transmission frequency is reduced, but memory capacity and write protection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides information storage into two distinct segments: patient-specific information stored in the implantable portion and non-patient-specific information stored in the external speech processor. This segmentation allows the implantable device to maintain a compact memory structure with simplified protection mechanisms while reducing the frequency of data transmission, as only patient-specific updates require implantable memory writes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary write protection mechanisms in the implantable memory during the manufacturing or initial programming phase. By pre-configuring protection status for different memory locations, the system prevents unauthorized or erroneous modifications to critical patient-specific data without requiring complex runtime protection logic, thus reducing both transmission frequency and operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If speech processing strategies are reprogrammed in the external portion, then system adaptability improves, but communication link complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts speech processing strategy parameters from the implantable device and relocates them to the external speech processor. This extraction allows flexible reprogramming of processing strategies externally without modifying the implantable device or its communication protocols, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining simple communication links focused solely on stimulus transmission.
3Reliability
If all information is transmitted between external and implantable portions, then data accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the storage and management of information based on its nature and update frequency. Patient-specific information with high reliability requirements is stored locally in the implantable portion with protection mechanisms, while non-critical speech processing parameters are stored externally. This localized approach maintains data accuracy for critical information while minimizing the energy-intensive transmission and validation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Information can be stored in a cochlear stimulation system by determining an item of patient specific information, transferring the item of patient specific information to an implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system, and permanently storing the item of patient specific information in the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. The item of patient specific information can comprise a parameter for use in generating a stimulation current. The implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system also can be configured to permanently store one or more items of patient specific information in an alterable fashion. Further, an item of patient specific information can be retrieved from the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. Additionally, an item of non-patient specific information for use in processing a received acoustic signal can be determined and permanently stored in an external portion of the cochlear stimulation system.