Cochlear Implant Pulse-Rate Filtering for Input SNR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cochlear implant systems face challenges in filtering noise from stimulation outputs without affecting desired electrical signals, which degrades the input signal-to-noise ratio.

Innovation Solution

A cochlear implant system with a signal processor that filters noise by attenuating specific frequencies based on a first pulse rate and comparing transformed input signal amplitudes to a threshold, generating a filtered stimulation signal for electrical stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If filtering is applied to remove noise from stimulation outputs, then noise reduction is achieved, but desired electrical signals are also attenuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise from stimulation outputsVSAvoidaccuracy of electrical signal representation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter dynamically adjusts its characteristics based on the detected stimulation pulse rate. The signal processor identifies the pulse rate from the stimulation signal and configures the filter to attenuate frequencies associated with that specific pulse rate, allowing the filter to adapt to varying operating conditions while preserving desired signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering approach changes the parameter being filtered from fixed frequency bands to variable frequencies associated with the stimulation pulse rate. By transforming the input signal and comparing amplitudes to identify pulse rate-related frequencies, the system adjusts which frequencies are attenuated based on the actual stimulation parameters being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If broad frequency filtering is applied to remove noise, then noise reduction is improved, but signal fidelity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filter applies attenuation selectively to specific frequency components associated with the stimulation pulse rate, rather than applying broad-spectrum filtering. This localized approach targets only the problematic frequencies while preserving the integrity of the desired electrical signals at other frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional fixed-frequency mechanical filtering with a dynamic signal processing approach. By transforming the input signal to the frequency domain, identifying pulse rate-related frequencies through amplitude comparison, and selectively attenuating those specific frequencies, the system achieves adaptive filtering without the limitations of fixed filter designs.

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

Improves the input signal-to-noise ratio by effectively filtering noise, ensuring accurate electrical stimulation to the cochlear tissue.

Implementation Method 1

The signal processor is configured to transform the input signal to generate a transformed input signal representative of the frequency content of the received input signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency transformation:

Implementation Method 2

If the amplitude of the portion of the transformed input signal exceeds the threshold the signal processor is configured to filter the input signal by attenuating frequencies in the input signal corresponding to the portion of frequencies in the transformed input signal that exceed the threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency attenuation: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS12544564B2Cochlear implant system with improved input signal-to-noise ratio

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ENVOY MEDICAL CORP

AI summary

A cochlear implant system can comprise an input source configured to receive a stimulus and generate an input signal representative of the stimulus, a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in communication with the cochlear electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to cochlear tissue via the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor programmed with a first pulse rate. The signal processor can be configured to receive the input signal from the input source and filter the input signal based on the first pulse rate such that one or more frequencies associated with the first pulse rate in the received input signal are attenuated. The signal processor can further be configured to output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the filtered input signal with the stimulation signal causing the stimulator to provide electrical stimulation to the cochlear tissue at the first pulse rate.