Cochlear Implant Signal Processing via Wireless Inductive Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implant systems face challenges in efficiently processing and transmitting audio signals across the skin without the need for direct physical contact, which can lead to inconsistent signal quality and increased costs due to internal component replacement and complex signal processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
The use of amplitude modulation and pulse-width modulation techniques in a cochlear implant system, where a differential analog audio signal is processed using these methods and transmitted through an external unit to an internal unit via a tuned circuit, allowing for efficient signal transmission without the need for internal signal processing circuitry and reducing the complexity of internal component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If internal signal processing circuitry is included in the cochlear implant, then signal processing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal processing circuitry from the internal implantable unit and relocates it to the external wearable unit. The external unit contains the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmission coil, while the internal unit is simplified to contain only the receiver and electrodes. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal processing capability externally while reducing internal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transmission coil as an intermediary component that wirelessly transmits processed signals from the external unit to the internal unit through the skin. This intermediary eliminates the need for direct physical contact or complex internal processing, allowing signal processing to occur externally while delivering results internally.
2Reliability
If direct physical contact is used for signal transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but patient comfort and infection risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical direct-contact transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless transmission system. The transmission coil in the external unit generates electromagnetic signals that pass through the skin to the receiver in the internal unit, eliminating the need for direct physical contact between components while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The skin acts as an intermediary medium that allows electromagnetic signals to pass through without requiring direct contact between the external and internal units. This intermediary approach maintains transmission reliability while avoiding the harmful effects of direct physical contact, such as infection risk and patient discomfort.
3Ease of operation
If full implantable design is used, then patient comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex signal processing and transmission components from the implantable unit and places them in an external wearable unit. This allows the internal unit to be manufactured with fewer components (only receiver and electrodes), simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining patient comfort through a minimally invasive implantation procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (microphone, signal processing, transmission) into the external wearable unit, which can be manufactured separately and then paired with the simpler internal unit. This separation of functions reduces manufacturing complexity for each component while maintaining the integrated functionality needed for patient comfort.
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
This approach enables consistent signal quality and reduced power consumption, allowing the cochlear implant system to operate effectively with fewer internal components, thereby lowering costs and improving user experience by preserving analog information and minimizing signal delivery when audio is not present.
Implementation Method 1
driving a transmission coil on an external unit of the cochlear implant with the pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal
Implementation Method 2
driving a reception coil on an internal unit of the cochlear implant with an output of the transmission coil
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for cochlear implants. One method embodiment for cochlear implant signal processing includes processing a differential analog audio signal using amplitude modulation and pulse-width modulation. The method includes driving a transmission coil on an external unit of the cochlear implant with the pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal. The method also includes driving a reception coil on an internal unit of the cochlear implant with an output of the transmission coil.