Cochlear Implant Pitch Intensity Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant systems fail to effectively utilize stimulus intensity to enhance pitch perception, which is crucial for music and speech recognition in noisy environments, as they primarily rely on position and rate of electrical stimulation without considering the influence of intensity on pitch perception.
Innovation Solution
A system that processes acoustic audio signals to determine pitch characteristics and generates electrode stimulation signals with intensity levels reflecting these characteristics, using monopolar stimulation to stimulate audio nerve tissue, and incorporates feedback to customize the electrode array fit for improved pitch perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cochlear implant systems use only position and rate of electrical stimulation, then the system complexity is reduced, but pitch perception capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing stimulus intensity as a new dimension to the existing position and rate parameters. The system modifies the electrical stimulation parameters to include intensity modulation that correlates with pitch perception, thereby enhancing pitch discrimination capability without fundamentally redesigning the entire stimulation architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the stimulation parameter space by incorporating intensity as a separate controllable variable alongside position and rate. This dimensional expansion allows the system to encode pitch information more effectively by utilizing the intensity dimension in addition to the existing position and rate dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If cochlear implant systems do not utilize stimulus intensity, then the ease of operation is maintained, but music and speech recognition capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that allow the system to adapt stimulus intensity based on real-time analysis of acoustic signals and patient responses. The feedback loop processes speech and music signals to determine optimal intensity parameters, thereby improving recognition accuracy while maintaining intuitive operation through automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal processing and analysis to pre-determine appropriate intensity parameters before actual stimulation occurs. By analyzing the acoustic signal characteristics in advance and pre-configuring the intensity parameters, the system achieves improved speech and music recognition without adding operational complexity during real-time use.
3Speed
If cochlear implant systems use high stimulation rates, then temporal representation is improved, but current amplitude requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter combination by modulating intensity independently of rate, allowing the system to maintain high stimulation rates for temporal representation while using intensity modulation to encode pitch information. This parameter change strategy enables the system to achieve both high temporal fidelity and effective pitch perception without proportionally increasing current amplitude requirements.
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 system enhances pitch perception by adjusting stimulus intensity, leading to improved music and speech recognition, particularly in noisy conditions, with 77% of patients showing a positive correlation between stimulus intensity and pitch perception, demonstrating a more natural sound experience.
Implementation Method 1
an external transmitter coil 110 is coupled to an external signal processor and placed adjacent to a subcutaneous receiving coil 111 which is coupled to an implanted receiver processor 109. This arrangement inductively couples an audio information-bearing radio frequency (rf) electrical signal to the receiver processor 109.
Implementation Method 2
In response to received sounds transmitted by the middle ear 103, the fluid-filled scala vestibuli 105 and scala tympani 106 transmit fluid waves, functioning as an acoustic transducer to generate electric pulses that are transmitted to the cochlear nerve 108
Implementation Method 3
the receiver processor 109 produces a stimulation pattern based on the extracted audio information that is sent through connecting leads 112 to an implanted electrode carrier 113. Typically, this electrode carrier 113 includes multiple electrodes on its surface that provide selective electrical stimulation of the cochlea 104.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array having multiple stimulation electrodes. An acoustic audio signal is processed to determine associated pitch characteristics and frequency component information. From the pitch characteristics and the frequency component information, electrode stimulation signals are determined which have intensity levels that reflect the pitch characteristics. Then audio nerve tissue is stimulated by applying the electrode stimulation signals to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array.