Integrated Cochlear Vestibular Stimulator for Balance Rehabilitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for treating balance disturbances and hearing loss, particularly those involving vestibular and cochlear sensory loss, face limitations in providing effective postural stability and often require separate devices for hearing and balance rehabilitation, which can be invasive and not suitable for individuals with existing cochlear implants.
Innovation Solution
A system combining an implantable cochlear stimulator with head-referenced balance sensors and a processor that generates control signals for electrical stimulation pulses, allowing for simultaneous rehabilitation of hearing and balance through a single device, which can be integrated with existing cochlear implants without the need for surgical modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for hearing and balance rehabilitation, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple surgical implantations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hearing and balance rehabilitation functions into a single integrated implantable device. The cochlear stimulator and vestibular stimulator are merged into one system with a unified processor that receives inputs from both microphones and balance sensors, generating control signals that simultaneously drive both stimulation functions through shared electrode arrays in the cochlea.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both hearing rehabilitation (cochlear stimulation) and balance rehabilitation (vestibular stimulation) through a single device. The processor can independently control both functions based on respective sensor inputs, making the device universal for addressing multiple sensory deficits simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If a single integrated device is used for both hearing and balance rehabilitation, then device complexity is reduced and surgical procedures are simplified, but the functional effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
While integrated into a single device, the system maintains functional segmentation by having separate sensor inputs (microphones for hearing, balance sensors for vestibular function) and separate stimulation control pathways. The processor independently processes signals from each sensor type and generates appropriate control signals for cochlear and vestibular stimulation, preserving the functional independence needed for effective rehabilitation of both systems.
3Reliability
If invasive separate implantations are performed for hearing and balance treatment, then optimal stimulation can be achieved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hearing and balance treatment into a single surgical implantation procedure. The unified device requires only one surgical implantation into the cochlea, eliminating the need for separate invasive procedures for cochlear and vestibular stimulation devices. This reduces patient trauma, shortens recovery time, and simplifies the overall treatment process while maintaining stimulation effectiveness through integrated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing cochlear implants are modified surgically to add balance functionality, then integration is achieved, but surgical risk and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal implantable device that can be integrated with existing cochlear implants without requiring surgical modifications to the original implant. The unified processor communicates with both the existing cochlear stimulator and the added balance sensors, enabling dual functionality through software/control integration rather than surgical modification, thereby minimizing surgical risk.
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 provides statistically significant improvements in balance and stability measures, reducing falls and improving postural stability in patients with both hearing and balance deficits, while being compatible with existing cochlear implant technology.
Implementation Method 1
the balance sensor comprises a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a position sensor, an orientation sensor
Implementation Method 2
a pulse generator that generates electrical stimulation pulses as defined by control signals; and an electrode array adapted to be inserted into a patient's cochlea and provide electrical stimulation pulses to the patient's auditory nerve
Implementation Method 3
at least one microphone configured to sense and provides audio information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for rehabilitating patients affected by balance disorders with or without vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction with or without an associated hearing loss, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source coupled to head phones, an air conduction hearing aid, bone conduction hearing aid, middle ear implant or an electrical stimulator implanted into the cochlea capable of stimulating areas within the cochlea with the potential for current spread to surrounding non- auditory areas including the vestibular system.