Cochlear Implant Coil Data Reading Timing Margin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cochlear implant systems face errors in data transmission due to coil misalignment, leading to high-frequency noise interference and incorrect data decoding, especially in back-telemetry methods, which affect power consumption and synchronization.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that calculate a data reading timing margin based on a fixed system operation cycle, adding a margin to the fixed cycle to account for signal attenuation, allowing data to be read at a new cycle to reduce errors and maintain synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is read at a fixed cycle according to the accepted transmission rate, then data transmission follows the ideal data rate, but coil misalignment causes high-frequency noise interference and incorrect data decoding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoiddata decoding accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and adding a data reading timing margin to the fixed cycle before data reading occurs. This margin is computed based on signal attenuation characteristics and coil misalignment parameters, allowing the system to proactively adjust the data reading timing to avoid noise interference zones, thereby ensuring accurate data decoding while maintaining the ideal transmission rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a data reading timing margin is added to the fixed cycle to account for signal attenuation, then data determination errors are reduced, but the data reading timing deviates from the ideal transmission rate cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata determination accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the data reading timing parameter based on signal attenuation characteristics and coil misalignment conditions. The data reading timing margin is calculated as a function of these parameters, allowing the system to optimize data reading timing for accuracy while minimizing impact on overall transmission rate through controlled parameter variation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If load-shift keying is used to transmit data one bit by one bit, then power consumption is reduced, but the system requires continuous power supply from the speech processor battery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a timing margin calculation and adjustment mechanism that monitors signal attenuation and coil misalignment conditions in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize data reading timing dynamically, ensuring accurate data reception with minimal power consumption while extending battery life through efficient power usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution significantly reduces data determination errors and maintains synchronization by reading data at a new cycle adjusted for signal strength variations, ensuring accurate data acquisition despite coil misalignment and noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

transmit (TX) power and data to a nerve stimulator 200

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

receives (RX) power and data from the speech processor 100

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4059560B1Device for transmitting data between coils and data reading method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 TODOC CO LTD
  • EP4059560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4059560B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4059560B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

In order to avoid the error that data is loaded according to a preset data rate cycle in a situation where a problem has occurred due to coil misalignment, a device and a method for transmitting data between coils according to an embodiment calculate a data reading timing margin on the basis of a fixed cycle that is a set system operation cycle, and read data at a time point resulting from adding the data reading timing margin to the fixed cycle.