Distributed Electrophysiological Signal Processing for Wireless Cochlear Implants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant monitoring systems face challenges with high data transmission requirements between analyzing and recording devices, limiting the flexibility and convenience due to stringent throughput and reliability needs, making wireless links impractical.
Innovation Solution
Redistributing monitoring system elements to include distortion detection and signal compression at the processor, allowing for transmission of compressed electrophysiological signals over a wireless link, reducing the amount of data transmitted and relaxing throughput and reliability requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If all electrophysiological signal components are transmitted from the recording device to the analyzing device, then the analyzing device can perform comprehensive data mining and computing, but the throughput and reliability requirements of the connection become extremely stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data mining and computing functions from the analyzing device and relocates them to the recording device. The recording device now performs local processing of electrophysiological signal components, extracting only essential information for transmission. This reduces the data transmission volume and relaxes the throughput and reliability requirements of the connection while maintaining comprehensive analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional monitoring system architecture where the analyzing device performed all data mining. Instead, the recording device now performs data mining and computing locally, transmitting only processed results to the analyzing device. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining analytical capability while reducing transmission demands.
2Reliability
If physical wires are used to connect the recording and analyzing devices, then high throughput and reliability requirements can be met, but the flexibility and convenience of the monitoring system are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary data from the transmission stream by performing data mining locally at the recording device. Only essential processed information is transmitted over the wireless link, reducing the data volume to a level that wireless technology can handle reliably. This enables the use of flexible wireless connections while maintaining data transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data transmission volume by processing and compressing data locally before transmission. This parameter change enables the transition from wired to wireless connectivity while maintaining system reliability, as the reduced data load can be reliably transmitted over wireless links.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless link is used to connect the recording and analyzing devices, then flexibility and convenience are improved, but the stringent throughput and reliability requirements cannot be met with current technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes data locally at the recording device, transmitting only essential information over the wireless link. This extraction and local processing approach reduces the data transmission burden, making wireless communication reliable while maintaining system flexibility and convenience.
4Measurement precision
If the recording device is designed primarily as a transducer, then it can accurately record electrophysiological signals, but it lacks the capability for intense data mining and computing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the recording device multi-functional by integrating data mining and computing capabilities into it. The recording device now serves both as an accurate signal transducer and as a processing unit capable of local data analysis. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining recording accuracy while adding computational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the recording and data processing functions into a single integrated recording device. This combination allows the device to both accurately record electrophysiological signals and perform intense data mining and computing locally, eliminating the need for separate processing functions at the analyzing device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application discloses systems and methods for distributed processing of electrophysiological signals. The system may include a processor, a remote device, and an implant comprising an array of electrodes. The method may comprise the processor receiving an electrophysiological signal request from the remote device that specifies at least one electrode at the implant from which to receive an electrophysiological signal, transmitting to the implant instructions to apply a plurality of stimuli via the specified at least one electrode and, for individual stimuli in the plurality of stimuli, recording an electrophysiological signal component resulting from the stimulus. The method may also comprise the processor combining the recorded individual electrophysiological signal components to produce the electrophysiological signal and transmitting the electrophysiological signal to the remote device for further processing. In some embodiments of the method, the processor may compress the electrophysiological signal before transmitting it to the remote device.