Configurable Data Link for Stimulation Prosthesis State Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing prostheses, such as cochlear implants, are limited by simple state machines that restrict them to a single stimulation strategy and data protocol, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to high error control requirements during configuration and stimulation, necessitating costly surgeries for protocol changes.
Innovation Solution
A stimulation prosthesis that operates in multiple states, using high error control during configuration and low error control during stimulation, allowing for protocol and strategy changes without surgery by temporarily stopping transmission to prevent erroneous programming, and switching between data formats optimized for different strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protocol with high error control is used for configuration data transmission, then reliability of configuration is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into two distinct phases: configuration phase and stimulation phase. During the configuration phase, high error control protocols are used to ensure reliable programming of the stimulator module. During the stimulation phase, a more efficient protocol with lower overhead is used for transmitting stimulation data. This segmentation allows each phase to use the appropriate protocol optimized for its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic protocol switching based on the operational state of the device. The system can transition between different data protocols depending on whether it is in configuration mode or stimulation mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between reliability and efficiency based on current operational needs, rather than being constrained to a single fixed protocol.
2Device complexity
If a single data protocol is used for both configuration and stimulation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different strategies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data link interface that can handle multiple data protocols and formats. The stimulator module is designed with a configurable data link processor that can be programmed to support different stimulation strategies and protocols. This multi-functional capability allows the same hardware platform to adapt to various clinical needs without requiring hardware changes, thereby improving strategy adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through software configurability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol changes are implemented, then adaptability to different strategies is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a configuration phase that occurs before the stimulation phase, during which all protocol-specific parameters and settings are pre-configured. This preliminary configuration allows the system to establish the appropriate protocol and parameters for the desired stimulation strategy before actual stimulation begins. The configuration can be stored and reused, reducing the complexity of repeated setup procedures while maintaining flexibility for different strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses systems and methods for operating a stimulation prosthesis that contains a command module and a stimulator module that communicate by a data link. The stimulation prosthesis has at least two operating states: a configuration state and a stimulation state. In one embodiment, the stimulation prosthesis may use a communication protocol that is suitable for the current operating state. The risk of unintended transitions between the operating states due to data transmission errors is substantially eliminated. And in accordance with another embodiment, in addition to switching stimulation strategies, the stimulation prosthesis may also switch stimulation data formats to a format that is optimized for the new stimulation strategy.