Trans-Species Neural Code Library for Cochlear Implant Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant coding strategies face limitations in effectively transmitting complex acoustic information, particularly in challenging listening conditions, due to channel interactions and limited dynamic range, which restricts the ability to encode and decode speech and music accurately.
Innovation Solution
A novel coding strategy utilizing a trans-species neural code library, where digital representations of neural responses from normal hearing animals are used to stimulate corresponding neural units in cochlear implant users, optimizing the distribution of stimulation patterns along the electrode array to mimic natural auditory processing, thereby increasing the number of independent channels and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cochlear implant coding strategies are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but speech recognition and music perception are limited due to channel interactions and limited dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating a trans-species neural code library that stores digital representations of neural responses from normal-hearing animals. Instead of developing entirely new coding algorithms, the system copies natural neural response patterns and applies them to cochlear implant stimulation, thereby improving speech recognition accuracy while managing complexity through biological template matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing the distribution of stimulation patterns along the electrode array based on trans-species neural code libraries. This involves adjusting stimulation parameters such as amplitude, duration, and spatial distribution to mimic natural auditory processing, thereby enhancing speech and music perception while managing system complexity
2Loss of information
If the number of independent channels is increased to improve acoustic information transmission, then speech coding capability is enhanced, but channel interactions increase and reduce encoding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the acoustic information into multiple frequency channels that are processed independently through the trans-species neural code library. Each channel is optimized separately to minimize interactions, allowing high-fidelity transmission of acoustic information while reducing harmful channel interactions through spatial and spectral separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces another dimension by optimizing the spatial distribution of stimulation patterns along the electrode array in addition to frequency channel separation. This multi-dimensional approach (frequency × space) allows increased independent channels for acoustic information transmission while minimizing channel interactions through optimized spatial encoding
3Reliability
If high power consumption is acceptable, then more complex stimulation patterns can be delivered, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing stimulation pattern distribution to deliver complex auditory information at lower power levels. The trans-species neural code library enables efficient encoding that achieves high auditory perception quality with reduced current amplitudes and more energy-efficient pulse delivery parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A system for neuromodulation device coding for stimulation of a patient includes a neural code library comprising digital representations of neural responses of neural units of at least one normal functioning animal, each digital representation corresponding to one of digital representations of stimulus; a sensory device configured to detect a sensory signal; an analyzer configured to identify one of the digital representations of stimulus in the neural code library in response to receipt of the sensory signal; a processing device configured, for each identified sensory signal, to retrieve the digital representations of neural responses of neural units corresponding to the identified sensory signal from the neural code library, and select one or more neural units of a patient to be stimulated by a neuromodulation device associated with the patient; and a transmitting device configured to stimulate the selected one or more neural units of the patient.