Advanced Bionics Corporation

Albert A Maltan

William Vanbrooks Harrison

Janusz A Kuzma

Alfred E Mann

James P McGivern

Philip H Lee

David Miller

W Vanbrooks Harrison

A cochlear implant sound processor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated into the sound processor. The sound processor contains an inductive coil that may be tuned to an external charging coil for battery recharging. The electronic circuits and coil of the sound processor are housed in a material transparent to RF signals. The sound processor may be placed in a recharging base station in which the sound processor is positioned in a space surrounded by the inductive charging coil embedded in a material transparent to RF signals. The inductive charging coil sends power to the coil inside the processor and thereby recharges the battery. An alternative embodiment utilizes contacts in the sound processor case and aligned terminals in the recharging base station that allow direct charging of the battery.

Cochlear implant sound processor with permanently integrated replenishable power source

A hearing aid module is shaped for insertion into a tunnel made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space with the ear canal. The hearing aid module contains a speaker or auditory transducer, a battery or other power source powering the module, signal processing circuitry, a microphone, and a hollow tube which contains a steroid or drug. Telemetry circuitry within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit. A remote control unit permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone (frequency) control.

Hearing aid design

A hearing aid module is shaped for insertion into a tunnel made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space with the ear canal. The hearing aid module contains a speaker or auditory transducer, a battery or other power source powering the module, signal processing circuitry, and a microphone. Telemetry circuitry within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit. A remote control unit permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone (frequency) control.

A personal sound link module () is inserted into a tunnel () made through the soft tissue connecting the retro-auricular space () with the ear canal (). The module contains an acoustic transducer (), located at the distal part () of the module, close to or inside the ear canal, an antenna () that receives and also potentially sends signals to a remote source, signal processing circuitry (), telemetry circuitry (), a power source () that powers the module, and possibly a microphone (). Signals transmitted from a remote source are received through the antenna and telemetry circuitry, processed, and presented to the acoustic transducer, where they are converted to sound waves broadcast into the user's ear canal. The remote source may be a radio station, radio receiver, CD player, DVD player, tape player, audio system, telephone, TV receiver or station, or other source of audio signals intended to be heard privately by the user.

Personal sound link module

A method of making an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, includes the steps of: (a) forming electrode contact pieces made from a precious, biocompatible material into a desired shape; (b) attaching the electrode contact pieces to a foil sheet made from a non-toxic but chemically-active metal; (c) connecting a wiring system to the metal contact pieces; (d) molding a flexible polymer carrier around the electrode contact pieces and wiring system while such are held in place by the foil sheet; and (e) etching away the foil sheet, leaving the electrode contact pieces exposed at a surface of the molded polymer carrier. The exposed electrode contacts are made so as to have a shape, geometry, or makeup that aids in controlling the current flow and current density associated with the electrode contact as a function of position on the electrode contact.

Method of making a cochlear electrode array having current-focusing and tissue-treating features

A hearing aid module ( ) is shaped for insertion into a tunnel ( ) made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space ( ) with the ear canal ( ). A hollow tube ( ) may first be chronically or acutely implanted in such tunnel, and the hearing aid module inserted into the tube. The tube or hearing aid module may have a coating ( ) containing a steroid or drug adapted to minimize infection and/or inflammation. The hearing aid module contains a speaker ( ), a battery or other power source ( ) powering the module, signal processing circuitry ( ), and a microphone ( ). Telemetry circuitry ( ) within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit ( ). A remote control unit ( ) permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone control.

A myogenic-based evoked response (termed the &ldquo;MER&rdquo; for purposes of this application), heretofore considered an undesirable artifact in response to an applied Cochlear stimulus, is deliberately sensed and measured with permanently implanted electrodes connected to a Cochlear implant device. The measured MER is then used to assist in the objective programming of the Cochlear implant. The MER may be measured between two intra-Cochlear electrodes, between one intra-Cochlear electrode and one extra-Cochlear reference electrode, or between two extra-Cochlear electrodes. Because the measured MER is believed to pre-empt the actual stapedius reflex, the electrodes need not be placed into or in close proximity to the stapedial tendon, the stapes, or the facial nerve.

Objective programming and operation of a Cochlear implant based on measured evoked potentials that precede the stapedius reflex

An implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, provides a multiplicity of exposed electrode contacts, each having a shape, geometry, or makeup that aids in controlling the current flow and current density associated with the electrode contact as a function of position on the electrode contact. In one embodiment, the shape or geometry of the exposed electrode contact controls the contact surface of the electrode contact in a way that varies the current flow and current density as a function of surface area position on the electrode, thereby focusing most of the current to flow through the center of the electrode contact. In another embodiment, the electrode contact is coated with a dielectric or other material that controls the surface contact impedance as a function of distance from the center of the electrode, again focusing most of the current flow through the center of the electrode contact. In yet a further embodiment, the exposed electrode contact surface area is masked with an insulator to prevent conduction of current at various locations on the surface of the electrode contact. Separately, or in combination with any of the above embodiments, the exposed electrode contact surface and/or the entire electrode array may be coated with a selected substance or drug compound that diffuses into the tissue and liquids surrounding the electrode. Such substance or drug compound is selected to elicit a desired result, e.g., to inhibit fibrous tissue or bone growth in the vicinity of the electrode contacts; to promote healing of damaged tissue in the region of the electrode contacts, to prevent neural degeneration, or to promote neural regeneration.

Cochlear electrode array having current-focusing and tissue-treating features

A cochlear stimulation system includes a speech processing strategy that applies non-auditory-informative stimuli as well as auditory-informative stimuli to the same or neighboring sets of electrodes. The non-auditory-informative stimuli are applied to the auditory neural system for the purpose of influencing the properties and response characteristics of the auditory system so that when the auditory-informative stimuli are applied, such stimuli are more effective at evoking a desired auditory response, i.e., are more effective at allowing the patient to perceive sound. The information-carrying stimuli may be applied to the auditory neural system at the same time as is the non-auditory-informative stimuli, or may be applied during time slots between application of the non-auditory-informative stimuli.

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Sistrans, Austria

Albert A Maltan