Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh

Andreas Jäger

Martin Zimmerling

Carolyn Garnham

Gene Y Fridman

Charles Coleman Della Santina

Roland Hessler

A vestibular prosthesis system is described which includes an external movement sensor that is attachable a patient's head for generating an external movement signal. A fail-safe sensor is configured to detect movement of the one or more external movement sensors relative to the head and generate a corresponding relative motion signal. And an implant processor also is implantable under the skin and in communication with the fail-safe sensor and the external transmitter for generating an implant stimulation signal based on the external movement signal and/or the relative motion signal to electrically stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by the patient.

Vestibular implant system with internal and external motion sensors

A novel vestibular implant system is described. An implantable vestibular stimulator provides vestibular stimulation signals to stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by a patient. One or more motion sensors are controllably powered by the vestibular implant system and develop a motion signal reflecting head motion of an implant patient. The vestibular stimulator includes at least two different operating modes: i. a sensor controlled mode wherein the motion sensor is powered and the vestibular stimulation signal is developed as a dependent function of the motion signal, and ii. a sensor independent mode wherein the motion sensor is unpowered and the vestibular stimulation signals, if any, are developed independently of the motion signal.

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Reith bei Seefeld, Austria

Andreas Jäger