Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research

Alfred E. Mann Foundation

David I Whitmoyer

Joseph H Schulman

John Charles Gord

Primoz Strojnik

James H Wolfe

Alfred E Mann

Ronald J Lebel

Joseph Y Lucisano

Orville Rey Rule, Iii

Charles L Byers

A cochlea stimulation system includes a patient wearable system comprising an externally wearable signal processor (WP) and a headpiece in electronic communication with an implanted cochlear stimulator (ICS). The ICS comprises eight output stages each having two electrically isolated capacitor-coupled electrodes, designated 'A' and 'B', circuits for monitoring the voltages on these electrodes, and circuits for both transmitting status information to and receiving control information from the WP. Based upon information received from the WP, a processor within the ICS can control both the frequency and the widths of the output stimulation pulses applied to the electrodes and may select which electrodes to monitor. The ICS receives power and data signals telemetrically through the skin from the WP. To save power, the ICS may be 'powered down' by the WP based upon the absence of audio information or 'powered up' if audio is present. The WP communicates with the headpiece over a co-axial cable using one frequency for transmitting signals and a second different frequency for receiving signals.

Multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator

A patient monitoring system measures the concentration of a particular substance in a patient's tissue, blood, or other bodily fluids, provides an indication of the rate of change of such concentration, and determines whether the measured concentration and rate of change are within certain preset limits. If not, an audible and/or visual alarm signal is generated. The patient monitoring system includes at least one enzymatic sensor adapted to be inserted into the patient, where it produces sensor signals related to the concentration of the substance being measured. The sensor signals are delivered through a suitable interconnect cable to a monitor. In one embodiment, the interconnect cable includes a contactless connector that electrically isolates the enzymatic sensor from the monitor, and reduces the number of conductors required to interface with a plurality of sensors. The monitor interprets the sensor signals by applying a previously determined calibration to quantitatively determine the substance concentration value. The substance concentration value thus determined is then processed in order to determine the rate of change, is stored (to create a history or record), and may also be displayed in large, easy-to-read numerals. Rate of change information (trend) may also be numerically or graphically displayed.

Patient monitoring system

An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated 'A' and 'B', through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each output stage by way of an indifferent electrode switch (212D). The current source generates a precise stimulation current as a function of an analog control voltage. The analog control voltage, in turn, is generated by a logarithmic D/A converter. The D/A converter serially converts data words, received in a data frame from an external source, to respective analog control voltages that are applied sequentially to the current sources of each output stage. An output mode register (208) controls the switching matrix of each stage, as well as the indifferent electrode switch, to configure the electrodes for a desired stimulation configuration, e.g., bipolar stimulation (current flow between the pair of electrodes of the output stage), or monopolar stimulation (current flow between one of the electrodes of the output stage and the indifferent electrode). The voltage at the 'A' and 'B' electrode of each output stage may be selectively telemetered to the wearable system, as may the current flow through the indifferent electrode, thereby facilitating a measurement of the electrode impedance. The 'A' and 'B' electrodes of each output stage may be selectively shorted through a high or low resistance in order to discharge the output coupling capacitors.

A glucose monitoring system continuously measures the glucose concentration in a patient's blood, provides an indication of the rate of change of such concentration, and determines whether the measured concentration and rate of change are within certain preset limits. If not, an audible and/or visual alarm signal is generated. The glucose monitoring system includes a glucose sensor adapted to be inserted into the venous system of the patient, where it responds to blood glucose and produces sensor signals related to the glucose concentration. The sensor signals are delivered through a suitable interconnect cable to a glucose monitor. In one embodiment, the interconnect cable includes a contactless connector that electrically isolates the glucose sensor from the monitor, and reduces the number of conductors required to interface with a plurality of sensors. The glucose monitor interprets the sensor signals by applying a previously determined calibration to quantitatively determine the blood glucose value. The blood glucose value thus determined is then processed in order to determine the rate of change, is stored (to create a history or record), and may also be displayed in large, easy-to-read numerals. Rate of change information (trend) may also be numerically or graphically displayed.

Glucose sensor assembly

A physician's tester provides for physician monitoring and control of an implantable human tissue stimulator system, such as an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) system. During normal operation, the tissue stimulator system includes an implantable stimulator and a wearable processor (WP). The physician's tester is designed around a microprocessor, and is basically a modification of the WP. The tester provides control over the selection of voltages and currents to be measured and the presetting of parameters in the implantable stimulator during testing of the implanted stimulator and/or a patient's response to data transmitted by the WP/tester to the implanted stimulator. The physician's testor is portable and utilizes telemetry coupling with the implanted stimulator to provide communication between the tester and stimulator for the monitoring, control and measurement of the stimulator parameters. The tester resides in a portable housing having a control panel and a visual display. The control panel allows the physician to manually set various parameter levels. The visual display provides alpha numeric data for viewing. Various devices, such as additional displays and/or a printer, may be coupled to the tester through a display port and/or an infrared serial output port in order to permit a print out of the displayed data or other information.

Physician's testing system and method for testing implantable cochlear

A tissue stimulating system including an external transmitter for transmitting data to an implanted stimulator including a processor for generating stimulation signals for application to a plurality of tissue stimulating electrodes. The processor selectively monitors the electrodes and/or voltages generated in the stimulator and generates stimulator status indicating signals for transmission to the external transmitter. The external processor receives and processes such status indicating signals.

Multichannel cochlear implant system including wearable speech processor

An external wearable processor (WP) of a cochlear stimulating system transmits a data signal to an implanted cochlear stimulator (ICS). The ICS is controlled through the data signal so that cochlear stimulation is provided by the ICS only after a determination is made that the WP is in proper signal contact therewith, and that the ICS is functioning properly. The ICS extracts a raw power signal from the data signal and generates different operating voltages from the extracted raw power signal. A detector generates a power bad signal whenever one of the operating voltages is less than a reference voltage. The ICS also detects and generates a carrier detect signal when the data signal is being received. Clock signals are generated within the ICS, and a phase locked loop (PLL) lock signal is generated when the clock signals are phase locked to the data signal. ICS circuitry further checks the parity of the incoming data signal and generates a parity alarm signal whenever a parity error is detected. A back telemetry carrier signal is transmitted from the ICS only when a prescribed combination of the carrier detect, PLL lock, power bad, and parity alarm signals exist. The back telemetry carrier signal, when received at the WP, is used as a handshake signal to signal the WP that the ICS is in proper signal communication with the WP, and that operation of the ICS can proceed.

Implantable cochlear stimulator having backtelemetry handshake signal

An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a programmable current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated 'A' and 'B', through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each output stage by way of an indifferent electrode switch (212D). An output mode register (208) controls the switching matrix of each stage, as well as the indifferent electrode switch, to configure the electrodes for: (1) bipolar stimulation (current flow between the pair of electrodes of the output stage), (2) monopolar A stimulation (current flow between the 'A' electrode of the output stage and the indifferent electrode), (3) monopolar B stimulation (current flow between the 'B' electrode of the output stage and the indifferent electrode), or (4) multipolar stimulation (current flow between the 'A' or 'B' electrode of one output stage and the 'A' or 'B' electrode of another output stage). The mode register is set by way of a command word, transmitted to the ICS from an external wearable system (10) as part of a data frame. The voltage at the 'A' and 'B' electrode of each output stage may be selectively telemetered to the wearable system, as may the current flow through the indifferent electrode, thereby facilitating a measurement of the electrode impedance. The 'A' and 'B' electrodes of each output stage may be selectively shorted through a high or low resistance in order to discharge the output coupling capacitors.

Multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator having programmable

A tissue stimulating system includes an external transmitter for transmitting a data signal to an implanted stimulator. The implanted stimulator includes a processor for generating stimulation signals for application to a plurality of tissue stimulating electrodes through respective isolated output channels. The implanted stimulator also includes a power supply that extracts a raw power signal from the data signal. A voltage downconverter generates at least four separate voltages from the extracted raw power signal by alternately connecting at least four capacitors in series across the raw power signal, thereby providing at least four output voltages, and then connecting the capacitors in parallel to transfer the charge stored thereon to a storage capacitor, which serves as the power source for portions of the stimulator. A selected one of the output voltages from the voltage downconverter is applied to an isolated refresh voltage capacitor in each output channel, where it controls a voltage controlled current source. The processor selectively monitors the electrodes and/or voltages generated in the stimulator and generates status indicating/measurement signals for transmission to the external transmitter. The external processor receives and processes the status indicating/measurement signals and uses the information therefrom to control the amount of power transmitted to the stimulator.

Voltage/current control system for a human tissue stimulator

Glucose monitoring system

The electrode array is a device for making multiple electrical contacts with cellular tissue or organs. The electrode array includes a base (1), a two dimensional array of conducting protuberances (2) arising from the base and serving as electrodes, and conductors (3) embedded onto the base and connected to such protuberances for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from the protuberances. The protuberances may also include an insulating layer (15) which covers either the entire protuberance or which leaves the tips exposed for making focused electrical contact. Electrode arrays may be used used singly or in combination with a second electrode array so as to form a sandwich around a target tissue. The sandwich electrode array (16, 17) may employ indexing cones for aligning the opposing electrode arrays and for limiting their vertical proximity. The conductors of the electrode array may be electronically connected or coupled to processing circuitry which amplifies and analyzes the signal received from the tissue and/or which generates signals which are sent to the target tissue and possibly coordinates the generated signals with signals which originate with the tissue.

Electrode array for use in connection with a living body and method of

A very small electrode array is disclosed, having numerous, small, sharp, conductive protuberances (needles) which penetrate nerves, organs, muscle or other body part for sensing the electrical activity therein or to provide electrical stimulation. The protuberances are carried on a base and there is included electrical conductors connecting the protuberances to terminals, such as bonding pads, for connection to other electrical circuits. Thus, a method of connecting to living tissue is disclosed. Also, a method of manufacture of an electrode array and associated circuitry is disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

David I Whitmoyer