Cochlear Limited

Koen Van Herck

Werner Meskens

Koen Van Den Heuvel

Frédéric Goddeeris

Tony M Nygard

Helmut Christian Eder

Luk Macken

Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to techniques for the transfer of isochronous stimulation data over a standardized isochronous audio or data link between components of an implantable medical device system. More specifically, as described further below, a first component is configured to generate dynamic stimulation data based on one or more received sound signals. The first component is configured to obtain static configuration data and to encode the dynamic stimulation data and the static configuration data into a series of isochronous wireless packets. The first component is configured to transmit the series of wireless packets over an isochronous wireless channel to a second component of the implantable medical device system.

Wireless communication in an implantable medical device system

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for configuring a stimulation unit of a hearing device by determining whether the stimulation unit can process received stimulation data. In an example method, the stimulation unit receives one or more data signals, which comprise at least one stimulation signal that includes stimulation data, and processes one of the data signals to determine whether it can process the stimulation data in order to generate one or more stimuli. If the stimulation unit can process the stimulation data, the method includes operating the stimulation unit in a normal mode, in which case the stimulation unit processes the stimulation data to generate the one or more stimuli. On the other hand, if the stimulation unit cannot process the stimulation data, the method includes operating the stimulation in a safe mode, in which case the stimulation unit does not process the stimulation data.

Configuring a stimulation unit of a hearing device

The present application discloses systems and methods for transmitting configuration between a command module and a stimulation module of a hearing prosthesis. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods, a hearing prosthesis determines that a block of configuration data is queued for transmission. In response to this determination, the hearing prosthesis divides the amount of queued configuration data into a plurality of configuration data fragments and transmits the data fragments separately. In some embodiments, the command module appends each configuration data fragment to a different packet of stimulation commands and transmits to the stimulation module appended stimulation packets.

Flexible protocol for an implanted prosthesis

The present application discloses systems and methods for engaging in a peer approach to script execution. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods, a hearing prosthesis receives two scripts. Each script defines a different set of instructions to be carried out by the hearing prosthesis. In one embodiment, the command module receives one script and the stimulation module receives the other script. In such an embodiment, each module executes the script at substantially the same time. Furthermore, when one module encounters portions of the script that are somewhat time sensitive (e.g., a portion of a script that dictates to receive a transmission from the other module), the module will pause execution of the script and wait for execution of the other script to catch up.

Simultaneous-script execution

A low-power, high-dynamic range, analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuit for converting an analog signal to a digital signal having a controllable amplifier for amplifying the analog log signal received at an input of the amplifier in response to a first control signal and for generating an amplified analog signal, a low dynamic range A/D converter for converting the amplified analog signal to an intermediary digital signal, a controllable bit shift register for scaling the intermediary digital signal in response to a second control signal to generate the digital signal, and a gain control component (AGC) for generating the first control signal to cause the amplified analog signal to be within the dynamic range of the A/D converter and for generating the second control signal to cause the scaling to compensate for the amplification by the amplifier.

Growing community of inventors

Kontich, Belgium

Koen Van Herck