Power efficient electrical stimulation

• US 20030163172A1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Original Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Inventors: Parker, John, Patrick, James F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for neural stimulation with improved power consumption and/or effectiveness. The stimulus generator is arranged, for example via a look up table, to recognise proposed stimuli which will be masked by earlier or simultaneous stimuli. Such masked stimuli are either deleted, or replaced by another stimulus.

Claims

1. A method of neural stimulation, of the type in which successive stimuli are presented on an electrode array having one or more electrodes, said stimuli being generated by a stimulus generation device, the method including the steps of:

determining a stimulus set for one or more periods;

analysing each proposed stimulus set using a predetermined instruction set which is adapted to locate factors indicative of a likely masking effect;

if masking effects are detected, altering said stimulus set for one or more of said periods; and

presenting the stimuli via said electrode array to a neural structure.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to stimuli in previous periods.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to the selected electrodes defined by said stimulus set.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein if said predetermined instruction set determines that a stimulus will be masked, said stimulus is deleted from the stimulation set.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein if said predetermined instruction set determines that a stimulus will be masked, said stimulus is deleted from the stimulation set, and an alternative stimulus is added to said stimulation set.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said neural stimulation is cochlear stimulation, and said stimulus generator includes an impanted component.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to a look up table of stimuli which are likely to be masked.

8. A neural stimulator device, including a stimulus generation device for generating stimulus sets, said stimulus sets being intended for delivery at an electrode array for operatively presenting stimuli to neural structures, each said stimulus set relating to one or more stimulation periods, wherein said device further includes processing means implementing a predetermined instruction set, said processing means analysing each stimulus set using said predetermined instruction set in order to locate factors indicative of a likely masking effect, and if it is determined that a masking effect is likely, altering said stimulus set.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to stimuli in previous periods.

10. A device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to the selected electrodes defined by said stimulus set.

11. A device according to claim 8, wherein if said predetermined instruction set determines that a stimulus will be masked, said stimulus is deleted from the stimulation set.

12. A device according to claim 8, wherein if said predetermined instruction set determines that a stimulus will be masked, said stimulus is deleted from the stimulation set, and an alternative stimulus is added to said stimulation set.

13. A device according to claim 8, wherein said neural stimulation is cochlear stimulation, and said stimulus generator includes an impanted component.

14. A device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined instruction set is responsive to a look up table of stimuli which are likely to be masked.