Cochlear Stimulation Device
First Claim
1. A cochlear stimulation apparatus comprising:
- an implantable device including a receiving coil, an array of electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, and circuitry for receiving signals through the receiving coil and generating stimulation pulses that are directed to selected electrodes of the array; and
an external device in the form of a single, integral unit, the external device including circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, the external device including a transfer coil for transferring the signals to the receiving coil and a ferromagnetic core for providing a low reluctance path between the transfer coil and the receiving coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cochlear stimulation apparatus includes an implantable device and an external device. The implantable device includes a receiving coil, an array of electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, and circuitry for receiving signals through the receiving coil and generating stimulation pulses that are directed to selected electrodes of the array. The external device is in the form of a single, integral unit. The external device includes circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, a transfer coil for transferring the signals to the receiving coil and a ferromagnetic core for providing a low reluctance path between the transfer coil and the receiving coil.
54 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A cochlear stimulation apparatus comprising:
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an implantable device including a receiving coil, an array of electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, and circuitry for receiving signals through the receiving coil and generating stimulation pulses that are directed to selected electrodes of the array; and
an external device in the form of a single, integral unit, the external device including circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, the external device including a transfer coil for transferring the signals to the receiving coil and a ferromagnetic core for providing a low reluctance path between the transfer coil and the receiving coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cochlear stimulation apparatus comprising:
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an implanted portion; and
an external portion that includes a microphone for sensing sound, a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit for enclosing electrical circuitry and a power source, the BTE unit being symmetrical in shape such that the BTE unit can be used for either the left or right ear, sound processing circuitry within the BTE unit for processing signals generated by the microphone in response to sound sensed through the microphone or otherwise applied to the sound processing circuitry as an input signal, signal processing circuitry within the BTE unit for processing the input signal and generating stimulation, control and power signals for transferring to the implanted portion, and an external coil within the BTE unit for coupling the stimulation, control and power signals to the implanted portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A cochlear stimulation apparatus comprising:
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an implantable device including electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, circuitry for processing signals to generate stimulation pulses that are directed to the electrodes, and a receiving coil; and
an external device including circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, the external device including a transfer coil for communicating the signals from the external device to the implantable device, the transfer coil being inductively coupled to the receiving coil;
wherein the receiving coil is sufficiently larger than the transfer coil to provide a flattened coupling coefficient response in response to an increase in distance between the coils. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification