Systems for selecting one or more stimulation channels

• US 20060271125A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Voelkel, Andrew W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,697,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation

Abstract

Implantable neural stimulation systems include an array of electrodes configured to apply one or more stimulation signals to a patient via one or more channels out of a multiplicity of channels during a stimulation frame and a signal processor configured to select the one or more channels for stimulation. The selection of the one or more channels is based on a probability associated with each channel within the multiplicity of channels.

Claims

1. An implantable neural stimulation system, comprising:

an array of electrodes configured to apply one or more stimulation signals to a patient via one or more channels out of a multiplicity of channels during a stimulation frame; and

a signal processor configured to select said one or more channels for stimulation;

wherein said selection of said one or more channels is based on a probability associated with each channel within said multiplicity of channels.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further configured to:

determine an amplitude corresponding to said each channel within said multiplicity of channels;

use said amplitudes to determine said probability associated with said each channel within said multiplicity of channels; and

use said probabilities associated with said each channel to randomly select said one or more channels for stimulation.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a total number of said one or more channels selected for stimulation is less than a total number of channels within said multiplicity of channels.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further configured to:

choose a channel from said multiplicity of channels;

obtain a random number;

compare said random number to a probability corresponding to said channel; and

select said channel for stimulation if said probability corresponding to said channel is greater than said random number.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said signal processor is further configured to choose a channel which has not previously been chosen during said stimulation frame.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further configured to adjust said probability associated with said each channel within said multiplicity of channels based on one or more center frequencies of said each channel within said multiplicity of channels.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further configured to:

obtain a threshold corresponding to said stimulation frame;

use said threshold to determine an adjusted amplitude corresponding to one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels;

use said adjusted amplitudes to determine said probability corresponding to each of said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels;

provide a random number for each of said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels; and

select a number of channels within said one or more channels for stimulation during said stimulation frame;

wherein each of said selected number of channels has a probability that is greater than said random number.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said selected number of channels is equal to a predetermined number of channels.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein if said selected number of channels is greater than a predetermined number, said signal processor is further configured to increase said threshold for a subsequent stimulation frame.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein if said selected number of channels is less than a predetermined number, said signal processor is further configured to decrease said threshold for a subsequent stimulation frame.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein if said selected number of channels is greater than a predetermined number, said signal processor is further configured to de-select one or more of said selected channels until said total number of said selected channels is equal to said predetermined number.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said signal processor is further configured to base said de-selection of said one or more of said selected channels on a frequency of said selected channels.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein if said selected number of channels is less than a predetermined number, said signal processor is further configured to select one or more additional channels having probabilities that are less than said random number until said selected number of channels is equal to said predetermined number.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said signal processor is further configured to base said selection of said one or more additional channels on a frequency of said channels having probabilities that are less than said random number.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein said signal processor is further configured to:

sum said probabilities of said selected number of channels; and

compare said summed probability to a predefined number;

wherein said threshold is increased if said summed probability is greater than said predefined number and wherein said threshold is decreased if said summed probability is less than said predefined number.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of channels comprises a total number of channels of said implantable neural stimulation system.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable neural stimulation system comprises an implantable cochlear stimulation system.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable neural stimulation system comprises at least one or more of a spinal cord stimulation system and a deep brain stimulation system.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor resides in a device that is external to said patient.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processor resides in a device that is implanted within said patient.