INTEGRATED COCHLEAR IMPLANT HEADPIECE

• US 20100046778A1
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Woods, Carla Mann, Crawford, Scott A., Lynch, Douglas P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,811,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/604 of acoustic or vibrational transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659

Abstract

An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions.

Claims

1. An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system, comprising:

a microphone for outputting an audio signal;

signal processing electronics for processing said audio signal; and

a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from said electronics to an implanted receiver, said implanted receiver sending said processed audio signal to an implanted processor, said implanted processor selectively energizing an electrode array having multiple stimulating electrodes;

wherein all of said microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common rigid housing of said integrated headpiece, said integrated headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted external component which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system.

2. The headpiece of claim 1, further comprising a magnet for attracting said headpiece to a magnet of said implanted receiver.

3. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece further comprises a power source, said power source supplying electrical power to said microphone, signal processing electronics and transmitter.

4. The headpiece of claim 3, wherein said power source comprises at least one of:

a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, and a zinc-air battery;

said power source being configured to be inductively recharged.

5. The headpiece of claim 3, wherein said power source is inductively recharged by using said transmitter to receive electrical power from an outside source.

6. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said headpiece is further configured to receive an assistive listening device cap, said assistive listening device cap being magnetically attached to said headpiece and providing additional functionality to said headpiece.

7. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said transmitter extends beyond a main portion of said integrated headpiece, thereby creating an aperture between said at least a portion of said transmitter and said main portion of said integrated headpiece.

8. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece is waterproof.

9. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece has no external electrical contacts.

10. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece further comprises at least one visual indicator.

11. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece further comprises at least one external switch.

12. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece further comprises a receiver.

13. The headpiece of claim 12, wherein said receiver is one of:

a Bluetooth receiver, a radio frequency receiver, a WiFi receiver, and an IEEE 802.11 receiver.

14. The headpiece of claim 12, wherein said receiver is configured to receive signals from an external device;

wherein said external device is at least one of;

a wireless microphone, a remote control device, a cell phone, a computer, a music player, and a personal digital assistant.

15. The headpiece of claim 12, wherein said receiver is configured to receive signals from a remote control device;

said remote control device communicating with said receiver to alter operational parameters of said cochlear implant system.

16. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said microphone of said integrated headpiece further comprises a directional microphone.

17. A system of integrated headpieces for a cochlear implant system, comprising:

a plurality of integrated headpieces in a set, wherein each headpiece in said set comprises;

a microphone for outputting an audio signal, signal processing electronics for processing said audio signal, and

a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from said electronics to an implanted receiver,

wherein all of said microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of said integrated headpiece.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each headpiece in said set further comprising a magnet for attracting said headpiece to a magnet of said implanted receiver.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein one of said integrated headpieces in said set comprises a receiver for receiving an electronic signal from an external device.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein one of said integrated headpieces in said set comprises a directional microphone.