Implant Sensor and Control

• US 20140094874A1
• Filed: 12/04/2013
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Zimmerling, Martin, Hochmair, Ingeborg, Hochmair, Erwin, Kerber, Martin J., Lindenthaler, Werner, Nopp, Peter, Zierhofer, Clemens M., Schmidt, Marcus, Schsser, Hansjrg
• Application Number:
  US14/096,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094874A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/67 Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/305 Self-monitoring or self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window

Abstract

An implant includes a humidity sensor for generating a signal indicative of humidity within the implant. A controller within the implant receives the signal indicative of humidity, and controls the implant based on the signal indicative of humidity.

Claims

1. An implant comprising:

a self-test module for generating a signal indicative of a condition within the implant;

a controller within the implant for receiving and controlling the implant based on the signal; and

a battery, wherein the controller discharges the battery based on the signal.

2. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the signal is indicative of at least one of humidity, temperature, and a concentration of one or more gases.

3. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a cochlear implant, and wherein the implant includes a stimulator for stimulating an array of electrodes.

4. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the controller inhibits output of the stimulator based on the signal.

5. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the stimulator to stimulate the electrodes so as to produce a perceived alert based on the signal.

6. The implant according to claim 5, wherein the alert is produced for a predetermined duration upon turning on of the implant.

7. The implant according to claim 5, wherein the controller provides an externally audible alert.

8. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the controller turns power off based on the signal.