METHOD FOR INDUCING HEARING

• US 3,751,605 A
• Filed: 02/04/1972
• Issued: 08/07/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Robin P. Michelson
• Inventors: Michelson, Robin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'Amico, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US05/223,416
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 179/17R,17BC,17E 128/1R 3/1 181/23
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for inducing the sensation of intelligible hearing by direct electrical excitation of the auditory nerve endings distributed along the basilar membrane within the cochlea. An electrode is positioned within the lower scala of the cochlea by insertion through the round window. The electrode consists of a resilient base member shaped to conform to the inner surface of the lower scala, such base member extending along the basilar membrane. The base member retains a pair of conductors which extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane. An electrical excitation signal corresponding to an externally generated audio signal is conducted to the conductors of the electrode thereby generating a uniform, alternating electrical field along the basilar membrane which replaces the naturally generated auditory electrical field.

Claims

1. A method for inducing the sensation of hearing on human subjects comprising:

generating an alternating electrical field along the basilar membrane within the cochlea, said electrical field being an analog of an audio signal to be heard.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating an alternating electrical field along the basilar membrane comprises:

positioning an electrode within the cochlea, said electrode including a base member and a pair of conductors retained by said base member; and

conducting an electrical excitation signal which is an analog of said audio signal to said conductors.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a potential of not less than about .05 volts is impressed across said conductors.

4. A method for inducing the sensation of hearing in human subjects comprising:

generating a uniform, alternating electrical field along a substantial portion of the basilar membrane within the cochlea, said electrical field being an analog of to an audio signal to be heard.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of generating a uniform, alternating electrical field along the basilar membrane comprises:

positioning an electrode within the lower scala of the cochlea, said electrode including a base member and a pair of elongated conductors retained by said base member, said conductors adapted to extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane; and

conducting an electrical excitation signal corresponding to said audio signal to said conductors.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a potential of not less than about 0.05 volts is impressed across said conductors.

7. A method for inducing the sensation of hearing in human subjects comprising:

positioning an electrode within the lower scala of the cochlea, said electrode including a resilient base member and a pair of conductors retained by said base member; and

conducting an electrical excitation signal which is an analog of an externally generated audio signal to said conductors.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein each of said conductors comprises an elongated member adapted to extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane, said conductors being positioned side-by-side in said base member, immediately adjaceNt said basilar membrane.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein a potential of not less than 0.05 volts is impressed across said conductors.