Nerve-stimulating device for auditory prosthesis
First Claim
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1. A single channel-stimulating device for an auditory prosthesis comprising:
- a single-channel electrode means for electrically stimulating an auditory nerve,transducer means for receiving a sound signal and providing a corresponding electrical input signal,patient externally worn electronic processor means connected to said transducer means for processing said electrical input signal, said processor means includingfirst processing means including a low-pass filter for filtering said input electrical signal and producing a first output electrical signal having a frequency representative of the pitch of a voiced sound signal received by said transducer means,second processing means connected in parallel with said first processing means and including rectifying and filtering means for rectifying and filtering said electrical input signal and generating a second output signal having a level representative of the total energy of the sound signal received by said transducer means, andthird processing means connected to said first and second processing means and including modulating and/or encoding means for generating an electrical control signal as a function of said first and second output electrical signals,a patient implantable electrical exciting circuit connected to said single-channel electrode means and driven by said electrical control signal for applying to said electrode means an electrical stimulation pulse signal which represents both the total energy and the pitch of a voiced sound signal received by said transducer means, andtransmitting means for transmitting said electrical control signal from said processor means to said exciting circuit.
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Abstract
A single-channel nerve stimulating device for auditory prosthesis for improving the conversational capacity of a profoundly deaf person is described. The single-channel device of simple construction provides detailed information to the patient'"'"'s nervous system. The device comprises a microphone designed to pick up a sound signal and electronic processor which converts the sound signal into an electrical signal.
13 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A single channel-stimulating device for an auditory prosthesis comprising:
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a single-channel electrode means for electrically stimulating an auditory nerve, transducer means for receiving a sound signal and providing a corresponding electrical input signal, patient externally worn electronic processor means connected to said transducer means for processing said electrical input signal, said processor means including first processing means including a low-pass filter for filtering said input electrical signal and producing a first output electrical signal having a frequency representative of the pitch of a voiced sound signal received by said transducer means, second processing means connected in parallel with said first processing means and including rectifying and filtering means for rectifying and filtering said electrical input signal and generating a second output signal having a level representative of the total energy of the sound signal received by said transducer means, and third processing means connected to said first and second processing means and including modulating and/or encoding means for generating an electrical control signal as a function of said first and second output electrical signals, a patient implantable electrical exciting circuit connected to said single-channel electrode means and driven by said electrical control signal for applying to said electrode means an electrical stimulation pulse signal which represents both the total energy and the pitch of a voiced sound signal received by said transducer means, and transmitting means for transmitting said electrical control signal from said processor means to said exciting circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification