System of stimulating at least one nerve and/or muscle fibre
First Claim
1. A neural stimulating system for stimulating a selected nerve or muscle fiber, comprising:
- transmitting means adapted to be positioned outside the body of a subject for receiving sound waves and for generating a first and second signal representative of said sound waves, wherein said first and second signals are electromagnetic waves;
receiving means adapted to be implanted in the body of said subject for receiving said first and second signals and, in response thereto, for generating an electric signal for stimulating said selected nerve or muscle fiber;
inductor means for monitoring said second signal produced by said transmitting means and for converting said first signal into an electric signal for powering said receiving means, wherein said inductor means has an induction frequency in the range of 100-500 KiloHertz; and
stimulating means, responsive to said receiving means, for stimulating said selected nerve or muscle fiber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is described for stimulating a nerve or a muscle fibre of a living body including a hearing nerve in the cochlea. The system includes an implant and an electrode for stimulating the nerve or the fibre, which electrode is connected to the implant. To supply electrical power to the implant, a small transformer is used, of which one coil is implanted into the body and the other is outside the body but in the vicinity of the implanted coil. Where the system is used to enhance hearing, the implanted coil is selectively positioned around the auditory duct and the outer coil is inserted into the duct, so that both coils are substantially coaxial. For supplying information to the implant, infrared transmission through the skin is used, wherein the transmitter is provided adjacent to the skin and the receiver on the outside of the body.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A neural stimulating system for stimulating a selected nerve or muscle fiber, comprising:
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transmitting means adapted to be positioned outside the body of a subject for receiving sound waves and for generating a first and second signal representative of said sound waves, wherein said first and second signals are electromagnetic waves; receiving means adapted to be implanted in the body of said subject for receiving said first and second signals and, in response thereto, for generating an electric signal for stimulating said selected nerve or muscle fiber; inductor means for monitoring said second signal produced by said transmitting means and for converting said first signal into an electric signal for powering said receiving means, wherein said inductor means has an induction frequency in the range of 100-500 KiloHertz; and stimulating means, responsive to said receiving means, for stimulating said selected nerve or muscle fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification