Method of readout of implanted hearing aid device and apparatus therefor

• US 5,024,224 A
• Filed: 09/01/1988
• Issued: 06/18/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otologics, LLC (Cochlear Limited)
• Original Assignee: Storz Instrument Company (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Engebretson, A. Maynard
• Primary Examiner(s): Shay, David
• Application Number:
  US07/239,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 PT, 128/420.6, 128/748, 128/903, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

The implanted device includes a rectifier circuit which is switched between modes of half wave and full wave rectification in response to the signal to be conveyed. The external device is inductively coupled to the implanted device through a pair of coils, one coil being embedded beneath the skin, forming the primary and secondary windings of a transformer. The external device delivers energy to the implanted device in amounts which vary in accordance with the rectification mode of the implanted device. By monitoring the energy delivered, the external device determines the rectification modes as they are switched and thereby ascertains the signal being conveyed from the implanted device.

Claims

1. A method of conveying signals from a hearing aid with an implanted device having an impedance to a device located external to the body of the implant wearer and inductively coupled to said implanted device, the improvement comprising:

modulating the impedance of said implanted device in accordance with a first signal to be conveyed;

using said externally located device to deliver energy to said implanted device in amounts which vary in accordance with the modulated impedance of said implanted device;

using said externally located device to ascertain the amounts of energy delivered to said implanted device, said amounts of energy being indicative of the modulated impedance of said implanted device;

from said ascertained amounts of energy delivered using said externally located device to ascertain said first signal, whereby said first signal is conveyed from said implanted device to said externally located device;

wherein said first device includes a rectification means switchable between modes of half wave and full wave rectification and wherein said modulating step is performed by using said first signal to cause said rectification means to switch between said modes.

2. A method of conveying a binary signal from a first device implanted beneath the surface of the skin to a second device located external to the skin, comprising:

inductively coupling said first and second devices;

said first device having a rectification means switchable between modes of half wave and full wave rectification;

selectively switching said rectification means between said modes in accordance with said binary signal;

using said second device to deliver energy to said rectification means in pulses of frequency determined by the mode of said rectification means;

using said second device to monitor the frequency of pulses of energy delivered to said rectification means;

from said monitored frequency ascertaining said binary signal, whereby said binary signal is conveyed from said first device to said second device.

3. A method of conveying a signal from a first device having an impedance implanted beneath the surface of the skin to a second device located external to the skin, comprising:

inductively coupling said first and second devices;

modulating the impedance of said first device in accordance with a first signal to be conveyed;

using said second device to deliver energy to said first device in amounts varying in accordance with the modulated impedance of said first device;

using said second device to ascertain the amounts of energy delivered to said first device, said amounts of energy delivered being indicative of the modulated impedance of said first device;

from said ascertained amounts of energy delivered using said second device to ascertain said first signal, whereby said first signal is conveyed from said first device to said second device;

wherein said first device includes a rectification means switchable between modes of half wave and full wave rectification and wherein said modulating step is performed by using said first signal to cause said rectification means to switch between said modes.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of inductively coupling includes inductively coupling said first and second devices as primary and secondary sides of a transformer.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of modulating includes modulating said impedance of said first device using a binary signal.

6. The method of claim 3 comprising the further step of using said energy delivered to said first device to provide operating power to said first device.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said first device includes an energy storage means and comprising the further step of using said energy delivered to said first device to charge said energy storage means.

8. A method of conveying signals from a hearing aid having an implanted device having an impedance to a device located external to the body of the wearer, the implanted device and the externally located device having means whereby they may be inductively coupled, the improvement comprising:

placing said externally located device in a position to establish inductive coupling with said implanted device;

modulating the impedance of said implanted device in accordance with a first signal to be conveyed;

using said externally located device to deliver energy to said implanted device in amounts which vary in accordance with the modulated impedance of said implanted device;

using said externally located device to ascertain the amounts of energy delivered to said implanted device, said amounts of energy being indicative of the modulated impedance of said implanted device;

from said ascertained amounts of energy delivered using said externally located device to ascertain said first signal, whereby said first signal is conveyed from said implanted device to said externally located device;

wherein said first device includes a rectification means switchable between modes of half wave and full wave rectification and wherein said modulating step is performed by using said first signal to cause said rectification means to switch between said modes.