Feedback system to control electrode voltages in a cochlear stimulator and the like
First Claim
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1. An implantable device comprising:
- pulse generating means for generating a sequence of stimulation pulses separated by idle periods, wherein said pulses have pulse periods;
a first and second electrode for receiving said stimulating pulses, with a corresponding first and second residual voltage being generated respectively intrinsically on said electrodes during said idle periods;
means for measuring a differential residual voltage corresponding to a difference between said first and second residual voltages;
means coupled to said pulse generating means, said electrodes and said means for measuring for controlling said pulses to change said differential residual voltage to a preselected value, wherein said control means adjusts said pulse periods; and
a predetermined reference, wherein said measuring means measures said first and second residual voltages from each of said electrode to said predetermined reference to obtain corresponding measured voltages and wherein said control means terminates said pulse periods when said measured voltages have a preselected value.
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Abstract
An implanted device such as cochlear implant having electrodes is provided with a pulse generator for generating stimulating pulses. The pulses are adjusted to insure that during the idle periods between the pulses, the voltage on the electrodes is at zero or at a preselected level. In one embodiment, the pulse durations or amplitudes adjusted, In another embodiment the voltage on the electrodes is measured before and during each pulse to determine IR drops from the electrodes to a reference point, and to compensate for the same.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An implantable device comprising:
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pulse generating means for generating a sequence of stimulation pulses separated by idle periods, wherein said pulses have pulse periods; a first and second electrode for receiving said stimulating pulses, with a corresponding first and second residual voltage being generated respectively intrinsically on said electrodes during said idle periods; means for measuring a differential residual voltage corresponding to a difference between said first and second residual voltages; means coupled to said pulse generating means, said electrodes and said means for measuring for controlling said pulses to change said differential residual voltage to a preselected value, wherein said control means adjusts said pulse periods; and a predetermined reference, wherein said measuring means measures said first and second residual voltages from each of said electrode to said predetermined reference to obtain corresponding measured voltages and wherein said control means terminates said pulse periods when said measured voltages have a preselected value. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An implantable cochlear device for applying therapeutic stimulation to a patient'"'"'s cochlea with cochlear tissues, said device comprising:
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a housing, including a pulse generator for generating pulses having pulse periods and being separated by idle periods; a plurality of electrodes for receiving said pulses, each said electrode having a distal end arranged and constructed for insertion within said cochlea; a reference point having a constant voltage with respect to said cochlear tissues; a measuring device for measuring a corresponding residual voltage between said distal ends of said electrodes and said reference point, to obtain corresponding measured voltages, said residual voltages being generated intrinsically by electrochemical action between said distal ends and said cochlear tissues during said idle periods between said respective distal ends and said patient'"'"'s cochlea; a difference circuit for generating a differential residual voltage between said measured voltages; and a control device for selectively applying said pulses to said electrodes, said control device receiving said differential residual voltage and controlling said pulses to set said differential residual voltages to a preselected level. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification