Multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator
First Claim
1. A implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) system, said ICS comprising:
- receiver means for receiving a data signal from the WP, the data signal comprising a series of data frames containing an end of frame signal, each data frame comprising a plurality of data words, each data word defining an amplitude for an output stimulation current for a different output channel of the ICS, and a command word for controlling a processor means in the ICS;
power supply means coupled to said receiver means for extracting a raw power signal from the data signal that powers the ICS;
a multiplicity of output stages, one for each of a multiplicity of output channels provided by said ICS, with each output stage having at least one stimulating electrode connected thereto;
processor means for serially processing the plurality of data words and command word in each data frame received by the receiver means and includingdata word latching means for successively storing the data words,logarithmic D/A converter means for converting the data word stored by the data word latching means to an analog signal voltage representative of the amplitude for the output stimulation current defined by the data word stored by the data word latching means,switch means for coupling the analog signal voltage produced by the logarithmic D/A converter means to successive ones of the multiplicity of output stages; and
whereineach of the multiplicity of output stages comprises;
refresh voltage controller means for generating an isolated refresh voltage for the output channel,a voltage controlled current source powered by the isolated refresh voltage controller means for amplitude controlling, in accordance with the analog signal voltage coupled from the switch means, an output stimulation current, andmeans for coupling the output stimulation current to the at least one stimulating electrode of the output stage.
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Abstract
An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated "A" and "B", through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each output stage by way of an indifferent electrode switch (212D). The current source generates a precise stimulation current as a function of an analog control voltage. The analog control voltage, in turn, is generated by a logarithmic D/A converter. The D/A converter serially converts data words, received in a data frame from an external source, to respective analog control voltages that are applied sequentially to the current sources of each output stage. An output mode register (208) controls the switching matrix of each stage, as well as the indifferent electrode switch, to configure the electrodes for a desired stimulation configuration, e.g., bipolar stimulation (current flow between the pair of electrodes of the output stage), or monopolar stimulation (current flow between one of the electrodes of the output stage and the indifferent electrode). The voltage at the "A" and "B" electrode of each output stage may be selectively telemetered to the wearable system, as may the current flow through the indifferent electrode, thereby facilitating a measurement of the electrode impedance. The "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage may be selectively shorted through a high or low resistance in order to discharge the output coupling capacitors.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) system, said ICS comprising:
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receiver means for receiving a data signal from the WP, the data signal comprising a series of data frames containing an end of frame signal, each data frame comprising a plurality of data words, each data word defining an amplitude for an output stimulation current for a different output channel of the ICS, and a command word for controlling a processor means in the ICS; power supply means coupled to said receiver means for extracting a raw power signal from the data signal that powers the ICS; a multiplicity of output stages, one for each of a multiplicity of output channels provided by said ICS, with each output stage having at least one stimulating electrode connected thereto; processor means for serially processing the plurality of data words and command word in each data frame received by the receiver means and including data word latching means for successively storing the data words, logarithmic D/A converter means for converting the data word stored by the data word latching means to an analog signal voltage representative of the amplitude for the output stimulation current defined by the data word stored by the data word latching means, switch means for coupling the analog signal voltage produced by the logarithmic D/A converter means to successive ones of the multiplicity of output stages; and
whereineach of the multiplicity of output stages comprises; refresh voltage controller means for generating an isolated refresh voltage for the output channel, a voltage controlled current source powered by the isolated refresh voltage controller means for amplitude controlling, in accordance with the analog signal voltage coupled from the switch means, an output stimulation current, and means for coupling the output stimulation current to the at least one stimulating electrode of the output stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator ICS) comprising:
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(a) receiver means for receiving a data signal from an external transmitter, the data signal comprising a series of data frames separated by a parity bit signal and an end of frame signal, each data frame comprising a plurality of data words, each data word defining an amplitude for a tissue stimulating signal for a different output channel of the tissue stimulator, and a command word for controlling a processor means in the tissue stimulator; (b) power supply means coupled to said receiver means for extracting a raw power signal from the data signal, said raw power signal being used to provide operating power for the human tissue stimulator; (c) a plurality of output channels, each having an electrode connected thereto; (d) processor means for serially processing the plurality of data words and command word in each data frame received by the receiver means and including a command detector responsive to the command words for controlling the functions of the processor, data word latching means for successively storing the data words, logarithmic D/A converter means for converting the data word stored by the data word latching means to an analog control voltage, and switch means for successively coupling the analog control voltage to successive ones of the output channels; and (e) current source means within each of said output channels for generating a stimulation current having a magnitude controlled by said analog control voltage received through said switch means, and applying said stimulation current to the electrode of said output channel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) comprising:
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a multiplicity of output stages, one for each of a multiplicity of output channels provided by said ICS, with each output stage having an "A" and a "B" stimulating electrode connected thereto through an output coupling capacitor; shorting means for selectively shorting the "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage through a resistor in order to discharge the output coupling capacitor, said shorting means shorting the "A" and "B" electrodes through a selected one of either a high resistance of at least 150K ohms or a low resistance in order to control the discharge time of the output coupling capacitor; an indifferent electrode; indifferent electrode switch means for connecting the indifferent electrode to each output stage; processor means for controlling the functions of the ICS, including setting an electrode configuration in each output stage of the ICS; current source means for generating a precise stimulation current pulse that is applied between a first electrode and a second electrode of said ICS, said first and second electrodes belonging to a group of electrodes that comprises the "A" and "B" electrodes of each of said multiplicity of output stages and said indifferent electrode; electronic switching matrix means included within each of said multiplicity of output stages, and responsive to control signals generated by the processor means, for configuring the "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage and the indifferent electrode in a prescribed electrode configuration; and receiver means for receiving a data signal from the WP, the data signal defining a first specified electrode and a second specified electrode of said ICS, and the data signal further defining the magnitude of the precise stimulation current pulse. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A multichannel implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) comprising:
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a multiplicity of output stages, one for each of a multiplicity of output channels provided by said ICS, with each output stage having an "A" and a "B" stimulating electrode connected thereto; an indifferent electrode; indifferent electrode switch means for connecting the indifferent electrode to each output stage, and including means for inserting a first resistor in series with the indifferent electrode; processor means for controlling the functions of the ICS, including setting an electrode configuration in each output stage of the ICS; current source means for generating a precise stimulation current pulse that is applied between a first electrode and a second electrode of said ICS, said first and second electrodes belonging to a group of electrodes that comprises the "A" and "B" electrodes of each of said multiplicity of output stages and said indifferent electrode; electronic switching matrix means included within each of said multiplicity of output stages, and responsive to control signals generated by the processor means, for configuring the "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage and the indifferent electrode in a prescribed electrode configuration; and telemetry means for transmitting a backtelemetry signal to the WP, said telemetry means comprising carrier means for generating a telemetry carrier signal, means for generating a multiplexer control signal, means for generating a plurality of ICS status signals, multiplexer means for selecting one of the plurality of ICS status signals as a function of the multiplexer control signal, and modulator means for modulating the telemetry carrier signal with the ICS status signal selected by the telemetry multiplexer means, and wherein said ICS status signals include output voltages at the "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage, and a first voltage developed across said first resistor, which first voltage thereby provides an indication of the stimulating current flowing through the indifferent electrode, whereby selected ICS status information is telemetered back to the WP via the backtelemetry signal.
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29. A multichannel implantable human tissue stimulator comprising:
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(a) receiver means for receiving a data signal from an external transmitter, the data signal comprising a series of data frames, each data frame including a plurality of data words wherein each data word defines an amplitude for a tissue stimulating signal for a different output channel of the tissue stimulator; (b) power supply means coupled to said receiver means for extracting a raw power signal from the data signal, said raw power signal being used to provide operating power for the human tissue stimulator; (c) a plurality of output channels, each having an electrode connected thereto, and each having a refresh voltage controller means therein for generating an isolated refresh voltage; (d) processor means for processing the plurality of data words in each data frame received by the receiver means and including data word latching means for storing the data words, converter means for converting the data word stored by the data word latching means to an analog control voltage, and switch means for coupling the analog control voltage to a selected one of the output channels; and (e) current source means within each of said output channels for generating a stimulation current from said isolated refresh voltage having a magnitude controlled by said analog control voltage received through said switch means, and applying said stimulation current to the electrode of said output channel.
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Specification