Fully implantable cochlear implant system

• US 6,272,382 B1
• Filed: 09/28/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Mann, Alfred E., Faltys, Michael A., Kuzma, Janusz A., Lenarz, Thomas H. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/407,826
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 607/55, 607/56, 607/57, 607/137, 600/25
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36039 fitting procedures
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The present invention provides a fully implantable cochlear implant system (FICIS) that allows various configurations of different modules to be combined so as to meet the needs of a particular patient, including very young patients. At least three main modules are used in the FICIS, including (1) a small implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) module, with permanently attached cochlear electrode array; (2) an implantable speech processor (ISP) module, with integrated microphone and rechargeable battery; and (3) an external module. In one embodiment, the external module may comprise an external speech processor (ESP) module. In another embodiment, the external module may comprise an external battery charger (EBC) module. The ICS and ISP modules are configured to facilitate long time reliable use of the ICS module, e.g., for the lifetime of the patient, and low-risk, relatively easy replacement of the ISP module.

Claims

1. A fully implantable cochlear implant system (FICIS) comprising:

an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) module having an electrode array attached thereto, the electrode array having a multiplicity of spaced-apart electrode contacts at or near a distal end thereof, each electrode contact having a respective electrical conductor attached thereto, all of the electrical conductors being electrically connected with stimulation circuitry housed within the ICS module;

an implantable speech processor (ISP) module having speech processing (SP) electronic circuitry, a battery, and a microphone all hermetically sealed therein, the ISP module further having an electrical connector that electrically connects first and second conductors through respective first and second feedthru terminals to the SP electronic circuitry; and

electrical coupling means for electrically coupling the ICS module with the ISP module through the connector on the ISP module;

wherein the battery within the ISP module provides operating power for both the ISP module and the ICS module, and further

wherein sounds sensed through the microphone in the ISP module are electronically processed by the SP electronic circuitry and sent to the ICS module through the coupling means as stimulation signals which may be applied to the electrode contacts on the electrode array.

2. The FICIS of claim 1 wherein the ICS module further includes a clam-shell construction comprising an upper shell, a lower shell, and an inner shell, each shell having a flange around its periphery, the upper and lower shells being of approximately the same size, and the inner shell being smaller than the lower shell so that it readily fits within the upper shell, but with the flange of the inner shell extending out to engage the flanges of the upper and lower shells, wherein the flanges of upper, lower and inner shells are all bonded together, with the inner shell being positioned inside of the lower shell, and wherein the volume between the upper shell and inner shell comprises an hermetically-sealed cavity wherein the stimulation circuitry is housed, and wherein the volume between the lower shell and the inner shell comprises a non-hermetically sealed cavity, and further including a plurality of electrical feedthru terminals having one end extending into the non-hermetically-sealed cavity and the other extending into the hermetically-sealed cavity.

3. The FICIS of claim 2 wherein the electrical coupling means comprises a two-conductor cable attached at one end to the ICS module through respective ones of the plurality of electrical feedthru terminals, said two-conductor cable having a jack at is other end adapted for detachable connection with the electrical connector of the ISP module.

4. The FICIS of claim 3 wherein the ISP module has a channel groove around at least a portion of its periphery edge into which the two-conductor cable that electrically couples the ISP module to the ICS module may be wrapped.

5. The FICIS of claim 2 further including an RF coil secured to one side of the bonded flanges of the upper, lower and inner shells, the RF coil having end wires that connect with the stimulation circuitry through respective ones of the plurality of electrical feedthru terminals.

6. The FICIS of claim 5 wherein the electrical coupling means comprises a two-conductor cable having a jack at one end adapted for detachable connection with the electrical connector of the ISP module, and has an end coil at its other end, wherein the end coil is inductively coupled with the RF coil of the ICS module when the end coil is positioned proximate the RF coil.

7. The FICIS of claim 6 wherein the ISP module has a channel groove around at least a portion of its periphery edge into which the two-conductor cable that electrically couples the ISP module to the ICS module may be wrapped.

8. The FICIS of claim 1 wherein the battery housed within the ISP module comprises a rechargeable battery, and wherein the FICIS further includes an external unit having a power source and an external coil through which battery-charging energy may be coupled to the rechargeable battery of the ISP module through an inductive coupling link established between the external coil and the RF coil of the ICS module and the electrical coupling means between the ICS module and the ISP module.

9. The FICIS of claim 8 wherein the external unit further includes external speech processing means which, when inductively coupled with the ICS module, may selectively assist or override the operation of the ISP module.

10. The FICIS of claim 2 wherein the upper shell of the ICS unit further includes a detent cavity centrally located therein into which a permanent magnet may be removably inserted.

11. The FICIS of claim 10 wherein the upper, lower, and inner shells of the ICS module are made from titanium or an alloy of titanium.

12. A fully implantable cochlear implant system (FICIS) comprising:

an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) module having an electrode array attached thereto, the electrode array having a multiplicity of spaced-apart electrode contacts at or near a distal end thereof, each electrode contact having a respective electrical conductor attached thereto, all of the electrical conductors being electrically connected with stimulation circuitry housed within the ICS module;

an implantable speech processor (ISP) module having speech processing (SP) electronic circuitry, a battery, all hermetically sealed therein, the ISP module further having an electrical connector that electrically connects a plurality of conductors through a respective plurality of feedthru terminals to the SP electronic circuitry;

a microphone coupled to the ISP module; and

electrical coupling means for electrically coupling the ICS module with the ISP module through the connector on the ISP module;

wherein the battery within the ISP module provides operating power for both the ISP module and the ICS module, and further

wherein sounds sensed through the microphone are electronically processed by the SP electronic circuitry and sent to the ICS module through the coupling means as stimulation signals which may be applied to the electrode contacts on the electrode array.

13. The FICIS of claim 12 wherein the electrical coupling means comprises a multi-conductor cable having a multiplicity of conductors attached at one end to the ICS module through respective ones of a multiplicity of electrical feedthru terminals, said multi-conductor cable having a jack at is other end adapted for detachable connection with the electrical connector of the ISP module.