Integrated implantable hearing device, microphone and power unit
First Claim
1. An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising:
- a first implantable apparatus including an implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for activating an implantable auditory stimulation device;
a second implantable apparatus including the implantable auditory stimulation device; and
a flexible communications device extending between said first implantable apparatus and said second implantable apparatus; and
a selectively attachable and detachable connector configured to mechanically connect and disconnect the communications device from one of the first implantable apparatus or the second implantable apparatus, whereinsaid first implantable apparatus further comprises a modulator configured to modulate said drive signals prior to said drive signals being transmitted to said implantable stimulation device, whereinthe implantable auditory stimulation device is a cochlear electrode array configured for insertion into a cochlea of a recipient, andsaid drive signals drive the cochlear electrode array to stimulate the cochlea with electrical current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising:
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a first implantable apparatus including an implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for activating an implantable auditory stimulation device; a second implantable apparatus including the implantable auditory stimulation device; and a flexible communications device extending between said first implantable apparatus and said second implantable apparatus; and a selectively attachable and detachable connector configured to mechanically connect and disconnect the communications device from one of the first implantable apparatus or the second implantable apparatus, wherein said first implantable apparatus further comprises a modulator configured to modulate said drive signals prior to said drive signals being transmitted to said implantable stimulation device, wherein the implantable auditory stimulation device is a cochlear electrode array configured for insertion into a cochlea of a recipient, and said drive signals drive the cochlear electrode array to stimulate the cochlea with electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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positioning a first component of an implantable hearing prosthesis at a first subcutaneous location in a recipient, said first component including an implantable auditory stimulation device; positioning a second component of the implantable hearing prosthesis at a second subcutaneous location in a recipient, the second component including an implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for activating the implantable auditory stimulation device; releasably mechanically connecting said first and second components utilizing a communications conductor configured to establish communication between the first and second component; evoking a hearing percept as a result of transmission of drive signals from the second component to the first component through the communications conductor; and after evoking the hearing percept, removing the second component from the recipient and locating a third component at a subcutaneous location in the recipient, the third component including a third implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for causing the implantable auditory stimulation device to evoke a hearing percept. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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positioning a first component of an implantable hearing prosthesis at a first subcutaneous location in a recipient, said first component including an implantable auditory stimulation device; positioning a second component of the implantable hearing prosthesis at a second subcutaneous location in a recipient, the second component including an implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for activating the implantable auditory stimulation device; and releasably mechanically connecting said first and second components utilizing a communications conductor configured to establish communication between the first and second component, wherein the action of releasably mechanically connecting said first and second components utilizing a communications conductor configured to establish communication between the first and second component occurs while at least the first component is implanted in a recipient.
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17. An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising:
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a first implantable apparatus including an implantable signal processor configured to generate drive signals for activating an implantable auditory stimulation device; a second implantable apparatus including the implantable auditory stimulation device; and a flexible communications device extending between said first implantable apparatus and said second implantable apparatus; and a selectively attachable and detachable connector configured to mechanically connect and disconnect the communications device from one of the first implantable apparatus or the second implantable apparatus, wherein said first implantable apparatus further comprises a modulator configured to modulate said drive signals prior to said drive signals being transmitted to said implantable stimulation device; and
whereinthe implantable hearing prosthesis further comprises; a third implantable apparatus including an implantable microphone; and a second communications device separate from the flexible communications device, the second communications device configured to communicate electrical signals from the third implantable apparatus to the first implantable apparatus.
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Specification