Cochlear implant sound processor with permanently integrated replenishable power source
First Claim
1. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
- an implantable cochlear stimulator;
an external sound processor including a closed case, a sound processor circuit, a rechargeable power source permanently and integrally housed within the closed case, and at least one electrical contact electrically connected to the rechargeable power source and embedded within or carried on an exterior surface of the closed case such that the at least one electrical contact is exposed outside the closed case; and
a coil operably connected to the sound processor circuit.
4 Assignments
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cochlear implant sound processor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated into the sound processor. The sound processor contains an inductive coil that may be tuned to an external charging coil for battery recharging. The electronic circuits and coil of the sound processor are housed in a material transparent to RF signals. The sound processor may be placed in a recharging base station in which the sound processor is positioned in a space surrounded by the inductive charging coil embedded in a material transparent to RF signals. The inductive charging coil sends power to the coil inside the processor and thereby recharges the battery. An alternative embodiment utilizes contacts in the sound processor case and aligned terminals in the recharging base station that allow direct charging of the battery.
93 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an implantable cochlear stimulator; an external sound processor including a closed case, a sound processor circuit, a rechargeable power source permanently and integrally housed within the closed case, and at least one electrical contact electrically connected to the rechargeable power source and embedded within or carried on an exterior surface of the closed case such that the at least one electrical contact is exposed outside the closed case; and a coil operably connected to the sound processor circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an implantable cochlear stimulator; and an external sound processor including a closed case, a sound processor circuit, a rechargeable power source permanently and integrally housed within the closed case, and a power coil operably coupled to the rechargeable power source, that selectively receives power from an external charging source and recharges the rechargeable power source when the sound processor is in proximity to the external charging source; and a coil operably connected to the sound processor circuit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an implantable cochlear stimulator; an external sound processor including a closed case, a sound processor circuit, and a rechargeable power source permanently and integrally housed within the closed case; a coil operably connected to the sound processor circuit; at least one electrical contact, embedded within or carried on an exterior surface of the closed case, electrically connected to the rechargeable power source; and a base station that charges the rechargeable power source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an implantable cochlear stimulator; an external sound processor including a closed case that does not include a battery removal door, a sound processor circuit, and a rechargeable battery permanently and integrally housed within the closed case; a coil operably connected to the sound processor circuit; and a base station that charges the rechargeable battery.
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Specification