IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED COMPONENTS AND LEAD CHARACTERIZATION
Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the sensor. In some examples, the stimulator and the signal processor are integrated into a single hermetically sealed housing. The housing can include a return electrode that extends from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite the first.
1 . A cochlear implant system comprising:
a cochlear electrode;
a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode;
a sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal; and
a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the sensor, the signal processor being programmed with a transfer function and being configured to:
receive the input signal from the sensor; and
output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and the transfer function; wherein
the stimulator and the signal processor are integrated into a single hermetically sealed housing, and wherein the cochlear electrode extends from the single hermetically sealed housing.
2 . The cochlear implant system of claim 1 , wherein the single hermetically sealed housing includes an outer surface having a first side, a second side generally opposite the first, and a return electrode coupled to the outer surface on both the first side and the second side.
3 . The cochlear implant system of claim 2 , wherein the single hermetically sealed housing is configured to be implanted on either the right side or the left side of a wearer.
4 . The cochlear implant system of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of return electrodes.
5 . The cochlear implant system of claim 2 , wherein the signal processor is configured to output the stimulation signal to one or more contact electrodes on the cochlear electrode, wherein the one or more contact electrodes are in contact with a wearer's cochlear tissue to provide electrical stimulation thereto.
6 . The cochlear implant system of claim 5 , wherein the return electrode is electrically connected to internal circuitry of the single hermetically sealed housing.
7 . The cochlear implant system of claim 6 , wherein the return electrode comprises platinum or a platinum alloy.
8 . The cochlear implant system of claim 6 , wherein the single hermetically sealed housing comprises an electrically conductive material.
9 . The cochlear implant system of claim 8 , wherein the single hermetically sealed housing comprises titanium.
10 . The cochlear implant system of claim 8 , wherein the single hermetically sealed housing comprises a first header comprising a non-conductive material, wherein the first header provides electrical isolation between the return electrode and the single hermetically sealed housing.
11 . The cochlear implant system of claim 10 , wherein the first header comprises a biocompatible polymer.
12 . The cochlear implant system of claim 10 , further comprising an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor via a first connector, the first connector interfacing with the single hermetically sealed housing via the first header.
13 . The cochlear implant system of claim 10 , further comprising a second header that comprises a non-conductive material, and wherein:
the sensor communicates with the signal processor via a second connector; and
the second connector interfaces with the single hermetically sealed housing via the second header.
14 . The cochlear implant system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a middle ear sensor or a microphone.
15 . A signal processing unit for a cochlear implant system comprising:
a housing defining an interior enclosed by the housing and an exterior, the exterior of the housing having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first;
a cochlear electrode extending from the interior of the housing through the housing and extending away from the housing;
a signal processor contained within the housing and programmed with a transfer function and being configured to receive an input signal from a source representing a received audio signal and process the received input signal according to the transfer function to generate a stimulation signal;
a stimulator within the housing and configured to receive the stimulation signal from the signal processor and output an electrical signal to the cochlear electrode corresponding to the received stimulation signal; and
a return electrode connected to the first side of the exterior of the housing.
16 . The signal processing unit of claim 15 , wherein the return electrode is connected to both the first side and the second side of the exterior of the housing.
17 . The signal processing unit of claim 16 , wherein the return electrode comprises platinum or a platinum alloy.
18 . The signal processing unit of claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises titanium.
19 . The signal processing unit of claim 18 , wherein:
the housing comprises a header;
the cochlear electrode extends from the interior defined by the housing to the exterior of the signal processing unit via the header; and
the header comprises an electrically non-conductive material.
20 . The signal processing unit of claim 19 , wherein the header comprises a polymer.
21 . The signal processing unit of claim 15 , wherein the cochlear electrode comprises a plurality of stimulation electrodes, and wherein the electrical signal comprises a plurality of electrical signals, each of the plurality of electrical signals being applied to a unique one of the plurality of stimulation electrodes.