US4408608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis
Assignee: COCHLEAR Corp (VIA TELETRONICS PTY LTD)
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Filing: 1981-04-09
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Granted: 1983-10-11
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Expires: 2001-04-09
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis, such as a cochlear prosthesis, which can not only be implemented in single-chip form, but which also permits great flexibility in stimulation strategy and data transmission format. Only sixteen electrodes are required for stimulating fifteen different sites. Each site is stimulated by a biphasic pulse under control of two adjacent electrodes whose polarities are reversed in the middle of the site stimulation cycle. Although the transmission scheme requires a pulse-width modulation format, the precise form of the format can be varied in order to accommodate widely different stimulation strategies. For example, only a single site may be stimulated during each transmission frame or multiple sites may be stimulated during the same frame. Although only one site can be stimulated at any instant of time, the system cycling is so fast that "simultaneous" site stimulations are perceived. The system is designed for minimum power usage, and its operation is fail-safe in that no site may be stimulated for longer than a pre-set time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher N. Daly
- 👤 David K. Money
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/36036; A61N1/36038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 163
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, and means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, said energizing means energizing only a single pair of electrodes at any instant of time and operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective site stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, and means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, said energizing means energizing only a single pair of electrodes at any instant of time and operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective site stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 wherein said time interval is less than one millisecond.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 wherein said information signal represents a stimulation intensity in the form of a pulse width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 3 wherein said information signal is formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of pulses in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, and said energizing means is capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined pulse sequence in each frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 wherein in order to energize the electrode pair associated with a stimulation site represented in any frame said energizing means first cycles through and selects for energization all electrode pairs which are earlier in said predetermined sequence, any such earlier selected electrode pair which is associated with a stimulation site which does not require perceptible stimulation not being energized by said energizing means with current pulses which can be perceived.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 5 wherein successive pairs of electrodes in said predetermined sequence have an electrode in common.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 6 further including means for shorting together of all of said electrodes, and means for operating said shorting means after said energizing means has operated on all of the electrode pairs represented in an information signal frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 6 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a pulse width in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined width, and means responsive to operation of said pulse width detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 6 wherein a stimulation site is represented in an information signal frame by a respective pair of successive pulses, and said energizing means controls the intensity of each of the opposite-polarity current pulses applied to a represented stimulation site in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of pulses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 9 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 6 further including means for deriving a source of power for said detecting and energizing means from the detected information signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 11 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 6 further including means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for operating said inhibiting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 13 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 13 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said energizing means to successive information signal frames, and means responsive to said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 further including means for shorting together of all of said electrodes, and means for operating said shorting means after said energizing means has operated on all of the electrode pairs represented in an information signal frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a pulse width in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined width, and means responsive to operation of said pulse width detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 wherein a stimulation site is represented in an information signal frame by a respective pair of pulses, and said energizing means controls the intensity of each of the opposite-polarity current pulses applied to a represented stimulation site in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of pulses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 18 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 wherein said energizing means including means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 further including means for deriving a source of power for said detecting and energizing means from the detected information signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 21 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 4 further including means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for operating said inhibiting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 23 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 23 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said energizing means to successive information signal frames, and means responsive to said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 wherein said information signal is formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of items of data in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, and said energizing means is capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined items of data sequence in each frame.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 26 wherein in order to energize the electrode pair associated with a stimulation site represented in any frame said energizing means first cycles through and selects for energization all electrode pairs which are earlier in said predetermined sequence, any such earlier selected electrode pair which is associated with a stimulation site which does not require perceptible stimulation not being energized by said energizing means with current pulses which can be perceived.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 26 wherein successive pairs of electrodes in said predetermined sequence have an electrode in common.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 wherein a stimulation site is represented in said information signal by a respective pair of pulses, and said energizing means controls the intensity of each of the opposite-polarity current pulses applied to a represented stimulation site in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of pulses.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 29 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
121 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least most of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents stimulation intensities required for said stimulation sites, and means under control of said detecting means for energizing said electrode pairs in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, said energizing means energizing only a single pair of electrodes at any instant of time and operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective site stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
121 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least most of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents stimulation intensities required for said stimulation sites, and means under control of said detecting means for energizing said electrode pairs in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, said energizing means energizing only a single pair of electrodes at any instant of time and operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective site stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 wherein said time interval is less than one millisecond.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 wherein said information signal represents a stimulation intensity in the form of a pulse width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 34 wherein said information signal is formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of pulses in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, and said energizing means is capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined pulse sequence in each frame.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 35 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a pulse width in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined width, and means responsive to operation of said pulse width detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
73 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 35 wherein a stimulation site is represented in an information signal frame by a respective pair of pulses, and said energizing means applies a pair of successive opposite-polarity current pulses to each electrode pair which is energized, and controls the intensity of each of said opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of information signal pulses.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
64 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 wherein said information signal is formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of items of data in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, and said energizing means is capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined items of data sequence in each frame.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
79 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 38 wherein in order to energize the electrode pair associated with a stimulation site represented in any frame said energizing means first cycles through and selects for energization all electrode pairs which are earlier in said predetermined sequence, any such earlier selected electrode pair which is associated with a stimulation site which does not require perceptible stimulation not being energized by said energizing means with current pulses which can be perceived.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 38 wherein successive pairs of electrodes in said predetermined sequence have an electrode in common.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, and means for operating said shorting means in the absence of said detecting means detecting an information signal which represents a requirement for site stimulation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
51 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a represented stimulation intensity in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined intensity, and means responsive to operation of said stimulation intensity detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
72 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 wherein a stimulation site is represented in said information signal by a respective pair of pulses, and said energizing means applies a pair of successive opposite-polarity current pulses to each electrode pair which is energized, and controls the intensity of each of the opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of information signal pulses.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 43 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 wherein said energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair for deriving opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 further including means for deriving a source of power for said detecting and energizing means from the detected information signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
47 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 46 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
49 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 32 further including means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for operating said inhibiting means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 48 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 48 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said energizing means to said information signal, and means responsive to said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, and means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be selected and energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, and means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means operating fast enough such that at least any two electrode pairs can be selected and energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein any electrode pair which does not require stimulation, but precedes some other electrode pair which does in said predetermined sequence, is identified in a frame which identifies said some other electrode pair as requiring stimulation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 52 wherein said selecting and energizing means selects each electrode pair which is identified in sequence in a frame, but prevents effective energization of any electrode pair which does not require stimulation with an intensity which can be perceived.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 53 wherein each frame consists of a sequence of pulse widths corresponding to the required stimulation intensities for respective electrode pairs.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
62 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 54 wherein there are two successive pulses for each electrode pair identified in a frame, and said selecting and energizing means energizes an electrode pair by applying a biphasic pulse thereto, each half of which has an intensity which is a function of the width of a respective one of the two corresponding frame pulses.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 53 wherein successive pairs of electrodes in said predetermined sequence have an electrode in common.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 further including means for deriving a source of power for said detecting means and said selecting and energizing means from the transmitted information signal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 57 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 further including means for inhibiting the energization of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said inhibiting means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 59 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 59 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said selecting and energizing means to sequential information signal frames, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein said selecting and energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair to be energized for applying to said electrode pair a pair of opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein said selecting and energizing means includes a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 63 wherein said counter includes a reset state, and further including means responsive to said counter being reset for shorting together all of said electrodes.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 64 further including means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 64 further including means responsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 64 further including means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein each frame consists of a sequence of pulse widths corresponding to the required stimulation intensities for respective electrode pairs.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
62 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 68 wherein there are two successive pulses for each electrode pair identified in a frame, and said selecting and energizing means energizes an electrode pair by applying a biphasic pulse thereto, each half of which has an intensity which is a function of the width of a respective one of the two corresponding frame pulses.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein successive pairs of electrodes in said predetermined sequence have an electrode in common.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein said selecting and energizing means includes means for switching the polarity of a single source of power across any electrode pair to be energized for applying to said electrode pair a pair of opposite-polarity current pulses.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 51 wherein said time interval is less than one millisecond.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
132 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes for stimulating a plurality of stimulation sites, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective stimulation sites in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing said electrodes so that at most a single stimulation site is stimulated at any instant but for selecting and energizing the electrodes such that the stimulation sites are stimulated with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the stimulation sites are identified in a frame of said information signal, and means for shorting said plurality of electrodes responsive to the absence of the identification of a site which requires stimulation.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
132 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes for stimulating a plurality of stimulation sites, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective stimulation sites in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing said electrodes so that at most a single stimulation site is stimulated at any instant but for selecting and energizing the electrodes such that the stimulation sites are stimulated with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the stimulation sites are identified in a frame of said information signal, and means for shorting said plurality of electrodes responsive to the absence of the identification of a site which requires stimulation.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
45 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 wherein any stimulation site which does not require stimulation, but precedes some other stimulation site which does in said predetermined sequence, is identified in a frame which identifies said some other stimulation site as requiring stimulation.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
47 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 74 wherein said selecting and energizing means selects each stimulation site which is identified in sequence in a frame, but prevents effective energization of any stimulation site which does not require stimulation with an intensity which can be perceived.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 75 wherein each frame consists of a sequence of pulse widths corresponding to the required stimulation intensities for respective stimulation sites.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
63 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 76 wherein there are two successive pulses for each stimulation site identified in a frame, and said selecting and energizing means energizes a stimulation site by applying a biphasic pulse thereto, each half of which has an intensity which is a function of the width of a respective one of the two corresponding frame pulses.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 wherein each frame consists of a sequence of pulse widths corresponding to the required stimulation intensities for respective stimulation sites.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
63 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 78 wherein there are two successive pulses for each stimulation site identified in a frame, and said selecting and energizing means energizes a stimulation site by applying a biphasic pulse thereto, each half of which has an intensity which is a function of the width of a respective one of the two corresponding frame pulses.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
32 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 further including means for deriving a source of power for said detecting means and selecting and energizing means from the transmitted information signal.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
47 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 80 further including means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
51 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 further including means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said inhibiting means.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
23 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 82 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
43 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 82 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said selecting and energizing means to sequential information signal frames, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 wherein said selecting and energizing means includes a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective stimulation site.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 85 wherein said counter includes a reset state, and further including means responsive to said counter being reset for shorting together all of said electrodes.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 86 further including means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 86 further including means repsonsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
37 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 86 further including means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 85 further including means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 85 further including means responsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
37 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 85 further including means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
47 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 73 wherein said selecting and energizing means operates fast enough such that at least any two stimulation sites can be selected and energized successively within the time interval that allows the respective stimulations to be perceived as occurring simultaneously.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 93 wherein said time interval is less than one millisecond.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
128 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, means for energizing said electrodes in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, means for deriving a source of potential from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, the potential of said source decreasing gradually following cessation of said transmitted signal and increasing gradually following resumption of said transmitted signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting when the potential of said source is below a predetermined value, and means responsive to operation of said potential detecting means operating said shorting means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
128 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, means for energizing said electrodes in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, means for deriving a source of potential from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, the potential of said source decreasing gradually following cessation of said transmitted signal and increasing gradually following resumption of said transmitted signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting when the potential of said source is below a predetermined value, and means responsive to operation of said potential detecting means operating said shorting means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 95 wherein said electrodes are associated with respective stimulation sites and said energizing means stimulates at most one stimulation site at any instant of time.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 96 wherein said energizing means includes a counter the states of which represent respective stimulation sites, means under control of said detecting means for advancing said counter in accordance with successive stimulation sites represented in a transmitted signal, and means for resetting said counter responsive to operation of said potential detecting means.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
49 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 97 wherein said detecting means includes control means for ascertaining the intensity of stimulation required at each stimulation site, and further including auxiliary means responsive to said control means ascertaining an intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 98 further including means for preventing the operation of said auxiliary resetting means if said counter is already reset.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 99 wherein said transmitted signal consists of a pulse-modulated carrier whose pulse envelope represents sequential stimulation sites and the required stimulation intensities therefor.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 100 wherein the widths of pulses in said pulse envelope represent stimulation intensities.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
41 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 101 wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted in the form of sequential frames, and the position of each pulse in the pulse envelope of any frame represents the stimulation site to be stimulated.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 95 wherein said energizing means includes a counter the states of which represent respective stimulation sites, means under control of said detecting means for advancing said counter in accordance with successive stimulation sites represented in a transmitted signal, and means for resetting said counter responsive to operation of said potential detecting means.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
49 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 103 wherein said detecting means includes control means for ascertaining the intensity of stimulation required at each stimulation site, and further including auxiliary means responsive to said control means ascertaining an intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 104 further including means for preventing the operation of said auxiliary resetting means if said counter is already reset.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 95 wherein said transmitted signal consists of a pulse-modified carrier whose pulse envelope represents sequential stimulation sites and the required stimulation intensities therefor.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 106 wherein the widths of pulses in said pulse envelope represent stimulation intensities.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
41 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 107 wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted in the form of sequential frames, and the position of each pulse in the pulse envelope of any frame represents the stimulation site to be stimulated.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
34 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 95 further including means for operating said shorting means in the absence of said detecting means detecting that any of said electrodes are to be energized.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
153 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, counter means whose states represent respective stimulation sites, means for advancing said counter means in accordance with successive stimulation sites represented in a transmitted signal, means for energizing said electrodes in accordance with the state of said counter means and the operation of said detecting means, means for deriving a source of potential from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, the potential of said source decreasing gradually following cessation of said transmitted signal and increasing gradually following resumption of said transmitted signal, means for detecting when the potential of said source is below a predetermined value, and means responsive to operation of said potential detecting means for resetting said counter means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
153 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, counter means whose states represent respective stimulation sites, means for advancing said counter means in accordance with successive stimulation sites represented in a transmitted signal, means for energizing said electrodes in accordance with the state of said counter means and the operation of said detecting means, means for deriving a source of potential from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, the potential of said source decreasing gradually following cessation of said transmitted signal and increasing gradually following resumption of said transmitted signal, means for detecting when the potential of said source is below a predetermined value, and means responsive to operation of said potential detecting means for resetting said counter means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 110 wherein said electrodes are associated with respective stimulation sites and said energizing means stimulates at most one stimulation site at any instant of time.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
49 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 142 wherein said detecting means includes control means for ascertaining the intensity of stimulation required at each stimulation site, and further including auxiliary means responsive to said control means ascertaining an intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 112 further including means for preventing the operation of said auxiliary resetting means if said counter is already reset.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 114 wherein said transmitted signal consists of a pulse-modulated carrier whose pulse envelope represents sequential stimulation sites and the required stimulation intensities therefor.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 114 wherein the widths of pulses in said pulse envelope represent stimulation intensities.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
41 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 115 wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted in the form of sequential frames, and the position of each pulse in the pulse envelope of any frame represents the stimulation site to be stimulated.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
50 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 110 wherein said detecting means includes control means for ascertaining the intensity of stimulation required at each stimulation site, and further including auxiliary means responsive to said control means ascertaining an intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter means.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 117 further including means for preventing the operation of said auxiliary resetting means if said counter means is already reset.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 110 wherein said transmitted signal consists of a pulse-modulated carrier whose pulse envelope represents sequential stimulation sites and the required stimulation intensities therefor.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
41 words
An implantation tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 119 wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted in the form of sequential frames, and the position of each pulse in the pulse envelope of any frame represents the stimulation site to be stimulated.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
41 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 110 wherein said transmitted signal is transmitted in the form of sequential frames, and the position of each pulse in the pulse envelope of any frame represents the stimulation site to be stimulated.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
149 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, capacitor means, means for deriving a source of potential across said capacitor means from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, means for selectively energizing said electrodes from said potential source in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, means for detecting when the potential across said capacitor means falls below a predetermined value, means responsive to operation to said potential detecting means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis for placing the prosthesis in a predetermined system state, impedance means, and means responsive to said energizing means energizing none of said electrodes for connecting said impedance means across said capacitor means for controlling the discharge of said capacitor means at a predetermined rate.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
149 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, means for detecting a transmitted signal which represents the manner in which said electrodes are to be energized, capacitor means, means for deriving a source of potential across said capacitor means from a transmitted signal for powering the prosthesis, means for selectively energizing said electrodes from said potential source in accordance with the operation of said detecting means, means for detecting when the potential across said capacitor means falls below a predetermined value, means responsive to operation to said potential detecting means while the potential of said source is still high enough to power the prosthesis for placing the prosthesis in a predetermined system state, impedance means, and means responsive to said energizing means energizing none of said electrodes for connecting said impedance means across said capacitor means for controlling the discharge of said capacitor means at a predetermined rate.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
62 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 122 wherein said energizing means includes a counter the states of which represent respective stimulation sites, and means under control of said detecting means for advancing said counter in accordance with successive stimulation sites represented in a transmitted signal, and wherein said predetermined system state is a state in which said counter is reset.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
48 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 123 wherein said detecting means includes control means for ascertaining the intensity of stimulation required at each stimulation site, and further including means responsive to said control means ascertaining an intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 124 further including means for preventing the operation of said resetting means if said counter is already reset.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
30 words
An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis in accordance with claim 123 further including means responsive to the prosthesis being placed in said predetermined system state for shorting together all of said electrodes.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
188 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, said information signal representing a stimulation intensity in the form of a pulse width and said information signal being formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of pulses in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, said energizing means being capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined pulse sequence in each frame, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a pulse width in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined width, and means responsive to operation of said pulse width detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
188 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, said information signal representing a stimulation intensity in the form of a pulse width and said information signal being formatted in successive frames with each frame including a plurality of pulses in a predetermined sequence corresponding to respective stimulation sites, said energizing means being capable of energizing successive pairs of electrodes in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined pulse sequence in each frame, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a pulse width in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined width, and means responsive to operation of said pulse width detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 127 wherein a stimulation site is represented in an information signal frame by a respective pair of pulses, and said energizing means controls the intensity of each of the opposite-polarity current pulse applied to a represented stimulation site in accordance with the width of a different one of the respective pair of pulses.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
118 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, and means for operating said shorting means in the absence of said detecting means detecting an information signal which represents a requirement for site stimulation.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
118 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, and means for operating said shorting means in the absence of said detecting means detecting an information signal which represents a requirement for site stimulation.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
125 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a represented stimulation intensity in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined intensity, and means responsive to operation of said stimulation intensity detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
125 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a represented stimulation intensity in said information signal which exceeds a predetermined intensity, and means responsive to operation of said stimulation intensity detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitting information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for deriving a source of power for said detecting and energizing means from the detected information signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detectng a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitting information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for deriving a source of power for said detecting and energizing means from the detected information signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detectng a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
123 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for operating said inhibiting means.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
123 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes, pairs of which are associated with respective stimulation sites and with at least almost all of said electrodes being included in each of at least two different pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal which represents both stimulation sites and stimulation intensities required therefor, means under control of said detecting means for energizing the pair of electrodes associated with a represented stimulation site with successive opposite-polarity current pulses in accordance with the respective represented stimulation intensity, means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for operating said inhibiting means.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 132 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 132 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said energizing means to said information signal, and means responsive to said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
158 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, means for deriving a source of power for said detecting means and said selecting and energizing means from the transmitted information signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
158 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, means for deriving a source of power for said detecting means and said selecting and energizing means from the transmitted information signal, means for shorting together all of said electrodes, means for detecting a predetermined drop in the level of said source of power, and means responsive to said level drop detecting means for operating said shorting means.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said inhibiting means.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, means for inhibiting the energizations of all of said electrodes, means for determining if the detected information signal is inconsistent with a predetermined format, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said inhibiting means.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 136 wherein said inhibiting means is further operative to short together all of said electrodes.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 136 further including means for re-synchronizing the operation of said selecting and energizing means to sequential information signal frames, and means responsive to operation of said determining means for controlling operation of said re-synchronizing means.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
144 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs; means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence; means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, said counter including a reset state; and means responsive to said counter being reset for shorting together all of said electrodes.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
144 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs; means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence; means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, said counter including a reset state; and means responsive to said counter being reset for shorting together all of said electrodes.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 139 further including means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 139 further including means responsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cochlear prosthesis in accordance with claim 139 further including means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection of the end of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection of the start of a frame for resetting said counter.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
150 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
150 words
A cochlear prosthesis comprising a plurality of electrodes associated with each other in pairs, means for detecting a transmitted information signal, said information signal being in the form of sequential frames each of which identifies required stimulation intensities for respective paired electrodes in a predetermined sequence, means responsive to said detecting means for selecting and energizing at most a single electrode pair at any instant but for selecting all of the electrode pairs and energizing them with the required respective stimulation intensities in the same sequence in which the electrode pairs are identified in a frame of said information signal, said selecting and energizing means including a counter which is advanced by detected frame information and whose count selects a respective electrode pair, and means responsive to the detection in a frame of said information signal of any required stimulation intensity which exceeds a predetermined intensity for resetting said counter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |