초록 ▼

An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated "A" and "B", through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each

An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated "A" and "B", through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each output stage by way of an indifferent electrode switch (212D). The current source generates a precise stimulation current as a function of an analog control voltage. The analog control voltage, in turn, is generated by a logarithmic D/A converter. The D/A converter serially converts data words, received in a data frame from an external source, to respective analog control voltages that are applied sequentially to the current sources of each output stage. An output mode register (208) controls the switching matrix of each stage, as well as the indifferent electrode switch, to configure the electrodes for a desired stimulation configuration, e.g., bipolar stimulation (current flow between the pair of electrodes of the output stage), or monopolar stimulation (current flow between one of the electrodes of the output stage and the indifferent electrode). The voltage at the "A" and "B" electrode of each output stage may be selectively telemetered to the wearable system, as may the current flow through the indifferent electrode, thereby facilitating a measurement of the electrode impedance. The "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage may be selectively shorted through a high or low resistance in order to discharge the output coupling capacitors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) system, said ICS comprising:receiver means for receiving a data signal from the WP, the data signal comprising a series of data frames containing an end of frame signal, each data frame compris

[ We claim:] [1.] A implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) for use with an external wearable processor (WP) system, said ICS comprising:receiver means for receiving a data signal from the WP, the data signal comprising a series of data frames containing an end of frame signal, each data frame comprising a plurality of data words, each data word defining an amplitude for an output stimulation current for a different output channel of the ICS, and a command word for controlling a processor means in the ICS;power supply means coupled to said receiver means for extracting a raw power signal from the data signal that powers the ICS;a multiplicity of output stages, one for each of a multiplicity of output channels provided by said ICS, with each output stage having at least one stimulating electrode connected thereto;processor means for serially processing the plurality of data words and command word in each data frame received by the receiver means and includingdata word latching means for successively storing the data words,logarithmic D/A converter means for converting the data word stored by the data word latching means to an analog signal voltage representative of the amplitude for the output stimulation current defined by the data word stored by the data word latching means,switch means for coupling the analog signal voltage produced by the logarithmic D/A converter means to successive ones of the multiplicity of output stages; and whereineach of the multiplicity of output stages comprises:refresh voltage controller means for generating an isolated refresh voltage for the output channel,a voltage controlled current source powered by the isolated refresh voltage controller means for amplitude controlling, in accordance with the analog signal voltage coupled from the switch means, an output stimulation current, andmeans for coupling the output stimulation current to the at least one stimulating electrode of the output stage.