초록 ▼

A fully implantable cochlear implant system (170) and method includes an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212) that is connected to an implantable speech processor (ISP) unit (210). Both the ISP unit and the ICS unit reside in separate, hermetically-sealed, cases. The ICS unit has a coil

A fully implantable cochlear implant system (170) and method includes an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212) that is connected to an implantable speech processor (ISP) unit (210). Both the ISP unit and the ICS unit reside in separate, hermetically-sealed, cases. The ICS unit has a coil (220) permanently connected thereto through which magnetic or inductive coupling may occur with a similar coil located externally during recharging, programming, or externally-controlled modes of operation. The ICS unit further has a cochlear electrode array (114) permanently connected thereto via a first multi-conductor cable (116). The ICS unit 212 also has a second multi-conductor cable (222) attached thereto, which second cable contains no more than five conductors. The second cable is detachably connected to the ISP unit via a connector (224) located on the case of the ISP unit. The ISP unit includes an implantable subcutaneous microphone (218) as an integral part thereof, and further includes ISP circuitry (214) and a replenishable power source (216), e.g., a rechargeable battery.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A fully implantable cochlear implant system, comprising:an implantable, hermetically-sealed, cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212), the ICS unit having electrical circuitry therein;an implantable, hermetically-sealed speech processor (ISP) unit (210), the ISP unit having

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A fully implantable cochlear implant system, comprising:an implantable, hermetically-sealed, cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212), the ICS unit having electrical circuitry therein;an implantable, hermetically-sealed speech processor (ISP) unit (210), the ISP unit having processing circuitry therein, the ISP unit further having a case on which a connector is mounted, the connector having a plurality of feedthrough terminals through which electrical contact may be made with the processing circuitry located inside of the ISP unit;a power source (216) housed within the ISP unit for providing operating power for the cochlear implant system;a cochlear electrode array (114) permanently connected to the ICS unit via a first multi-conductor cable (116) and adapted to be insertable into a human cochlea;a second multi-conductor cable (222) having a first end permanently connected to the ICS unit, and having a second end detachably connected to the ISP unit through the connector mounted to the ISP case, whereby the ISP unit is wired to the ICS unit; anda subcutaneous microphone (218);wherein microphone signals sensed by the microphone are processed by the processing circuitry within the ISP unit, and stimulation signals representative of the sensed microphone signals are coupled to the electrical circuitry within the ICS unit, and wherein the electrical circuitry within the ICS unit responds to the received stimulation signals and generates stimulation pulses that are sent to the electrode array through the first cable for the purpose of electrically stimulating cochlear tissue in the vicinity of the array.