Fully implantable modular cochlear implant system

A method of implanting and operating a cochlear implant comprising:

• implanting a stimulator and cochlear electrode into a patient such that the cochlear electrode is implanted into the patient's cochlear tissue, the cochlear electrode being electrically coupled to the stimulator;
• implanting a signal processor into the patient in communication with the stimulator;
• implanting an input source into the patient;
• and
• connecting the signal processor to the input source via a first detachable connector;
• wherein
• the signal processor is programmed with a transfer function to receive an input signal via the input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and the signal processor transfer function.

A modular cochlear implant system comprising:

• a stimulator configured to provide stimulation signals;
• an input source configured to receive an input representative of ambient sound and generate an input signal representative of the received input;
• a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the input source, the signal processor being programmed with a transfer function such that the signal processor outputs a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the input signal received from the input source and the transfer function;
• wherein
• the signal processor is in communication with the input source via a first detachable connector.

A method for updating an implanted cochlear implant system in a patient, the cochlear implant system comprising an implanted stimulator, a cochlear electrode implanted into the patient's cochlear tissue and in electrical communication with the implanted stimulator, an implanted first signal processor in communication with the implanted stimulator, and an implanted first input source in communication with the first signal processor via a first detachable connector the method comprising:

• disconnecting the implanted first signal processor from the implanted first input source by disconnecting the first detachable connector;
• and:
• (a) removing the implanted first input source and implanting a second input source;
• and/or
• (b) removing the implanted first signal processor and implanting a second signal processor;
• wherein
• the cochlear electrode remains implanted in the patient during the disconnecting, removing, and implanting steps.