Vestibular stimulation device
AssigneesCochlear Limited, University of Washington Center for Commercialization
InventorsFrank Risi, Colin Irwin, Jay T. Rubinstein, Felipe Santos, James O. Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vestibular stimulation array is disclosed having one or more separate electrode arrays each operatively adapted for implantation in a semicircular canal of the vestibular system, wherein each separate electrode array is dimensioned and constructed so that residual vestibular function is preserved. In particular, the electrode arrays are dimensioned such that the membranous labyrinth is not substantially compressed. Furthermore, the electrode array has a stop portion to limit insertion of the electrode array into the semi-circular canal and is still enough to avoid damage to the anatomical structures.
Claims24
A method, comprising:
- inserting at least one electrode array into a vestibular system of a recipient, wherein the at least one electrode array is electrically connected to a stimulator unit so as to form at least part of a vestibular stimulation device;
- after the at least one electrode array is inserted into the vestibular system, generating electrical stimulation at the stimulator unit;
- applying the electrical stimulation to the vestibular system of the recipient with the at least one electrode array;
- obtaining one or more neural responses of the vestibular system to the electrical stimulation;
- and
- analyzing the one or more neural responses of the vestibular system to the electrical stimulation.
A system, comprising:
- at least one electrode array configured to be implanted into a vestibular system of a recipient;
- a stimulator unit electrically connected to the at least one electrode array, wherein the stimulator unit is configured to, after the at least one electrode array is inserted into the vestibular system, generate and apply electrical stimulation to the vestibular system of the recipient via the at least one electrode array;
- and
- at least one processor configured to obtain one or more neural responses of the vestibular system to the electrical stimulation and to analyze the one or more neural responses of the vestibular system to the electrical stimulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.