Intelligent modularization

A system, comprising:

• a first implantable module having a first role in the system, wherein
• the first implantable module is configured to adopt a second role automatically upon a changed circumstance,
• the second role is that of a component of a partially implantable hearing prosthesis,
• the first role is that of a component of a totally implantable hearing prosthesis, wherein when operating in the role of a totally implantable hearing prosthesis, all sound capture executed to evoke a hearing percept using the first implantable module is executed using only implantable device(s);
• the first implantable module is part of an implantable assembly that is configured to determine whether or not a recharging module is in signal communication with the implantable assembly and adjust a functionality of the implantable assembly based on the determination,
• the system includes an external device including a processor, the external device being configured to control the first implantable module when the first implantable module adopts the second role so that the implantable assembly evokes a hearing percept based on data from the external device,
• the system includes the recharging module,
• the system is configured so that a sound processor of the implantable assembly does not process sound when the implantable assembly is functioning in the second role;
• the system is a modular cochlear implant system including a cochlear implant electrode array and a stimulator in electrical communication with the array;
• the sound processor of the implantable assembly is in signal communication with the stimulator and an implantable microphone in signal communication with the sound processor of the implantable assembly, wherein the sound processor of the implantable assembly is in a separate module from a module in which the stimulator is located;
• the system includes a connector configured to detachably connect the sound processor of the implantable assembly and the implantable microphone and to provide communication between sound processor of the implantable assembly and the implantable microphone when attached;
• the sound processor of the implantable assembly is configured to receive an input signal from the implantable microphone and output a signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal;
• the stimulator is configured to provide an electrical signal to the array based on the signal outputted to the stimulator by the sound processor of the implantable assembly;
• and
• at least one of the sound processor of the implantable assembly or the stimulator is part of the first implantable module.

A system, comprising:

• an implantable component including a sound processor, a microphone, a tissue stimulating device and a power storage device, wherein the implantable component is configured to variously function as a totally implantable hearing prosthesis to evoke a hearing percept using only components that are implanted in a recipient of the system and a partially implantable hearing prosthesis;
• and
• an external component including a sound processor and a microphone, wherein
• the implantable component is configured to function as the totally implantable hearing prosthesis and function as the partially implantable hearing prosthesis upon the occurrence of different scenarios,
• the external component is configured to provide power content signals and sound content signals to variously recharge the power storage device of the implantable component and to enable the implantable component to stimulate tissue to evoke a hearing percept while the power content signals are being provided to the implantable component and the power storage device is being recharged based on the power content signals,
• the implantable component is configured to receive the power content signals and sound content signals to variously recharge the power storage device of the implantable component and to stimulate tissue to evoke a hearing percept while the power content signals are being received by the implantable component and the power storage device is being recharged based on the power content signals,
• the implantable component is configured to determine whether or not a recharging module is in signal communication with the implantable component and adjust a functionality of the implantable component based on the determination so that the implantable component functions as the totally implantable hearing prosthesis instead of the partially implantable hearing prosthesis,
• the system includes an external recharging device separate from the external component, the recharging module being at least part of the external recharging device, and
• the implantable component is configured to automatically transition to function as the totally implantable hearing prosthesis from functioning as the partially implantable hearing prosthesis.