Signal processing for cochlear implants
AssigneeEnvoy Medical Corporation
InventorsJomar Ochoco, Peter J. Schiller
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Abstract
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for cochlear implants. One method embodiment for cochlear implant signal processing includes processing a differential analog audio signal using amplitude modulation and pulse-width modulation. The method includes driving a transmission coil on an external unit of the cochlear implant with the pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal. The method also includes driving a reception coil on an internal unit of the cochlear implant with an output of the transmission coil.
Claims21
A method for cochlear implant signal processing, comprising:
- processing a differential analog audio signal using amplitude modulation and pulse-width modulation;
- driving a transmission coil on an external unit of the cochlear implant with the pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal;
- and
- driving a reception coil on an internal unit of the cochlear implant with an output of the transmission coil.
An external signal processing unit of a cochlear implant, comprising:
- a microphone;
- a processor coupled to the microphone including an amplitude modulation circuit and a pulse-width modulation circuit, wherein the processor is configured to process a differential analog audio signal;
- and
- a tuned circuit coupled to the amplitude modulation circuit and to the pulse-width modulation circuit, wherein the tuned circuit is configured to transmit a signal corresponding to a pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal.
A cochlear implant signal processing system, comprising:
- an external unit including:
- a processor including an amplitude modulation circuit and a pulse-width modulation circuit, wherein the processor is configured to process a differential analog audio signal;
- and
- a transmission coil coupled to an output of the processor and configured to transmit an electromagnetic (EM) signal;
- and
- an internal unit including:
- a reception coil configured to receive the EM signal;
- and
- an electrode coupled to the reception coil and configured to be coupled with a patient's cochlea.
A method for cochlear implant signal processing, comprising:
- processing a differential analog audio signal to generate a reduced-carrier amplitude modulated signal, wherein the reduced-carrier amplitude modulated signal has a carrier level reduced below a carrier level associated with an amplitude modulator for the differential analog audio signal;
- and
- delivering the reduced-carrier amplitude modulated signal directly to a cochlea associated with the cochlear implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.