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US 2020/0206499 A1Published application
Hearing prosthesis
AssigneeCochlear Limited
InventorPaul Michael Carter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A neural stimulator, suitable for implanting in a recipient, and configured to combine vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) with cochlear stimulation, to result in faster adaptation to new sounds and maps, and alleviation of tinnitus in the recipient.
Claims32
A cochlear implant comprising:
- a first electrode configured to stimulate auditory nerve cells in a recipient's cochlea, and
- a second electrode configured to stimulate at least one cranial nerve of the recipient.
A medical device, comprising:
- a stimulator/receiver;
- a first electrode in communication with the stimulator/receiver, and configured to stimulate auditory nerve cells in a recipient's cochlea;
- and
- a second electrode in contact with, and configured to electrically stimulate, a vagus nerve of the recipient, wherein the second electrode is configured to transcutaneously communicate with the stimulator/receiver.
1 more element
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A method of suppressing tinnitus in a person suffering from tinnitus, the method comprising:
- applying a first electrical stimulus to auditory nerves of the person;
- and
- applying a second electrical stimulus to a vagus nerve of the person.
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A method, comprising:
- positioning one or more first electrodes in a cochlea of a recipient;
- positioning one or more second electrodes adjacent at least one-cranial of the recipient;
- delivering first electrical stimulation to the cochlea of the recipient via the one or more first electrodes;
- and
- delivering second electrical stimulation to the at least one cranial nerve of via the one or more second electrodes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.