Abstract: A system and method for neural implant processing is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a receiver of a neural implant, an input activation pattern; processing, by a front-end processing algorithm, the input activation pattern to produce a target population firing pattern for one or more neurons; and transforming, by a back-end processing algorithm, the target population firing pattern to a simulation pattern that induces a response with naturalistic timing. The neural implant includes a cochlear implant, a vestibular implant, a retinal vision prostheses, a deep brain stimulator, or a spinal cord stimulator.

Abstract: A multichannel vestibular prosthesis includes a sensor system and a microcontroller configured to communicate with the sensor system to receive sensor signals from the sensor system while in operation. The microcontroller is configured to provide control signals in response to the sensor signals. The multichannel vestibular prosthesis also includes a neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit configured to communicate with the microcontroller to receive the control signals, and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit. The neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit includes a digital controller configured to communicate with the microcontroller, a plurality of digital-to-analog converters configured to communicate with the digital controller, and a plurality of analog current control circuits, each constructed to communicate with a respective one of the plurality of digital-to-analog converters.

Abstract: A novel vestibular implant system is described. An implantable vestibular stimulator provides vestibular stimulation signals to stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by a patient. One or more motion sensors are controllably powered by the vestibular implant system and develop a motion signal reflecting head motion of an implant patient. The vestibular stimulator includes at least two different operating modes: i. a sensor controlled mode wherein the motion sensor is powered and the vestibular stimulation signal is developed as a dependent function of the motion signal, and ii. a sensor independent mode wherein the motion sensor is unpowered and the vestibular stimulation signals, if any, are developed independently of the motion signal.

Abstract: A multichannel vestibular prosthesis includes a sensor system and a microcontroller configured to communicate with the sensor system to receive sensor signals from the sensor system while in operation. The microcontroller is configured to provide control signals in response to the sensor signals. The multichannel vestibular prosthesis also includes a neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit configured to communicate with the microcontroller to receive the control signals, and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit. The neuroelectronic interface integrated circuit includes a digital controller configured to communicate with the microcontroller, a plurality of digital-to-analog converters configured to communicate with the digital controller, and a plurality of analog current control circuits, each constructed to communicate with a respective one of the plurality of digital-to-analog converters.

Abstract: A vestibular implant system is described which includes an implantable vestibular stimulator providing a vestibular stimulation signal to electrically stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by a patient. A patient warning alarm process alters the stimulation signal when a given alarm condition occurs to change the vestibular sensation of the patient thereby warning the patient of the alarm condition.

Abstract: A new speech processing strategy, termed Frequency Modulated Stimulation (FMS), is provided for use with a cochlear prosthetic. The FMS strategy advantageously mimics the neural firing patterns of the healthy cochlea by controlling when and where stimulation pulses are presented in the cochlea. The benefits of this approach are its simplicity and its ability to provide temporal information at relatively low power consumption. The stimulation that results has high temporal precision and a low pulse presentation rate. The power efficiency of the FMS strategy is three to six times greater than that of a CIS strategy with comparable thresholds. The FMS strategy depends on the probability that at any point along the basilar membrane the ganglion cells are most likely to respond during the upward motion of the basilar membrane, when the hair cells are pushed toward the tectorial membrane. At low frequencies, this probability accounts for phase locking of the neurons to each peak of the motion.

Abstract: The stimulation provided in the electrically stimulated cochlea is modulated in accordance with the amplitude of a received acoustic signal and the onset of a sound in a received acoustic signal to provide increased sound perception. An onset time that corresponds to the onset of a sound is detected in an acoustic signal associated with a frequency band. A forcing voltage and a transmitting factor are determined, wherein the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor are associated with the frequency band at the detected onset time. The acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor to generate an output signal. The generated output signal can be used to stimulate the cochlea. The modulation strategy can be used in conjunction with sound processing strategies that employ frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or a combination of frequency and amplitude modulation.