Abstract: Methods of applying stimulation to a stimulation site within a patient include applying stimulation current to the stimulation site via at least one stimulating electrode, applying compensating current configured to affect at least one excitation field caused by the stimulation current via one or more additional electrodes, and dynamically adjusting the compensating current as a function of an amplitude of the stimulation current. Systems for applying stimulation to a stimulation site within a patient include an implantable stimulator, at least one stimulating electrode electrically coupled to the implantable stimulator, and one or more additional electrodes electrically coupled to the implantable stimulator.

Abstract: Contrast between various frequency components of sound is enhanced through a lateral suppression strategy to provide increased speech perception in the electrically stimulated cochlea. A received audio signal is divided into a plurality of input signals, wherein each input signal is associated with a frequency band. A plurality of envelope signals are generated by determining the envelope of each of a plurality of the input signals. At least one of the envelope signals is scaled in accordance with a scaling factor to generate at least one scaled envelope signal. An output signal is generated by combining at least one envelope signal with at least one scaled envelope signal, and the cochlea is stimulated based on the generated output signal. The lateral suppression strategy can be applied to one or more frequency bands using scaled amplitude signals associated with one or more neighboring frequency bands.

Abstract: Methods of selecting a number of channels for stimulation within a neural stimulation system include determining an amplitude of a multiplicity of stimulation signals each corresponding to a channel within a multiplicity of channels in the implantable stimulation system, using the amplitudes of the stimulation signals to determine a probability of each of the stimulation signals, and using the probabilities of one or more of the stimulation signals to randomly select a predetermined number of channels from the multiplicity of channels through which one or more of the stimulation signals are applied to a patient during a stimulation frame.

Abstract: A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).

Abstract: A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).

Abstract: Systems for fitting an implantable cochlear stimulator to a patient include an interface unit configured to display a graphical representation of an implant fitting line as part of a graphical user interface. The implant fitting line has a slope and a horizontal position and represents a mapping relationship between a plurality of audio frequencies and a plurality of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient. The interface unit is further configured to facilitate adjustment of the slope and/or horizontal position of the fitting line.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear stimulation method includes applying a main current to a first electrode associated with a first pitch and disposed within a cochlea of a patient, concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the cochlea and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Psychophysical tests are administered to cochlear implant (CI) users to determine a spectral modulation transfer function (SMTF), the smallest detectable spectral contrast as a function of spectral modulation frequency, for each individual CI user. The determined SMTF for individual CI user is compared against a SMTF of a normal hearing person to determine the specific enhancements needed. A spectral contrast enhancement that best fits the needed enhancements for the individual CI user is selected, and a sound processing strategy is adjusted to provide customized spectral contrast enhancement for the individual CI user. The sound processing strategy implemented includes an outer hair cell model.

Abstract: Detachable shells on hearing system components are used to provide protection to the hearing system components, to be visually pleasing, to provide visibility and to increase system attachment stability, among other functions. The detachable shells allow the overall shape and appearance of the components to be changed, thereby complementing a variety of activities that constitute a hearing system user's unique lifestyle.

Abstract: Errors in pitch allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. The disclosure provides a tool for determining the implant fitting curve for cochlear implant system to correct pitch warping. The method presents familiar musical tunes to determine the implant fitting slope (relative alignment). In addition, in one embodiment, speech sounds may be used to determine the offset of the fitting line (absolute alignment). The use of music and speech to determine the implant fitting curve (line) and the slope is facilitated by using techniques to implement virtual electrodes to more precisely direct stimuli to the location or “place” on the cochlea.

Abstract: A system for mechanically assisted insertion of an electrode includes: an insertion tool configured to insert the electrode into biological tissues; and a controller configured to control the insertion tool, in which the controller is further configured to select operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations. Also, a method for insertion of a cochlear lead, includes: selecting operating parameters comprising a maximum allowable force profile from a library of operating parameters; inserting the cochlear lead while sensing real time force and position; and continuing the insertion while the real time force is below the maximum allowable force profile, in which the maximum allowable force profile is generated from data recorded during a number of previous successful operations.

Abstract: Errors in pitch allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. The disclosure provides a tool for determining the implant fitting curve for cochlear implant system to correct pitch warping. The method presents familiar musical tunes to determine the implant fitting slope (relative alignment). In addition, in one embodiment, speech sounds may be used to determine the offset of the fitting line (absolute alignment). The use of music and speech to determine the implant fitting curve (line) and the slope is facilitated by using techniques to implement virtual electrodes to more precisely direct stimuli to the location or “place” on the cochlea.

Abstract: Implantable neural stimulation systems include an array of electrodes configured to apply one or more stimulation signals to a patient via one or more channels out of a multiplicity of channels during a stimulation frame and a signal processor configured to select the one or more channels for stimulation. The selection of the one or more channels is based on a probability associated with each channel within the multiplicity of channels.

Abstract: Methods and systems of spectral tilt optimization for a cochlear implant patient include applying electrical stimulation representative of an audio signal to a patient in accordance with a spectral tilt value and optimizing the spectral tilt value in response to a measured ability of the patient to recognize at least one attribute of the audio signal.

Abstract: An exemplary method of conveying fine structure information to a cochlear implant patient includes dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, generating electrical stimulation in accordance with the information contained within each of the analysis channels, applying the electrical stimulation to at least one stimulation site within a patient via a plurality of stimulation channels, and at least partially isolating one of the stimulation channels from a rest of the stimulation channels, wherein fine structure information is conveyed to the patient via the isolated stimulation channel. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for treating patients affected both by hearing loss and by balance disorders related to vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source, and an implantable electrical stimulator capable of stimulating areas of the cochlea and areas of the vestibular system.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulation system, such as a cochlear implant system, utilizes a Distributed Compression Amplitude Mapping (DCAM) system to distribute signal compression between a pre-bandpass linear mapping function, and a post-bandpass compressive mapping function. The pre-bandpass linear mapping function is implemented, in one exemplary embodiment, as a traditional audio compressor to prevent distortion that might result from a non-linear mapping function. The post-bandpass compressive mapping function is implemented, in another exemplary embodiment, as a logarithmic transform to reflect natural hearing. As a result of the DCAM processing, the differences in amplitudes of components of the acoustic spectrum are maintained. By maintaining these differences, spectral smearing between channels is reduced and speech clues are preserved.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulation system, such as a cochlear implant system, utilizes a Distributed Compression Amplitude Mapping (DCAM) system to distribute signal compression between a pre-bandpass linear mapping function, and a post-bandpass compressive mapping function. The pre-bandpass linear mapping function is implemented, in one exemplary embodiment, as a traditional audio compressor to prevent distortion that might result from a non-linear mapping function. The post-bandpass compressive mapping function is implemented, in another exemplary embodiment, as a logarithmic transform to reflect natural hearing. As a result of the DCAM processing, the differences in amplitudes of components of the acoustic spectrum are maintained. By maintaining these differences, spectral smearing between channels is reduced and speech clues are preserved.