Abstract: A system for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual, comprising device for obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of a neuronal stimulation device relative to afferent axon(s) targeting sensory neuron(s) in the cortex of the individual and device for determining a neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to the afferent axon(s) via the neuronal stimulation device based at least in part on the obtained spatial information.

Abstract: An auditory neural interface device for sound perception by an individual that may be used as a hearing aid. The auditory neural interface device includes a receiver configured to receive sound signals, a processor operably connected to the receiver and configured to encode a received sound signal as a multi-channel neurostimulation signal, and a neurostimulation device operably connected to the processor and configured to apply the multi-channel neurostimulation signal to a neurostimulation electrode of the individual. The neurostimulation signal is configured to directly stimulate afferent sensory neurons of the central nervous system of the individual and thereby to elicit, for each channel of the neurostimulation signal, one or more non-auditory, preferably somatosensory, perceptions in a cortex area of the individual. Each channel of the neurostimulation signal is associated with a different non-auditory perception.

Abstract: A computer brain interface (CBI) device of an individual is self-calibrated. A neurostimulation test signal is generated based on a selected set of test signal parameters. The neurostimulation signal is applied to the afferent sensory nerve fibers to elicit a bioelectric response via a neurostimulation interface operably connected to or integrated with the CBI device. The neurostimulation interface senses the bioelectric responses of the stimulated afferent sensory nerve fibers. The CBI devices determines, based on the sensed bioelectric responses, whether an excitation behavior of the stimulated afferent sensory nerve fibers with respect to the neurostimulation interface has changed. When the excitation behavior has changed, a set of recalibrated neurostimulation signal parameters is determined based on the sensed bioelectric responses.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining a consensus plane usable for imaging an anatomical body part with a medical imaging device. The method involves acquiring patient image data that describes an anatomical body part; acquiring planned trajectory data; determining initial imaging plane data of the medical imaging device based on the planned trajectory data; acquiring imaging device constraint data; and acquiring orientation condition data that describes a predetermined condition to be met. The method further includes determining consensus plane data based on the imaging device constraint data and the initial imaging plane data and the orientation condition data; and acquiring avoidance region position data that describes a position of an avoidance region which shall at least substantially not be intersected by imaging radiation during the imaging. The determining consensus plane data is further based on the avoidance region position data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of determining a consensus plane for imaging an elongate medical device such as an electrode or a catheter. When positioning an analytical device such that its imaging plane is parallel to or coincides with the consensus plane, an optimal image of the elongate medical device can be generated. The consensus plane is determined by analyzing patient image data used for planning an imaging procedure, planned trajectory data defining a planned position of the elongate medical device relative to the position of an anatomical body part, imaging device constraint data describing machine constraints governing operation of the medical imaging device, avoidance region position data defining the position of anatomical regions of the patient's body, and orientation condition data defining a boundary condition for an angle between the orientation of the consensus plane and the orientation of the characteristic geometric quantity of the elongate medical device.

Abstract: Neurostimulation devices, systems, methods and computer programs for generating neurostimulation sequences that cause a neurophysiologic effect with reduced side effects. A plurality of stimulation pulses of a neurostimulation sequence is applied to a nervous system of a person while a neurophysiologic effect strength caused by the neurostimulation sequence, a side effect strength associated with the neurostimulation sequence, or both are determined. A modified neurostimulation sequence is generated having an increased quiescence time. The neurostimulation sequence is modified by one or both of adding one or more quiescence periods into or removing stimulation pulses from the neurostimulation sequence. A charge injected into the nervous system is increased by increasing a pulse frequency, a pulse amplitude or a pulse width of the neurostimulation sequence.

Abstract: A medical data processing method is provided and includes: acquiring medical image data describing a digital image of an anatomical body part containing at least one nerve fibre extending between an internal part of the anatomical body part and a substantially exterior part of the anatomical body part; and acquiring atlas data describing an image-based model of the anatomical body part. The method determines, based on the medical image data and the atlas data, exterior part data describing an association between the exterior part and the nerve fibre. The method further acquires a predetermined applied stimulation signal applied to, based on the exterior part data, the exterior part and an emitted stimulation signal emitted by the nerve fibre. Correspondence measure data describing a measure of correspondence between the applied stimulation signal and the emitted stimulation signal is then determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for communicating an operational state of a neuronal stimulation apparatus to an individual, comprising: means for determining the operational state of the apparatus; means for transmitting a first neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the operational state of the apparatus. The present invention further relates to a method and computer program comprising the steps of: determining the operational state of the apparatus, transmitting a neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the determined operational state of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a coverage of a target anatomical structure by an electric stimulation field. The system includes a computer to acquire patient image data and the atlas data, determine, based on the patient image data and the atlas data, target structure position data describing a position of the target anatomical structure in the medical image of the anatomical body part of the patient. The system also acquires electrode position data and stimulation field data describing an electric stimulation field around the position of the electrode. The system also includes an electrode configuring device for adjusting an emission configuration of the electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating the sensory cortex of an individual by obtaining a neuronal stimulation signal adapted to provide a movement cue for the individual and transmitting the neuronal stimulation signal to an electric contact of a neuronal stimulation electrode that is already implanted into the brain of the individual for a purpose different from providing the movement cue. Proprioceptive information is communicated to the individual by obtaining information about the body posture of the individual and applying a neuronal stimulation signal to an afferent axon targeting a sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual. The neuronal stimulation signal is determined based on the obtained body posture information and corresponds to the proprioceptive information. A first neuronal stimulation signal providing the movement cue and a second neuronal stimulation signal providing the proprioceptive information may be applied together to the cortex of the individual.

Abstract: An auditory neural interface device for sound perception by an individual that may be used as a hearing aid. The auditory neural interface device includes a receiver configured to receive sound signals, a processor operably connected to the receiver and configured to encode a received sound signal as a multi-channel neurostimulation signal, and a neurostimulation device operably connected to the processor and configured to apply the multi-channel neurostimulation signal to a neurostimulation electrode of the individual. The neurostimulation signal is configured to directly stimulate afferent sensory neurons of the central nervous system of the individual and thereby to elicit, for each channel of the neurostimulation signal, one or more non-auditory, preferably somatosensory, perceptions in a cortex area of the individual. Each channel of the neurostimulation signal is associated with a different non-auditory perception.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating the sensory cortex of an individual by obtaining a neuronal stimulation signal adapted to provide a movement cue for the individual and transmitting the neuronal stimulation signal to an electric contact of a neuronal stimulation electrode that is already implanted into the brain of the individual for a purpose different from providing the movement cue. Proprioceptive information is communicated to the individual by obtaining information about the body posture of the individual and applying a neuronal stimulation signal to an afferent axon targeting a sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual. The neuronal stimulation signal is determined based on the obtained body posture information and corresponds to the proprioceptive information. A first neuronal stimulation signal providing the movement cue and a second neuronal stimulation signal providing the proprioceptive information may be applied together to the cortex of the individual.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a coverage of a target anatomical structure by an electric stimulation field. The system includes a computer to acquire patient image data and the atlas data, determine, based on the patient image data and the atlas data, target structure position data describing a position of the target anatomical structure in the medical image of the anatomical body part of the patient. The system also acquires electrode position data and stimulation field data describing an electric stimulation field around the position of the electrode. The system also includes an electrode configuring device for adjusting an emission configuration of the electrode.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a coverage of a target anatomical structure by an electric stimulation field. The system includes a computer to acquire patient image data and the atlas data, determine, based on the patient image data and the atlas data, target structure position data describing a position of the target anatomical structure in the medical image of the anatomical body part of the patient. The system also acquires electrode position data and stimulation field data describing an electric stimulation field around the position of the electrode. The system also includes an electrode configuring device for adjusting an emission configuration of the electrode.

Abstract: A computer brain interface (CBI) device of an individual applies a burst sequence of stimulation pulses to afferent sensory nerve fibers to elicit a bioelectric response via a neurostimulation interface operably connected to or integrated with the CBI device. The neurostimulation interface senses the bioelectric responses of the stimulated afferent sensory nerve fibers. The CBI device derives, based on the sensed bioelectric responses, a neural excitability profile characterizing a non-linear, dynamic excitation behavior of the afferent sensory neurons corresponding to the applied sequence of stimulation pulses. At least one stimulation parameter of the current set of stimulation parameters is adjusted based on the derived excitability profile to obtain an updated set of stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A computer brain interface (CBI) device of an individual is self-calibrated. A neurostimulation test signal is generated based on a selected set of test signal parameters. The neurostimulation signal is applied to the afferent sensory nerve fibers to elicit a bioelectric response via a neurostimulation interface operably connected to or integrated with the CBI device. The neurostimulation interface senses the bioelectric responses of the stimulated afferent sensory nerve fibers. The CBI devices determines, based on the sensed bioelectric responses, whether an excitation behavior of the stimulated afferent sensory nerve fibers with respect to the neurostimulation interface has changed. When the excitation behavior has changed, a set of recalibrated neurostimulation signal parameters is determined based on the sensed bioelectric responses.

Abstract: A balance prosthesis device for an individual including a sensor module configured to obtain a sensor signal indicative of a balance or equilibrium state of the individual, a processing module configured to determine at least one neurostimulation signal based at least in part on the obtained sensor signal, and a transmitter module configured to transmit the determined neurostimulation signal to a neurostimulation device of the individual. The neurostimulation signal is configured to elicit an artificial sensation in a specific sensory cortex area of the individual via directly stimulating afferent sensory axons of the central or peripheral nervous system of the individual targeting sensory neurons of the sensory cortex area not directly associated with vestibulocortical pathways of the individual. The elicited artificial sensation provides a balance indication to the individual in order to support, mimic, substitute or enhance the natural sense of balance of the individual.

Abstract: A system for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual, comprising means for obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of a neuronal stimulation means relative to afferent axon(s) targeting sensory neuron(s) in the cortex of the individual and means for determining a neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to the afferent axon(s) via the neuronal stimulation means based at least in part on the obtained spatial information. A system for communicating conceptual information to an individual, comprising means for selecting a neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to afferent axon(s) targeting sensory neuron(s) in the cortex of the individual, wherein the neuronal stimulation signal corresponds to the conceptual information to be communicated and means for transmitting the neuronal stimulation signal to the neuronal stimulation means of the individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for communicating an operational state of a neuronal stimulation apparatus to an individual, comprising: means for determining the operational state of the apparatus; means for transmitting a first neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the operational state of the apparatus. The present invention further relates to a method and computer program comprising the steps of: determining the operational state of the apparatus, transmitting a neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the determined operational state of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual, comprising means for obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of at least one neuronal stimulation means relative to at least one afferent axon targeting at least one sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual and means for determining at least one neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to at least one afferent axon via the at least one neuronal stimulation means based at least in part on the obtained spatial information.