Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system has a signal processor that fits in the ear canal of a user. The signal processor processes an acoustic signal present in the ear of the user to produce a representative radio signal. A power transmitter transmits an electrical power signal through the skin of the user. A cochlear implant receives the radio signal and the electrical power signal and produces for the auditory nerve of the user an electrical stimulation signal representative of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system has a signal processor that fits in the ear canal of a user. The signal processor processes an acoustic signal present in the ear of the user to produce a representative radio signal. A power transmitter transmits an electrical power signal through the skin of the user. A cochlear implant receives the radio signal and the electrical power signal and produces for the auditory nerve of the user an electrical stimulation signal representative of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A transcutaneous signal transmission system having coupling coil alignment tolerance and increased coupling efficiency includes an external transmitter and first tuned circuit including a first coupling coil and an implantable receiver and second tuned circuit including a second coupling coil. The first and second tuned circuits are stagger tuned whereby closer spacing of the coupling coils is permitted in achieving optimum coupling.

Abstract: An improvement in noise susceptibility is realized in auditory stimulation of the deaf by electrical signals. At least one analog electrical signal is applied to implanted electrodes in a patient, and at least one pulsatile signal is applied to implanted electrodes. The analog signal represents a speech signal, and the pulsatile signal provides specific speech features such as formant frequency and pitch frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a deaf or severely hearing impaired patient. The prosthesis is connected to the patient, and a signal is then applied to the prosthesis across an audioband. The frequency response of the prosthesis is adjusted so that the patient detects a desired response to the signal. In one application the prosthesis may include a sound processor driving a transmitter, a transcutaneous receiver, and an implanted electrode. A constant amplitude signal is applied to the sound processor, and the frequency response of the sound processor is adjusted so that the patient detects a generally uniform response to the signal. Other signals can be applied, such as bursts of a sine wave or other periodic wave, and band-filtered noise can be employed with the band center frequency being swept either step-wise or continuously.

Abstract: Chronic auditory stimulation is achieved by establishing an electric field at the base of the cochlea whereby full speech patterns are imparted to a patient. Penetration of the cochlea is not required thereby reducing the risks in installing the implanted electrodes. In a preferred embodiment the electrodes are disc shaped with the ground electrode being larger than the active electrode. The active electrode is preferably placed in the round window at the base of the cochlea or on the promontory. The ground electrode is placed 2-10 mm from the active electrode to thereby confine the electric field. The interconnections to the electrodes are tissue compatible insulation covered wires thereby minimizing stimulation of cutaneous nerve fibers.

Abstract: A plurality of the carrier signals are modulated by signals in the audio frequency bands. The carrier signals are transmitted to a receiver having one or more independent channels for receiving and demodulating the transmitted signals. The detected signals are applied to electrodes on a prosthetic device implanted in the cochlea with the electrodes selectively positioned in the cochlea to stimulate regions having a desired frequency response.

Abstract: A plurality of carrier signals are modulated by pulses corresponding to signals in audio frequency bands. The carrier signals are transmitted to a receiver having independent channels for receiving and demodulating the transmitted signals. The detected pulses are applied to electrodes on a prosthetic device implanted in the cochlea with the electrodes selectively positioned in the cochlea to stimulate regions having a desired frequency response. The pulses have a frequency which corresponds to the frequency of signals in an audio band and a pulse width which corresponds to the amplitude of signals in the audio band.