Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include first and second subsystems, each subsystem including an input source, a signal processor, a stimulator, and a cochlear electrode. A single implantable battery and/or communication module can provide power to and communicate with each subsystem, such as via each signal processor. Systems can include separate leads providing separate communication between the implantable battery and/or communication module and each subsystem, or can include a bifurcated lead providing signals to both subsystems simultaneously. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to output addressed signals designating for which subsystem a signal is intended. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to separately update settings associated with each respective subsystem, such as a transfer function associated with each signal processor.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a signal processor, an implantable battery and/or communication module, and a plurality of conductors coupling the implantable battery and/or communication module and the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can communicate data and deliver electrical power to the signal processor via the plurality of conductors. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to perform characterization process to determine one or more characteristics of one or more such conductors. Characterization processes can include determining an impedance between two conductors as a function of frequency, determining whether a conductor is intact, and determining an impedance of a given conductor. Some characterization processes include grounding one or more conductors.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include first and second subsystems, each subsystem including an input source, a signal processor, a stimulator, and a cochlear electrode. A single implantable battery and/or communication module can provide power to and communicate with each subsystem, such as via each signal processor. Systems can include separate leads providing separate communication between the implantable battery and/or communication module and each subsystem, or can include a bifurcated lead providing signals to both subsystems simultaneously. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to output addressed signals designating for which subsystem a signal is intended. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to separately update settings associated with each respective subsystem, such as a transfer function associated with each signal processor.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a signal processor, an implantable battery and/or communication module, and a plurality of conductors coupling the implantable battery and/or communication module and the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can communicate data and deliver electrical power to the signal processor via the plurality of conductors. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to perform characterization process to determine one or more characteristics of one or more such conductors. Characterization processes can include determining an impedance between two conductors as a function of frequency, determining whether a conductor is intact, and determining an impedance of a given conductor. Some characterization processes include grounding one or more conductors.

Abstract: Systems can include a fully-implantable cochlear implant system having an input source, a signal processor, and an implantable battery and/or communication module. The system can include an externa hub having a speaker and a wireless communication interface. The external hub can be in wireless communication with the implantable battery and/or communication module. The external hub can be configured to output a predetermined acoustic signal via the speaker and communicate information to the implantable battery and/or communication module regarding the predetermined acoustic signal. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to analyze information regarding the acoustic signal output from the external hub and information from the signal processor regarding the response of the cochlear implant system to the acoustic signal. Such analysis can be used to calibrate the cochlear implant system and detect stapedial reflexes in a wearer.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the sensor. The signal processor can include an analog filtering stage configured to generate an analog filtered signal from a received input signal and a digital filtering stage configured to generate a digitally filtered signal from the analog filtered signal. The analog filtering stage and digital filtering stage can be used to normalize the frequency response of the digitally filtered signal with respect to the stimulus signal.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a near field communication device for communicating via a first wireless communication protocol and a wireless communication device for communicating via a second wireless communication protocol. An external device including an external near field communication device and an external wireless communication device can communicate with the implanted system via the first wireless communication protocol. Communication via the first wireless communication protocol can be used to enable communication between the implant system and the external device via the second wireless communication protocol. External devices can provide audio and/or data to the implant system via the second wireless communication protocol. External devices can include one or more sensors, and data from the sensors can be used to update a system transfer function based on the environment and/or location of the external device.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator and the sensor. In some examples, the stimulator and the signal processor are integrated into a single hermetically sealed housing. The housing can include a return electrode that extends from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite the first.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include first and second subsystems, each subsystem including an input source, a signal processor, a stimulator, and a cochlear electrode. A single implantable battery and/or communication module can provide power to and communicate with each subsystem, such as via each signal processor. Systems can include separate leads providing separate communication between the implantable battery and/or communication module and each subsystem, or can include a bifurcated lead providing signals to both subsystems simultaneously. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to output addressed signals designating for which subsystem a signal is intended. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to separately update settings associated with each respective subsystem, such as a transfer function associated with each signal processor.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a signal processor, an implantable battery and/or communication module, and a plurality of conductors coupling the implantable battery and/or communication module and the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can communicate data and deliver electrical power to the signal processor via the plurality of conductors. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to perform characterization process to determine one or more characteristics of one or more such conductors. Characterization processes can include determining an impedance between two conductors as a function of frequency, determining whether a conductor is intact, and determining an impedance of a given conductor. Some characterization processes include grounding one or more conductors.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a signal processor in communication with the stimulator, and an implantable battery and/or communication module. The signal processor can receive an input signal from an input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and a transfer function of the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module may be configured to provide electrical power to the signal processor. The signal processor may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a first impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication. The implantable battery and/or communication module may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a second impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator. The signal processor can receive an input signal from an input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and a transfer function of the signal processor. The signal processor can be connected to the stimulator via a first detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the stimulator. The signal processor can be connected to the input source via a second detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the input source. A modular signal processor can be detached from the stimulator and the input source for repair or replacement.

Abstract: Fully implantable cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a signal processor in communication with the stimulator, and an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor. A cochlear implant network can include an external device in wireless communication with the fully implantable cochlear implant system via one or more system components, such as the implantable battery and/or communication module, the stimulator, and/or the signal processor. The external device can be configured to wirelessly communicate signals to the fully implantable cochlear implant system such as control signals and/or audio signals. Networks can include a plurality of external devices capable of interfacing with one or more implantable components of a fully implantable cochlear implant system.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator. The signal processor can include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry. The signal processor can further include a first impedance between the circuitry and the can in order to reduce unintended electrical communication between the cochlear electrode and the circuitry of the signal processor. Other components can similarly include impedance between their respective cans and circuitry to prevent such undesired communication. Components can communicate with one another via bidirectional communication. Communication can include communication of signals and inverted signals to reduce net charge flow through the wearer's body.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator. The signal processor can receive an input signal from an input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and a transfer function of the signal processor. The signal processor can be connected to the stimulator via a first detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the stimulator. The signal processor can be connected to the input source via a second detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the input source. A modular signal processor can be detached from the stimulator and the input source for repair or replacement.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator. The signal processor can include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry. The signal processor can further include a first impedance between the circuitry and the can in order to reduce unintended electrical communication between the cochlear electrode and the circuitry of the signal processor. Other components can similarly include impedance between their respective cans and circuitry to prevent such undesired communication. Components can communicate with one another via bidirectional communication. Communication can include communication of signals and inverted signals to reduce net charge flow through the wearer's body.

Abstract: Fully implantable cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a signal processor in communication with the stimulator, and an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor. A cochlear implant network can include an external device in wireless communication with the fully implantable cochlear implant system via one or more system components, such as the implantable battery and/or communication module, the stimulator, and/or the signal processor. The external device can be configured to wirelessly communicate signals to the fully implantable cochlear implant system such as control signals and/or audio signals. Networks can include a plurality of external devices capable of interfacing with one or more implantable components of a fully implantable cochlear implant system.

Abstract: A multiple-channel data communication buffer includes a transmit first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) circuit and a receive FIFO circuit. The transmit and receive FIFO circuits each include a write pointer array, a read pointer array and a single memory device having a data input, a data output, a write address input, a read address input and a plurality of logical channels from the data input to the data output. The write pointer array has a write pointer for each of the logical channels and applies a selected one of the write pointers to the write address input based on a write channel number input. The read pointer array has a read pointer for each of the logical channels and applies a selected one of the read pointers to the read address input based on a read channel number input.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are used to reshape isochronous Constant Bit Rate (CBR) and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data at a receiving point (such as a multimedia workstation) using precise universal real time clocks that are provided by Global Position System (GPS) satellites.