Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a sound processor configured to divide an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, wherein each of the analysis channels contains information corresponding to a distinct frequency band of the audio signal, and wherein one of the analysis channels contains fine structure information corresponding to the audio signal, and 2) an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to generate electrical stimulation in accordance with the information contained within each of the analysis channels, apply the electrical stimulation to at least one stimulation site within a patient via a plurality of stimulation channels, each of the stimulation channels corresponding to one of the analysis channels and configured to convey the information contained within the analysis channels to the patient via at least one electrode, and at least partially isolate one of the stimulation channels from a rest of the stimulation channels.

Abstract: A device for analyzing an audio signal to obtain an analysis representation of the audio signal includes a converter for converting the audio signal into a representation representing a neurotransmitter vesicle occurrence in clefts between a plurality of nerve fibers and inner auditory cells of an ear model, and a calculator for calculating a neural activity pattern over time on the plurality of nerve fibers, which results based on the neurotransmitter vesicle occurrence, wherein the neural activity pattern is an analysis representation of the audio signal. The inventive device thus generates an especially suitable analysis representation of an audio signal in which masking effects occurring in the generation of action potentials on nerve fibers are considered. The inventive analysis representation is also suitable for an examination of the audio content and also for controlling cochlea implants.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processing unit 1) directing an implantable cochlear stimulator to apply a plurality of stimulation pulses each having a first pulse width by way of a plurality of electrodes during a first stimulation frame, the plurality of electrodes including a first electrode and a set of remaining electrodes, 2) detecting a change in impedance of the first electrode, 3) adjusting, in response to the change in impedance of the first electrode, a pulse width parameter associated with the first electrode to define a second pulse width, and 4) directing the implantable cochlear stimulator to apply a stimulation pulse having the second pulse width by way of the first electrode and a plurality of stimulation pulses having the first pulse width by way of the set of remaining electrodes during a second stimulation frame subsequent to the first stimulation frame.

Abstract: An auditory implant system for treating a hearing disorder is disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for the use thereof. The system comprises an implantable array of electrodes and a pulse generator (PG), wherein at least one electrode is a cochlear effecting electrode adapted for disposition in the associated Eustachian tube in the proximity of the associated fenestra rotunda.

Abstract: A cochlear implant implementing a directional sound processing system is provided. Specifically, the cochlear implants implementing the present invention comprise a plurality of audio sensors arranged in at least one external component of the cochlear implant to spatially receive ambient sound. At least one audio sensor is located in one of the external components of the cochlear implant, while one other audio sensor is located elsewhere, such as in a component other than the first component. The cochlear implant includes an directional sound processor comprising an array processor and a sound processor to convert the received sounds into a cochlea stimulation instruction signal.

Abstract: The present application discloses hearing prostheses with two modes of operation and methods for operating the prostheses. In the first mode of operation, a hearing prosthesis receives a microphone input and produces an output based on the microphone input. In the second mode of operation, the hearing prosthesis may detect an accessory input signal and switch to an accessory input mode. The second mode of operation may produce an output that is based at least in part on the accessory input signal. Some embodiments may include detecting an accessory input signal with a detector. In response to detecting an accessory input signal, the hearing prosthesis may switch to an accessory operation mode. When the accessory input signal is not detected, the hearing prosthesis may operate in microphone operation mode.

Abstract: A nerve tissue stimulator configured for contacting to or insertion in the body of a subject to stimulate a tissue therein, said probe comprising: (a) a support configured for contacting to or positioning adjacent a tissue of said subject; (b) at least one thermoelectric device (TED) on said support and positioned for thermally stimulating said nerve tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for applying of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus onto the surface of the human ear. A holding element is attached to the ear. At least one electrode is arranged on an electrode carrier and the electrode carrier is arranged on a supporting rod. The holding element has a linear guide in which the supporting rod is arranged linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element. A latching mean is arranged between the linear guide and the supporting rod, so that the supporting rod can be latched relatively to the linear guide along the longitudinal axis (L) in predetermined relative positions. The latching means has a rack shaped contour on the supporting rod which extends into the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

Abstract: A system and method for a Micro Electro-Mechanical System acoustic sensor, or MEMS acoustic sensor, to be used as an implanted microphone for totally implantable cochlear implants or middle ear implants is presented. The MEMS acoustic sensor comprises a coupler that attaches the sensor to an inner part of the ear, a MEMS acoustic sensor that converts acoustic vibrations into a change in capacitance, and a low-noise interface electronics circuit chip that detects the change in capacitance in the MEMS acoustic sensor, creates an signal representing a portion of the acoustic vibrations, and transmits the signal to one or more other devices, such as a cochlear implant. A method of fabrication enables the MEMS acoustic sensor to be fabricated as a small, less than 1 mm3, light weight, less than 30 mg, device suitable for implantation on a structure of the middle ear.

Abstract: An electrode array which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilising collar extends outwardly from the elongate carrier at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier following completion of insertion of the array into the cochlea.

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.

Abstract: A method for fitting to a recipient a cochlear prosthesis having a sound processor that processes received sound in accordance with a MAP, the method comprises providing, by the hearing prosthesis, combinations of voice prompts and test stimuli for testing values of an element of the MAP; receiving from the recipient an indication of which of said values are desirable; and revising the MAP with the desired value for the tested element. A neural-stimulating device for stimulating nerve cells of a recipient is provided.

Abstract: Among other things, a stimulation strategy can be customized for a cochlear implant implanted in an individual by testing at least a pair of electrodes selected from an array of electrodes associated with the cochlear implant. Testing the at least a pair of electrodes includes applying a first stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a first pair of pulse trains that are in phase, and applying a second stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a second pair of pulse trains that are out of phase. A determination is made on whether the at least a pair of electrodes stimulate the same neural population based on a sensitivity of the individual to detect a perceived difference between the two pairs of pulse trains. The one or more electrodes of the array of electrodes are selectively stimulated based on the determination.

Abstract: Among other things, enhancing spectral contrast for a cochlear implant listener includes detecting a time domain signal. A first transformation is applied to the detected time domain signal to convert the time domain signal to a frequency domain signal. A second transformation is applied to the frequency domain signal to express the frequency domain signal as a sum of two or more components. A sensitivity of the cochlear implant listener to detect modulation of each component is obtained.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a bilateral cochlear implant patient includes a fitting subsystem directing a first cochlear implant associated with a right ear of a bilateral cochlear implant patient to present a first set of one or more stimulation pulses to the patient and a second cochlear implant associated with a left ear of the patient to present a second set of one or more stimulation pulses to the patient, presenting a first audible cue during the presentation of each stimulation pulse included in the first set of one or more stimulation pulses, and presenting a second audible cue having one or more different acoustic properties than the first audible cue during the presentation of each stimulation pulse included in the second set of one or more stimulation pulses. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processor 1) storing data representative of a reference spectral profile for a cochlear implant patient, 2) detecting an incoming audio signal presented to the cochlear implant patient, 3) determining a spectral profile of the incoming audio signal, 4) comparing the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal to the reference spectral profile, and 5) determining, based on the comparison, an adjusted spectral profile that more closely matches the reference spectral profile than does the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a fitting subsystem maintaining a plurality of patient data instances associated with a fitting of a cochlear implant system to a patient, displaying one or more of the patient data instances within one or more main views of a graphical user interface used to fit the cochlear implant system to the patient, receiving data representative of a request by a user to archive a patient data instance included in the plurality of patient data instances, and archiving, in response to the request, the patient data instance by preventing the patient data instance from being displayed within the one or more main views of the graphical user interface. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for activating stimulation electrodes in cochlear implant electrode is described. A preprocessor filter bank processes an input acoustic audio signal to generate band pass signals that each represent an associated band of audio frequencies. An information extractor extracts stimulation signal information from the band pass signals based on assigning the band pass signals to corresponding electrode stimulation groups that each contain one or more stimulation electrodes, and generates a set of stimulation event signals for each electrode stimulation group that define electrode stimulation timings and amplitudes. A pulse selector selects a set of electrode stimulation signals from the stimulation event signals based on a pulse weighting function that uses channel-specific weighting factors favoring lower frequencies for activating the stimulation electrodes to stimulate neighboring audio nerve tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for fitting a multimodal hearing system to a recipient. Such fitting may include determining a desired perception for an input signal, receiving a measurement of a perception evoked by applying to the recipient one or more stimulation signals that correspond to the input signal, wherein the one or more stimulation signals applied using two or more stimulation modes, and each stimulation signal is determined using stimulus mode weighting, and adjusting one or more of the stimulus mode weightings based on the difference between the measured evoked perception and the desired perception. A multimodal hearing system is able to stimulate using an acoustic, electrical, mechanical mode and/or photo effect mode.

Abstract: A cochlear implant processing strategy increases speech clarity and higher temporal performance. The strategy determines the power spectral component within each channel, and dynamically selects or de-selects the channels through which a stimulation pulse is provided as a function of whether the spectral power of the channel is high or low. “High” and “low” are estimated relative to a selected spectral power, for example. The selected spectral power can be estimated by signal average or mean, or by other criteria. Once a selection of the channels to stimulate has been made, the system can decide that only those channels are stimulated, and stimulation is removed from the other channels. The selected channels are the ones on which the spectral power is above the mean of all the available channels. Fewer channels are stimulated at any time and the contrast of the stimulation is enhanced. Also, the temporal resolution increases as the number of channels that must be stimulated on a given frame decreases.

Abstract: A percutaneous cochlear implant system includes a cochlear stimulator configured to be coupled to an electrode lead, the electrode lead comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to be in communication with a plurality of stimulation sites within a cochlear region of a patient, a sound processor communicatively coupled to the cochlear stimulator and configured to control the cochlear stimulator to generate and apply electrical stimuli representative of an audio signal to at least one of the stimulation sites via at least one of the electrodes, a power source configured to provide power to at least one of the cochlear stimulator and the sound processor, and a percutaneous port configured to be percutaneously implanted within a head of the patient. The percutaneous port may be configured to house at least one of the power source, sound processor, and cochlear stimulator.

Abstract: An exemplary method of managing cochlear implant fitting software includes a cochlear implant fitting subsystem maintaining data representative of a cochlear implant fitting software package comprising a plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, maintaining data representative of a plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponding to the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, and selectively enabling or disabling each cochlear implant fitting feature within the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features in accordance with the corresponding independent licensing heuristic. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a sound signal is based on an ear model for deriving, for a number of inner hair cells, an estimate for a time-varying concentration of transmitter substance inside a cleft between an inner hair cell and an associated auditory nerve from the sound signal so that an estimated inner hair cell cleft contents map over time is obtained. This map is analyzed by means of a pitch analyzer to obtain a pitch line over time, the pitch line indicating a pitch of the sound signal for respective time instants. A rhythm analyzer is operative for analyzing envelopes of estimates for selected inner hair cells, the inner hair cells being selected in accordance with the pitch line, so that segmentation instants are obtained, wherein a segmentation instant indicates an end of the preceding note or a start of a succeeding note. Thus, a human-related and reliable sound signal analysis can be obtained.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processing unit 1) directing an implantable cochlear stimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes to generate an electrical stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, 2) automatically detecting an impedance of at least one of the electrodes, and 3) directing, in accordance with the detected impedance, the implantable cochlear stimulator to adjust a pulse width of the electrical stimulation current to maintain constant a total electric charge level of the electrical stimulation current.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a load-adaptive bioelectrical current stimulator, which comprises a current output module, an adaptation module and a control module. The current output module generates a stimulus current to an electrode. The adaptation module detects the electrical status of the stimulus current passing through the electrode and generates a feedback signal to the control module. According to the feedback signal, the control module controls the current output module to stabilize the output status of the stimulus current adaptively. Thereby, the load-adaptive bioelectrical current stimulator can use the feedback control mechanism to regulate the value of the stimulus current to adapt to variation of load impedance.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for characterizing hearing prosthesis channel interaction. Some embodiments may include applying a probe signal to a region of auditory neurons via a first hearing prosthesis channel, and applying a perturber signal to the region of auditory neurons via a second hearing prosthesis channel, where the perturber signal is configured to cause a polarity-independent neural excitation in an auditory neuron. Some embodiments may additionally include measuring one or more metrics corresponding to a neural response to the application of the probe and perturber signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical stimulation method and apparatus to stimulate nerve fibers, turning on suitable combination of adjacent electrodes simultaneously to form virtual channels based on predetermined rules, so that the stimulation signal will generate or evoke a nerve response spectrum that matches the original signal spectrum presented as the input sound. The method includes the steps of receiving a sound signal by a receiving unit; dividing the received sound signal into a plurality of frequency bands by a processing unit; extracting a spectral peak from each of the frequency bands and determining a stimulation sequence of frequency bands by the processing unit; and selectively driving a plurality of electrode groups in a plurality of cycles based on the stimulation sequence of frequency bands and a determination rule by the processing unit, so that the nerve response that matches the original signal will be generated.

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: An exemplary method of representing different spectral components of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient includes identifying one or more spectral peaks of an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient, applying electrical stimulation representative of the one or more spectral peaks to at least one stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a partial multipolar stimulation configuration, and applying electrical stimulation representative of one or more other spectral components of the audio signal to at least one other stimulation site within the cochlear implant patient using a monopolar stimulation configuration. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to improving the interface between one or more electrode contacts of a medical implant and the neurons of a recipient of the medical implant. In an embodiment, a growth factor is applied to stimulate the growth of peripheral processes (also referred to as dendrites). Then an electric field is applied to direct the growth of the peripheral processes towards the electrode contact. Growing peripheral processes towards the electrode contacts may reduce the charge required to stimulate the peripheral processes and improve operation of the medical implant.

Abstract: A cochlear implant processing strategy increases speech clarity and higher temporal performance. The strategy determines the power spectral component within each channel, and dynamically selects or de-selects the channels through which a stimulation pulse is provided as a function of whether the spectral power of the channel is high or low. “High” and “low” are estimated relative to a selected spectral power, for example. The selected spectral power can be estimated by signal average or mean, or by other criteria. Once a selection of the channels to stimulate has been made, the system can decide that only those channels are stimulated, and stimulation is removed from the other channels. The selected channels are the ones on which the spectral power is above the mean of all the available channels. Fewer channels are stimulated at any time and the contrast of the stimulation is enhanced. Also, the temporal resolution increases as the number of channels that must be stimulated on a given frame decreases.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system includes a hearing assistance unit, with an interface for receiving a removable module, and a removable module configured to be retained in the interface.

Abstract: An implantable multi-channel electrode is described. An ear implant electrode with a cylinder shaped electrode body has opposing top and bottom end surfaces. Electrode contacts are dispersed across the bottom end surface to provide electrical interaction with nearby auditory nerve tissue.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a multi-channel electrode array in which each channel is associated with an electrode in the array. An audio processing stage processes an input audio signal to produce output channel signals representing associated bands of audio frequencies. A timing and envelope detector processes the output channel signals in a sequence of sampling intervals, including, for each sampling interval, determining for each output channel signal a set of pulse timing requests. A pulse selection amplitude definition stage determines for each set of requested pulse timings a set of output pulses at specified times and amplitudes selected from the set of requested pulse timings based on a pulse selection inhibition function.

Abstract: An implantable sound pickup system. The system comprises an intracochlear acoustic sensor implantable in a recipient's cochlea comprising: an elongate core conductor, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the surface of the core conductor configured to detect pressure waves in the perilymph of the cochlea when the acoustic sensor is at least partially implanted in the cochlea, and to produce electrical signals corresponding to the detected pressure waves.

Abstract: Methods and systems of optimizing sound sensation of a cochlear implant patient include dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, generating one or more tonality indices each representing a tonality of one of the analysis channels, generating one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent the audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, and adjusting at least one of the stimulation parameters based on at least one of the tonality indices.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement to be attached on and/or in the ear of a human, wherein the electrode arrangement is designed to exert a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of the ear and wherein the electrode arrangement has at least one stimulation electrode and at least one reference electrode. In order to achieve an improved transcutaneous stimulation, especially of the Vagus nerve, the invention provides that the at least one stimulation electrode contacts the surface of the ear via a first contact surface and that the at least one reference electrode contacts the surface of the ear via a second contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is at least three time the size of the first contact surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for normalizing a spectral profile corresponding to an audio signal include detecting a spectral profile of an incoming audio signal and comparing the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal to a reference spectral profile. The methods further include using the comparison to determine an adjusted spectral profile that more closely matches the reference spectral profile than does the spectral profile of the incoming audio signal and applying electrical stimulation representative of the adjusted spectral profile to a cochlear implant patient.

Abstract: Assessment of neuron excitation is implemented by quantifying the interaction between focused and unfocused stimulation applied to a cochlear array. By applying focused and unfocused stimulation to the electrode array and comparing the difference in the responses to the two types of stimulation the interaction may be determined. The magnitude of the interaction may be related to neural excitation and using this data a neural excitation profile may be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device.

Abstract: Systems for detecting one or more central auditory potentials include an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient and to generate a stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, a signal processing unit configured to be located external to the patient and to be communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator, and one or more electrodes configured to be removably coupled to the signal processing unit. The electrodes are configured to detect the one or more central auditory potentials and the signal processing unit is configured to process the detected central auditory potentials.

Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for characterizing hearing prosthesis channel interaction. Some embodiments may include applying a probe signal to a region of auditory neurons via a first hearing prosthesis channel, and applying a perturber signal to the region of auditory neurons via a second hearing prosthesis channel, where the perturber signal is configured to cause a polarity-independent neural excitation in an auditory neuron. Some embodiments may additionally include measuring one or more metrics corresponding to a neural response to the application of the probe and perturber signals.

Abstract: Coding of received audio signals and the resulting application of electrical stimuli applied to electrodes used in a cochlear implant system are disclosed together with a method of fitting this new coding strategy. One of the aims is to improve place specific stimulation representing pitch by applying near threshold electrical stimuli with limited and focused excitation fields. A range of stimulation rates and a minimal range of current levels above threshold are used for creation of a dynamic loudness percept for a cochlear implant recipient. Another aim is to disclose a coding scheme based on a model of physiological measures (i.e. refractoriness, adaptation, spread of activation field, spatiotemporal acoustical cochlear activation patterns and spontaneous activity) to estimate the proportions of available excitable auditory neurons close to the electrodes available for stimulation.

Abstract: A microcircuit cochlear electrode array and process for the manufacture thereof, the electrode array comprising first and second flat microcircuits comprising a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending electrical conductors and longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads extending laterally from the conductors, the first flat microcircuit being helically wrapped in a first direction along an axis with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an end of an outer surface hereof and the second flat microcircuit helically being wrapped in an opposite direction on and along an outer surface of the first helically wrapped microcircuit with its longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads exposed on an outer surface thereof adjacent the exposed longitudinally spaced electrode receiving pads of the first microcircuit, and ring electrodes around and electrically secured to the electrode receiving pads of the first and second microcircuits.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to a modulation enhancement strategy that helps improve ITD perception by explicitly modulating the electrical stimulation signal. In an embodiment, the timing of the applied modulations is based on amplitude inflections (i.e., peaks or troughs) in the received sound signal. In an embodiment, the identified inflections (i.e., peaks or troughs) represent the most energetic portions of the signal over a particular time period (e.g., the time period prior to the inflection having a length equal to the expected fundamental period of the signal. Further, in an embodiment, the cochlear implant applies a delay to the stimulation signal to help maintain interaural timing cues. The application of this delay helps account for the traveling wave delay in the acoustic path of the opposite ear in embodiments in which the opposite ear is fitted with a hearing aid or is not fitted with a hearing device.

Abstract: An adjustable implant electrode system comprises an adjustable implant electrode assembly and an adjustment device for adjusting the adjustable implant electrode assembly to a desired position. The adjustable implant electrode assembly comprises an implant, a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of magnetic components. The electrodes are disposed in the implant for providing stimulating currents according to a control signal. The magnetic components are combined with the electrodes in one-to-one correspondence. The adjustment device comprises a control unit, an excitation unit, and one or more magnetic units. The control unit is used to select one or more magnetic components to be moved from the magnetic components, and the excitation unit is used to excite the selected one or more magnetic components for the same to generate a magnetic pole, and the magnetic unit is adapted to generate a magnetic field to drive the magnetic pole and accordingly move the implant.

Abstract: An electrode array design is provided which is intended for deep insertion into a human cochlea. The distal most portion of the lead can be very thin and flexible and have a wider arc than the remainder of the curved electrode array portion of the lead, which has a more aggressive arc. As a result, the distal most portion of the electrode array can be laterally positioned in a selected cochlear duct, whereas, concurrently, the remaining, more proximal part of the electrode array may be positioned medially (perimodiolar) within the cochlear duct.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member, a stiffening element, and a stiffening sheath that at least partially envelops the elongate member. The member is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon. The member has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea. The member also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea, and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element and sheath are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member. The stiffening element and the stiffening sheath in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element or the stiffening sheath is removed or deactivated, the elongate member adopts an intermediate configuration.