Incremental stimulation sound processor

US8260429B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The University of Melbourne · AU
• The Bionic Ear Institute · AU
• Cochlear Limited · AU

Inventors

• Peter John Blamey · Sydney, AU
• Bonar Dickson · Melbourne, AU
• Brett Anthony Swanson · Hornsby, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36038
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a cochlear implant constructed and arranged to successively generate stimulation signals each comprising at least one stimulus pulse such that said successive stimulation signals incrementally build a neural excitation pattern that accurately reflects a received sound. In one embodiment, each said successive stimulation signal is generated based on the cumulative effect of all previous stimulus pulses, thereby compensating for finite spatial spreading of individual stimulus pulses as well as for the temporal integration of the neural excitation pattern along the neural pathways.