WO1997009012A1 - Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques - Google Patents

Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997009012A1
WO1997009012A1 PCT/AU1995/000577 AU9500577W WO9709012A1 WO 1997009012 A1 WO1997009012 A1 WO 1997009012A1 AU 9500577 W AU9500577 W AU 9500577W WO 9709012 A1 WO9709012 A1 WO 9709012A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signals
connector
external
implanted
patient
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1995/000577
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Misha Seligman
Original Assignee
Cochlear Pty. Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cochlear Pty. Limited filed Critical Cochlear Pty. Limited
Priority to AU33777/95A priority Critical patent/AU3377795A/en
Priority to PCT/AU1995/000577 priority patent/WO1997009012A1/fr
Publication of WO1997009012A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997009012A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36036—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the outer, middle or inner ear
    • A61N1/36038—Cochlear stimulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/12—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for medicine and surgery

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to therapeutical systems having an internal, i.e. implanted, section and an external section, and more particularly to a device providing communication between said sections.
  • the system may be, for example, a cochlear implant.
  • Cochlear implant systems are used to aid patients with acute hearing loss, by applying electrical stimulus
  • a typical percutaneous cochlear implant system 10 includes, as previously mentioned, an external section 12 and an internal section 14.
  • the external section 12 consists of a microphone 16 and a speech processor 18.
  • the speech processor 18 is made up of a housing 20 holding a signal processor 22, electronic stimulating circuit 24 and a power supply 26.
  • the internal section 14 includes an electrode cable 28 terminating in electrode array 24.
  • the array 24 consists of a plurality of individual electrodes, such as electrode 30A, each electrode contacting a portion of the cochlear nerve 32.
  • processor 22 which uses a preselected scheme to generate corresponding processor signals.
  • the processor signals are received by the
  • electrode stimulating circuitry 24 which converts them into cochlear electrode stimulating signals. These signals are transmitted to the electrode array 30 and stimulate the nerve 32 accordingly. The patient senses the signals applied to the nerve 32 and based on these sensations, he is able to recognize the sounds picked up by the microphone 16. Details of a cochlear system 10 are described, for example, in U.S. Patents No. 4,532,930 and 5,271,397, incorporated herein by reference.
  • the communication between the electrode cable 28 and the speech processor IS is provided via a multi-way percutaneous connector 34.
  • This connector is surgically mounted and affixed on the skin 36 of the patient and provides a separate conductor 38 for each electrode 30A.
  • the elecrode array 30 is hard wired in parallel through the connector 34 and conductors 38 to the speech processor 18.
  • the number of the conductors 38 and the size of the connector 34 is determined by the number of electrodes 30A. Since this number can be relatively large, for example, twenty two, the hard wired parallel communication scheme of Fig. 1 is unreliable. Moreover, such a large connector 34 is
  • Fig. 2 shows another prior art scheme for providing communication in a cochlear implant system.
  • the processor signals from the signal processor 22 in the external section 112 are fed to a data encoder 150 which generates corresponding encoded data signals.
  • the encoded data signals are fed to a data and power transmitter 152 which converts the data signals into radio frequency signals suitable for transmission across an inductive link.
  • the radio signals are transmitted to a transmitter coil 154.
  • the implanted section of the system 110 includes cable 28 terminating in the array 30 as described above.
  • the implant section 114 also includes a receiver stimulator 156 consisting of a housing 158.
  • the housing 158 contains a data and power receiver 160, and a data decoder 162 and electrode stimulating circuitry 24.
  • the power and data receiver receives data and power through a receiver coil 162.
  • the transmitter coil 154 is positioned so that it is inductively coupled to the receiver coil 162 to transmit the analog signals from transmitter 152. These signals are inductively transmitted through the skin 36 of the patient.
  • the data signals from the receiver 160 are fed to the data decoder where they are decoded into
  • processor signals are fed to the electronic stimulating circuitry 24 which then generates corresponding electrode stimulating signals to cable 28 in a manner similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.
  • the energy of the signals received by coil 162 is also used by the receiver 160 to generate power for the receiver stimulator 156.
  • the inductive link normally has a power transfer efficiency of substantially less then 50%, which is a waste of power, especially in the context of a lightweight, battery powered system.
  • Another disadvantage is that properties inherent to the inductive link, for example, ringing in the receiver coil, necessitate the use of special data protocols (see for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,532,930) which have a lowered data rate in order to preserve substantially error free operation.
  • a further disadvantage is that the coils 154 and 162 must be precisely aligned. If they are
  • misaligned power transfer efficiency may be reduced thereby degrading the performance of the system.
  • This problem may be resolved or at least alleviated (see for instance, U.S. Patent No. 4,654,880), but only at the cost of additional components, which increases the complexity of the system and its cost.
  • a system for providing therapy to a patient said system having an external portion, an internal portion constructed and arranged to provide a preselected therapy in response to signals from the external portion, and means for sending information from the external to the internal component, said means including a connector providing hard wired electrical paths between said portions, an encoder for encoding said information into serial data for
  • the data encoder and decoder are preferably disposed in the external and internal portions, respectively.
  • Power for the internal portion may be derived from the serial data.
  • a separate electrical path may be defined through the connector for a power lead and/or other dedicated functions such as timing.
  • a cochlear implant system for aiding a patient having acute hearing loss, said system comprising:
  • an external portion including sound receiving means for receiving sounds and generating electrical signals
  • signal processing means receiving said electrical signals for produce processed signals; and encoding means for receiving said processed signals and producing encoded signals;
  • an implanted portion including decoding means for receiving said encoded signals and for decoding said encoded signals to produce decoded signals, processing means for receiving said decoded signals and in response for generating received processed signals and electrode means for transmitting said received processed signals to the patient's auditory nerve; and
  • a connector disposed on the patient's skin, said connector transmitting encoded signals from said external to said implanted portion.
  • Fig. 1 shows a block diagram for a prior art cochlear system with a multi-wire percutaneous connection
  • Fig. 2 shows a block diagram for another prior art cochlear system with an inductive coupling
  • Fig. 3 shows a block diagram for a cochlear system constructed in accordance with this invention.
  • Fig. 4 shows a somewhat diagrammatic, orthogonal view for an alternate embodiment of the invention.
  • a system 210 constructed in accordance with this invention includes two portions; an external portion 212, and an implanted portion 214.
  • the external portion includes a microphone and a speech processor 270 which is arranged and constructed to be worn by a patient.
  • the processor 270 includes a housing 220 containing a signal processor 22, a data encoder 272 and a power supply 26. Power to both the processor 22 and data encoder/multiplexer 272 is provided by a power supply 26.
  • the implanted portion 214 includes a housing containing a data decoder/demultiplexer 274, an electrode stimulating circuit 24 and an internal power supply 276.
  • the implanted portion 214 includes a housing containing a data
  • the implanted portion 214 further includes a cable 28 terminating in an electrode array 30, each electrode 30A of the array being in contact with the cochlear nerve 32.
  • a percutaneous connector 238 is installed surgically.
  • the connector 238 is a two-way connector because it provides two connection pins 278, 280.
  • Pins 278, 280 are connected by a pair of wires 282 to the data encoder/multiplexer 272 and by a second pair of wires 284 to the data decoder/demultiplexer 274.
  • the system operates as follows.
  • the signal processor 22 receives the electrical signals from microphone 16 corresponding to ambient sounds, and generates in parallel a set of corresponding processed signals on lines 271, each line 271 corresponding to one of the electrodes 30A.
  • the data encoder/multiplexer takes the signals from each of the lines 271 and converts them into communication signals suitable for transmission to the implanted portion 214.
  • the encoder/multiplexer 272 also multiplexes these signals using, for example, time-division
  • the signals from speech processor 270 are transmitted via lines 282, connector 238 and lines 284 to the data decoder/demultiplexer 274.
  • the data decoder/demultiplexer first demultiplexes the received signals and then decodes them to obtain a set of processed signals substantially identical to the signals received by the data
  • any two-wire encoding scheme may be used for encoding and decoding the signals between the external and implanted portions 212, 214.
  • the simplest type of encoding is an asynchronous simplex encoding.
  • a duplex encoding can be used if the information, rather than flowing one way from the external to the implant portion, flows both ways.
  • the signals received on line 284 may also be used to provide power to power supply 276 which in turn transmit the power to the data encoder/demultiplexer and the electrode stimulating circuit 24.
  • the power supply 276 may include for example a diode 292 and a capacitor 294.
  • connection 278 is shown as having solid wire connections, it should be understood that preferably the connector 278 is in fact made of a male and a mating female portion, as discussed below.
  • FIG. 4 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 wherein a system 310 is shown having an external portion 312, an internal portion 314 and a connector 328.
  • the connector 328 includes a male section 328A and a female section 328B.
  • the male section 328A is provided with three pins 300A, 300B, 300C.
  • Pins 300A and 300B are connected by a pair of wires 382A, 382B to data/encoder multiplexer 272.
  • Pin 300C is connected by wire 382C to the power supply 26.
  • Female section 328B is provided with sockets 302A, 302B and 302C arranged and constructed to mate with pins 300A, 300B, 300C, respectively. These sockets 302A, 302B and 302C are connected by wires 384A, 384B to data decoder demultiplexer 274 and by wire 384C to a power distribution block 376.
  • Female section 328B is implanted just under the skin of the patient with the sockets 302A, 302B, 302C being exposed so that they can be coupled to pins 300A, 300B,
  • the external speech processor portion of system 210 or 310 is enclosed in a common housing arranged and constructed so that it can be worn behind the ear by the patient. Coupling between the external and internal sections is accomplished by mating the connector sections.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un dispositif thérapeutique, du type système d'implant cochléaire, comportant d'une part une partie externe (312) et d'autre part une partie interne (314) qui reçoit des signaux de la partie externe (312). La partie interne (314) traite le patient en fonction des signaux reçus, émis par la partie externe (312). On dispose d'un connecteur (328) qui permet l'échange de signaux entre la partie externe (312) et la partie implantée (314) au moyen d'un arrangement câblé du type arrangement à signaux en série ou duplex. De cette manière, le connecteur (328) que l'on utilise peut ne comporter que deux branches de connexion. On peut utiliser des branches de connexion supplémentaires pour des fonctions auxiliaires du type alimentation électrique, signaux de synchronisation ou transmission duplex.
PCT/AU1995/000577 1995-09-05 1995-09-05 Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques WO1997009012A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU33777/95A AU3377795A (en) 1995-09-05 1995-09-05 Percutaneous multiplexer for therapeutic systems
PCT/AU1995/000577 WO1997009012A1 (fr) 1995-09-05 1995-09-05 Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/AU1995/000577 WO1997009012A1 (fr) 1995-09-05 1995-09-05 Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997009012A1 true WO1997009012A1 (fr) 1997-03-13

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1995/000577 WO1997009012A1 (fr) 1995-09-05 1995-09-05 Multiplexeur percutane pour dispositifs therapeutiques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3377795A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997009012A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001019304A1 (fr) * 1999-09-16 2001-03-22 Advanced Bionics N.V. Implant cochleaire
WO2003089050A2 (fr) * 2002-04-22 2003-10-30 Medtronic, Inc. Electrode implantable avec couplage a contact isole
US7856707B2 (en) 2002-04-22 2010-12-28 Medtronic, Inc. Method for performing a coplanar connection between a conductor and a contact on an implantable lead

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3506721A1 (de) * 1985-02-26 1986-08-28 Hortmann GmbH, 7449 Neckartenzlingen Uebertragungssystem fuer implantierte hoerprothesen
EP0241101A1 (fr) * 1983-04-11 1987-10-14 The Commonwealth Of Australia Système implantable cochléaire avec tests ou programmations psychologiques par l'intermédiaire des réponses cartographiques du malade prévues pour le codage
WO1992022107A1 (fr) * 1991-06-06 1992-12-10 Cochlear Pty. Limited Connecteur percutane
US5179946A (en) * 1989-12-28 1993-01-19 Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for arrhythmia detection by variations in the transcardiac impedance between defibrillation patches
US5215083A (en) * 1991-10-07 1993-06-01 Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for arrhythmia induction in arrhythmia control system
US5314457A (en) * 1993-04-08 1994-05-24 Jeutter Dean C Regenerative electrical
WO1994029932A1 (fr) * 1993-06-07 1994-12-22 Cochlear Pty. Ltd. Systeme de raccordement transcutane

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0241101A1 (fr) * 1983-04-11 1987-10-14 The Commonwealth Of Australia Système implantable cochléaire avec tests ou programmations psychologiques par l'intermédiaire des réponses cartographiques du malade prévues pour le codage
DE3506721A1 (de) * 1985-02-26 1986-08-28 Hortmann GmbH, 7449 Neckartenzlingen Uebertragungssystem fuer implantierte hoerprothesen
US5179946A (en) * 1989-12-28 1993-01-19 Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for arrhythmia detection by variations in the transcardiac impedance between defibrillation patches
WO1992022107A1 (fr) * 1991-06-06 1992-12-10 Cochlear Pty. Limited Connecteur percutane
US5215083A (en) * 1991-10-07 1993-06-01 Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for arrhythmia induction in arrhythmia control system
US5314457A (en) * 1993-04-08 1994-05-24 Jeutter Dean C Regenerative electrical
WO1994029932A1 (fr) * 1993-06-07 1994-12-22 Cochlear Pty. Ltd. Systeme de raccordement transcutane

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, (1983), Volume 405, "Computerized Testing of Signal-Encoding Strategies With Round-Window Implants", DILLIER N. et al., pages 360-369. *
DESIGN NEWS, Electrode Technology, Cahner Publications, 12 June 1995, "Electrodes Restore Hearing", TEAGUE P.E., pages 80-83. *
HEARING RESEARCH, Volume 51, No. 1, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (1991), "Electrically Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response: Growth of Response With Current Level" ABBAS P.J. et al., pages 123-138. *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001019304A1 (fr) * 1999-09-16 2001-03-22 Advanced Bionics N.V. Implant cochleaire
US6778858B1 (en) 1999-09-16 2004-08-17 Advanced Bionics N.V. Cochlear implant
WO2003089050A2 (fr) * 2002-04-22 2003-10-30 Medtronic, Inc. Electrode implantable avec couplage a contact isole
US7184840B2 (en) 2002-04-22 2007-02-27 Medtronic, Inc. Implantable lead with isolated contact coupling
US7856707B2 (en) 2002-04-22 2010-12-28 Medtronic, Inc. Method for performing a coplanar connection between a conductor and a contact on an implantable lead
US7953496B2 (en) 2002-04-22 2011-05-31 Medtronic, Inc. Implantable lead with isolated contact coupling

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3377795A (en) 1997-03-27

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