WO2010022437A1 - Body noise detection using an implantable microphone - Google Patents

Body noise detection using an implantable microphone Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010022437A1
WO2010022437A1 PCT/AU2009/001044 AU2009001044W WO2010022437A1 WO 2010022437 A1 WO2010022437 A1 WO 2010022437A1 AU 2009001044 W AU2009001044 W AU 2009001044W WO 2010022437 A1 WO2010022437 A1 WO 2010022437A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
prosthesis
health
module
implantable
processor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU2009/001044
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pieter Johannes Wiskerke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cochlear Ltd
Original Assignee
Cochlear Ltd
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
Priority claimed from AU2008904409A external-priority patent/AU2008904409A0/en
Application filed by Cochlear Ltd filed Critical Cochlear Ltd
Publication of WO2010022437A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010022437A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
    • A61B7/02—Stethoscopes
    • A61B7/04—Electric stethoscopes
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present iaverstion relates to an auditory prosthesis &a ⁇ in particular to ad auditory prosthesis having one or more implantable ratcf ⁇ phewae ⁇ of other sensor*,
  • a range of auditory prostheses arc available for persons having varying degrees of hesrmg loss.
  • Q ⁇ e type of auditory prosthesis is that cosssnoaJy known as a ooc&lear implant.
  • Cochlear mjplants cait comprise an external eompoB ⁇ nt, such as a speech processor unit, and! aft implantable component, sue*, as * ⁇ eeewer*rtira ⁇ lst ⁇ r writ.
  • the implantable component typically comprises a casing, a mi ⁇ oph ⁇ ne, a spe ⁇ h processor that coavejts detected aoimds into cc ⁇ &st signals and a power source,
  • the implantable component receives the coded signals and power from the externa! component and outputs a stimulation signal to an electrode assembly wMch applies electrical stimulation to t!5 « auditor* system of the k»ptat «e« producisg a hearhig sens ⁇ tiun correspcHM ⁇ ng to the original detected sound.
  • Communication bctweas the externa! comporr ⁇ nt and the implantable con ⁇ )ot5 «Bt can be provided by a radio frequency (RF) r ⁇ agnetic induction link co ⁇ t ⁇ prislng ?. « snd ⁇ ctlv ⁇ ly coupled c ⁇ rt ⁇ roal aatemsa coil snd m ⁇ Internal it ⁇ plasted antenna coil.
  • This RF link provide* traftscujatt ⁇ ocs tran ⁇ ssion of the coded signals to, r ⁇ also typically from, the implantable component and can also serve to provide power to the implantable component lmpientable components having an onboard rechargeable b»ttc ⁇ y have also been proposed.
  • the present kveatiot. is a prosthesis comprisittg; at least one ssn$or implantable m an implaatee for detectfog aiikorae sound and at least one or more or other body sounds , and converting ss ⁇ airborne sounds sad said body sounds iato cme or «so?e output signals; a processor for receiving a ⁇ rd processing said one or more output signals into at least one first processed signal representative of et ⁇ bom* sound m ⁇ at least oac second processed signal representative of sa!d body $o ⁇ md*; at least one' stimulation module that receives a»d processes (h ⁇ fbnt procwss ««i jrigtsftl.
  • the prosthesis csan have just one Implantable sensor for detecting afcfc ⁇ rne sound stsd live at least one or more or other body sounds.
  • the prosthesis can ⁇ ?ly oo nnUtiple sensors. At least one of the sensors can comprise a rwcr ⁇ phfflje.
  • the mlcrophoae can b ⁇ coRstnictsd by ecwpling a transducer to a cavity covered by a dij ⁇ hr&gm,
  • the transducer c ⁇ n be & pressure sensitive transd ⁇ c ⁇ r and b « formed ftom» for example, an eJe ⁇ ?tn?t or piezoelectric material.
  • the diaphragm can be formed from titanium or titanium alloy.
  • each sensor can be the same, for example each sensor can be a microphone.
  • one or more of the sensors c*n be di ⁇ &rcsat to the otfcer sensors of the prosthesis.
  • One of tk» sensors can be a vibration sensor, StiU fexther, multiple p ⁇ tased array sensors can be used as pan of the prosthesis.
  • the prosthesis era comprise an Implantable component having a housing.
  • the hda&ing can be hermetically seeled end b « formed of a biocompatible material, such as titanium.
  • one, SOT* or all of the ss ⁇ sers cm be positSotr ⁇ d outside the housing.
  • one o ⁇ more sensors «a ⁇ be mounted on a first separate component
  • the first $ep «fs ⁇ s coiapoaeiit caai be connected to the hoissiog by a cable so as to allow trwssmissi ⁇ n of ft ⁇ output signals from the ⁇ me o ⁇ more sensors to the housing.
  • & wireless lkfc could also ⁇ d ⁇ t between the housing and the ⁇ rst separate component, ⁇ n 8 further smoodimeat, one or more sensnrs can be supported on the bousing and one or more sans ⁇ rs can be positioned on the first aqsarste eotttpcmfcat In yeJ another em'bodim&nt, the pros fkesi* cm utfl.se one or Ttrwe separate components, having one or more S «S**SOTS > in addition to sa ⁇ d first separate component. Sei(J a4dttiowd separate ⁇ ompoRens can l ⁇ s connected to the housing by o ⁇ >e ot mors? cables aadf ⁇ r a wireless H ⁇ >k.
  • the bousing can ooctuin the processor.
  • the liot ⁇ mg ⁇ ai also contain Cbft stimulation modttle.
  • pros ⁇ e ⁇ is ca» c ⁇ mp ⁇ se «. or mo ⁇ j cxfeTO ⁇ l components.
  • the external component can comprise a housing. Tfte r ⁇ ttemal compoaem csa heme the heaf ⁇ analyst ⁇ g module.
  • the external compot&nt ctn also hou «o the pr ⁇ cessor.
  • «he health analysing modil ⁇ can be In a frrst external housing and ⁇ e processor m a second extemal housing.
  • ths howsteg for the processor can be a behind-the- ⁇ ar (BTE) unH
  • the bousing for the processor and/or health analysing module can b € worn on the body and/or clipped to clothing, for example & belt
  • the implantable components can work in cojyunctioi. wiA that external component.
  • the externa! compoTScnt has « ⁇ slcropJioa ⁇ and/or processor
  • the cu ⁇ xt of the external processor cm. be used mstead of fee on-board raicsopho ⁇ e aud/or processor.
  • tb ⁇ external component comprises or ha « an on-board and suitable power source
  • the implantable component cm. be eottflgurcd to prefexentia ⁇ ly draw power fr ⁇ rr, the external component to power its op ⁇ rstsoc and/or re-charge the onboard powfcr source.
  • the outpirt signals r «pres «Bfc-ilv « of the airborne sound and the body noise delivered to the processor are analysed by an adaptive algorithm.
  • the algorithm osm detect certain sound ps-is ⁇ is typical of being body i ⁇ duocd noise, for ex&mpj* sounds of swallowing, br ⁇ asl ⁇ og, chewing a ⁇ d/ ⁇ r tati ⁇ g ,
  • This pattern analysis cars fliers be used 10 filter at least part of the noise component befbrs ⁇ y es « ⁇ Mng the. first processed signal to the stimulation modute.
  • the detected body noise dats as recognised by tf» pattern analysis can then be delivered n the. second pwr ⁇ sssed signal to the health « ⁇ aly»i «g modste.
  • the sHrav»]*tJo ⁇ module c ⁇ n be part of a cochlear impl ⁇ ttt system.
  • th « first sHroufating signal can be delivered to a cochlea of an ir ⁇ pl ⁇ ntee.
  • the delivery of the first stixnulstiag signal can be delivered by one or more electrode arrays, At least one electrode array can comprise an mtracochlear dcctrodb array.
  • the electrode array can comprise a carrier member fcaviog a phtrslity of electrode* thereon.
  • Tht electrodes c* ⁇ be supported in a loogit ⁇ dla&l array, to one ⁇ c ⁇ odsmeat, tiac csTrier member can ⁇ omprtse a biocompatible el?. ⁇ tomcric irMjmb ⁇ r. Th « ⁇ iastwraeric inesnber can be a silicone.
  • Bach electrode can be formed from a biocompatible electrically conductive material, snacb. as piathwm.
  • E*ch of tb» e!ectr»d ⁇ $ can have at least one wire, for example twp, «actendmg fro «s ⁇ ach ⁇ Jeotrod ⁇ back towards Uso trsiting end of the carrier member md the « through a cable that extends back to the housing of tiie implantable component.
  • O ⁇ 2 « or more f «*d ⁇ m ⁇ sgiis can be provided in the housing of i ⁇ laatab!e component to allow signal transmission between the hooaing and the carrier r&ember.
  • the csrHer can have. 22 electrodes.
  • the earner cat* h&vt 30 electrodes can be utilised, includitig less than 20 electrodes, between 20 and 30 electrodes, and rao ⁇ e 30 electrodes.
  • the implantable compon ⁇ cf can have a second electrode assembly extending from the hcmsmg.
  • the second electrode assembly may have one or more electrodes. This electrode assembly can be mounted within- or c ⁇ rt ⁇ r ⁇ al tbe cochlea of fhe implantee.
  • the stimulation module can compris* m a ⁇ ty&tor arniagwnent configured to provide direct stfm ⁇ laikna to one or mors hearing structures of the iroplantee repr ⁇ senta ⁇ iv ⁇ of the original detected sound.
  • the actaator caa comprise at teas* one extracochlear acftiatc ⁇ r and be con ⁇ gujred to provide excitatioa to fhs ' d-fill ⁇ d t «R «ar»ear spaces of the ImpJsntee.
  • fhe actuator can comprise at least ⁇ ae intracoehiear %m.y of aetuators.
  • the acftsator can comprise oa ⁇ or more mechanical aet ⁇ ati ⁇ ekrac ⁇ ts, Tbe first sti ⁇ miatioa module cao cocoprJse a direct acoustic cochlear actxuator (DACS) imit.
  • ttjs stknulaticm module can comprise &. bone anchored hearing aid (or BAHA), rncluding m irsplarstaMe BAHA.
  • the hearing aid can comprise * bottc t ⁇ msr ⁇ u ' tti ⁇ ig vibrator that is connected direotly to the bone using a s&m-pervetmttag s»d b ⁇ me-anchored implant of a suitable biocompatible material, for example titanium,
  • the h ⁇ alfli anafysiog module can have a storage device for stodng said at .cast one- second processed signal a «d/or said infonnation representative of a bodily condition of the impkntes, in another embodiment, fee itcsJth analysing module can b&ve a display device that allows tfce module to output said representative information.
  • the health analysing module can ftsrther Incorporate a comparator t&at compares the representative information with predetasrmmed ranges or ⁇ 'al ⁇ es.
  • the health analysing module can be incorporated inta a personal digital assistant (PDA) device
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • the PDA can allow ⁇ mtry of «s « ⁇ >-spectfted information for vase by ths device.
  • the uis ⁇ r-speclfi ⁇ d rnfotroation can include Che ⁇ rsplantee's age, weight aad/or Mgfet
  • the PDA cao ovztput instructions and/or iafo «na£io ⁇ to the rs ⁇ .antee and/o ⁇ a third party, such as a caregiver, based on the repr ⁇ sentatrve mfo ⁇ rsaijon.
  • tb ⁇ PDA may output informatiOE oa the physical state of the recipient. It may also o&put instructions to increase or disocTStmue exercise if ⁇ defected breeding rate and/or heart rate is determraed to be jastde or outside, respectively, a ⁇ bs ⁇ range.
  • the PDA may also trigger m audible or vibratory alarm to fee i ⁇ fetee on detection of snedng or steep aprsoes, Analysis of chwtng sounds can be ⁇ sed to determine when and/or what tm m ⁇ Umttt is cstiTig and 50 provide a ttieaas of analysing an irnpt ⁇ afeo's diet,
  • wicre th « ptW!es$CMr is part of an iroplantablc component and the health analysing module is part of w external componess
  • a transcutaneous wirc.l « «s link can be provided between, the processor and (he health analysing mo ⁇ ki ⁇ .
  • Tlje wip nowadays «ss link COT be provided by respective a ⁇ temsae oa the implantable end external components.
  • the respective antecisae cas co ⁇ rise antenna c ⁇ fl ⁇ .
  • Such antenna coils can b ⁇ ? pr ⁇ vidcd by cme or more coil ⁇ of an electrically conductive materials, such as plfttrmim.
  • These coils can be embedded In an slastometic support, such && a silicone.
  • Suitable inapets can be provided at or near the centre of ths respective coils to allow tratiscoteneous ⁇ igrsmc ⁇ t of the coils.
  • transducers may be implantable within the m ⁇ laatiB ⁇ end/or pos.ifk>nabl « on the mplm ⁇ 9V and output signals to the h ⁇ sJth analysing mcxfule
  • Other such transducers can ⁇ cmjwise an ace «!ero ⁇ i «t«r which detects if an impl&ntee has fallea or dropped down, a tsmperatwe RCKSOT to raooitor body tcraperatyrc, a ⁇ d a blood p ⁇ >ss*trs sensor, Other $uch sensow cxxi be envisaged.
  • the processor can use the detection of the " body sotmds to eahasce disor ⁇ niaatioa of the airborne sound from the total sound detected by ⁇ e one c ⁇ rr ⁇ rs sensors.
  • the present invention is a prosthesis comprising: at least one sensor implantable in ss implanted for detecting airbD ⁇ te soimd and at least one or more or other body scnuids m ⁇ ccnverdng said airborne sounds sad said body sounds into one or more o ⁇ tput signals; a vibration sensor for detecting body-induced vibration and outputting signals representative of detected vib ⁇ ations; a processor for receiving mi processing said one or tnore output signals from saSd xt least one sensor and said signals representative of detected vihratikms into at Tesm s ⁇ e first processed signs!
  • the prosthesis can have om, some or all of the features as de ⁇ i ⁇ d h ⁇ da with reference to other aspects m ⁇ embodiments.
  • the pnssent invention utilises what is cr ⁇ rrft ⁇ tiy a problem with implantable ; devices hav&g a sulxiutsneous micr ⁇ ?kone or other fcuasducer (ie detection of body- teduccd noisiR) as m fcput into a cCisvlce that can be used to detect and display " hcatdi information about the irapiante ⁇ .
  • Fig. H a block di ⁇ graro of one embodiment of a prosthesis according to the presets* invention
  • Fig, 2 is a Mock diagram of one emijo ⁇ iraect of the pattens analyst undertaken, by the prosthesis according to the present induciorj;
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of ⁇ prosthesis ustag adaptive filtering
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of yet aap&er embodiment of & prosthesis using adaptive filtering; and Fig. 5 is a diagraxmastic reptessntafcioa of o ⁇ « embodiment of a subcutaneous microphone according to the present irrveaticra.
  • the prosthesis comprises an implantable sensor J 1 which, m this embodiment is an irap.airtable sobctitaaeotts rakrophofce soch as is described in. more detail in Fig. 5, Tfce sensor 11 can detect airborne so ⁇ nd end at least one ⁇ r mere or other body sounds 13 and Qoov ⁇ 3rts these' etrfcorae sounds and body sounds in* ⁇ one or more owtput signals usi ⁇ ig an analogue to digital signal processor 14.
  • the prosthesis. 10 farther comprises ⁇ processor 15 for receiving ar4 processing the one or more output signals into at least one first processed signal 16 representMive of airborne sound and at least one second processed signal 17 r ⁇ pr ⁇ s «ntaJrv « cf the body so «n ⁇ &.
  • Tne stimulation raodule 18 receives and processes the first •procsssod signal 16 into a first st ⁇ mul ⁇ tmg signal repre$ «nt-tf-ve of the detected akfeorae sound 12.
  • the health analysing modtile I ⁇ receives and processes the ai least one second processed signal 17 via a wireless Iiak 21 ssid outputs mfijm'jatton Tqjr ⁇ sentat ⁇ ' ⁇ of at least oao bodily coadition of t!_s hnpl ⁇ m«e,
  • the prosthesis 10 cmi have just one implantable sensor 11 for d ⁇ tecdag the airborne soimd 12 and tb « one or more bodv sounds 13.
  • the phased srray can be used to subtract body induced vibrations from the detected ahbome signal.
  • White each sensor 41 can be tbe same, one or more of the sensors can be different to the other sensors of (he prosthesis 4j>.
  • the prosthesis which Is here depicted generally as 50
  • m we s vibration sensor 5 L
  • the output of the %dfcration sensor 51 can be used by the processor 15 to partially or ftsJly cancel the detected body n ⁇ is « from the total sound detected by the microphone 1 L
  • the o ⁇ t of the vfbraJi ⁇ n ⁇ «ssox 51 caa also be ⁇ e ⁇ to gain information about the bodily oo ⁇ ditfcm of the impt ⁇ ntes or be ⁇ sed Ja conjunction with the output of the ⁇ ri ⁇ r ⁇ pfcone 11 to eahaacs th® pattern analysis conducted on the decocted sound.
  • Th* pros ⁇ eses (10, 40, 50) can each rely on an iiapiantable component havlag ⁇ housing.
  • the bousing can be hermetically aesJed sad be formed of a t ⁇ oco ⁇ jpaliMe material, such its titanium.
  • such tm ⁇ mp ⁇ mt ⁇ b ⁇ ts housing can conmiri or support ⁇ t least o ⁇ of said at least one s ⁇ asors (11, 41, 51).
  • som « or all of the sensors (H 1 41, 51) can be positioned outside the housing.
  • one or more sensors can be mounted on a first separate component.
  • the first separata component can W con ⁇ ected to fixe boding by a c ⁇ ble so as to allow txa ⁇ smis ⁇ lon of the oistpiit sig ⁇ ais ⁇ TOTO the one «r srs ⁇ re sensors, to & ⁇ housing, ⁇ t will be sppreciat ⁇ d that a wireless link could al»o> exist between fte bousing sad the first separate componc ⁇ t in a fbrtber embodjrae ⁇ t, o ⁇ e or moce s «asors carj b« s ⁇ p ⁇ t «5 on t3a ⁇ hoMs ⁇ ag and one or more se ⁇ tsors can be positioned on fee Srst s ⁇ fsarale corapoiKsat.
  • the prosthesis can utilise one or more separate components, having oso or more sensors,
  • Said additional R ⁇ psrste components C& ⁇ be cottft&et ⁇ d to fee housing by one or more e&b ⁇ es and/or a whiles* link.
  • the housing of the Implantable component can cotitaln Sve processor 15.
  • the housing of the implantable component ess also contain ⁇ a* or more components of the stimulation module 18.
  • the housing of the implantable component coold contain one or more components of the health analysing ⁇ wx ⁇ ute 19.
  • the prosthesis (10, 40, 50) can comprise one or more external components.
  • the external component can ftpin cCTspme a. housing * with the housing containing at least the health analysing module 19. Ia one embodiment, the external component could also house (he processor 15.
  • the heaJth analysing m ⁇ fcle 19 ca&ld be provided m a fir?? vxtzm ⁇ housmg and the processor 15 m a second external housiag.
  • the housing for the processor IS could be a behiiuikhe ⁇ ear (BTE) tmit.
  • the housing for the processor 15 and/or health analysing t ⁇ odu ⁇ e 19 can be worn on the body aad/or clipped to d ⁇ thi ⁇ sg, for example a belt
  • the implantable cornpoa ⁇ nts of fee prosthesis (10, 40, 50) can work hx conjunction with that c ⁇ ter ⁇ &! compoaeat.
  • the miput of the external processor can be wed instead of the onboard microphone (H, 41) snd/or processoi (15).
  • the hnplaastabk compoaesat ⁇ m be co ⁇ figared to pnsfcreniklly draw power from the external component to power its operatic!? imd/or ⁇ ch&rge en 015-board power source.
  • the sttbc «* ⁇ reous microphone (11, 41) can be co ⁇ structed by coupUng a ⁇ ni ⁇ ijwjocer 61 to a casing 62 covered by a diaphragm 63.
  • the transducer 61 can b ⁇ a pressors scsasr ⁇ ve transducer and b « formed from, for ex&ropte, an ⁇ lectr ⁇ t or piezoelectric material.
  • the di «pbr ⁇ g m 63 can be formed from titsai ⁇ m oc titanium alloy.
  • the diaphragm 63 am be mounted on a sup ⁇ r ⁇ rtfng member 64 having a coupling hole 65.
  • the thickness andt ⁇ r diasrs ⁇ eer of tfa ⁇ diaphragm 63 m ⁇ the volume of the cavity 66 can all be varied to optimise tfce signal level output by fine microph ⁇ ne after Implantation.
  • the output signals fktm the m ⁇ cr ⁇ ph ⁇ a € 11 and rcp ⁇ e$c ⁇ t ⁇ tivc of the airborne $e> ⁇ wd m ⁇ the body noise that are de3iv ⁇ te «i to the processor 15 are analysed by an adaptive algorithm, As depicted by Fig. 2, the algorithm cam defect certain sound patterns typical of being body iaduced noise, for ⁇ xa ⁇ pl ⁇ soimds of wallowing, breathing, chewing and/or talking.
  • This pattern analysis cm then be used to filter at least part of the noise ⁇ ojnpon ⁇ nt before presenting the first processed signal 16 to the , stimulation module J 8.
  • the detected body noise data as recognized by the pattern analysis can then be delivered as the second processed signal 17 to tibe heaftk analysing module 19.
  • the heaMi analysing module 19 can have ⁇ processor 22 running B ⁇ aljKsrrthm thai fhrther discriminates the detected body noise into signals represexitativsr of psrtscufar body noises,
  • the processor 22 d-serrminsTas the delected body noise into &e noise of brcatblng 23, the noise of ch ⁇ wmg 24 and the noise of heart beat 25. Gtes can be envisaged.
  • the health analysing a ⁇ xf ⁇ l « 19 fttffoer incorporates a comparator 26 feat compares the representative mfb ⁇ maHcn (23, 24, 25) with predetermined ranges or vetoes.
  • the module 19 can &cn wLtpvt information wing a vlsoal display and/or auditory device 27 that is WQM to the imjstatee or & ⁇ r ⁇ party, such ad a caregiver, about th « health of the implants.
  • Hie health analysing roodulft 19 cm have en on-board power sitpply aad/or a storage device for storing the mo ⁇ ng signals 8nd/o ⁇ the i ⁇ fcnrroation that is oxitpful by the module (bat is repressat&dv ⁇ of a bodily condition of the isnplantee,
  • the representative mfoiroatjotj can be selected fix)m the gro «p comprising heart beat, breathing rate, chewing information, snoring d ⁇ t ⁇ ctip ⁇ , s!wp spnoea det9vttos « and a rec ⁇ tx. of Tjoise exposure of Ae impt ⁇ mtee.
  • tb ⁇ informadoa can be transferable from the health analysing mo ⁇ J «!e 19 Jo a conaputef r ⁇ amng software festmctions that allows storage, manipulation and display of the ⁇ eprcscntstfv « information.
  • Sw health analysing module 19 can be incorporated into & personal digitai assistant (PDA) device.
  • PDA personal digitai assistant
  • Such a ckwce can be wora " on the body or clothing. For example, it can be clipped to a belt or worn around the wrist, in the same marker as a wrist watch.
  • the PDA device ca » allow entry of ttRcrvspedfled information for use by the device.
  • the u$er «spe ⁇ «d mforrnMtion. can include the hnplantec's age, welgjit and/or height.
  • the PDA device can output i ⁇ st ⁇ ictjons and/or information to the impiaaiee m ⁇ /ot a third party, sach as & caregiver, based O ⁇ lhe representative -mfo ⁇ naticm.
  • the PDA d ⁇ vi ⁇ e may otitpttt fnftatnatloo on the physical state of the recipient.
  • Tte PDA device may also trigger m audible or vibratory alarm to the h ⁇ plantee on detection of snoring or sleep apno ⁇ u Analysis of chewing sounds can be seed to determine wtisn and/or what act iraplsntee is eating and so provide a means, of analysing an implsxrt ⁇ e's diet
  • the transcutaneous wireless liak 21 can be p ⁇ vUte ⁇ between the processor 15 amd the health analysing module 19.
  • the wireless Jink tan be js ⁇ yvicfed by respective s ⁇ tsnra. ⁇ on the implantable and external cor ⁇ ponente.
  • the respective antennae can comprise antsmra coils.
  • antsrma colls can be provided by one or more coils of a ⁇ electrically conductive materials, assch as platinum.
  • These coils can be «snb- ⁇ dcl ⁇ d in an eisstoroeric srspport, such as a silicone.
  • Suitable mag ⁇ ets cm be p-rovtd ⁇ d at or near the centre of the respective coils Io allow trafiscutaneooa aHgnmeitt of the ⁇ oils.
  • t ⁇ 8»sdoce ⁇ s may be implantable w&hin ths tropJsntce snd/or po$it- ⁇ t «tbk on fee impla ⁇ tce and output signals to Sw health, a ⁇ alysmg roodule J 9.
  • such transducers can comprise an acee ⁇ erometer which detects if an impfeist ⁇ has failen or dropped down, a tsasiperattrrR s ⁇ ssotr to m ⁇ oitar body t ⁇ j ⁇ txp «rataro, sad a blood pressure $CRS ⁇ Other swfc sensors ⁇ ran be cxivfsaged.
  • the processor 15 can use the detection of tie body sounds 13 to enhance disc ⁇ misaiio ⁇ of ⁇ e s ⁇ rborae sound 12 from the total sound detected by the one «r more sensors 11, 41.
  • module 18 can be part of a cochlear implant system.
  • th ⁇ first stirhufating signal can be delivered to a cochlea of an impla ⁇ tee,
  • the delivery of the first stimulating signal can 1? « delivered by one or more electrode arrays.
  • At lesst one electrode array COT comprise sm infiraeocMear electrode array.
  • the electrode &r ⁇ .y can comprise 9 cr ⁇ i ⁇ r membsr having » plurality of electrodes ⁇ t ⁇ r ⁇ on.
  • the electrodes can be supported in a tangftudiaal array.
  • the carrier metnber caa comprise a biocompatible elastomeric member.
  • the elastomeric mmfoet can be a »i?koa».
  • Each electrode can be formed &o?rs a bfocomiJatible edectrically conductive material, such ⁇ pUtinum.
  • the electrodes ca cooaprac pktinum rings.
  • Each of the electrodes cai* have at less* one wire, for example two, extending & ⁇ m each electrode back towards the trailing «ncL of tfcg.
  • carrier member a ⁇ d tbe ⁇ ttoowgb a cable &at extends back to the housfog of the implantable corapo ⁇ ent.
  • One or raore fcedthroughs can be provided in the housing of ixopleatoble component to allow sspal transmission between the housing and the warier member.
  • the carrier can have 22 electrodes, ID another embodiment s &* carrier can have 30 electrodes.
  • Oihsr nurabass of electrodes can be utilised, including less Giveaway 20 e!ectrode», between 20 and 30 electrodes, attd more 30 electrodes.
  • the bnplaatahle stcimponers? can have a second electrode , assembly extending from the housing.
  • the second electrode assembly xway .have o ⁇ * or mo ⁇ t? electrode*.
  • This electrode assembly can be roownte4 within or external the cochlea of the Impl ⁇ nte ⁇ .
  • the stituulatton mo ⁇ le 18 can comprise an actuator -urangement c «nflgarod to provide direct st_n «ilatkM_ to one or mo ⁇ j hearing smjctnres of the impi ⁇ r.tcc representative of the original detected sowed.
  • Tb* actuator can cotirprise at least on ⁇ extracocl- ⁇ esr actuator and be configured to provide excstafc ⁇ on to fluid-filled inser-ear spaces of the iB ⁇ laate*.
  • the actaatnr can comprise at least one i ⁇ tnaccchlstw arrzy of actuators.
  • T&e actuator cas corapti ⁇ e OJ)O or more Tnschsnicaj actuation elements.
  • the first stimulation module can comprise a (Jh 1 CCt acoustic cochlear act ⁇ ator (DACS) unit.
  • She stimulation tnodule IS can comprise a b ⁇ e a ⁇ 5chor ⁇ d heating aid (or BAKA), including ao implantable BAHA.
  • the hearing aid can comprise a bone trans- ⁇ utting ⁇ brator that is connected ( ⁇ tectly to the bone I n SiSg a skfn-penetmting and bcme-aacho ⁇ ed Jtctjrtatit of a suitable biocompatible material, for cxarople titeniu ⁇ n.

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Abstract

A prosthesis comprising of at least one sensor implantable In an implantee for detecting airborne sound and at least one or more or other body sounds and converting said airborne sounds and said body sounds into one or more output signals; a processor for receiving and processing said one or more output signals into at least one first processed signal representative of airborne sound and at least one second processed signal representative of said body sounds; at least one stimulation module that receives and processes the first processed signal into a first stimulating signal representative of the detected airborne sound; and, a health analysing module that receives and processes the at least one second processed signal and outputs information representative of at least one bodily condition of the implantee.

Description

BODY NOISE DETECTION USING AN IMPLANTABLE
MICROPHONE
Fiel*. of the foveataon
The present iaverstion relates to an auditory prosthesis &aά in particular to ad auditory prosthesis having one or more implantable ratcfσphewaeβ of other sensor*,
Bac-kgrαas j ; of the ia^entioB
A range of auditory prostheses arc available for persons having varying degrees of hesrmg loss. Qαe type of auditory prosthesis is that cosssnoaJy known as a ooc&lear implant. Cochlear mjplants cait comprise an external eompoBβnt, such as a speech processor unit, and! aft implantable component, sue*, as * τeeewer*rtiraαlst©r writ. The externa! component typically comprises a casing, a miαophαne, a spe∞h processor that coavejts detected aoimds into ccκ&st signals and a power source, The implantable component receives the coded signals and power from the externa! component and outputs a stimulation signal to an electrode assembly wMch applies electrical stimulation to t!5« auditor* system of the k»ptat«e« producisg a hearhig sensβtiun correspcHMϋng to the original detected sound.
Communication bctweas the externa! comporrønt and the implantable con^)ot5«Bt can be provided by a radio frequency (RF) røagnetic induction link coϊt^prislng ?.« sndβctlvδly coupled cϊrtβroal aatemsa coil snd m\ Internal itπplasted antenna coil. This RF link provide* traftscujattβocs tran∞ύssion of the coded signals to, røά also typically from, the implantable component and can also serve to provide power to the implantable component lmpientable components having an onboard rechargeable b»ttcτy have also been proposed. Such prostheses cats υtillsc mom tfsan one type of external component or work together wttls other exteroal oτ implantable components.
Totally implεrstafelβ deViceu have also be«n developed which rely on ptecbg oee ox more of the components that, ere norroally on the external component within the implantable component, fc the cβ«s of cochlear implant systems, such totally implantable systems have envisaged pladag ths micropisoae- speech processor and β power source on or in the housing of the iπiplaatable coropouent.
Any discussion of docuxu∞ts, acts, materials, devices, stttc.es or the like which has been included in the present spesMcatioi. is solely for the purpose of provkJing a context fo? ϋ» present rn.ven.tion. It is not to be taken as an admission that my or ail of these matters form part of the prior art base or were commort general ksowledge in the field relevant to the prwrøαt invention as it existed before the priority date of each daini of this ajφϋcstSoa.
Sorsmary of the fayewtkm
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variation* such as "comprises* or "comprising", will be uaderstood to imply the ΠKIUSJCC of a stated ΦΪcmcRt, integer or stop, or girøp of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any othsr clement, integer or step, or group of eterαealβ, integers or steps.
According to a first aspect, the present kveatiot. is a prosthesis comprisittg; at least one ssn$or implantable m an implaatee for detectfog aiikorae sound and at least one or more or other body sounds, and converting ssάά airborne sounds sad said body sounds iato cme or «so?e output signals; a processor for receiving a∑rd processing said one or more output signals into at least one first processed signal representative of etτbom* sound mά at least oac second processed signal representative of sa!d body $oιmd*; at least one' stimulation module that receives a»d processes (hø fbnt procwss««i jrigtsftl. into a first stimulating «lgnaJ re^resentsttve of the dotectesd sMsoraβ sound; and a health analysing modute feat receive* and processes the Λ least one seco&d proc^ss€d signal and oτnputs infermatioR rφrβsβntβtlve of at kas* me lxκiUy coπdiUoo. of the impUmtee.
In and ern"hodHment, the prosthesis csan have just one Implantable sensor for detecting afcfcαrne sound stsd live at least one or more or other body sounds. In snolhar embodimeet, the prosthesis can τ<?ly oo nnUtiple sensors. At least one of the sensors can comprise a rwcrøphfflje. In orre embodiment the mlcrophoae can b© coRstnictsd by ecwpling a transducer to a cavity covered by a dijφhr&gm, The transducer cβn be & pressure sensitive transdαcβr and b« formed ftom» for example, an eJe<?tn?t or piezoelectric material. The diaphragm can be formed from titanium or titanium alloy.
ϊn one embod.trr.ent where there is more titan one sensor, each sensor can be the same, for example each sensor can be a microphone. In another cπibocHirrøϋ, one or more of the sensors c*n be diϋ&rcsat to the otfcer sensors of the prosthesis. One of tk» sensors can be a vibration sensor, StiU fexther, multiple pϊtased array sensors can be used as pan of the prosthesis.
In »ae embodimβ&t, the prosthesis era comprise an Implantable component having a housing. The hda&ing can be hermetically seeled end b« formed of a biocompatible material, such as titanium. The housing csn cousin or support at least on« of said at teast one aemørs.
In another embodiment^ one, SOT* or all of the ssαsers cm be positSotrød outside the housing. In this esaboctiinant, one oτ more sensors «aπ be mounted on a first separate component The first $ep«fsδs coiapoaeiit caai be connected to the hoissiog by a cable so as to allow trwssmissiøn of ftβ output signals from the εme oτ more sensors to the housing. It will be appreciated that & wireless lkfc could also βπdδt between the housing and the δrst separate component, ϊn 8 further smoodimeat, one or more sensnrs can be supported on the bousing and one or more sansørs can be positioned on the first aqsarste eotttpcmfcat In yeJ another em'bodim&nt, the pros fkesi* cm utfl.se one or Ttrwe separate components, having one or more S«S**SOTS> in addition to sa^d first separate component. Sei(J a4dttiowd separate ςompoRens can lχs connected to the housing by oτ>e ot mors? cables aadfør a wireless Hτ>k.
In a stiD ftrrtiiβf cmfeodiτr?«Rt, the bousing can ooctuin the processor. The liot^mg Λεai also contain Cbft stimulation modttle. Slϋϊ fur^ef, tbδ Muβing ca« contain the health αnaiysteg rooduϊβ.
In. another embo4iiτsent, pros^eβis ca» cømpπse «. or mo^j cxfeTOβl components. The external component can comprise a housing. Tfte røttemal compoaem csa heme the heafώ analystøg module. The external compot&nt ctn also hou«o the prαcessor. In a further embodiment, «he health analysing modilβ can be In a frrst external housing and ώe processor m a second extemal housing. In one ambodfnNsnr, ths howsteg for the processor can be a behind-the-βar (BTE) unH, ϊn another embodiment, the bousing for the processor and/or health analysing module can b€ worn on the body and/or clipped to clothing, for example & belt
Wbcn sn cjcternal component is available and mcmicd appropriβfely, the implantable components can work in cojyunctioi. wiA that external component. For example, if the externa! compoTScnt has « øslcropJioaδ and/or processor, the cuψxt of the external processor cm. be used mstead of fee on-board raicsophoαe aud/or processor. When tbβ external component comprises or ha« an on-board and suitable power source, the implantable component cm. be eottflgurcd to prefexentiaϊly draw power frσrr, the external component to power its opβrstsoc and/or re-charge the onboard powfcr source.
Is one embodiment, the outpirt signals r«pres«Bfc-ilv« of the airborne sound and the body noise delivered to the processor are analysed by an adaptive algorithm. The algorithm osm detect certain sound ps-isαis typical of being body iπduocd noise, for ex&mpj* sounds of swallowing, brβaslύog, chewing aαd/αr tatiάαg , This pattern analysis cars fliers be used 10 filter at least part of the noise component befbrs ρyes«πMng the. first processed signal to the stimulation modute.
The detected body noise dats as recognised by tf» pattern analysis can then be delivered n the. second pwrøsssed signal to the health «ιaly»i«g modste.
The sHrav»]*tJoα module cβn be part of a cochlear implδttt system. Ia this embodiment, th« first sHroufating signal can be delivered to a cochlea of an irαplβntee. The delivery of the first stixnulstiag signal can be delivered by one or more electrode arrays, At least one electrode array can comprise an mtracochlear dcctrodb array. The electrode array can comprise a carrier member fcaviog a phtrslity of electrode* thereon. Tht electrodes c*α be supported in a loogitαdla&l array, to one βcΛodsmeat, tiac csTrier member can σomprtse a biocompatible el?.δtomcric irMjmbβr. Th« βiastwraeric inesnber can be a silicone. Bach electrode can be formed from a biocompatible electrically conductive material, snacb. as piathwm. The ©lectrodes caa ccrøprtse ptettπαm rlagβ. E*ch of tb» e!ectr»dβ$ can have at least one wire, for example twp, «actendmg fro«s ©ach βJeotrodβ back towards Uso trsiting end of the carrier member md the« through a cable that extends back to the housing of tiie implantable component. Oτ2« or more f«*dϋmκsgiis can be provided in the housing of iπφlaatab!e component to allow signal transmission between the hooaing and the carrier r&ember.
The csrHer can have. 22 electrodes. In another embodiment, the earner cat* h&vt 30 electrodes. Other numbers of electrodes can be utilised, includitig less than 20 electrodes, between 20 and 30 electrodes, and raoτe 30 electrodes. In -mottter embodiment, the implantable componβcf can have a second electrode assembly extending from the hcmsmg. The second electrode assembly may have one or more electrodes. This electrode assembly can be mounted within- or cπrtβrπal tbe cochlea of fhe implantee.
In rocrther erabodimsnt, the stimulation module can compris* m aςty&tor arniagwnent configured to provide direct stfmαlaikna to one or mors hearing structures of the iroplantee reprεsentaϊivδ of the original detected sound. The actaator caa comprise at teas* one extracochlear acftiatcπr and be conδgujred to provide excitatioa to fhs'd-fillφd t«R«ar»ear spaces of the ImpJsntee. ϊn aπotlπs- embodiiuent, fhe actuator can comprise at least αae intracoehiear %m.y of aetuators. The acftsator can comprise oaβ or more mechanical aetøatiøπ ekracπts, Tbe first stiαmiatioa module cao cocoprJse a direct acoustic cochlear actxuator (DACS) imit.
ϊn a still fhr&er embodiment, ttjs stknulaticm module can comprise &. bone anchored hearing aid (or BAHA), rncluding m irsplarstaMe BAHA. The hearing aid can comprise * bottc tπmsrøu'ttiϊig vibrator that is connected direotly to the bone using a s&m-pervetmttag s»d b^me-anchored implant of a suitable biocompatible material, for example titanium,
In a still further embodiment, the hβalfli anafysiog module can have a storage device for stodng said at .cast one- second processed signal a«d/or said infonnation representative of a bodily condition of the impkntes, in another embodiment, fee itcsJth analysing module can b&ve a display device that allows tfce module to output said representative information. The re^resentatiw ittfotrπation <&& be selected ffom the g∞\φ comprising heart b«at, brøtfhiαg tale, chewing infoπτ.adon» saσring detection, zte&p apnoeadstsction, and a record of noise exposure of the impkrttee. The health analysing module can ftsrther Incorporate a comparator t&at compares the representative information with predetasrmmed ranges or λ'alαes. StIIi te&er, said infoxmstlon am be ϊrsmsfførsble from tfee health smalysing module to a coαψutex nmniπg software instruction* that aUows storage, raaaipralataos and display of ώe representative information.
∑n one ernhodiment, the health analysing module can be incorporated inta a personal digital assistant (PDA) device The PDA can allow <mtry of «s«τ>-spectfted information for vase by ths device. The uisβr-speclfiβd rnfotroation can include Che πrsplantee's age, weight aad/or Mgfet The PDA cao ovztput instructions and/or iafo«na£ioπ to the rsτφ.antee and/oτ a third party, such as a caregiver, based on the reprβsentatrve mfoπrsaijon. For VK&W≠Q, tbβ PDA may output informatiOE oa the physical state of the recipient. It may also o&put instructions to increase or disocTStmue exercise if β defected breeding rate and/or heart rate is determraed to be jastde or outside, respectively, a ά∞bsά range. The PDA may also trigger m audible or vibratory alarm to fee iπψfetee on detection of snedng or steep aprsoes, Analysis of chwtng sounds can be αsed to determine when and/or what tm mψUmttt is cstiTig and 50 provide a ttieaas of analysing an irnptøafeo's diet,
In one embodiment wicre th« ptW!es$CMr is part of an iroplantablc component and the health analysing module is part of w external componess, a transcutaneous wirc.l««s link can be provided between, the processor and (he health analysing mo<kiβ. Tlje wip?!«ss link COT be provided by respective aπtemsae oa the implantable end external components. The respective antecisae cas coπψrise antenna cσflβ. Such antenna coils can b<? prσvidcd by cme or more coilβ of an electrically conductive materials, such as plfttrmim. These coils can be embedded In an slastometic support, such && a silicone. Suitable inapets can be provided at or near the centre of ths respective coils to allow tratiscoteneous ώigrsmc∞t of the coils.
IΛ a still fbrtVfer embodiment, other transducers may be implantable within the mψlaatiBβ end/or pos.ifk>nabl« on the mplmύ9V and output signals to the hβsJth analysing mcxfule, Other such transducers can øcmjwise an ace«!eroπi«t«r which detects if an impl&ntee has fallea or dropped down, a tsmperatwe RCKSOT to raooitor body tcraperatyrc, aαd a blood pκ>ss*trs sensor, Other $uch sensow cxxi be envisaged.
In one embodiment, the processor can use the detection of the "body sotmds to eahasce disorύniaatioa of the airborne sound from the total sound detected by ώe one cπrrørs sensors.
According to a second aspect, the present invention is a prosthesis comprising: at least one sensor implantable in ss implanted for detecting airbDπte soimd and at least one or more or other body scnuids mά ccnverdng said airborne sounds sad said body sounds into one or more oπtput signals; a vibration sensor for detecting body-induced vibration and outputting signals representative of detected vibπations; a processor for receiving mi processing said one or tnore output signals from saSd xt least one sensor and said signals representative of detected vihratikms into at Tesm sπe first processed signs! reprβs«t\tst.ve of airborne sound aad at least oa« second processed signal rspreserstetrve' of said body sounds; at least one stimulation module that receives mά processes the first processed signal into a fk%t stimulating signal r*s^e$ewtattve of the detected airborne aotssd; and a health analysing module that receiver and processes tfce af least ass second processed signal mά outputs information representative of at least one bodily condition of the iϊTψJaritee.
ϊn this aspect,.the prosthesis can have om, some or all of the features as deβϊiβd hαda with reference to other aspects mά embodiments.
The pnssent invention utilises what is crπrrftδtiy a problem with implantable; devices hav&g a sulxiutsneous micr<^?kone or other fcuasducer (ie detection of body- teduccd noisiR) as m fcput into a cCisvlce that can be used to detect and display "hcatdi information about the irapianteβ.
Brief Pe?gό|>t^|^pf φ^ βr^wffig^
By way of βxampla only, embodiments of &e invention are now described with reference to the accompsxiyiiig drawings, ia wiiich:
Fig. Hs a block diβgraro of one embodiment of a prosthesis according to the presets* invention;
Fig, 2 is a Mock diagram of one emijoάiraect of the pattens analyst undertaken, by the prosthesis according to the present invientiorj;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of β prosthesis ustag adaptive filtering;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of yet aap&er embodiment of & prosthesis using adaptive filtering; and Fig. 5 is a diagraxmastic reptessntafcioa of oπ« embodiment of a subcutaneous microphone according to the present irrveaticra.
Preferred ,M$de of Carrying out the Invsstioq
One embodiment of a prosthesis according to» the prescβt inventioa is depicted ge erally as 10 in Fig, 1. The prosthesis comprises an implantable sensor J 1 which, m this embodiment is an irap.airtable sobctitaaeotts rakrophofce soch as is described in. more detail in Fig. 5, Tfce sensor 11 can detect airborne soαnd end at least one αr mere or other body sounds 13 and Qoov<3rts these' etrfcorae sounds and body sounds in*ø one or more owtput signals usiϋig an analogue to digital signal processor 14.
The prosthesis. 10 farther comprises β processor 15 for receiving ar4 processing the one or more output signals into at least one first processed signal 16 representMive of airborne sound and at least one second processed signal 17 rβprβs«ntaJrv« cf the body so«n<&.
The prosthesis IO ftuthct corapttees & sdrtmlβtfoa module IS and a health anfilysing ttiCdαlo 19. Tne stimulation raodule 18 receives and processes the first •procsssod signal 16 into a first stϊmulβtmg signal repre$«nt-tf-ve of the detected akfeorae sound 12. The health analysing modtile I^ receives and processes the ai least one second processed signal 17 via a wireless Iiak 21 ssid outputs mfijm'jatton Tqjrβsentat^'β of at least oao bodily coadition of t!_s hnplβm«e,
As depicted in Fig. i, the prosthesis 10 cmi have just one implantable sensor 11 for dβtecdag the airborne soimd 12 and tb« one or more bodv sounds 13.
As depicted LQ Fig. 4, in snøthec embodimcrtt^ th« pro^t.esis, -which is here depicted generally as 40, cm rely on two seasons 41. While two seasors 41 are <dq>teted, it will be appreciated that more than two ssπsors could be used in the prosthesis 40, with the senscns 41 separated by a dlstooβ (depicted as 42) and so providing a multiple phased array. Each, of the seasors can comprise a subcutaneous rmcrqphσn^ such as that depicted in Fig. S. Ln one embodiment, the phased srray can be used to subtract body induced vibrations from the detected ahbome signal. White each sensor 41 can be tbe same, one or more of the sensors can be different to the other sensors of (he prosthesis 4j>.
As depicted in Fig. 3, in another embodiment, the prosthesis, which Is here depicted generally as 50, m we s vibration sensor 5 L The output of the %dfcration sensor 51 can be used by the processor 15 to partially or ftsJly cancel the detected body nαis« from the total sound detected by the microphone 1 L The oαφαt of the vfbraJiαn δ«ssox 51 caa also be ∞eά to gain information about the bodily ooπditfcm of the imptøntes or be υsed Ja conjunction with the output of the πriαrøpfcone 11 to eahaacs th® pattern analysis conducted on the decocted sound.
Th* pros^eses (10, 40, 50) can each rely on an iiapiantable component havlag β housing. The bousing can be hermetically aesJed sad be formed of a tøocoπjpaliMe material, such its titanium. The housing cβR cont&iϊ1* an on-boaκl power supply.
In one arπingδrasπr, such tm \mp\mtάb\ts housing can conmiri or support βt least oαβ of said at least one sβasors (11, 41, 51). In another embodiment, on«, som« or all of the sensors (H1 41, 51) can be positioned outside the housing. & this ^nbodisncnt, one or more sensors can be mounted on a first separate component. The first separata component can W conαected to fixe boding by a c^ble so as to allow txaαsmis^lon of the oistpiit sigπais ^TOTO the one «r srsσre sensors, to &β housing, ∑t will be sppreciatβd that a wireless link could al»o> exist between fte bousing sad the first separate componcΩt in a fbrtber embodjrae^t, oαe or moce s«asors carj b« sτψpøτt«5 on t3aβ hoMsύag and one or more se∑tsors can be positioned on fee Srst sβfsarale corapoiKsat. In. yet snoAer embodiment, the prosthesis can utilise one or more separate components, having oso or more sensors, In addition to the first separate component Said additional Rβpsrste components C&Ά be cottft&etδd to fee housing by one or more e&bϊes and/or a whiles* link.
The housing of the Implantable component can cotitaln Sve processor 15. In one embodiment, the housing of the implantable component ess also contain øa* or more components of the stimulation module 18. U is also envisaged that the housing of the implantable component coold contain one or more components of the health analysing πwxϊute 19. While many components of tfee prosthesis are implantable, the prosthesis (10, 40, 50) can comprise one or more external components. The external component can ftpin cCTspme a. housing* with the housing containing at least the health analysing module 19. Ia one embodiment, the external component could also house (he processor 15. In yst a farther erobαdfoietst, the heaJth analysing mαβfcle 19 ca&ld be provided m a fir?? vxtzmύ housmg and the processor 15 m a second external housiag. ϊn this case, the housing for the processor IS could be a behiiuikhe^ear (BTE) tmit. Ia another embc<Hme«t, the housing for the processor 15 and/or health analysing tπoduϊe 19 can be worn on the body aad/or clipped to døthiτsg, for example a belt
When an external compoaeπt is available and mounted sφpυprisiely, the implantable cornpoaβnts of fee prosthesis (10, 40, 50) can work hx conjunction with that cκterø&! compoaeat. For ©xattφle, if the externa! coinpOEent has a microphone end/or processor, the miput of the external processor can be wed instead of the onboard microphone (H, 41) snd/or processoi (15). When the externa, component oσrapπses or has an ott-boa$d and stϊitahte power source, the hnplaastabk compoaesat ςm be coπfigared to pnsfcreniklly draw power from the external component to power its operatic!? imd/or π^ch&rge en 015-board power source.
As depicted in Fig. 5, the sttbc«*κreous microphone (11, 41) can be coβstructed by coupUng a ξniϊijwjocer 61 to a casing 62 covered by a diaphragm 63. The transducer 61 can bδ a pressors scsasrøve transducer and b« formed from, for ex&ropte, an βlectrβt or piezoelectric material. The di«pbrδg m 63 can be formed from titsaiαm oc titanium alloy. The diaphragm 63 am be mounted on a supξrørtfng member 64 having a coupling hole 65. The <ϋ&phτsgm 63, sujφørtkg <ra«mber 64 and casing 62 togβthβr dβSBe 3X3 acowftic volome 66. The thickness andtør diasrsβeer of tfa© diaphragm 63 mά the volume of the cavity 66 can all be varied to optimise tfce signal level output by fine microphαne after Implantation.
The output signals fktm the mϊcrϋphαa€ 11 and rcpτe$cαtβtivc of the airborne $e>\wd mά the body noise that are de3ivκte«i to the processor 15 are analysed by an adaptive algorithm, As depicted by Fig. 2, the algorithm cam defect certain sound patterns typical of being body iaduced noise, for δxa∑πplβ soimds of wallowing, breathing, chewing and/or talking. This pattern analysis cm then be used to filter at least part of the noise ςojnponβnt before presenting the first processed signal 16 to the , stimulation module J 8. The detected body noise data as recognized by the pattern analysis can then be delivered as the second processed signal 17 to tibe heaftk analysing module 19.
The heaMi analysing module 19 can have β processor 22 running BΠ aljKsrrthm thai fhrther discriminates the detected body noise into signals represexitativsr of psrtscufar body noises, In the depicted embodiment, the processor 22 d-serrminsTas the delected body noise into &e noise of brcatblng 23, the noise of chβwmg 24 and the noise of heart beat 25. Gtes can be envisaged. The health analysing aκxføl« 19 fttffoer incorporates a comparator 26 feat compares the representative mfbτmaHcn (23, 24, 25) with predetermined ranges or vetoes. Based on this coπxpsrisoa, the module 19 can &cn wLtpvt information wing a vlsoal display and/or auditory device 27 that is WQM to the imjstatee or & ύήrά party, such ad a caregiver, about th« health of the implants.
Hie health analysing roodulft 19 cm have en on-board power sitpply aad/or a storage device for storing the moσπύng signals 8nd/oτ the iπfcnrroation that is oxitpful by the module (bat is repressat&dvβ of a bodily condition of the isnplantee, The representative mfoiroatjotj can be selected fix)m the gro«p comprising heart beat, breathing rate, chewing information, snoring d^tøctipπ, s!wp spnoea det9vttos« and a recøtx. of Tjoise exposure of Ae imptømtee.
Still further, tbβ informadoa can be transferable from the health analysing mo<J«!e 19 Jo a conaputef rαamng software festmctions that allows storage, manipulation and display of the τeprcscntstfv« information.
In ens ernbodiϊnβnt, Sw health analysing module 19 can be incorporated into & personal digitai assistant (PDA) device. Such a ckwce can be wora" on the body or clothing. For example, it can be clipped to a belt or worn around the wrist, in the same marker as a wrist watch. The PDA device ca« allow entry of ttRcrvspedfled information for use by the device. The u$er«speάβ«d mforrnMtion. can include the hnplantec's age, welgjit and/or height. The PDA device can output iπstπictjons and/or information to the impiaaiee mύ/ot a third party, sach as & caregiver, based OΏ lhe representative -mfoπnaticm. For ftxaπφlβ, the PDA dβviβe may otitpttt fnftatnatloo on the physical state of the recipient. It may also øϋtpαi instructious to increase or discontinue exercise if a detected breathing rate and/or tort πstβ is detwmbied to be inside or outside, respectively, a desired πrage, Tte PDA device may also trigger m audible or vibratory alarm to the hπplantee on detection of snoring or sleep apnoαu Analysis of chewing sounds can be seed to determine wtisn and/or what act iraplsntee is eating and so provide a means, of analysing an implsxrtβe's diet
Where the processor 15 is past of an implantable component &t*d the health analysing module 19 is pert of an external component (such as a PDA device), the transcutaneous wireless liak 21 can be p∞vUteά between the processor 15 amd the health analysing module 19. The wireless Jink tan be jsπyvicfed by respective sπtsnra.© on the implantable and external corαponente. The respective antennae can comprise antsmra coils. Such antsrma colls can be provided by one or more coils of aα electrically conductive materials, assch as platinum. These coils can be «snb-δdclβd in an eisstoroeric srspport, such as a silicone. Suitable magβets cm be p-rovtdβd at or near the centre of the respective coils Io allow trafiscutaneooa aHgnmeitt of the ©oils.
In a stiO fUrthsr csmbodlmetrt, other tτ8»sdoceτs may be implantable w&hin ths tropJsntce snd/or po$it-θt«tbk on fee implaπtce and output signals to Sw health, aπalysmg roodule J 9. OUi1ST such transducers can comprise an aceeϊerometer which detects if an impfeistββ has failen or dropped down, a tsasiperattrrR sβssotr to mαoitar body t<jτtxp«rataro, sad a blood pressure $CRS<Π\ Other swfc sensors <ran be cxivfsaged.
In «κJdfdon to being «««d to provide Lnformattøa about *β bodily coaditioa of the inip!ante«, the processor 15 can use the detection of tie body sounds 13 to enhance discπmisaiioπ of Λe sϊrborae sound 12 from the total sound detected by the one «r more sensors 11, 41.
Use stimulation, module 18 can be part of a cochlear implant system. In this embodiment, thώ first stirhufating signal can be delivered to a cochlea of an implaπtee, The delivery of the first stimulating signal can 1?« delivered by one or more electrode arrays. At lesst one electrode array COT comprise sm infiraeocMear electrode array. The electrode &rø.y can comprise 9 crøiαr membsr having » plurality of electrodes ϋtβrβon. The electrodes can be supported in a tangftudiaal array. In erne embodiment, the carrier metnber caa comprise a biocompatible elastomeric member. The elastomeric mmfoet can be a »i?koa». Each electrode can be formed &o?rs a bfocomiJatible edectrically conductive material, such ω pUtinum. The electrodes ca» cooaprac pktinum rings. Each of the electrodes cai* have at less* one wire, for example two, extending &σm each electrode back towards the trailing «ncL of tfcg. carrier member aαd tbeα ttoowgb a cable &at extends back to the housfog of the implantable corapoπent. One or raore fcedthroughs can be provided in the housing of ixopleatoble component to allow sspal transmission between the housing and the warier member.
The carrier can have 22 electrodes, ID another embodiments &* carrier can have 30 electrodes. Oihsr nurabass of electrodes can be utilised, including less ihm 20 e!ectrode», between 20 and 30 electrodes, attd more 30 electrodes.
In, another embodiment* the bnplaatahle stcimponers? can have a second electrode , assembly extending from the housing. The second electrode assembly xway .have oα* or moϊt? electrode*. This electrode assembly can be roownte4 within or external the cochlea of the Implβnteβ.
In another embo<irøent, the stituulatton moώαle 18 can comprise an actuator -urangement c«nflgarod to provide direct st_n«ilatkM_ to one or moπj hearing smjctnres of the impiβr.tcc representative of the original detected sowed. Tb* actuator can cotirprise at least on© extracocl-ϊesr actuator and be configured to provide excstafcϋon to fluid-filled inser-ear spaces of the iBφlaate*. In another ejnsbodimait, the actaatnr can comprise at least one iπtnaccchlstw arrzy of actuators. T&e actuator cas coraptiβe OJ)O or more Tnschsnicaj actuation elements. The first stimulation module can comprise a (Jh1CCt acoustic cochlear actαator (DACS) unit.
In a still fUrtfjer embodføiont, She stimulation tnodule IS can comprise a bσήe aτ5chorβd heating aid (or BAKA), including ao implantable BAHA. The hearing aid can comprise a bone trans-πutting ^brator that is connected (ϋtectly to the bone InSiSg a skfn-penetmting and bcme-aachoτed Jtctjrtatit of a suitable biocompatible material, for cxarople titeniu∑n.
It vΛϊi be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous vfiriation* find/or modification* may bφ made to the inv«Btion as shown in tb« specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the føvention as fcroadly described The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. • •

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A prosthesis comprising: at least one sensor implantable in m impiantøe for detecting airborne sound and at least one or more or other body sounds and converting said airborne sounds and said body soiffids fata one or mors output signals; a processor for receiving and processing said one or tncre output signals Into st least one f&st processed sigcal representative of airborne sound and at teas? one second processed signal representaiivs of said body sounds; at least one stimulation module that receives and processes the first processed signal into a first stimulating signal representative of the detected airborne sound; and a heaftih analysing mσctøk that reserves and processes the at least one second processed signs! and outputs mfbrmstioα representativs of at least one bodily condition of $\s impiantee.
2. The prosthesis of claim ! whersdi- lh» prosthesis has juat one implantable serssor for dctcctjδg δrrbαraβ sound mά the at least one or more or other body souods.
3. The prcs&esis of claim 1 wherein tbe prosthesis uses multiple irφlamable sensors.
4. The prosthesis of clαta 2 wherein tire sensor is a microphone.
5. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein st least one of ώe sensors is a microphone.
6. Th* prosthesis of clβra J wherein «11 of ifee ssnsore ar« a miσrophois«,
7. Tl.e prostho&ts of claim 6 wherein «ach microphone b (he same.
8. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein one of the sensors is a vihmtiotj Fβnsor.
9. The prosthesis of claim 3 where.n inultiplβ phased array sensors are used.
10. The prosthesis of my Qm of th« preceding claims comprising an implantable cora|κ>ncnt having a Koustng.
11. The prosthesis of claim 10 wherein the housing is hermetically sealed mά foπned of a biocompatible materia!, such « titanium.
12. The prosthesis of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the hotϊsing contains or supports at less* one of said at least one srøsors.
13. Tht prosthesis of clshn 10 or claim 1.1 wherein onto, some or *U of the sensors arc posrtάor.ed outside the .bousing.
14. The prosthesis of daim 13 wherein one or more sensors acre mounted on a first separate coττspoiα«nt.
15. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein the first separate component is connected to the housing by a cable so as to allow transmission of the output signals from the erne or more sensors to the housing,
16. Hi© prosthesis of claim Ϊ4 wherein a wireless transmission link exists between the. housing and the first separate ooajponβnt.
π. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein on© or more sensors arc supported on the housing δJ?d one or mott ftensars «re positioned! en the first s&paxztt comjxsmwit.
U. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein the prosthesis comprises one or mom separate componsttfs, having one or more sensors, in addition to said first separate ccTOpoacnt.
19. TKe prosthesis of claim 18 wherein said additϊoaal separate components are cσnrMscted to the housing by dnβ or more cables and/or a wireless link.
20. The prosthesis of my one of claims 10 to 19 wherein the housiαg contaios the processor.
21. The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein ώ* bousing also contains the stimulation modak and/or the health βnaJysing module,
22. Th* prosthesis of any OJIS of claims I to 20 wherein the prosthesis comprises erne or roore external components, the external coπ-poπent comprising a housing.
23. The prosthesis of claim 22 wherein ύι$ external compoαsmt houses the health analysing module,
24. The prosthesis of claim 23 wherein the sxtsraai component also hwuses the processor
25. The prosthesis of clahϊi 23 wherein a second externa! housing houses the proctor.
26. The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein the housing for the processor is a behind- thenar (BTE) unit.
27. The prosthesis of any one of the preceding claims wfcrørein the health analysing modtale has a storage device for storing $a!d at least otio second proccs&eά signal a∑sd/or said information reprsjse∑.tat.ve of a bodily condition of the implantee,
28. The prosthesis cf any one of the pnscedrng claims wherein the health analysing raodule has a display device that allows the module to output said repreβestative infαmalJoπ.
29. The prosthesis of any oi5« of the preceding claims wherein the representative information, is selected from the group cσmprbrag heart beat, breathing rate, chewing iofOTWAdon, snoring det«c.tior!, sleep aprtoc* detection, and a record of uoisβ esxposurβ of ihβ inϊplaatββ.
30. The piutthesi* of claim 29 whβroin Λe healtfe a«*lysfng modμlc f«rth«f incorpomtss a cαmparator that ooropams the representative informaHors wi* predetcπwiπed ranges or values.
31. The prosthesis of claim 29 vrti«ieia said information is transferable fτoτn the health analysing module to a cotnpyter rαnαing software instructions thsi allows ^0X806» manipulation and display of the rcprøsøritaFJve mformation.
32., Tlbe prosthesis of any cms of the preceding cMras whenem th« health analysing πrøduk ss incorporated into a psssoaa! digital assistant (PDA) device
33. Tne prosthesis of claim 32 wlicrok the PDA device allows entry of uaser- specilϊed information for us© by fh» PDA device.
34. The prosthesis of claim 33 wherein the yser-spwlfied information is selected from th« group comprising: the i∑nplantee's age, wsighϊ snd/or hsight
35. The prosthesis of any one of ctalros 32 to 34 whβrcrfn the PDA device ouφαts instructions mάJor bformation to the implιmt«e end/or a third party, such as a caregiver, based on tbø representalfvs Infbnnat'ion.
36. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the processor ts part; of m implantable c<røponet\t and the health arsaϊysiπg module is p&rt of aαα external αsmpotse^t, a transcutacteous wireless link being prov-ded 1»βtwβe.n the processor and the health asslj'smg mocitiSe.
3?. Tl»e prosthesis of eMro 36 wherein ft wireless lfak ts prαvided fcy resp«ctive 'antennae on (he implantable and ejcternal compcπcfits, the respective antennae comprising antenna cøϋ$,
3?. The prosthesis of sπy one of the precedir^ claims wherein oϋveτ trasxsducet* arc implantable within the implamteβ aad/or posjttonable on the impiaπtee and which output signals to the health analysing module.
39. 'Ths prosthesis of claim 38 wherein said other such transducers are selected from a group comprising an acccl«rometer which detect* if *& impiaπtβc has &Ucπ or dropped down, a temperature sensor to moaitør body temperature, and a blood press ore sensor,
40. Th« prosth«$i$ of auy oae of the preceding claims wh«τtsin the output signals representative of the airibome swrød and (fee bcdy ncase delivered to the processor are analysed by an adaptive algorithm.
41 , The prosthesis of claim 40 wfeersta tSie algorithm dkftecJs certain sotsed patterns typical of bβrøg body induced noise and uses tiiβsβ to ϋitør at least part of the noise component before prescatmg the fkst processed signal to the stimulation module, lhe detocsed body noise data as jecogπfoed by the pattern analysis being delivered w the second f*røcδβsed signal to the health analysing module.
42, The prosthesis of claim 41 whβrβtn the body isdaeed sounds are selected from ihz group comprising sounds of swallowing, breathing, chwtng and/or talking.
43, The prosthesis of any one of the preceding claims wherein the stSrαuSation Module is part of β cochlear implsnt systetn,
44, The prosthesi $ of claim 43 wherein the delivery of the first stlmulβlmg signal is delivered hy one or more electrode arrays.
45, The pro*$he*b of any one of claims I to 42 wherein thd stfmαlatfoo raodole comprises a direct acotjstic cochlear actuator (DACS) unit, or a boa« anchored fecaring J^d (BΛHA), Inolυd^ng a» Implantable BAHA.
46, A prosthesis ς-?mj>ri$»g; at least one sensor implantable In so implants for detecting aiiboroe &oαnd and at least one or more or other Ixxiy sosads and convettmg said airborae sotmds and mi body sounds ltiio cms or more oidput signals; a vibration sensor fσr (Meeting body-induced vibration and outputtiag signals representative of detected vibrations; a processor for receiving and processing said one or more σsrtput signals from said at least one sβasσr and said signals representative of detected vsbratlons into at less* one first processed signal representative of airborne sound aad at least one second processed signal r^prsssnutjvg of said body sounds; at leas! one stimulation moduJe thst receives and processes She flϊst processed srgual into a fiπrt stinwiating $ign»l rqjrw^atβth'C of the detected airbσπis SØVTKJ; and a health analj-smg module that receives and processes the at teβjjt one seαmd processed signal and cκϊφut$ wϊfαπβ»tioo representative of at hast one bodily condition of the implanted
47. The. steps, features, jnteger*, cwnpcwtiotw mά/$τ coixjpcrøads disclo$<wJ hα«in ox mάiϋΛtaά in th« sp«cSffcaati<m of this applioβtioB individually or collectively, and any sad all combmstsons of two or more of said steps or features.
PCT/AU2009/001044 2008-08-27 2009-08-13 Body noise detection using an implantable microphone Ceased WO2010022437A1 (en)

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WO2007098577A1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-07 Saringer Research Inc. Training device and method to suppress sounds caused by sleep and breathing disorders
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US20060206014A1 (en) * 2005-03-13 2006-09-14 Nexense Ltd. Ear probe particularly for measuring various physiological conditions particularly blood pressure, temperature and/or respiration
WO2007098577A1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-07 Saringer Research Inc. Training device and method to suppress sounds caused by sleep and breathing disorders
WO2008032791A1 (en) * 2006-09-14 2008-03-20 Osaka Bioscience Institute External acoustic meatus electrode unit and bioinformation measuring instrument
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