Patent ID: 7206640
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. In a cochlear implant system having multiple electrode contacts through which electrical stimuli are adapted to be applied to a patient's inner ear, a method of generating stimulation parameters for use by the cochlear implant system, comprising: generating electrical stimuli with selectable degrees of amplitude intensity; delivering the electrical stimuli to selected groups of electrode contacts while gradually adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimuli and while monitoring at least one electrode contact near the group of electrode contacts receiving the delivered electrical stimuli for the occurrence of an evoked compound action potential (ECAP); determining an electrical-stimuli intensity threshold level (tNRI) associated with the occurrence of the ECAP for each selected group of electrode contacts, the tNRI threshold level for all of the selected groups comprising tNRI threshold data; processing the tNRI threshold data to determine a contour of tNRI threshold levels that defines a tNRI threshold for each electrode contact; and using the contour of tNRI threshold levels to define stimulation parameters thereafter used by the cochlear implant system to control the intensity of the electrical stimuli applied through the electrode contacts, wherein processing the tNRI threshold data to determine a contour of tNRI threshold levels that defines a tNRI threshold for each electrode contact comprises combining the tNRI threshold level data from each selected group of electrodes and smoothing discontinuities therein; and wherein smoothing discontinuities in the tNRI threshold data comprises applying a three-point weighted average, with the first and last data points of a three-consecutive data points being weighted a first prescribed percentage, and with the middle data point being weighted a second prescribed percentage, where the second prescribed percentage is greater than the first prescribed percentage.