Patent ID: 6575894
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder which comprises:at least one acoustic sensor for picking up an acoustic signal and converting the acoustic signal into corresponding electrical signals, an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification, an electrical power supply unit which supplies individual components of the system with energy, and an output-side electromechanical transducer arrangement which is comprised of at least two independent and spatially separate transducers, an output-side of which is adapted for stimulation of fluid-filled inner ear spaces of a damaged inner ear of a patient in an implanted state, wherein the signal processing unit comprises driving signal processing electronics which electrically controls each of the transducers in a manner causing a traveling wave configuration to be formed on a basilar membrane of the damaged inner ear which approximates the manner of a traveling wave configuration of a healthy, undamaged inner ear.