Patent ID: 7616999
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A cochlear implant system comprising: multiple electrode contacts through which electrical stimuli are adapted to be applied to a patient's inner ear; means for generating electrical stimuli with selectable degrees of amplitude intensity; means for delivering the electrical stimuli to selected groups of electrode contacts, such that at least two of the selected groups of electrode contacts output an electrical current into the inner ear tissue; means for gradually adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimuli to selected groups of electrode contacts; means for detecting an occurrence of an evoked compound action potential (ECAP); means for 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; means for processing the tNRI threshold data to determine a contour of tNRI threshold levels that defines a tNRI threshold for each electrode contact; wherein the means for processing the tNRI threshold data to determine a contour of tNRI threshold levels that defines a tNRI threshold for each electrode contact comprises means for combining the tNRI threshold level data from each selected group of electrodes and means for smoothing discontinuities therein; and wherein the means for smoothing discontinuities in the tNRI threshold data comprises means for 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.