Patent ID: 9011509
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: A61N,F04C

Abstract:
1. An implanted apparatus for optically stimulating neurons of a cochlea of a person to provide auditory sensations for the person, the implanted apparatus comprising: means for calibrating in a calibration mode, wherein the means for calibrating includes: means for generating a plurality of pulsed light signals each having a plurality of successive pulses that, when applied to a neuron of a person, will each stimulate a nerve action potential (NAP) in the neuron, means for delivering each one of the plurality of light signals to a different one of a plurality of locations in the cochlea of the person, wherein the means for generating and the means for delivering are configured to be implanted in the cochlea of the person, and means for selectively controlling the plurality of light signals to optically stimulate one or more neurons at the respective one of the plurality of locations in the cochlea in order to trigger NAPs in the one or more neurons of the cochlea, and means for empirically testing the delivering of the plurality of light signals, wherein the means for empirically testing is configured to vary and determine one or more values, for each of a plurality of variable optical-stimulation parameters, that is most effective for optically stimulating the one or more neurons of the cochlea of the person having the implanted apparatus based on perceived-sensation feedback from the person, wherein the perceived-sensation feedback includes a speech recognition score or a loudness comfort-level, wherein the plurality of varied parameters includes a spectral wavelength and a polarization of the plurality of light signals; and means for providing an audio perception in a first listening mode, wherein the means for providing the audio perception includes: means for receiving an audio signal, the means for generating, further configured to generate, based on the received audio signal, a plurality of pulsed light signals having one or more successive pulses and, based on results from the means for testing, using the one or more values for each one of the plurality of optical-stimulation parameters that was determined to be most effective for optically stimulating the one or more neurons of the cochlea, and the means for delivering, further configured to deliver the plurality of light signals to the one or more neurons of the cochlea using the one or more values for each one of the plurality of optical-stimulation parameters that was determined to be most effective for optically stimulating the one or more neurons of the cochlea.