Information processing and storage in a cochlear stimulation system

Abstract

Information can be stored in a cochlear stimulation system by determining an item of patient specific information, transferring the item of patient specific information to an implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system, and permanently storing the item of patient specific information in the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. The item of patient specific information can comprise a parameter for use in generating a stimulation current. The implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system also can be configured to permanently store one or more items of patient specific information in an alterable fashion. Further, an item of patient specific information can be retrieved from the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. Additionally, an item of non-patient specific information for use in processing a received acoustic signal can be determined and permanently stored in an external portion of the cochlear stimulation system.

1 . A method for initializing a cochlear stimulation system worn by a patient comprising an external portion and an implantable internal portion, the method comprising:
 executing a self-initialization process at external portion; and   executing a self-initialization process at the internal portion,   wherein the self-initialization process at the internal portion executes using only information stored in a non-volatile memory in the internal portion, and   wherein the self-initialization process at the internal portion executes independently of receipt of information from the external portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory in the internal portion stores only patient specific information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the self-initialization process at the external portion executes using only information stored in a non-volatile memory in the external portion, and   wherein the self-initialization process at the external portion executes independently of receipt of information from the internal portion.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the non-volatile memory in the external portion stores only non-patient specific information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising transmitting, after execution of the self-initialization process at the external portion, processed sound data from the external portion to the internal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 periodically detecting, at the external portion, presence of the internal portion; and   terminating transmitting sound data to the internal portion if the internal portion is not detected.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising upon initialization, receiving control data at the internal portion from the external portion for defining status of one or more user controls. 
     
     
         8 . A cochlear implant system, comprising:
 an external portion;   an internal portion, communicatively coupled to the external portion, comprising:
 an electrode array; 
 a non-volatile memory; 
 stimulation circuitry, configured for bidirectional communication with the external portion and coupled to the electrode array and the non-volatile memory, 
   wherein the stimulation circuitry is further configured to execute a self-initialization process,   wherein the self-initialization process executes using only information stored in the non-volatile memory, and   wherein the self-initialization process executes independently of receipt of information from the external portion.   
     
     
         9 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the external portion comprises a non-volatile memory, and   wherein the external portion is configured to execute an external portion self-initialization process using only information stored in the non-volatile memory of the external portion, independently of receipt of information from the internal portion.   
     
     
         10 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 9 , wherein the non-volatile memory in the external portion stores only non-patient specific information. 
     
     
         11 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 9 , wherein the external portion is further configured to transmit to the internal portion, after execution of the external portion self-initialization process, processed sound data. 
     
     
         12 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 8 , wherein the non-volatile memory in the internal portion stores only patient specific information. 
     
     
         13 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the stimulation circuitry is further configured to receive control data upon initialization, the control data defining status of one or more user controls.   
     
     
         14 . The cochlear implant system of  claim 8 , wherein the external portion is further configured to:
 periodically detect presence of the internal portion; and   terminate transmittal of sound data to the internal portion responsive to not detecting the internal portion.