Implantable electronic hearing aid

Abstract

An electronic hearing aid device for enabling persons having loss of hearing due to a .[.nonfunctioning.]. .Iadd.malfunctioning .Iaddend.inner ear (Cochlea), but .[.have.]. .Iadd.having .Iaddend.a responsive auditory (acoustic, or eighth cranial) nerve, to hear by way of an electronic device including a microphone for receiving audio signals connected to an amplifier for converting the audio signal into an analog voltage signal. The analog voltage signal is filtered by a series of filter networks which separate the analog voltage signal into a plurality of frequency component signals each having a predetermined frequency range within the audio spectrum. The component analog voltage signals are then converted into .[.digital.]. pulse signals having the same frequency as the component voltage signal.Iadd., .Iaddend.which are fed to the auditory nerve by way of implanted .[.platinium.]. .Iadd.platinum .Iaddend.(or other) wires.Iadd., .Iaddend.wherein the .[.digital.]. pulse signals more accurately simulate the natural sound signals transmitted to the brain for interpretation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic hearing aid device for use in aiding a person having a .[.non-functioning.]. .Iadd.malfunctioning .Iaddend.inner ear mechanism comprising: receiver means for receiving an external audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal;   amplifier means connected to said receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said voltage signal;   a plurality of frequency filter networks each having an input connected to an output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified voltage signal and filtering said analog signal into a number of separate frequency component signals corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network;   .[.analog-digital.]. .Iadd.analog-pulse .Iaddend.converter circuit means connected to the output of each filter network for receiving each said frequency component signal and converting said signal into a .[.digital.]. .Iadd.pulsed .Iaddend.component signal; and   a plurality of .[.elongated.]. electrode members each having one end connected to an output of one of said converter circuit means with the remote end thereof adapted for being implanted adjacent a portion of the auditory nerve system .[.of the inner ear.]. for transmitting said .[.digital.]. .Iadd.pulsed .Iaddend.component signals for interpretation in the hearing portion of the brain.   
     
     
       2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said .[.analog-digital convertor.]. .Iadd.analog-pulse converter .Iaddend.circuit means converts said frequency component signal into a series of .[.digital.].  pulses occurring at the same frequency as said frequency component signal. 
     
     
       3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrodes are platinum wires. 
     
     
       4. The device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising pin collector means having a plurality of pins for connection of said output of said converter circuit means and said one end of said electrodes. 
     
     
       5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said connector means includes a female connector for being implanted adjacent the mastoid bone portion of the outer ear having a plurality of pin channels connected to said electrodes and a male connector having corresponding pin connections connected to said converter circuit outputs for insertion into said pin channels of said female connector. 
     
     
       6. An electronic hearing aid device for aiding a person having a .[.non-functioning.]. .Iadd.malfunctioning .Iaddend.inner ear comprising: receiver means for receiving an audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal;   amplifier means connected to the receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said signal;   a plurality of frequency filter networks having an input connected to the output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified analog voltage signal and separating said analog signal into frequency component signals having frequencies corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network;   an .[.analog-digital.]. .Iadd.analog-pulse .Iaddend.converter network connected to the output of each of said filter networks for receiving said analog frequency component signal therefrom and converting said frequency component signal into a .[.digital.]. .Iadd.pulsed .Iaddend.component signal having a series of .[.digital.]. pulses of the same frequency as the analog frequency component .[.signal.]. .Iadd.and being of related amplitudes.Iaddend.;   a pin connector member having a pin connection connected to an output of each .[.analog-digital.]. .Iadd.analog-pulse .Iaddend.filter network for receiving said .[.digital.]. pulse signals; and   a plurality of electrode members for being implanted adjacent portions of the nerve of the inner ear with the remote end of said electrodes being connected to each of said pin connections so that each component .[.digital.]. pulse signal will be applied at the same portion of the nerve normally accustomed to transmitting like signals in the normal hearing process for interpretation as sound. .Iadd. 7. An electronic hearing aid for use in aiding a person having a malfunctioning hearing mechanism to hear comprising:   receiver or microphone means for receiving an external audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal;   amplifier means connected to said receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying it;   a plurality of filters, each having inputs thereof connected to the output of said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified voltage signal and filtering said signal into a plurality of separate component signals corresponding to separate frequency ranges;   analog-pulse converter circuit means connected to the output of each filter network for receiving each said frequency component signal and converting said signal into a pulsed component signal; and   a plurality of electrodes, each being connected to an output of said converter circuit means and having at least a portion thereof adapted for implantation adjacent a portion of the auditory nerve system, so that the electrodes transmit pulsed frequency component signals to the auditory nerve system for interpretation in the hearing portion of the brain. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the analog-pulse converter circuit is one which produces a unipolar pulsed component signal. .Iaddend.