(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,415,185 Bi
Maltan (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 2,2002
(54) OBJECTIVE PROGRAMMING AND
OPERATION OF A COCHLEAR IMPLANT
BASED ON MEASURED EVOKED
POTENTIALS THAT PRECEDE THE
STAPEDIUS REFLEX
(75) Inventor: Albert A. Maltan, Stevenson Ranch, CA (US)
(73) Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation,
Sylmar, CA (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/376,882
(22) Filed: Aug. 18, 1999
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 60/099,151, filed on Sep. 4, 1998.
(51) Int. C I. A61N 1/36
(52) U.S. C I 607/57
(58) Field of Search 607/55-57; 600/554,
600/559
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,400,590 A 8/1983 Michelson 179/107
4,532,930 A 8/1985 Crosby et al 128/419
4,592,359 A 6/1986 Galbraith 128/419
A myogenic-based evoked response (termed the "MER" for purposes ol this application), heretofore considered an undesirable artilact in response to an applied Cochlear stimulus, is deliberately sensed and measured with permanently implanted electrodes connected to a Cochlear implant device. The measured MER is then used to assist in the objective programming ol the Cochlear implant. The MER may be measured between two intra-Cochlear electrodes, between one intra-Cochlear electrode and one extraCochlear relerence electrode, or between two extraCochlear electrodes. Because the measured MER is believed to pre-empt the actual stapedius reflex, the electrodes need not be placed into or in close proximity to the stapedial tendon, the stapes, or the lacial nerve.
7 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
