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Irradiation device and method for optical cochlear implants and laser surgery sytems

Reference Number TO 15-00490

Keywords

Irradiation device, optical cochlear implants, laser surgery sytems

Challenge

Acoustic hearing implants usually generate sound with electro-magnetic or piezo actuators. Alternatively, optoacoustic generation of sound can be achieved by irradiating the cochlea with laser pulses. This method constitutes a promising alternative treatment option for sensorineural hearing loss and combined electro-acoustic stimulation. However, rectangular pulse stimulation suffers from low quality sound fidelity due to generation of accessory and unwanted signals. Additional signals are triggered by the rising and falling edges, which generate positive as well as negative pressure events for each rectangular pulse. The same applies to laser surgical treatments of the ear where undesired optoacoustic waves caused by sharply rising or falling laser pulses of the surgery system can cause severe noise damage.

Irradiation device and method for optical cochlear implants and laser surgery sytems

Laser output power (upper part) and corresponding generated optoacoustic signals (lower part). With a slope shaped output power, unwanted optoacoustic

Technology

The proprietary irradiation device and method generates laser pulses that exhibit a rising or a falling slope. This slope-shaped pattern of emitted laser power avoids or significantly reduces unwanted optoacoustic signals at the beginning or the end of the pulse, compared to rectangular excitation patterns. As a consequence, using this irradiation device and method, optical cochlear implants can generate significantly better sound quality for the patients. Moreover optoacoustic stimulation bears the potential for combined electro-acoustic stimulation in one electrode array due to its small size. Likewise, applying this method for laser surgery systems used in the ear will result in reduced noise damage for safe treatment.

Commercial Opportunity

The patent protected technology is available for licensing. Further development and clinical validation can be realized in cooperation with an experienced university clinic in Germany.

Development Status

The technology is in an early, conceptual development stage.

Patent Situation

Patents have been granted in Europe (EP 3644912B1, national validation in DE, CH, FR and GB) and USA (US 11,224,758B2) with priority of 2017.

Further Reading

Kallweit, N., P. Baumhoff, A. Krueger, N. Tinne, A. Kral, T. Ripken, and H. Maier. 2016. Optoacoustic effect is responsible for laser-induced cochlear responses. Sci Rep. 6:28141.