Efficient CI Voltage Converter with low magnetic signature

Title 

Efficient CI Voltage Converter with low magnetic signature

Problem Addressed 

Implantable hearing prostheses, especially of the type that electrically stimulate neural centers of the human cochlear to convey hearing sensations, incorporate complex signal processing and neural stimulus delivery systems which require various power voltages that are different to that of the battery or energy storage system used to power these prostheses.

The efficient use and voltage conversion of available battery voltage is tantamount to the success of these small prostheses, especially for those when the energy storage system or battery is incorporated into a fully implanted prosthesis that is small enough to be accommodated into a user’s head.

While electronic switching systems employing several capacitors can be applied to increase or decrease available battery voltage, such systems are inefficient owing to resistive energy losses associated circuitry.

Electronic switch mode circuitry employing magnetic inductors and transformers can be made more efficient than switched capacitor systems, but at the cost of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) degradation or contrary use due to the strongly ferromagnetic properties of inductor or transform core material.

Known Solutions/Approaches

No known, relevant solutions are presented in this article.

Novelty Statement

Disclosed is a design for an efficient cochlear implant (CI) voltage converter with low magnetic signature. This invention employs the piezo electric properties of certain materials to provide an efficient means to increase or decrease power supply voltages. Furthermore, the method does not rely upon the use of any ferromagnetic mat...