Preliminary assessment of remote photoelectric excitation of an actuator for a hearing implant

Zhigang Wang, Eric Abel, Robert Mills

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Sound modulated infrared (IR) light, as an alternative signal (and energy) transmission method, was evaluated for remote powering of a hearing implant via an implanted photodiode receiver. One human cadaveric temporal bone was used to test this concept by locating an IR source (LED) in the ear canal 4 mm away from the eardrum and a photodiode in the middle ear cavity. The photodiode output was directly used to drive a piezo-ceramic disc actuator which was located externally for facilitating the test. The displacement frequency response of the actuator was measured by a laser vibrometer. It was found that, at a LED current of 8.6 mA, the actuator displacement was about 22.4 nm, equivalent to a stapes displacement from about 91 dB sound-pressure-level (SPL) stimulation at the eardrum. The IR tight transmittance through the eardrum (compared to through an air path) was about 67%. The LED optical power was 0.77 mW (its maximal irradiance was about 3.95 mW/cm(2)) which is a safe to the human body. Current consumption can be reduced by a factor of 3-5 by using a more efficient LED and photodiode.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationConference proceedings of the 27th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
    Place of PublicationNew York
    PublisherIEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
    Pages6233-6234
    Number of pages2
    Volume6
    ISBN (Print)0780387406
    Publication statusPublished - 2005
    Event27th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society - Shanghai, China
    Duration: 1 Sept 20054 Sept 2005
    http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/mostRecentIssue.jsp?punumber=10755

    Conference

    Conference27th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
    Country/TerritoryChina
    CityShanghai
    Period1/09/054/09/05
    Internet address

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