Methods and systems for fitting a sound processor to a patient using a plurality of pre-loaded sound processing programs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9403003-B2
Application number	US-84708910-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2010
Priority date	Jul 30, 2010
Publication date	Aug 2, 2016
Grant date	Aug 2, 2016

Abstract

An exemplary method of fitting a sound processor to a cochlear implant patient includes pre-loading program data representative of a plurality of sound processing programs onto a sound processor during a data transfer session and selectively using, after completion of the data transfer session, one or more of the pre-loaded sound processing programs to fit the sound processor to the patient. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
pre-loading, by a fitting subsystem that is separate from a sound processor, a plurality of independently executable sound processing programs onto a sound processor during a data transfer session while the sound processor is selectively and communicatively coupled to the fitting subsystem, wherein each independently executable sound processing program included in said plurality of independently executable sound processing programs is associated with a distinct set of control parameters; and
selectively using, by the fitting subsystem after completion of the data transfer session and while the sound processor is still selectively and communicatively coupled to the fitting subsystem, the pre-loaded independently executable sound processing programs to fit the sound processor to a cochlear implant patient by directing the sound processor to switch between executing the pre-loaded independently executable sound processing programs during a fitting session in response to user input by
presenting a graphical user interface by way of a display screen that is a part of the fitting subsystem, the graphical user interface including
a first window corresponding to a first independently executable sound processing program included in the plurality of independently executable sound processing programs, and
a second window corresponding to a second independently executable sound processing program included in the plurality of independently executable sound processing programs,

receiving, by way of the graphical user interface, first user input representative of a selection of a first option displayed in the first window, and
directing, in response to the first user input, the sound processor to operate in accordance with the first independently executable sound processing program.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-loading comprises:
transmitting the plurality of independently executable sound processing programs to the sound processor; and
directing the sound processor to cache the plurality of independently executable sound processing programs in a storage medium included within the sound processor.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-loading is performed prior to the sound processor being delivered to the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initializing, by the fitting system, the sound processor, wherein the pre-loading is performed during the initializing.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the directing the sound processor to switch between executing the pre-loaded independently executable sound processing programs during the fitting session further comprises:
receiving, by way of the graphical user interface while the sound processor is operating in accordance with the first independently executable sound processing program, second user input representative of a selection of a second option displayed in the second window; and
directing, in response to the second user input, the sound processor to dynamically cease operating in accordance with the first independently executable sound processing program and begin operating in accordance with the second independently executable sound processing program.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising facilitating adjustment of one or more control parameters in the distinct set of control parameters associated with one or more of the independently executable sound processing programs by way of the graphical user interface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selectively using of the one or more of the pre-loaded independently executable sound processing programs to fit the sound processor to the patient further comprises:
receiving additional user input representative of a request to adjust one or more control parameters in the distinct set of control parameters associated with a particular independently executable sound processing program included in the plurality of independently executable sound processing programs; and
transmitting control parameter data to the sound processor in response to the user input, the control parameter data configured to direct the sound processor to adjust the one or more control parameters in accordance with the additional user input.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sound processing programs comprises at least one of a sound processing program configured for use in a relatively quiet environment, a sound processing program configured for use in a relatively noisy environment, a sound processing program configured for use in a musical environment, and a sound processing program configured for diagnostic use.

9. The method of claim 1 , embodied as computer-executable instructions on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Assignees

• Calle Guillermo A
• Hood Kevin
• Advanced Bionics Ag

Inventors

• Calle Guillermo A
• Hood Kevin

Classifications

• A61N1/36038

  Cochlear stimulation · CPC title

• H04R25/70

  Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting · CPC title

• A61N1/37247

  User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means · CPC title

• A61N1/0541

  Cochlear electrodes · CPC title

• A61N1/37264

  Changing the program; Upgrading firmware · CPC title