Opto-acoustic selective mechanical stimulation of the vestibular system

摘要

An implantable vestibular prosthesis system includes an implantable optical array of optical sources configured for engagement with a disordered vestibular system to deliver optical stimulation signals to target stimulation locations within the bony or membranous labyrinth of the disordered vestibular system. An implantable stimulation processor is connected to the optical array and configured to produce the optical stimulation signals with the optical sources so as to generate directional pressure waves within the endolymphatic fluid directed to the target stimulation locations for vestibular perception by residual vestibular functioning.