Neural stimulation and sensing system for auditory and non-auditory activation

The present disclosure generally relates to auditory nerve stimulation to create the perception of sound in the brain of a subject such as an animal or human being. In one form, a system includes an implantable electrode array including a plurality of spaced apart micro-needles. The system also includes a first electrical lead electrically coupled to and extending from the implantable electrode array, and an auditory signal device configured to produce one or more electrical signals representative of communications received from an external processor. An interposer is configured to electrically couple the implantable electrode array and the auditory signal device in an arrangement where one or more electrical signals produced by the auditory signal device may be transmitted through the first electrical lead to the implantable electrode array. Various novel stimulation strategies can be employed, such as place modulated stimulation signals.

The abstract as published by the patent office, from US20240165409A1. It describes the invention; it is not a statement of what is protected.

• Interface and electrodes

  Electrodes and arrays

• Telemetry

  Wireless telemetry

• Stimulation

  Stimulation

What the filing appears to be about, read by published rules from its title, abstract and classification codes (A61N1/0541, A61N1/0558, A61N1/36036, A61N1/36038, A61N1/3606). The claims define what a patent protects, and they are not read here.

Interface and electrodes

Everything downstream works with what the contacts pick up. Their number, size and distance from the neurons set the ceiling on the signal. The problem behind it: more contacts, closer to neurons, that still record after years in tissue that reacts to them.

Telemetry

Thousands of channels produce more data than a low-power radio can carry raw, so what is sent, and how, decides what the system can use. The problem behind it: high data rates at low power through tissue, reliably and securely.

Stimulation

Restoring sensation, sight or movement needs information going in, and a therapy that adapts needs to sense and stimulate at once. The problem behind it: evoking a precise, stable effect without damaging tissue or electrodes, and without blinding the recording.

Why the layer matters to the field, not a judgement of this filing. A patent family shows that protection was sought. It does not show that the technology was built, is used in a product, or works in people. The whole stack

One invention, published 5 times in 5 offices. Each publication opens in Espacenet.

• United StatesUS20240165409A123 May 2024
• International (PCT)a route to several countries, not a countryWO2024107479A123 May 2024
• AustraliaAU2023383185A15 Jun 2025
• ChinaCN120641175A12 Sep 2025
• European Patent Officea route to several countries, not a countryEP4619087A124 Sep 2025

1. 18 Nov 2022First filingEarliest priority, at United States. The family is counted in this year.
2. 18 Sep 2023ApplicationsFiled at United States, International (PCT), Australia, China, European Patent Office.
3. 23 May 2024First publicationUS20240165409A1, United States.

Dates as the offices published them. Records of lapses, withdrawals and changes of owner have not been read for this family, and whether a patent is in force today is not assessed.

Organisation

Blackrock Neurotech · 14 families identified

• Bibliographic data, family members and office records: European Patent Office, Open Patent Services (the DOCDB and INPADOC databases), read 7 Oct 2026.
• The record itself, with its claims and description: US20240165409A1 in Espacenet
• Counted as a BCI patent family: classified A61N1/36 (electrical stimulation therapy); filed by BLACKROCK MICROSYSTEMS, INC., an organisation already in the graph; describes neural hardware or methods without naming the field. How families are found and judged