Authors: Angel Ramos de Miguel¹, Marcos Hernandez Gil¹, José MarÃa Escobar Sanchez¹, David Greiner Sanchez¹, Domingo Benitez Diaz¹
¹University of Las Palmas
Multipolar stimulation has been shown to enhance auditory perception in cochlear implant users by generating more focused electric fields through simultaneous activation of multiple electrodes. This study presents a novel approach to multipolar stimulation aiming to achieve the narrowest possible current density pattern at target neurons. We formulate an optimization problem seeking to maximize focalization for a given energy consumption, or conversely, minimize energy expenditure for a desired level of focus.
To this end, we designed two objective functions optimized using multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. These functions are evaluated within a patient-specific finite element model (FEM) replicating cochlear geometry and implant electrical behavior. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves tighter current density focalization compared to phased-array stimulation, albeit with increased energy consumption. Furthermore, non-dominated solutions were identified which simultaneously improve both focalization and energy efficiency relative to monopolar and phased-array stimulation.
