Advanced Bionics, LLC offers implants and HiResolution Sound and Harmony cochlear implant systems that closely resembles how a normal ear hears. The Advance Bionics hearing implant devices offers 16 independent current sources that facilitate current steering. Current steering is the process of using multiple current sources to stimulate two electrodes at the same time, so that recipients hear additional pitches compared to single stimulation electrode. Each electrode has its own power supply resulting in the ability to stimulate multiple electrodes at the same time, which gives a faster stimulation rate for a cochlear implant, which gives the wearer hearing closer to a normal ear hearing as possible.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) Advanced Bionics implant and supplies have to do with direct patient care. Without access to these specific supplies the hospital would not be able to offer these implants and care that in turn would drive patients elsewhere and result in a loss of revenue to the University of Illinois Hospital.