Abstract: A lead has a paddle body with a non-conductive material and multiple electrodes disposed within the non-conductive material. At least one of the electrodes includes one or more anchoring arrangement, such as opening(s) through the electrode through which the non-conductive material can pass; anchors that extend away from the electrode and into the non-conductive material of the paddle body; or flow-through anchors attached to the electrode with an opening through which the non-conductive material may pass.

Abstract: A stimulation system is described that includes an implantable microstimulator. A tail may be coupled to a distal end of the implantable microstimulator. In one embodiment, the stimulation system includes an implantation tool that includes an insertion cannula, a handle, a bushing, and a detachable blunt dissector tip. The bushing is situated within the insertion cannula and may position the implantable microstimulator longitudinally within the insertion cannula when the implantable microstimulator is placed within the insertion cannula. The detachable blunt dissector tip may be attached to the tail of the implantable microstimulator. The stimulation system may further comprise an end cap that includes an upper portion and a base portion conformable over at least a portion of curved tissue. An open trough extends through the base upper portions and may be configured to guide the implantation tool through the tissue at various angles.

Abstract: A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. In tissue stimulation systems, a clinically-adaptive stimulation programmer may be utilized, wherein a user communicates to the programmer a purpose of a programming session and a person who is to control the programming session. The clinically-adaptive stimulation programmer may be capable of determining a series of steps required to implement the programming session based on the selected purpose and the selected person. The clinically-adaptive programmer may implement the determined series of steps and communicate with the selected person during the programming session. Also provided are programming methods employing the clinically-adaptive programmer.

Abstract: Exemplary loading tools configured to facilitate loading of a pre-curved electrode array onto a stylet include a docking assembly, a channel assembly, and a connecting member configured to connect the channel assembly to the docking assembly and maintain a distance therebetween. The docking assembly is configured to couple to the stylet. The channel assembly includes a channel configured to receive and allow passage therethrough of the pre-curved electrode array. The channel is aligned with the docking assembly such that when the stylet is coupled to the docking assembly, the stylet is located at least partially within the channel.

Abstract: A tissue stimulation system and computer software and method of operating the system is provided. An array of electrodes is placed contact with tissue of a patient (e.g., neural tissue), and electrical current is conveyed within the electrode array, thereby creating a stimulation region in the tissue. Electrical current is shifted between cathodes of the electrode array in incremental steps over a range, thereby causing displacement of the stimulation region at substantially uniform distances over the incremental steps. The electrical current may be shifted between the cathodes in accordance with a sigmoid-like function of a position of the stimulation region. A navigation table containing a series of states and corresponding gradually and non-uniformly changing electrical current values can be accessed, in which case, the electrical current may be shifted between the cathodes by incrementing through the states of the navigation table.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.

Abstract: An improved structure for an implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator, is disclosed. The improved device includes a charging coil for wirelessly receiving energy via induction from an external charger. The charging coil in the device is located substantially equidistantly from the two planar sides of the device case. Because the coil is substantially equidistant within the thickness of the case of the device, the device's orientation within the patient is irrelevant, at least from the standpoint of the efficiency of charging the device using the external charger. Accordingly, charging is not adversely affected if the device is implanted in the patient with the wrong orientation, or if the device flips within the patient after implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device.

Abstract: Methods and systems of presenting an audio signal to a cochlear implant patient include dividing the audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, detecting an energy level within each of the analysis channels, selecting one or more of the analysis channels for presentation to the patient, synthesizing the selected analysis channels, and mapping the synthesized analysis channels to one or more stimulation channels.

Abstract: A method of stimulating tissue of a patient is provided. The method comprises placing an array of electrodes in proximity to the tissue, conveying electrical current between the electrodes of the array to stimulate a tissue site, incrementally shifting the electrical current from at least one cathode to at least another cathode over a first range of fractionalized current values, and incrementally shifting the electrical current from at least one anode to at least another anode over a second range of fractionalized current values. The step sizes for the first and second ranges of fractionalized current values differ.

Abstract: A stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator having a sealed chamber and an electronic subassembly disposed in the sealed chamber. Feed through pins are coupled to the electronic subassembly and extend out of the sealed chamber. Feed through interconnects are coupled to the electronic subassembly via the feed through pins. At least one tab is disposed on at least one feed through interconnect. The tab(s) are configured and arranged to flex away from the feed through interconnect and against a side of the feed through pin. A feed through interconnect assembly includes an assembly frame; feed through interconnects extending from the assembly frame; a first contact pad and a second contact pad disposed on at least one of the feed through interconnects; and a tab formed on a first contact pad of at least one of the feed through interconnects.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, e.g., a stimulator, having a sealed housing and method of making the same. An exemplary embodiment of the device includes a case frame defining a cavity, the cavity extending at least substantially through the case frame, which cavity may contain electronics or a power source, and at least one lid configured to be sealingly coupled to the case frame. A feedthru opening may also be included in the case frame.

Abstract: A network interface module that forms part of a bilateral cochlear implant system which allows two standalone BTE units to be synchronized both temporally and tonotopically in order to maximize a patients listening experience. The bilateral cochlear network includes a communications interposer adapted to be inserted between the BTE battery and the BTE housing or modified BTE devices.

Abstract: An implantable microstimulator includes a plastic housing having a first end; an electronic subassembly; and a conductive plastic electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly. The microstimulator forms a hermetically sealed structure. Optionally, the microstimulator also includes a second electrode disposed at a second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly. The second electrode may also be a conductive plastic electrode.

Abstract: Systems for fitting an implantable cochlear stimulator to a patient include an interface unit configured to display a graphical representation of an implant fitting line as part of a graphical user interface. The implant fitting line has a slope and a horizontal position and represents a mapping relationship between a plurality of audio frequencies and a plurality of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient. The interface unit is further configured to facilitate adjustment of the slope and/or horizontal position of the fitting line.

Abstract: A method for establishing a network to allow communications between plural BTE units of a bilateral cochlear implant system. The bilateral cochlear network includes four main components: (a) a communications interposer adapted to be inserted between the BTE battery and the BTE housing or modified BTE devices; (b) a communication channel over which communication takes place between the connected devices, including the protocol governing access to such channel; (c) the synchronization mechanisms used to achieve synchronization between the connected devices; and (d) a bilateral fitting paradigm.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: Systems for communicating with or transferring power to an implantable medical device include a primary coil configured to emit a magnetic field and a secondary coil in the implantable medical device configured to receive the magnetic field. The primary coil includes at least one butterfly coil. Methods of communicating with or transferring power to an implantable medical device include emitting a magnetic field with a primary coil and receiving the magnetic field with a secondary coil. The primary coil includes at least one butterfly coil.

Abstract: An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprises a housing, an alternating current (AC) coil and substrate contained within the housing, and one or more electronic components mounted to the substrate. The AC coil is configured for wirelessly transmitting magnetic charging energy to the implantable medical device. The AC coil is disposed in a first plane, with the magnetic charging energy having a field directed perpendicular to the first plane. At least a portion of the substrate has a surface extending along a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.