Patents by Inventor Erwin Hochmair
Erwin Hochmair has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10953232Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) telemetry arrangement and process for a cochlear implant system are described. Electrode current is measured that is induced in a cochlear implant electrode lead during an MRI process performed on an implanted patient. An MRI telemetry signal for an external telemetry sensor is then output based on the measured electrode current.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Erwin Hochmair
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Publication number: 20180353761Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) telemetry arrangement and process for a cochlear implant system are described. Electrode current is measured that is induced in a cochlear implant electrode lead during an MRI process performed on an implanted patient. An MRI telemetry signal for an external telemetry sensor is then output based on the measured electrode current.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventor: Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: 9113268Abstract: An implantable floating mass transducer is described for a hearing implant system in an implant patient. A cylindrical transducer housing contains a cylindrical inner mass magnet having an inner magnetic field with a first field direction. One or more signal drive coils are on the outer housing surface for conducting a transducer drive signal current to produce a signal magnetic field that interacts with the inner magnetic field to create vibration of the inner mass magnet which is coupled by the transducer housing to the internal hearing structure for sound perception by the implant patient. A ring-shape outer offset magnet is positioned around the outer housing surface with an outer magnetic field having a second field direction opposite to the first field direction so as to offset the inner magnetic field to minimize their combined magnetic field and thereby minimize magnetic interaction of the transducer with any external magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Vibrant Med-El Hearing Technology GmbHInventors: Geoffrey R. Ball, Erwin Hochmair
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Publication number: 20140321681Abstract: An implantable floating mass transducer is described for a hearing implant system in an implant patient. A cylindrical transducer housing contains a cylindrical inner mass magnet having an inner magnetic field with a first field direction. One or more signal drive coils are on the outer housing surface for conducting a transducer drive signal current to produce a signal magnetic field that interacts with the inner magnetic field to create vibration of the inner mass magnet which is coupled by the transducer housing to the internal hearing structure for sound perception by the implant patient. A ring-shape outer offset magnet is positioned around the outer housing surface with an outer magnetic field having a second field direction opposite to the first field direction so as to offset the inner magnetic field to minimize their combined magnetic field and thereby minimize magnetic interaction of the transducer with any external magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Vibrant Med-El Hearing Technology GmbHInventors: Geoffrey R. Ball, Erwin Hochmair
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Publication number: 20140094874Abstract: An implant includes a humidity sensor for generating a signal indicative of humidity within the implant. A controller within the implant receives the signal indicative of humidity, and controls the implant based on the signal indicative of humidity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Ingeborg Hochmair, Erwin Hochmair, Martin J. Kerber, Werner Lindenthaler, Peter Nopp, Marcus Schmidt, Hansjörg Schösser, Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8620444Abstract: An implant includes a humidity sensor for generating a signal indicative of humidity within the implant. A controller within the implant receives the signal indicative of humidity, and controls the implant based on the signal indicative of humidity.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Ingeborg Hochmair, Erwin Hochmair, Martin Kerber, Werner Lindenthaler, Peter Nopp, Marcus Schmidt, Hansjörg Schoesser, Clemens Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8565900Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 8363867Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 8118725Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Publication number: 20110224756Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: 7976453Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Publication number: 20100104121Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 7657045Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20100004716Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: 7587246Abstract: An implant for implantation into a person. The implant includes a hermetically sealed housing enclosing electrical circuitry. A first coil is flexibly coupled to the housing such that the first coil is external to the housing and capable of being repositioned relative to the housing. The first coil is capable, after being implanted in the person, of being arranged adjacent a second coil of a remote device, such that first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled. The first coil may be adapted to receive at least one of a power signal and a data signal from a remote source.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: MED-EL Elektronedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 7566296Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: RE45701Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: RE46057Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: RE46624Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
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Patent number: RE48647Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair