Abstract: A directionally-sensitive device for detecting and processing vibration waves includes an array of polymeric optical waveguide resonators positioned between a light source, such as an LED array, and a light detector, such as a photodiode array. The resonators which are preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to incoming vibration waves, vibrate when a wave is detected, thus modulating light signals that are transmitted between the light source and the light detector. The light detector converts the modulated light into electrical signals which, in a preferred embodiment, are used to drive either the speaker of a hearing aid or the electrode array of a cochlear implant. The device is manufactured using a combination of traditional semiconductor processes and polymer microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: Cochlear implant performance is improved by extracting pitch information and encoding such pitch information into the processor of a cochlear implant. One embodiment of the invention is to explicitly extract the pitch and deliver it to the cochlear implant by co-varying the stimulate site and rate. Another embodiment of the invention is to implicitly encode the pitch information via a code book that serves as the carrier of stimulation in the cochlear implant.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for obtaining at least one epitope suitable for detecting the presence of an antibody against a tumor associated antigen of a cancer in a sample. Kits, assays, and substrates employing the epitopes of the present invention are disclosed. Also disclosed are epitopes of NY-ESO-1 and XAGE-1b and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: System and method for using Frequency-Amplitude-Modulation-Encoding (FAME) to improve the quality of sound perception for the cochlear implant users and the compress audio signals so that broadband qualities can be achieved with narrow-band transmission channels. In one embodiment, the FAME strategy extracts essential information (changes in amplitude and frequency) and is able to use a narrow-band capacity to provide broad-band (i.e. high quality) audio signals, which can be used in auditory prostheses and telecommunication.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for obtaining at least one epitope suitable for detecting the presence of an antibody against a tumor associated antigen of a cancer in a sample. Kits, assays, and substrates employing the epitopes of the present invention are disclosed. Also disclosed are epitopes of NY-ESO-1 and XAGE-1b and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: A method of improving sound quality of audio signals that are digitally processed includes steps of extracting amplitude and frequency modulations from one or more narrow bands of the audio signal, and filtering and compressing those modulations to produce amplitude and frequency modulated audio signals that are digitally processed to provide an acoustic signal similar to the original audio signal. The methods may be used in auditory prostheses and telecommunication systems.

Abstract: A directionally-sensitive device for detecting and processing vibration waves includes an array of polymeric optical waveguide resonators positioned between a light source, such as an LED array, and a light detector, such as a photodiode array. The resonators which are preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to incoming vibration waves, vibrate when a wave is detected, thus modulating light signals that are transmitted between the light source and the light detector. The light detector converts the modulated light into electrical signals which, in a preferred embodiment, are used to drive either the speaker of a hearing aid or the electrode array of a cochlear implant. The device is manufactured using a combination of traditional semiconductor processes and polymer microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: A method of automated wireless peripheral device configuration in a network environment comprises conditioning an existing networked wireless peripheral device to transmit configuration data to a new wireless peripheral device to be added to the network environment. At the new wireless peripheral device, the configuration data is received and automatically is applied to enable to new wireless peripheral device to assume network operation.

Abstract: A system and method that enhance the performance of cochlear implant signal processing in an amplification device. The system utilizes a signal input device that picks up the sounds from the environment or from other hearing or audio devices and feeds the incoming signal into a front-end signal processor, which can be signal processors from hearing aids, hearing protectors or other audio devices. The front-end processor preprocesses the signals and feeds them into a cochlear implant signal processor. The front-end processor may have multiple signal feeding and signal extraction points, other than the two ends, to which connections can be made to feed signals into and extract signals from the front-end processor. The system may also insert a front-end processor into multiple signal processing stages of a cochlear implant signal processor with the front-end processor “sandwiched” between the multiple signal processing stages of the cochlear implant signal processors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the identification and isolation of novel MHC class II epitopes derived from the cancer antigen, NY ESO-1. The novel MHC class II epitopes from NY-EsO-1 are recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in an HLA class II restricted manner, in particular HLA-DR or HLA-DP restricted. The products of the gene are promising candidates for immunotherapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of patients with cancer.

Abstract: A method of improving sound quality of audio signals that are digitally processed includes steps of extracting amplitude and frequency modulations from one or more narrow bands of the audio signal, and filtering and compressing those modulations to produce amplitude and frequency modulated audio signals that are digitally processed to provide an acoustic signal similar to the original audio signal. The methods may be used in auditory prostheses and telecommunication systems.

Abstract: A low-cost, four-channel cochlear stimulation system utilizes a completely passive, implantable receiver/electrode array that is inductively coupled to an external wearable processor. The receiver/electrode array is formed in a silicone rubber carrier adapted to be implanted in a deaf patient. At one end of the receiver/electrode array, positioned subcutaneously near the surface of skin above the ear, four receiving coils are arranged in an appropriate pattern. Such receiving coils are held within an hermetically-sealed titanium case. At the other end of the receiver/electrode array, which may be pre-formed in a spiral to match the basal turn of the cochlea, and which is inserted in the cochlea, four ball electrodes are spaced apart along an inner radius of the spiral. Each electrode is electrically connected to a respective receiving coil. Each receiving coil is also electrically connected to a reference electrode typically located near the receiver-coil end of the array.

Abstract: A low-cost, multichannel cochlear stimulation system utilizes a passive, non-hermetically sealed, implantable receiver/electrode array and an external wearable processor. At one end of the receiver/electrode array, positioned subcutaneously near the surface of skin above the ear, multiple receiving coils are arranged in an appropriate pattern. At the other end, which is adapted for insertion into the spiral-shaped cochlea, electrodes are spaced apart along the spiral. Each electrode is electrically connected to a respective receiving coil in a monopolar or bipolar fashion. The wearable processor senses audible sounds, converts the sensed sounds to corresponding electrical signals, and divides the electrical signals into multiple frequency bands or channels. A continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) speech processing strategy applies the processed signals of each channel to each of multiple external coils, one coil for each channel, as a series of narrow, rapid, biphasic current pulses.