Patents by Inventor Reinhold Schatzer

Reinhold Schatzer 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).

  • Publication number: 20230347148
    Abstract: A patient-specific frequency mapping procedure, a fitting system for carrying out said procedure and computer program product for a cochlear implant or an electric-acoustic stimulation device having an electrode array that has been implanted into the cochlea of said patient is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Penninger, Mathias Kals, Reinhold Schatzer, Dirk Meister, Peter Nopp, Daniel Hofer
  • Patent number: 9750937
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrical stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in an implanted cochlear implant array. An input sound signal is decomposed into dominant psychophysically relevant frequency components, with each frequency component changing over time in frequency and level. Each frequency component is coded as a patient-specific, frequency-specific function of stimulation location, rate, and level to produce a sequence of requested stimulation events having an instantaneous frequency and level. And the electrical stimulation signals are generated from the requested stimulation events for delivery by the stimulation contacts to adjacent auditory neural tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schleich, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Patent number: 9545516
    Abstract: An arrangement is described for generating electrode stimulation signals to electrode contacts in an implanted cochlear implant electrode array. A signal processor processes an input sound signal to generate stimulation timing signals for signal channels associated with the electrode contacts. A pulse generator produces the electrode stimulation signals for each electrode contact based on the stimulation timing signals. A pulse adapter controls a signal format of the pulse generator in response to a somatic response input signal reflecting presence or absence of an undesired somatic response to the electrode stimulation signals. The signal format is an initial signal format based on biphasic stimulation pulses when the somatic response input signal reflects absence of the undesired somatic response, and an adapted signal form based on triphasic stimulation pulses when the somatic response input signal reflects presence of the undesired somatic response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Sürth, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Publication number: 20160279413
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrical stimulation signals to electrode contacts in an implanted cochlear implant array. An input sound signal is analyzed to determine characteristic frequency components. One or more stimulation events are requested based on the timing and amplitude of the frequency component. A frequency-specific stimulation sequence (FSSS) is generated for stimulation of a plurality of adjacent electrode contacts. The FSSS starts with a stimulation pulse to the highest-frequency, most-basal electrode contact of the adjacent electrode contacts, ends with a stimulation pulse to the lowest-frequency, most-apical electrode contact of the adjacent electrode contacts, and reaches a maximum stimulation amplitude at a frequency-specific location within the cochlea corresponding to a natural traveling wave maximum. The electrode stimulation signals are then generated from the FSSS for delivery by the electrode contacts to adjacent auditory neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Schleich, Dirk Meister, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Publication number: 20160279412
    Abstract: A hearing signal processor processes an input sound signal and generates an electrical communications signal for an upper range of sound frequencies, and an acoustic communications signal for a lower range of sound frequencies. An implanted electrical stimulation subsystem includes an electrode array with one or more electrode contacts in an acoustically perceivable cochlear region retaining residual natural hearing. The electrical stimulation subsystem receives the electrical communications signal and delivers corresponding electrical stimulation signals to the electrode contacts for electrical stimulation of adjacent neural tissue. An external acoustic stimulation subsystem receives the acoustic communications signal and delivers corresponding amplified acoustic stimulation signals to the ear canal of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Marek Polak, Peter Schleich, Dirk Meister, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Publication number: 20160279414
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrical stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in an implanted cochlear implant array. An input sound signal is decomposed into dominant psychophysically relevant frequency components, with each frequency component changing over time in frequency and level. Each frequency component is coded as a patient-specific, frequency-specific function of stimulation location, rate, and level to produce a sequence of requested stimulation events having an instantaneous frequency and level. And the electrical stimulation signals are generated from the requested stimulation events for delivery by the stimulation contacts to adjacent auditory neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Schleich, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Publication number: 20160106980
    Abstract: An arrangement is described for generating electrode stimulation signals to electrode contacts in an implanted cochlear implant electrode array. A signal processor processes an input sound signal to generate stimulation timing signals for signal channels associated with the electrode contacts. A pulse generator produces the electrode stimulation signals for each electrode contact based on the stimulation timing signals. A pulse adapter controls a signal format of the pulse generator in response to a somatic response input signal reflecting presence or absence of an undesired somatic response to the electrode stimulation signals. The signal format is an initial signal format based on biphasic stimulation pulses when the somatic response input signal reflects absence of the undesired somatic response, and an adapted signal form based on triphasic stimulation pulses when the somatic response input signal reflects presence of the undesired somatic response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Werner Sürth, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Patent number: 9265944
    Abstract: An arrangement for operating a cochlear implant system is described. Stimulation signals are applied to stimulation electrodes in a cochlear implant electrode with an initial signal format using biphasic electrical stimulation pulses. One or more undesired somatic responses to the stimulation pulses are identified. The one or more undesired somatic responses are reduced by selecting an adapted signal format using charge-balanced triphasic electrical stimulation pulses to apply stimulation signals to one or more of the stimulation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Sürth, Reinhold Schatzer
  • Publication number: 20150025597
    Abstract: An arrangement for operating a cochlear implant system is described. Stimulation signals are applied to stimulation electrodes in a cochlear implant electrode with an initial signal format using biphasic electrical stimulation pulses. One or more undesired somatic responses to the stimulation pulses are identified. The one or more undesired somatic responses are reduced by selecting an adapted signal format using charge-balanced triphasic electrical stimulation pulses to apply stimulation signals to one or more of the stimulation electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Werner Sürth, Reinhold Schatzer