Patents Assigned to Advanced Bionics
  • Minimizing trauma during and after insertion of a cochlear lead
    Patent number: 8190271
    Abstract: A method for delivering dexamethasone base (DXMb) via an implantable electrode includes coupling DXMb to the implantable electrode and inserting the implantable electrode into animal tissue, the DXMb eluting into the animal tissue. An implantable nerve stimulating device includes an elongated member having a distal end bearing at least one electrode; and DXMb coupled to the elongated member, the DXMb being eluted into tissue surrounding the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Edward H. Overstreet, Michael A. Faltys, Jian Xie, Michael S. Colvin
  • Optimizing pitch allocation in a cochlear implant
    Patent number: 8180455
    Abstract: Errors in pitch allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. The disclosure provides a tool for determining the implant fitting curve for cochlear implant system to correct pitch warping. The method presents familiar musical tunes to determine the implant fitting slope (relative alignment). In addition, in one embodiment, speech sounds may be used to determine the offset of the fitting line (absolute alignment). The use of music and speech to determine the implant fitting curve (line) and the slope is facilitated by using techniques to implement virtual electrodes to more precisely direct stimuli to the location or “place” on the cochlea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLV
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Lakshmi N. Mishra
  • Fixation devices for cochlear implant speech processors
    Patent number: 8177112
    Abstract: A kit of fixation devices for cochlear implant speech processors comprising a spring loaded alligator clip including front and rear pivotally connected legs, a top portion of the front leg forming a support latch with an upper portion of one of several vertically extending cradles shaped to receive and support speech processors of different size while (i) allowing for replacement of the battery pack of the processor, (ii) protecting the control panel thereof against accidental actuation and (iii) supporting the processor cable, the front and rear legs of the alligator clip including hooks for engaging and capturing a safety pin that may have been already attached to the clothing of a user of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Crawford, Lee F. Hartley, Tracey L. Kruger
  • Spectral contrast enhancement in a cochlear implant speech processor
    Patent number: 8170679
    Abstract: Psychophysical tests are administered to cochlear implant (CI) users to determine a spectral modulation transfer function (SMTF), smallest detectable spectral contrast as a function of spectral modulation frequency, for each individual CI user. The determined SMTF for individual CI user is compared against a SMTF of a normal hearing person to determine the specific enhancements needed. A profile of spectral enhancement achievable with variation of filter parameters, sigma and maximum that best fits the needed enhancements for the individual CI user is selected. Based on the corresponding sigma and maximum selected, a sound processing strategy is adjusted to provide customized spectral contrast enhancement for the individual CI user. The sound processing strategy implemented includes an outer hair cell model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Aniket Saoji, Leonid M. Litvak, Gene Y. Fridman
  • Listening device cap
    Patent number: 8170253
    Abstract: An assistive listening device cap attaches to a headpiece of a cochlear implant behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, an other BTE unit, an earhook, or an external component unit to supplement or replace components thereof. The cap may receive signals from sources outside the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit. The cap communicates with the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit using direct, wired, or wireless technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventors: Douglas P. Lynch, Carla Mann Woods
  • Compensation current optimization for cochlear implant systems
    Patent number: 8165690
    Abstract: An exemplary cochlear stimulation method includes applying a main current to a first electrode associated with a first pitch and disposed within a cochlea of a patient, concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the cochlea and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Aniket Saoji
  • Methods and systems of compensating for a disabled electrode
    Patent number: 8165689
    Abstract: An exemplary method of compensating for a disabled electrode within an array of electrodes includes selecting at least two non-adjacent electrodes surrounding the disabled electrode and simultaneously applying stimulation current to the at least two non-adjacent electrodes. The stimulation current is configured to generate a pitch associated with the disabled electrode. Corresponding systems for compensating for a disabled electrode are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Aniket Saoji, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Miniature electrical connectors
    Patent number: 8162683
    Abstract: A miniature electrical connector comprising a floating and vertically orientable spring contact within but not physically secured to an electrically-conductive connector block of a female connector wherein the spring contact and connector block are designed such that the spring contact is vertically oriented and outwardly expanded when a male connector is inserted into the female connector to provide a conductive path between a male contact of the male connector and the connector block of the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Wui Loke, George Tziviskos
  • Cochlear implant sound processor with permanently integrated replenishable power source
    Patent number: 8155746
    Abstract: A cochlear implant sound processor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated into the sound processor. The sound processor contains an inductive coil that may be tuned to an external charging coil for battery recharging. The electronic circuits and coil of the sound processor are housed in a material transparent to RF signals. The sound processor may be placed in a recharging base station in which the sound processor is positioned in a space surrounded by the inductive charging coil embedded in a material transparent to RF signals. The inductive charging coil sends power to the coil inside the processor and thereby recharges the battery. An alternative embodiment utilizes contacts in the sound processor case and aligned terminals in the recharging base station that allow direct charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Albert A. Maltan, David Miller, W. Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Methods of converting a behind-the-ear speech processor unit into a body worn speech processor unit
    Patent number: 8155748
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold
  • Electric and acoustic stimulation fitting systems and methods
    Patent number: 8155747
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Electric and acoustic stimulation fitting systems and methods
    Patent number: 8150527
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Fully implantable hearing aid system
    Patent number: 8142344
    Abstract: A fully implantable hearing aid system comprised of an implantable sound generator module and an implantable sound receiver module connected by an implantable electric cable. The system includes: a) a sound generator module configured for implantation in subcutaneous tissue to place an output electric/acoustic (E/A) transducer, e.g., a speaker, immediately adjacent to, or preferably, extending percutaneously into, a patient's outer ear canal; b) a sound receiver module configured for implantation proximate to a patient's pinna to place an input acoustic/electric (AJE) transducer, e.g., a microphone, so that it is acoustically isolated from the E/A transducer; and c) an electric cable configured for implantation in subcutaneous tissue for directly electrically connecting said sound receiver module and said sound generator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: William H. Slattery, III, Alfred E. Mann, Byron L. Moran
  • Cochlear implant for an implantable cochlear stimulation system and method of assembly
    Patent number: 8135474
    Abstract: A cochlear implant for a cochlear stimulation system and method of assembling the implant comprising an implantable sealed housing comprising a metal feedthrough case and a metal bottom cover and containing cochlea stimulation circuitry, the feedthrough case comprising silicone enclosed feedthrough pins for connecting an electrical lead of a cochlear electrode to the stimulation circuitry, and a moisture absorbing material comprising calcium oxide secured within the housing and sufficient in quantity to absorb moisture released by the circuitry materials and leaking into the feedthrough case at leak rates of about 1×10?7 atm cc/s to maintain the cochlear implant within acceptable internal moisture limits for at least about 60 years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Jian Xie
  • Methods and Systems for Automatically Determining an Implant Side Associated with a Cochlear Implant
    Publication number: 20120053656
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a fitting subsystem detecting a communicative coupling of a cochlear implant associated with a patient to a sound processor connected to the fitting subsystem and automatically determining, in response to the communicative coupling, an implant side associated with the cochlear implant in accordance with one or more implant side selection factors. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Advanced Bionics AG, c/o Froriep Renggli
    Inventors: Fernando Chapa, Guillermo A. Calle, Tracey L. Kruger, Jacob Johnston
  • Sound processing and stimulation systems and methods for use with cochlear implant devices
    Patent number: 8126565
    Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Lakshmi N. Mishra, Gene Y. Fridman, Lee F. Hartley
  • Sound processing and stimulation systems and methods for use with cochlear implant devices
    Patent number: 8121699
    Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Lakshmi N. Mishra, Gene Y. Fridman, Lee F. Hartley
  • Dual-range compliance voltage supply for a multi-channel stimulator
    Patent number: 8121703
    Abstract: A stimulation circuit for a channel in a multi-channel stimulator having a common voltage power supply for each of the channels included therein includes means for generating a stimulation current that is output by the channel and means for selecting between a high voltage compliance mode and a low voltage compliance mode for the channel. In the low voltage compliance mode, the channel operates at a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the common voltage power supply. In the high voltage compliance mode, the channel operates at a voltage level that is higher than the voltage level of the common voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventor: Logan P. Palmer
  • Sound processing and stimulation systems and methods for use with cochlear implant devices
    Patent number: 8121700
    Abstract: Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Lakshmi N. Mishra, Gene Y. Fridman, Lee F. Hartley
  • Outer hair cell stimulation model for the use by an intra-cochlear implant
    Patent number: 8121698
    Abstract: Contrast between various frequency components of sound is enhanced through a lateral suppression strategy to provide increased speech perception in the electrically stimulated cochlea. A received audio signal is divided into a plurality of input signals, wherein each input signal is associated with a frequency band. A plurality of envelope signals are generated by determining the envelope of each of a plurality of the input signals. At least one of the envelope signals is scaled in accordance with a scaling factor to generate at least one scaled envelope signal. An output signal is generated by combining at least one envelope signal with at least one scaled envelope signal, and the cochlea is stimulated based on the generated output signal. The lateral suppression strategy can be applied to one or more frequency bands using scaled amplitude signals associated with one or more neighboring frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Gene Y. Fridman, Leonid M. Litvak