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: Methods of automatically determining a neural response threshold current level include identifying one or more neural response signals at one or more corresponding stimulation current levels, identifying one or more non-response signals at one or more corresponding stimulation current levels, and analyzing a trend between the neural response signals and the non-response signals. Systems for automatically determining a neural response threshold current level include one or more devices configured to identify one or more neural response signals at one or more corresponding stimulation current levels, identify one or more non-response signals at one or more corresponding stimulation current levels; and analyze a trend between the neural response signals and the non-response signals.

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 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: A system for allowing bilateral cochlear implant systems to be networked together. An adapter module that forms part of the system allows two standalone BTE units to be synchronized both temporally and tonotopically in order to maximize a patients listening experience. The system further allows a peer-to-peer network and protocol that includes two BTE units during normal operation, or two BTE units plus a host controller (PC, PDA, etc. . . ) during fitting. 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 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: 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.

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: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

Abstract: Errors in pitch (frequency) 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. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.

Abstract: An atrial, anti-arrhythmia system and method are provided. The system comprises: at least two electrodes attached to the atrium for providing independently controlled stimulus through each electrode; detection circuitry that can sense atrial fibrillation or the cardiac cycle; and stimulus generator that can deliver stimulation through at least two electrodes to stop atrial fibrillation. The method for treating atrial fibrillation has three possible modes: a first mode for detecting ongoing atrial fibrillation and stopping it; a second mode for detecting the cardiac cycle and delivering stimuli to the atrium after it has already begun to contract in order to suppress the onset of atrial fibrillation; and a third mode which applies pacing pulses to the atrium in a timed sequence to pace and contract the atrium faster than the native rate to preempt the initiation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making an aggressively curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond the originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled up 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: A system and method for preserving temporal and spatial resolution in complex sounds for poor performing patients having high stimulation thresholds is described. The system and method employs two or more adjacent electrode contacts to deliver concurrent stimulation. This concurrent delivery of stimuli creates a high current field intensity that overlaps between individual current fields generated by the two or more adjacent electrodes and which individual fields are summed to create an overlapping field that has a higher current field intensity than a single current emanating from an individual electrode. The use of this method reduces or eliminates the need to increase either the stimulus current amplitude or to increase the pulse width, both of which may cause loss of system resolution, i.e., loss of fine structure information that is used to resolve complex sounds such as music.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cochlear stimulation system and method for capturing and translating fine time structure (“FTS”) in incoming sounds and delivering this information spatially to the cochlea. The system comprises a FTS estimator/analyzer and a current navigator. An embodiment of the method comprises analyzing the incoming sounds within a time frequency band, extracting the slowly varying frequency components and estimating the FTS to obtain a more precise dominant FTS component within a frequency band. After adding the fine structure to the carrier to identify a precise dominant FTS component in each analysis frequency band (or stimulation channel), a stimulation current may be “steered” or directed, using the concept of virtual electrodes, to the precise spatial location (place) on the cochlea that corresponds to the dominant FTS component. This process is simultaneously repeated for each stimulation channel and each FTS component.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead having a pre-curved electrode array is provided. The molding process provides memory to the curved part of the lead. The lead may be made having a stylet insertion channel that extends from a slightly curved or substantially straight section and into the highly curved section of the lead. Because high compliance is desired for the lead in cochlear stimulation applications, the compliance is controlled not only by the taper at the distal end of the lead and overall lead thickness, but also by choosing the material hardness of the lead carrier/covering and employing compliant zigzagged conductor wire. In addition, differential lead compliance/stiffness can be achieved by using a stiff tubing that forms part of the stylet insertion channel.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bidirectional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.