Patents Assigned to Cochlear Limited
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Patent number: 12649065Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a sealed flat housing enclosing an electronic circuitry; a recess area formed on a side surface of the housing; at least one feedthrough area protruding from the recess area; at least one feedthrough area protruding from the recess area; and a plurality of feedthrough conductors cumulated on said feedthrough area, each feedthrough conductor comprising a proximal end part connected to the enclosed electronic circuitry and a distal end part extending from said feedthrough area.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2023Date of Patent: June 9, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Hervé Ibanez
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Patent number: 12648728Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement set comprising a plurality of measurement values generated using a plurality of electrodes distributed along an elongate structure configured to be implanted in and/or on a body portion of a recipient. The measurement set is indicative of a pose of the elongate structure relative to the body portion. The method further includes generating, in response at least in part to the measurement set, a gradient vector dataset comprising a plurality of gradient vector phase values. The method further includes generating, in response at least in part to the gradient vector dataset, an evaluation of the pose of the elongate structure relative to the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: June 9, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Zachary Mark Smith, Matthew Zygorodimos, Ryan Orin Melman
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Patent number: 12647737Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for adapting settings/operations of a remote microphone device associated with an auditory prosthesis based on a desired/preferred listening direction of a recipient of the auditory prosthesis. More specifically, an auditory prosthesis worn by a recipient and a remote microphone device, which are configured to wirelessly communicate with one another, are both positioned in the same spatial area. At least one of a recipient-specified (e.g., recipient-preferred) region of interest within the spatial area, or a recipient-specified listening direction, is determined. Based on a determined relative positioning (e.g., location and orientation) of the remote microphone device and the auditory prosthesis, operation of the remote microphone device is dynamically adapted so that the remote microphone device can focus on (e.g., have increased sensitivity to) sounds originating from the recipient-specified region of interest/listening direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2023Date of Patent: June 2, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Jan Patrick Frieding, Soren Nilsson, Kenneth Oplinger, Alexander von Brasch, Roger Smith, Richard Murphy
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Patent number: 12636491Abstract: Presented herein is an electroporation shield configured to be removably coupled to an implantable stimulating assembly that includes one or more stimulation electrodes. The electroporation shield is coupled to stimulating assembly such that the electroporation shield electrically insulates the one or more of the stimulation electrodes from an electroporation electrical field generated by one or more electroporation electrodes coupled to the electroporation shield. The electroporation shield may be coupled to the stimulating assembly in a manner that facilitates removal of the electroporation shield and the one or more electroporation electrodes. After electroporation, without having to remove or reinsert the stimulating assembly, thereby exposing the one or more stimulation electrodes to the cells of the recipient for subsequent delivery of stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Paul Michael Carter
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Patent number: 12640487Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and a circuit including an inductor and at least one capacitor in electrical communication with the inductor. The circuit has a resonance frequency and bounds a non-electrically-conductive region of the housing. The circuit is configured to be operable as an antenna.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2023Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Sören Nilsson
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Patent number: 12641385Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for performing fitting of an auditory prosthesis using tactile responses. A tactile feedback device determines a physical manipulation in response to a test stimulus. A type of adjustment can be determined based upon the type of the physical manipulation and the type of the test signal. A scaling of the adjustment can be determined based on the degree of the physical manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Martin Evert Gustaf Hillbratt
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Patent number: 12634646Abstract: An auditory prosthesis comprising an actuator for providing mechanical stimulation to a recipient. The auditory prosthesis comprises a measurement circuit for use in determining the resonance peak(s) of the actuator. In an embodiment, the measurement circuit measures the voltage drop across the actuator and/or current through the actuator during a frequency sweep of the operational frequencies of the actuator. These measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed for discontinuities that are indicative of a resonance peak of the actuator. In another embodiment, rather than using a frequency sweep to measure voltages and/or currents across the actuator, the measurement circuit instead applies a voltage impulse to the actuator and then measure the voltage and/or current across the actuator for a period of time after application of the impulse. The measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed to identify resonance peak(s) of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2024Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Koen Erik Van Den Heuvel, Werner Meskens
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Patent number: 12634638Abstract: A method, including determining a change in an actuator impedance based on a change in an electrical property of a system of which the actuator is apart, and determining one or more system characteristics based on the change in the actuator impedance.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Martin E. Hillbratt, Kristian Asnes, Marcus Andersson, Johan Gustafsson, Mats Hojlund
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Publication number: 20260123909Abstract: A system includes an ultrasound device configured to generate sound waves for use in generating data indicating a measurement of a thickness of a skin flap of a recipient. A method includes determining a location of a measurement of a thickness of a skin flap of the recipient based on a current or expected location of an implantable device underneath the skin flap, and generating the measurement of the thickness of the skin flap using the ultrasound device. A computer-readable storage medium includes instructions stored thereon that cause one or more processors to generate the measurement of the thickness of the skin flap of the recipient based on sonic waves applied to the skin flap, and to generate an indication of whether one or more configurations of an external device are able to be retained on the skin flap based on the measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: May 7, 2026Applicant: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Nathan Isaacson, Sabina Dabkowski-Chandler, Christiane D'hondt
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Patent number: 12616842Abstract: An apparatus includes an arm configured to be in mechanical communication with a transducer configured to be implanted within a recipient's body. The arm includes a first mating portion configured to engage and disengage with a plurality of second mating portions positioned along at least one longitudinal surface of a fixation element implanted within a portion of the recipient's body. The arm is configured to be moved between an unlocked state in which the arm is disengaged from the plurality of second mating portions and a locked state in which the arm is engaged with at least one of the second mating portions. The apparatus further includes at least one elastically deformable element configured to apply a restoring force to the arm such that the arm is in the locked state and to respond to an external force applied to the arm such that the arm is in the unlocked state.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: May 5, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Floriaan Van Reusel, Antonin Rambault, Koen Erik Van Den Heuvel
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Patent number: 12621617Abstract: Treatment actions can be taken based on an analysis of the ability of a recipient of an auditory prosthesis to perceive musical activities. The occurrence of musical activities and the recipient's response thereto can be determined based on transducers. The recipient's musical perception can be determined by analyzing the signals from the transducers as stand-alone measures or by comparing the signals against known music. The treatment actions can relate to the treatment of a hearing-impairment of the recipient of the auditory prosthesis, such as by modifying the settings of the auditory prosthesis to affect the ongoing operation of the auditory prosthesis.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2023Date of Patent: May 5, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Ivana Popovac, Alexander von Brasch, Justin James Gilmour, Matthew Zygorodimos, Rishi Wadhwani, James Davies
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Patent number: 12599768Abstract: A method, including applying at first and second temporal locations respective electrical currents to an electrode located in a cochlea of a recipient, obtaining first and second data indicative of electrical properties at a plurality of locations away from the electrode, the first and second data corresponding to data obtained, respectively, at the first and second temporal locations, evaluating whether or not there is an existence of a temporal change in electrical conductivity between the electrode and the plurality of locations based on the obtained data, and determining whether or not a phenomenon exists inside the cochlea based on the evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Paul Michael Carter
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Patent number: 12599767Abstract: A method and system to help determine the extent to which a hearing prosthesis recipient is exposed to speech. The hearing prosthesis will log data regarding audio input, optimally in correspondence with times when the hearing prosthesis is in a stimulation-on mode in which the hearing prosthesis is set to stimulate a physiological system of the recipient in accordance with received audio input, so as to facilitate identification of speech to which the recipient is exposed. Further, as the hearing prosthesis itself receives the audio input, the hearing prosthesis may analyze the audio input to determine one or more linguistic characteristics of the audio input, such as a quantity of speech by the recipient and/or by others, and the hearing prosthesis may output data representing the determined one or more linguistic characteristics. Advantageously, the data may then be used to help facilitate rehabilitation of the recipient.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2023Date of Patent: April 14, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Rami Banna, Alexander Case, Florent Hubert-Brierre, Andrew Kendrick
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Patent number: 12581254Abstract: An external component of a bone conduction device, including a vibrator and a platform configured to transfer vibrations from the vibrator to skin of the recipient, wherein the vibrator and platform are configured to quick connect and quick disconnect to and from, respectively, one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2024Date of Patent: March 17, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: David Nathan Morris, Marcus Andersson, Göran Björn, Kristian Gunnar Asnes, Carl Van Himbeeck
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Patent number: 12574694Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing configured to be positioned within an ear canal of a recipient, at least one transducer, and at least one communication circuit. The at least one transducer is configured to respond to sound within the ear canal by generating output signals indicative of the sound. The at least one communication circuit has at least one resonance frequency and is configured to receive the output signals from the at least one transducer and to modulate the at least one resonance frequency in response to the output signals from the at least one transducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2023Date of Patent: March 10, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Kenneth Oplinger, Sören Nilsson
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Patent number: 12563327Abstract: An assembly is provided which includes a package and a printed circuit board. The package includes a housing bounding a region and an acoustic sensor within the region. The housing includes a base with a first hole. The sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of sound received by the sensor through the first hole. The printed circuit board is in mechanical communication with the base and includes a second hole aligned with the first hole such that sound received by the second hole propagates through the first hole to the sensor. The printed circuit board further includes an electrically conductive layer, at least a portion of which extends across the second hole and is configured to allow the sound to propagate through the second hole and to at least partially shield the region containing the sensor from electromagnetic interference.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Tom Meeusen, Koen Erik Van den Heuvel, Jan Vermeiren, Stijn Eeckhoudt
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Patent number: 12563352Abstract: A system, including a signal input, a processor a signal output, wherein the processor is configured to generate an instruction related to data related to a recipient of a sensory prosthesis based on input into the signal input, and the signal output is configured to output data indicative of the instruction.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2022Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Kenneth Oplinger, Rowan Christopher Page
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Patent number: 12563355Abstract: Presented here are embodiments for calibrating a bimodal hearing system that includes a cochlear implant with an implantable microphone. Calibration of the implantable microphone is influenced by skull vibrations induced by a separate hearing aid of the bimodal system. Thus, two sets of calibration measurements are obtained both with and without the hearing aid unmuted. Calibration parameters such as frequency response, noise floor parameters, and vibration calibration constants can then be derived based on the two sets of measurements.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2022Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Adam Hersbach, Ruth English
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Patent number: 12558543Abstract: A method, wherein the method includes obtaining data, wherein, the data contains audio content, visual content, or audio content and visual content processing data based on the audio and/or visual content using results from machine learning to develop output, and stimulating tissue of a recipient to evoke a sensory percept based on the output.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Helmut Christian Eder
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Patent number: 12558544Abstract: A cochlear hearing aid system for providing electrical stimulation to auditory nerve fibers of a cochlea of a recipient of the cochlear hearing aid system is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignees: Cochlear Limited, ESPCI ParisInventors: Guillaume Tourrel, Léa Milenkovic, Yvette Tran, Dominique Hourdet, Zuxiang Xu