Abstract: Examples disclosed herein are relevant to monitoring and treating sensory conditions affecting an individual. Sensors and intelligence integrated within a sensory prosthesis (e.g., an auditory prosthesis) can automatically obtain objective data regarding the ability of one or more of an individuals senses during day-to-day activities. A treatment action can be taken based on the objective data. Further disclosed herein are techniques relating to reducing the gathering of irrelevant sensory input and automatically transmitting relevant data to a caregiver device.

Abstract: Techniques for locating a misplaced primary wireless device (within a spatial region. In particular, the techniques presented herein use a secondary wireless device to collect a plurality of multivariate wireless data points within the spatial region. An artificially intelligent search algorithm analyzes the plurality of multivariate wireless data points to estimate the location of the wireless device. Directional instructions that guide the user to the estimated location of the primary wireless device are generated and then provided to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include technology for the detection and treatment of neotissue formation proximate an implantable stimulator. Neotissue formation can include ossification, scar tissue, soft tissue fibrosis, and other tissue growth. The neotissue formation can be detected by analyzing (e.g., using a machine-learning framework) stimulation data relating to the implantable stimulator. Neotissue formation characteristics can be analyzed to determine appropriate treatment actions for ameliorating the effects of neotissue formation.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein are relevant to improvements in connectors for bone conduction devices, particularly bone conduction auditory prostheses, to connect to an abutment. Disclosed examples include a connector assembly having a vibration conductor separate from a coupling. Examples can further include an adapter to modify a length of the connector assembly. Examples can further provide an angled connector assembly to modify an angle at which the connector assembly connects to an abutment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a biocompatible housing configured to be implanted within a recipient. The housing includes a unitary wall including a first wall portion and a second wall portion surrounding a perimeter of the first wall portion. The first wall portion is sufficiently flexible to transmit vibrations between an outer region outside the housing and an inner region within the housing.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for determining an estimated battery autonomy (e.g., estimated run-time) of a medical device having at least one actuator/transducer configured to mechanically stimulate a recipient. The medical device is specifically configured for the recipient and, as such, operates in accordance with a plurality of recipient-specific settings. The configuration of the medical device for the recipient (e.g., the plurality of recipient-specific settings), along with frequency and level current consumption characteristics of the medical device, are used to determine the estimated battery autonomy of the medical device. An environmental profile of the recipient can also be used with the configuration of the medical device for the recipient and the frequency and level current consumption characteristics of the medical device to determine the estimated battery autonomy.

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation prosthesis can restore vestibular function in recipients having vestibular deficiency. In an example, a body is appended onto or within the recipient's ossicular chain such that the body directly interfaces with an oval window of an inner ear of the recipient. Electrical stimulation is provided using one or more electrodes of the body to stimulate the vestibular system and thereby restore vestibular functioning. In an example, a stimulator device connected to the body via a lead is also implanted. The stimulator device can have a small and convenient form factor. In some instances, the stimulator device is a stand-alone device that is configured to provide stimulation to the recipient's vestibular system without respect to signals received from devices external to the recipient. In some implementations, the stimulator device is a component of a sensory prosthesis (e.g., a cochlear implant or bionic eye) or another medical device.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques to control the spread of current beyond, in an apical direction, a predetermined location/point in the cochlea. As a result, the techniques presented herein create a protected apical zone at an apical side of the predetermined location for undisturbed acoustic temporal coding (i.e., an apical region of the cochlea in which the voltage fields from delivered current signals are nulled, minimized, or otherwise controlled in order to eliminate, reduce, or otherwise limit electro-acoustic interactions that could negatively affect remaining low-frequency hair cells).

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation array is disclosed having one or more separate electrode arrays each operatively adapted for implantation in a semicircular canal of the vestibular system, wherein each separate electrode array is dimensioned and constructed so that residual vestibular function is preserved. In particular, the electrode arrays are dimensioned such that the membranous labyrinth is not substantially compressed. Furthermore, the electrode array has a stop portion to limit insertion of the electrode array into the semi-circular canal and is still enough to avoid damage to the anatomical structures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes signal processing circuitry configured to generate processed data signals in response at least in part to transducer signals from at least one acoustic transducer and filtering signals, and to transmit the processed data signals via at least one communication channel to an actuating assembly of an auditory prosthesis. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to monitor one or more of the signal processing circuitry, the processed data signals, and the at least one communication channel, and to generate filtering control signals in response at least in part thereto. The apparatus further includes filtering circuitry configured to generate the filtering signals in response at least in part to the processed data signals and the filtering control signals.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first information regarding a pose of a structure in a first time period. The structure is configured to be inserted into a body portion of a recipient. The first information includes at least one of: a first estimate of the pose of the structure in the first time period, and a first measurement set including one or more first measurement values. At least some of the one or more first measurement values are generated using a plurality of sensors distributed along the structure. The one or more first measurement values are indicative of the pose of the structure in the first time period. The method further includes generating a second estimate of the pose of the structure using at least the first information and a probabilistic model of the structure and/or the body portion.

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation array is disclosed having one or more separate electrode arrays each operatively adapted for implantation in a semicircular canal of the vestibular system, wherein each separate electrode array is dimensioned and constructed so that residual vestibular function is preserved. In particular, the electrode arrays are dimensioned such that the membranous labyrinth is not substantially compressed. Furthermore, the electrode array has a stop portion to limit insertion of the electrode array into the semi-circular canal and is still enough to avoid damage to the anatomical structures.

Abstract: A component of a bone conduction device, such as a passive transcutaneous bone conduction device or an active transcutaneous bone conduction device, or a percutaneous bone conduction device, used to evoke a hearing percept comprising a housing and a bender apparatus located in the housing, wherein the bender apparatus is a device of a piezoelectric bender.

Abstract: Presented herein are acoustic port covers for attachment to electronic devices. An electronic device includes a housing having at least one acoustic port extending through the housing. An acoustic port cover in accordance with embodiments presented herein is configured to be detachably coupled to the housing so as to cover the at least one acoustic port and function as a barrier to the accumulation of foreign materials/contaminants at a protective membrane associated with the at least one acoustic port.

Abstract: A method including receiving input indicative of a parameter related to an operating environment of an implantable portion of a prosthesis and adjusting an adjustable system of the prosthesis based on the received input.

Abstract: A device, including an insertion tool including an insertion guide that is flexible in a direction lying in at least a plane lying on a longitudinal axis thereof, the insertion guide having a slit and/or a gap extending in the longitudinal direction, the plane extending through the slit and/or gap, wherein the guide configured to maintain a pre-curved electrode assembly in a substantially straight configuration while preventing the electrode assembly from twisting in response to stresses induced by bias forces which urge the assembly to return to its pre-curved configuration, when the insertion guide is flexed in the plane.

Abstract: A component of a bone conduction device, including a housing and a piezoelectric bender located in the housing, wherein the component is configured to limit bending of the piezoelectric bender relative to that which would otherwise be the case in the absence of the limits via application of a stopping force at a centralized location of an assembly of which the bender is a part.

Abstract: Presented herein are contaminant-proof microphone assemblies for use with devices/apparatuses, such as auditory prostheses, that include one or more microphones disposed within a housing. A contaminant-proof microphone assembly in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein includes a microphone, a microphone plug, and a contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug has a first end coupled to the microphone and a second end that is configured to be positioned adjacent the contaminant-proof membrane. As such, the microphone plug is disposed between a sound inlet of the microphone and the contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug may be configured to mate with the housing or a gasket attached to the housing.

Abstract: Technologies disclosed herein can be used to test vibrating actuators, such as those found in auditory prostheses. An example test system includes a trigger signal generator that emits a trigger signal, a test frequency generator that operates in a test mode responsive to receiving a trigger signal, and a diagnostic tool comprising a vibration sensor. The diagnostic tool can measure an output of the vibration sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device and a pedestal attached to the implantable portion, the pedestal configured to be implanted into a skull bone of a recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device that can be fully covered by skin of a recipient.