Patents Assigned to Cochlear Limited
  • Sound processing in a hearing device using externally and internally received sounds
    Patent number: 9716952
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for mitigating the impact of noise, such a low-frequency noise caused by wind, on sounds received at a hearing prosthesis. An example method includes receiving an external sound signal transduced externally to a recipient from an ambient sound and an internal sound signal transduced internally to the recipient from the ambient sound. The example method also includes determining that a triggering condition is present in the external sound signal. The triggering condition may be indicative of a condition in that more adversely affects externally-received sounds than internally-received sounds. In response to determining that the triggering condition is present in the external sound signal, the example method further includes generating a stimulation signal that is based at least in part on spectral information of the internally-transduced sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Mauger
  • Electromagnetic transducer with specific internal geometry
    Patent number: 9716953
    Abstract: A device, including an electromagnetic transducer including a bobbin having a space therein, a connection apparatus in fixed relationship to the bobbin configured to transfer vibrational energy directly or indirectly at least one of to or from the electromagnetic transducer, and a passage from the space to the connection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Andersson, Tommy Bergs, Johan Gustafsson, Anders Kallsvik
  • External speech processor unit for an auditory prosthesis
    Patent number: 9700720
    Abstract: A cochlear implant system comprising an external component having an external speech processor unit, and an internal component. The speech processor unit monitors one or more parameters, and the speech processor unit is configured to reduce the power consumption of the cochlear implant system in the absence of one or more parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Scott Single
  • Manufacturing an electrode array for a stimulating medical device
    Patent number: 9694174
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Fysh Dadd, Andy Ho, Shahram Manouchehri, Nicholas Charles Kendall Pawsey, Peter Schuller, Peter Raymond Sibary
  • Systems and methods for tuning automatic speech recognition systems
    Patent number: 9666181
    Abstract: A tuning system for tuning a speech recognition system includes a transmitter for sending a user response to a speech recognition system. The user response is based at least in part on a test stimulus that may be generated by the control system. A receiver receives a recognized response from the speech recognition system; this recognized response is based at least in part on the associated user response. An adjustment module adjusts at least one parameter of the speech recognition system based at least in part on at least one of the test stimulus, the associated user response, and the recognized response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Lee S. Krause, Bonny Banerjee, Mark Skowronski, Rahul Shrivastav, Alice E. Holmes
  • Control for hearing prosthesis fitting
    Patent number: 9656071
    Abstract: A method for adjusting parameters of a hearing prosthesis system includes adjusting a control to shift an audiogram associated with a first stimulator, applying a prescription rule using the shifted audiogram to adjust a cross-over frequency that defines a first frequency range and a second frequency range. The first stimulator is configured to apply stimulation signals in the first frequency range and a second stimulator is configured to apply stimulation signals in the second frequency range. The method also includes applying the prescription rule using the shifted audiogram to determine gain and maximum power output (MPO) levels for the first frequency range associated with the first stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Lievens, Thomas Stainsby, Rami Banna, Christopher J. James
  • User interfaces of a hearing device
    Patent number: 9643018
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamically adjusting a user interface provided by an external unit of a hearing device. In an example method, the external unit determines whether a state of the external unit is one of (i) a coupled state when the external unit and the stimulation unit are coupled or (ii) a decoupled state when the external and the stimulation unit are decoupled. The external unit then provides one of (i) a first user interface when the determined state is the coupled state or (ii) a second user interface when the determined state is the decoupled state. The second user interface provides access to a greater number of functions of the hearing device than first user interface provides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Jan Patrick Frieding, Ivana Popovac
  • Hearing prosthesis fitting incorporating feedback determination
    Patent number: 9635479
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods to analyze feedback path information during a fitting session. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided and includes during a fitting session, calculating a feedback gain margin of a hearing prosthesis by causing the hearing prosthesis to receive a test signal, output an output signal based on the test signal, and receive a feedback signal based on the output of the output signal, the test signal being configured to test a different parameter of the hearing prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Martin E. G. Hillbratt, Björn Davidsson
  • Fitting bilateral hearing prostheses
    Patent number: 9630009
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computing devices for fitting bilateral hearing prostheses. An example method includes sending a signal to a first hearing prosthesis and a second hearing prosthesis. The signal causes the first hearing prosthesis to deliver a first stimulus to a body part in a left auditory pathway of a user. The signal also causes the second hearing prosthesis to deliver a second stimulus to a body part in a right auditory pathway of the user. The first stimulus and the second stimulus cause the user to perceive a sound and are delivered simultaneously. The method also includes receiving an indication of a perception of the sound by the user. The method further includes determining an adjustment to at least one of the first stimulus or the second stimulus based on the perception of the sound by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Zachary M. Smith
  • Implantable auditory stimulation system and method with offset implanted microphones
    Patent number: 9635472
    Abstract: An improved implantable auditory stimulation system includes two or more implanted microphones for transcutaneous detection of acoustic signals. Each of the implanted microphones provides an output signal. The microphone output signals may be combinatively utilized by an implanted processor to generate a signal for driving an implanted auditory stimulation device. The implanted microphones may be located at offset subcutaneous locations and/or may be provided with different design sensitivities, wherein combinative processing of the microphone output signals may yield an improved drive signal. In one embodiment, the microphone signal may be processed for beamforming and/or directionality purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Brian M. Conn, Jose H. Bedoya
  • Wearable alarm system for a prosthetic hearing implant
    Patent number: 9630006
    Abstract: A prosthetic hearing implant kit is disclosed. The prosthetic hearing implant kit comprises internal components configured to be implanted in a recipient and comprises an internal coil; external components configured to be worn by the recipient and comprises an external coil adapted to be inductively coupled with said internal coil; and an alert system having a second external coil and adapted to receive an external alarm and to transmit signals to said implanted components via said external coil for providing the recipient with a corresponding alarm indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Brian Gordon, Roger Leigh, Tadeusz Jurkiewicz, Kiangkai Tankongchumruskul
  • Fitting an auditory prosthesis
    Patent number: 9623254
    Abstract: A method and system for fitting and adjusting the operation of an acoustic hearing prosthesis or a hybrid electric and acoustic hearing prosthesis. A graphic user interface allows for the acoustic and electric fitting parameters to be viewed and adjusted in a comparable way. The method further allows for the parameters for acoustic stimulation of the acoustic channels to be adjusted in response to behavioral or objective measurement of response to known stimuli, so as to achieve a desired response curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. James, Ibrahim Bouchataoui, Mattheus J. P. Killian, Koen Van den Heuvel
  • Apparatus for delivery of pharmaceuticals to the cochlea
    Patent number: 9623221
    Abstract: An implantable electrode array assembly configured to stimulate tissue of a recipient, including an elongate member configured to be inserted into a recipient, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member includes a bio-active substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Gibson
  • Treatment of the ear
    Patent number: 9616207
    Abstract: Presented herein are implantable systems and methods for long-term delivery of treatment substance to the ear of a recipient of an implantable auditory prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Kristien Johanna Maria Verhoeven, Daniel Smyth, Jonathon Kirk, Claudiu G. Treaba, Marcus Andersson
  • Mastoid bone start drill bit
    Patent number: 9610085
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling into bone, including at least a first, second and third longitudinally extending substantially straight flute blades, wherein the drill bit has an extrapolated outer profile established by rotation of the first, second and third flute blades 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis thereof, the extrapolated outer profile includes a first surface having tangents more perpendicular than parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the extrapolated outer profile includes a second surface having tangents more parallel than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Göran Björn, Jerry Frimanson
  • Epidermal down-growth barrier
    Patent number: 9610433
    Abstract: A percutaneous implant for reducing the risk of post-implant infection by reducing the likelihood of epidermal down-growth between the dermis of the skin and the implant. In one example, the implant comprises a barrier member between the epidermis and the dermis about the implant. In another example, a barrier is provided by removing a portion of the epidermis from the dermis about the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Marcus Andersson
  • HEARING PROSTHESIS ELECTRODE ARRAY WITH RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE TIP MEMBER
    Publication number: 20170080212
    Abstract: A tip member for inserting into the cochlea, a device comprising: an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and a tip member extending distally from a distal end of the elongate member, the tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of the tapered portion, wherein the tip member is resiliently flexible, and a method for making such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Fysh DADD, Claudiu TREABA, Peter GIBSON
  • Intra-cochlear stimulating assembly insertion
    Patent number: 9597503
    Abstract: Presented herein are intra-operative techniques for setting the angular insertion depth of a stimulating assembly during implantation into a recipient's cochlea. In certain embodiments, the angular insertion depth is monitored in real-time and advancement of the stimulating assembly is terminated when a selected angular insertion depth is achieved. In further embodiments, a linear insertion depth that corresponds to a selected angular insertion depth is intra-operatively calculated and advancement of the stimulating assembly is terminated when the calculated linear insertion depth is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Frank Risi, Shaun Ashwin Kumar, Andrea Lam, Paul Michael Carter
  • Bone conduction device
    Patent number: 9602931
    Abstract: A bone conduction device including an external component, the external component comprising a sound processor and transducer, the transducer configured to generate mechanical forces, and the external component configured for positioning behind a recipient's ear such that the mechanical forces are transmitted from the external component to a recipient's bone to generate a hearing percept via bone conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: John Parker
  • Prosthesis adapter
    Patent number: 9602936
    Abstract: A prosthesis including an abutment, an operationally removable component including a coupling apparatus, and an adapter, wherein the abutment is connected to the adapter and the coupling apparatus of the operationally removable component is releasably coupled to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Marcus Andersson