Abstract: A method and device for measuring and controlling stimulation current, for example in an implantable device, are disclosed. A series capacitor (Cb) is disposed along the conduction path, and the voltage (Uc) across the capacitor measured, so as to provide a direct measurement of the delivered stimulation current.

Abstract: A bone conduction device, including a bone fixture adapted to be fixed to bone, a vibratory element adapted to be attached to the bone fixture and configured to vibrate in response to sound signals, and a vibration isolator adapted to be disposed between the vibratory element and the bone.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a transcutaneous capacitive data link circuit. The link circuit include: a first pair of capacitors each having an external electrode configured to be externally positioned on a recipient and an internal electrode configured to be internally positioned in the recipient; a first voltage driver having positive and negative terminals each connected to one of the external electrodes, and configured to generate a first voltage drive signal responsive to a first input control signal; and a first differential amplifier circuit connected to the internal electrodes, configured to generate a first output data signal representative of the first input control signal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The method comprises: forming a comb having a plurality of electrode contacts, wherein the surface of at least one of the electrode contacts comprises a plurality of indentations such that the effective surface area per area unit of a center region of the at least one electrode contact is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region; assembling an array of electrode contacts from the comb; molding a carrier member about the assembled array of electrode contacts, wherein a surface of the at least one electrode contact is covered by a layer of the carrier member material; and removing the layer of carrier member material on the surface of the at least one electrode contact.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a percutaneous bone conduction implant. The implant includes a fixture configured to be anchored in the recipient's skull, and a skin-penetrating abutment configured to interface with the fixture and to permit the abutment to be removably attached to the fixture to form a fixture-abutment assembly. In an embodiment, at least one anti-microbial surface forms one or more surfaces of the formed fixture-abutment assembly located in an interior of the formed fixture-abutment assembly when the fixture is removably attached to the abutment with an abutment screw. The interior is substantially isolated from a surrounding environment of the fixture-abutment assembly.

Abstract: Designs for an implantable lead are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lead includes at least one conductive pathway and a protective element surrounding at least a portion of the at least one conductive pathway. A stiffness of the protective element varies along a length of the protective element. The stiffness may be varied by varying a material composition of the protective element. Alternately, the protective element may be one or two helically-wound wires, and the stiffness may be varied by varying a pitch of one or both helically-wound wires. Alternately, the protective element may be a perforated tube and the stiffness may be varied by varying a ratio of openings to tube in the perforated tube. Alternately, the protective element may be a patterned mesh and the stiffness may be varied by varying a pattern of the patterned mesh. The implantable lead may be used in a cochlear implant.

Abstract: A protective faceplate (37) for an implantable component of a tissue-stimulating prosthesis, such as a prosthetic hearing implant. The faceplate (37) comprising a first or outer surface and an opposed second or inner surface. The implantable component can be removably or non-removably mountable to the second surface and adapted to extend into a cavity formed in a bone of a recipient.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a patterned conductive element for an implantable medical device, the method comprising the steps of: depositing a supplementary material on a sheet of conductive, parent material to form a sheet of composite material; applying a carrier material over the supplementary material of the composite sheet to form a sheet of semi-finished material; removing portions from at least the conductive parent material of the sheet of semi-finished material in accordance with a desired pattern corresponding to a patterned conductive element to be formed; and releasing at least the carrier material from the sheet of semi-finished material.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods to address situations in a binaural hearing prosthesis configuration in which each hearing prosthesis receives audio signals that have differing audio signal measures (e.g., signal to noise ratios (SNRs)). In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided and includes receiving a first audio signal from a first transducer, receiving a second audio signal from a second transducer, evaluating the first audio signal and determining thereby a first audio signal measure, evaluating the second audio signal and determining thereby a second audio signal measure, based on the evaluating, identifying from among the first audio signal and the second audio signal a particular audio signal that has a certain quality with respect to the audio signal measures (e.g., the highest SNR), and applying stimulation to a recipient in accordance with the identified audio signal.

Abstract: An implantable tissue stimulating electrode device comprising: a carrier member; one or more biocompatible electrodes positioned on the carrier member, said electrodes having a surface; and an ionically conductive layer disposed at least over a portion of the surface of one or more electrodes.

Abstract: A reference electrode for an inner ear stimulation device is disclosed. The reference electrode is to be implanted and includes a protruding conductor portion and an insulated conducting portion connected to a lead for connection to the device. The protruding conductor portion is shaped so as to present a generally smooth surface without any substantial projections to impede removal in the event that the electrode is withdrawn in the direction of the lead. The smooth profile and lack of an undercut assist in preventing biofilm accumulation and growth. This reduces the risk of post-surgical complications such as infection.

Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis such as a cochlear implant system comprising an elongate carrier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode positioned thereon; at least one electrical conductor extending from one or more of the at least one electrode; a lead extending from the carrier member and enclosing the at least one electrical conductor; and a holding member constructed and arranged to radially extend outwardly from the surface of the carrier member to facilitate grasping of the holding member during implantation of the carrier member in a patient.

Abstract: A method of configuring a prosthesis having two or more electrode contacts, including configuring the prosthesis to provide stimulation to a first tissue site from a subset of electrode contacts based on data based on a comparison of first data to second data, wherein the first data is based on respective estimated voltages for the first site and one or more of additional respective sites to be applied by the subset of electrode contacts, the respective estimated voltages being based on empirical stimulation data for the first and additional sites, and the second data is based on respective target voltages for the first and additional sites, respectively.

Abstract: Presented herein are coil retention systems for use in implantable medical devices. In certain embodiments, a coil retention system comprises an implantable non-magnetized member having a central aperture and an external magnet also having a central aperture. The external magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the implantable non-magnetized member. In certain embodiments, the external magnet and the implantable non-magnetized member have corresponding annular shapes so as to self-align with one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone conduction device for enhancing a recipient's hearing. The device may include an input configured to receive sound signals and generate a plurality of signals representative of the sound signals, an electronics module configured to receive the plurality of signals and having a first control setting configured to control a first characteristic of at least one of the plurality of signals and a second control setting configured to control a second characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of signals, a vibrator configured to receive the plurality of signals representative of the sound signals and transmit vibrations to the recipient's bone, and a user interface having a first interface control configured to interface with the first control setting and alter the first characteristic and a second interface control configured to interface with the second control setting and alter the second characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fitting a bone conduction device are provided herein. These methods and systems comprise determining a gain to be used by the bone conduction device in providing signals at a particular frequency. In determining the gain, a fitting system may provide a test sound that is modulated between a first signal provided to a speaker and a second audible signal provided to a bone conduction device. The first and second audible signal may comprise properties such that when the two signals are added together they produce a constant amplitude output. In an embodiment, each of the first and second audible signals may comprise substantially identical frequency characteristics and signal amplitudes, such as, for example, equal amplitude sinusoids centered on the particular frequency for the measurement.

Abstract: Coating an elongate, uncoated conductive element with a substantially continuous barrier layer. The substantially continuous barrier layer is formed through relative movement of the conductive element to a frame between sequential coatings of a barrier material.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for engaging in a peer approach to script execution. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the disclosed systems and methods, a hearing prosthesis receives two scripts. Each script defines a different set of instructions to be carried out by the hearing prosthesis. In one embodiment, the command module receives one script and the stimulation module receives the other script. In such an embodiment, each module executes the script at substantially the same time. Furthermore, when one module encounters portions of the script that are somewhat time sensitive (e.g., a portion of a script that dictates to receive a transmission from the other module), the module will pause execution of the script and wait for execution of the other script to catch up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implanting and securing an implanted medical device in a recipient. The implantable medical device of the generally includes a stimulating lead assembly that comprises an elongate carrier member having at least one stimulating element positioned thereon. The stimulating lead assembly further has an expandable portion thereon configured to be inserted into said reference structure in a first dimension, expand to a second dimension, and interact with a portion of the reference structure to help longitudinally secure the carrier member in the recipient.