Patents Assigned to Epic Biosonics Inc.
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Patent number: 7085605Abstract: An implantable medical assembly is disclosed. The implantable medical assembly comprises at least one electrode, at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide stimulation signal and a biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Henry Bluger, Jeffrey Stephen
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Patent number: 6843870Abstract: The present invention is an implantable cable and a process to manufacture said implantable cable. The cable is composed of a biocompatible fluoropolymer, in which biocompatible conductor wires are embedded. The entire cable is heat treated at various stages to ensure the wires are securely embedded. The cable is then undulated to enhance its pliability and flexibility. Further treatment activates the outer surface of the cable, following which it may be encapsulated in silicone.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventor: Henry Bluger
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Publication number: 20040147992Abstract: An implantable medical assembly is disclosed. The implantable medical assembly comprises at least one electrode, at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide stimulation signal and a biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Henry Bluger, Jeffrey Stephen
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Patent number: 6648914Abstract: A totally implantable cochlear prosthesis is presented. An externally-activated subcutaneous switch controls functions of the prosthesis. A pliable bridge connecting two hermetically sealed housing sections, and corrugated conductor lines, provide for future dimensional changes due to head growth. An encapsulated microphone is positioned underneath the skin in the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. A modiolus-hugging electrode array is inserted into one of the cochlea scala. Periodic charging of the implanted battery is accomplished via an external mechanically held head-mounted device containing an external coil, said external coil inductively coupling electrical power to an implanted receiving coil. The external and implanted coils can also be used as a communication link to program the implanted electronics.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Henry V. Bluger, Stacey D. Jarvin, Alan J. Lupin
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Publication number: 20030109903Abstract: A design and method for fabricating a low profile, biocompatible, hermetically sealed, subcutaneous enclosure for human implants is disclosed. The implant includes bonded top and a bottom plates, and an insert bonded to an aperture in the bottom plate. Passageways that extend through the insert are filled with a conductive material to provide hermetic but conductive leads to the interior of the implant. Successive layers of metals are used to bond the insert to the bottom plate and to establish a bond between a first layer of polymer covering the insert and bottom plate. An additional polymer layer containing contact pads and conductor lines is bonded to the first layer. The implant includes a low profile safety on-off switch and a hermetically sealed low profile rechargeable battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Henry V. Bluger, Stacey D. Jarvin, Bradley J. D. Penner
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Patent number: 6516228Abstract: A totally implantable microphone for use with an implanted hearing aid comprises a cylindrical bio-inert housing having a bio-inert metallic membrane at the acoustic sensing end and a bio-inert plate containing electrical lead-throughs at the other end. The cylindrical housing is implanted in the posterior wall of the external auditory canal, with the thin auditory canal skin overlaying the microphone membrane surface. Surface features on the housing ossiointegrate it to the auditory canal bone, and a flange on the housing posterior end prevents post-operative migration into the auditory canal. A support plate beneath the membrane limits inward flexing and increases the signal-to-noise ratio. A protruding rim around the membrane perimeter acts to protect the membrane from rupturing during outward flexure. Lithographically formed wires laminated in a thin inert polymer and connected to the lead-throughs enable the overall length of the encapsulated microphone to be very short.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Stacey D. Jarvin, Alan J. Lupin, Sean A. McNiven
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Patent number: 6408855Abstract: A surgical method and tools are described for the implantation of electrode arrays into the canalis cochlearis of profoundly deaf persons. Access to the canalis cochlearis is via the bony exterior ear canal and the middle ear, rather than the conventional route of drilling a cleft through the mastoid region posterior to the ear. Preferably entry to the canalis cochlearis is at a tangential angle to the curve of the basal turn. A template is used for landmarking the site for tangentially drilling into the canalis cochlearis comprising a plate shaped to be positioned by reference to the round window of the middle ear and the oval window. A device for holding open the field of view for the surgeon during implantation comprises elongated funnels.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter Berrang, Alan Lupin
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Patent number: 6374143Abstract: A multi-bipolar configured electrode array and means to uniquely position said array within the scalae of the human cochlea is described. Said array is inserted into the scala tympani, scala vestibuli or both, by a surgeon. The electrode array may be pre-formed to lightly hug the modiolar wall of a scala so as to position the electrodes in close proximity to the cochlear spiral lamina and spiral ganglia in the modiolus. Mechanical features within said array allow the surgeon to further position said array against the modiolar wall of the scala, post insertion, and to mechanically retain such positioning of said array. Such positioning is in close proximity to surviving neural sites in the spiral lamina and/or spiral ganglion cells in the modiolus to efficiently stimulate functioning auditory neural elements. The multi-bipolar electrode configuration achieves a high degree of spatial selectivity, thus improving the implantee's speech percepts.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Epic Biosonics, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Henry V. Bluger, Henryk Klosowski, Alan J. Lupin
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Patent number: 6358281Abstract: A totally implantable cochlear prosthesis is presented. Said prosthesis is designed to function for hours or days without any external components. An externally-activated subcutaneous pressure switch enables the user to adjust the perceived volume by pressing against the skin with a finger. A similar second pressure switch provides a safety “off/on” feature. A pliable bridge connecting two hermetically sealed housing sections, and corrugated conductor lines, provide for future dimensional changes due to head growth. A titanium encapsulated microphone is positioned underneath the skin in the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. A modiolus-hugging electrode array is inserted into one of the cochlea scala.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Henry V. Bluger, Stacey D. Jarvin, Alan J. Lupin
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Publication number: 20020019669Abstract: A totally implantable cochlear prosthesis is presented. An externally-activated subcutaneous switch controls functions of the prosthesis. A pliable bridge connecting two hermetically sealed housing sections, and corrugated conductor lines, provide for future dimensional changes due to head growth. An encapsulated microphone is positioned underneath the skin in the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. A modiolus-hugging electrode array is inserted into one of the cochlea scala. Periodic charging of the implanted battery is accomplished via an external mechanically held head-mounted device containing an external coil, said external coil inductively coupling electrical power to an implanted receiving coil. The external and implanted coils can also be used as a communication link to program the implanted electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Berrang, Henry V. Bluger, Stacey D. Jarvin, Alan J. Lupin
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Patent number: 6306168Abstract: A new surgical method and tools are described for the implantation of electrode arrays into the canalis cochlearis of profoundly deaf persons. Access to the canalis cochlearis is via the bony exterior ear canal and the middle ear, rather than the conventional route of drilling a cleft through the mastoid region posterior to the ear. Preferably entry to the canalis cochlearis is at a tangential angle to the curve of the basal turn. A template is described for landmarking the site for tangentially drilling into the canalis cochlearis comprising a plate shaped to be positioned by reference to the round window of the middle ear and the oval window. A device for holding open the field of view for the surgeon during implantation comprises elongated funnels.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter Berrang, Alan Lupin
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Patent number: 6074422Abstract: A dual prong hearing prosthesis for surgical implantation into both the scala tympani and the scala vestibuli of the inner ear of deaf persons is presented. The prosthesis consists of two prongs each with a plurality of closely spaced electrodes at the proximal end, said electrodes configured to stimulate the auditory nerves of the inner ear at a plurality of sites. One prong carries circumferentially-configured electrodes while the electrodes of the other prong are longitudinally-configured in relation to the length of the prong. Conductor lines from each electrode on both prongs terminate at the distal end in a contact pad arrangement thereby enabling convenient electrical connection between the implant and speech processing electronics. Means are disclosed to minimize kinking of the prongs during implantation, and to enable the electrodes to be in close proximity to the modiolus and basilar membrane thereby allowing for a high degree of versatility in selecting discrete stimulation sites.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Epic Biosonics Inc.Inventors: Peter Berrang, Alan Lupin