Patents by Inventor Aaron Thornton
Aaron Thornton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7297101Abstract: Methods and structures for placing sensing and driver assemblies in a middle ear of a patient are disclosed. Methods and structures according to various embodiments of the invention provide minimally invasive techniques and devices that facilitate placement of sensing/driver assemblies in a middle ear using a trans-canal implantation technique. Certain embodiments include placement of a longitudinal body through the ear canal for mounting in the middle ear, and for supporting a sensing/driving assembly subsequently coupled thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Envoy Medical CorporationInventors: Johann J. Neisz, Eric Kraus, Michael Glasscock, Aaron Thornton, John F. Kveton
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Patent number: 7288071Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Tympany, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Publication number: 20070129649Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing. The patient is instructed and prompted for inputs and responses as needed. The patient and/or operator can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Stenger screening is automatically performed for some patients based on the difference in pure tone frequency air conduction thresholds. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects and compensates for ambient noise in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: TYMPANY, INC.Inventors: Aaron Thornton, Jeffrey Harrison, Christopher Wasden, Barry Strasnick
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Patent number: 7132949Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Tympany, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Publication number: 20060178553Abstract: Methods and structures for placing sensing and driver assemblies in a middle ear of a patient are disclosed. Methods and structures according to various embodiments of the invention provide minimally invasive techniques and devices that facilitate placement of sensing/driver assemblies in a middle ear using a trans-canal implantation technique. Certain embodiments include placement of a longitudinal body through the ear canal for mounting in the middle ear, and for supporting a sensing/driving assembly subsequently coupled thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Johann Neisz, Eric Kraus, Michael Glasscock, Aaron Thornton, John Kveton
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Patent number: 7037274Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting hearing tests with real-time ambient noise measurement are provided. More particularly, one or more microphones are provided to measure ambient noise in a test area during a time interval in which hearing test tones are provided to the patient. By measuring ambient noise during the actual presentation of the test tones, or at least near in time thereto, a much better indication of the reliability of the hearing test is provided. Methods of conducting a hearing test are also provided that comprise presenting a test tone to a patient and simultaneously measuring the ambient noise in the test area during at least a portion of the presentation of the test tone.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Tympany, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Thornton, Jeff Harrison
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Patent number: 7018342Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Tympany, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Patent number: 6968228Abstract: A method for estimating an electrophysiologic response contained in a measured signal includes obtaining a plurality of samples and defining a plurality of bins, each of which corresponds to a range of values of a sorting parameter associated with each of the samples. Each sample of the measured signal is then classified into one of the bins on the basis of a value of a sorting parameter associated with that sample. Then, for each bin, a statistic indicative of samples classified into that bin is maintained. On the basis of these bin statistics, the desired electrophysiologic response can then be estimated.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventor: Aaron Thornton
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Patent number: 6964642Abstract: An apparatus for bone conduction hearing testing is provided. The apparatus comprises a planar spring having opposed first and second elements to which are coupled, respectively, a bone conduction vibrator and an engagement element. The bone conduction vibrator contacts a first head portion, preferably the forehead, and the engagement element contacts a second head portion, preferably the rear of the head. The spring preferably has a lenticular shape, and may be either biconvex or D-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Tympany, Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Wasden, Aaron Thornton
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Patent number: 6743183Abstract: A method for measuring an electrophysiologic response of a sensory system includes stimulating the sensory system with a first stimulus train having stimuli temporally separated from each other by a first inter-stimulus interval and simultaneously stimulating the sensory system with a second stimulus train having stimuli temporally separated from each other by a second inter-stimulus interval different from the first inter-stimulus interval. A response signal is then sampled at a first frequency corresponding to the first inter-stimulus interval, thereby obtaining a first response train. The first response train is then processed to suppress a contaminant caused by the second stimulus train.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventor: Aaron Thornton
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Publication number: 20040097826Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: TympanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Publication number: 20040073135Abstract: An apparatus for bone conduction hearing testing is provided. The apparatus comprises a planar spring having opposed first and second elements to which are coupled, respectively, a bone conduction vibrator and an engagement element. The bone conduction vibrator contacts a first head portion, preferably the forehead, and the engagement element contacts a second head portion, preferably the rear of the head. The spring preferably has a lenticular shape, and may be either biconvex or D-shaped.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Christopher L. Wasden, Aaron Thornton
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Publication number: 20040073136Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting hearing tests with real-time ambient noise measurement are provided. More particularly, one or more microphones are provided to measure ambient noise in a test area during a time interval in which hearing test tones are provided to the patient. By measuring ambient noise during the actual presentation of the test tones, or at least near in time thereto, a much better indication of the reliability of the hearing test is provided. Methods of conducting a hearing test are also provided that comprise presenting a test tone to a patient and simultaneously measuring the ambient noise in the test area during at least a portion of the presentation of the test tone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Aaron Thornton, Jeff Harrison
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Publication number: 20040071295Abstract: An ear probe for insertion into a first ear of a patient for conducting multiple diagnostic hearing tests is provided. The probe comprises at least one lumen for transmitting test sounds to the ear of the patient, and at least one lumen for transmitting a hearing test result from the ear of the patient. The hearing test result may be a sound or an electronic signal representing the sound. The lumens are preferably coupled to transducers for providing the test sounds to the patient and transmitting the test result sounds through the ear probe. Multiple test sound lumens and test result lumens may be provided for different hearing tests, and an air delivery lumen is preferably provided for delivering air to and removing air from the ear during tympanometric testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Christopher L. Wasden, Jon Birck, Aaron Thornton
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Publication number: 20040073134Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting multiple diagnostic hearing tests are provided. The systems comprise an insertion probe for insertion into an ear of a patient, at least one transducer for providing test sounds to the ear of the patent through the insertion probe, and at least one transducer for transmitting test results from the ear of the patient. The systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test and at least one of an acoustic immittance test and an otoacoustic emission test. More preferably, the systems are capable of conducting an audiometric test, a tympanogram test, an acoustic reflex test, and an otoacoustic emission test using a single ear probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Christopher L. Wasden, Aaron Thornton, Jeff Harrison, Jon Birck
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Publication number: 20040068200Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: TympanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Patent number: 6718199Abstract: A method for estimating an electrophysiologic response contained in a measured signal includes obtaining a plurality of samples and defining a plurality of bins, each of which corresponds to a range of values of a sorting parameter associated with each of the samples. Each sample of the measured signal is then classified into one of the bins on the basis of a value of a sorting parameter associated with that sample. Then, for each bin, a statistic indicative of samples classified into that bin is maintained. On the basis of these bin statistics, the desired electrophysiologic response can then be estimated.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventor: Aaron Thornton
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Publication number: 20040039299Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: TympanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Publication number: 20040006283Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: TympanyInventors: Jeffrey S. Harrison, Aaron Thornton, Christopher L. Wasden, Barry Strasnick, Kenneth R. Stott
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Publication number: 20030139684Abstract: A method for estimating an electrophysiologic response contained in a measured signal includes obtaining a plurality of samples and defining a plurality of bins, each of which corresponds to a range of values of a sorting parameter associated with each of the samples. Each sample of the measured signal is then classified into one of the bins on the basis of a value of a sorting parameter associated with that sample. Then, for each bin, a statistic indicative of samples classified into that bin is maintained. On the basis of these bin statistics, the desired electrophysiologic response can then be estimated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, a Massachusetts corporation,Inventor: Aaron Thornton