Abstract: A snap ring having improved retention characteristics is configured for use inside a cylindrical cavity. The cavity includes a retention device having a retention surface forming an obtuse angle with the cavity wall. As an axial load is applied to the snap ring, it moves along the retention surface, thereby experiencing a reduction in diameter. The snap ring includes a circumferential discontinuity defined by two generally radial planar surfaces, or ring ends. The discontinuity is configured such that the ring ends will abut one another before the snap ring diameter is reduced beyond the retaining diameter.

Abstract: In a processing core, a newly received load instruction may be dependent upon a previously received store instruction. The core may include a predictor to predict such dependencies and provide an identification of a colliding store instruction. The load instruction may be stored in a scheduler with a dependency marker. Thereafter, the load instruction may be prevented from executing until after execution of the colliding store. Upon execution of the load, the accuracy of the prediction is confirmed. Upon retirement of the load instruction, new prediction results may be provided to the predictor.

Abstract: The invention supports the detection and/or healing of a non-optimal trace.

Abstract: An interface system for semi-implantable and fully implantable hearing aid devices that provides direct delivery of audio input from external wireline and wireless sources to the speech processor of the hearing aid. The speech processor of the hearing aid processes the audio inputs to produce a processed signal for a transducer portion of the hearing aid that is implanted in a hearing impaired individual. In a semi-implantable hearing aid, the interface system could be included in the external portion of the hearing aid or be included in an audio input device that replaces the external portion of the hearing aid when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired. In a fully implantable hearing aid, an audio input device including the interface system is provided for use when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. A noninvasive method and system for adjusting an interface between implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems is also provided. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. The at least one test measure is used to determine among other things a status of the interface between the actuator and the component of the auditory system. Responsive to determining that the interface requires adjustment, an electrical signal is externally provided to a positioning system on the actuator to reposition the actuator relative to the component of the auditory system and correct the interface.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the measurement device may comprise a pair of coils for measuring the magnetic field generated by an implanted actuator utilized to simulate the middle ear of a patient. The magnetic field strength is directly related to the amount of current passing through the actuator. In turn, such current is inversely related to the electrical impedance present at the implanted actuator. Such electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the implanted actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.

Abstract: An instruction pipeline in a microprocessor includes one or more of the pipelines maintaining a return buffer. Upon detecting a call instruction, a pipeline will push the return address onto its return buffer. The pipeline will then determine if the call instruction was detected by a second pipeline and will send the return address to the second pipeline if the call was not detected by the second pipeline. Upon detecting a return instruction, the pipeline will pop the return address at the top of its return buffer. The return address may then be used in the instruction pipeline. The pipeline will send a request to a third pipeline to fill its return buffer with entries from the third pipeline's return buffer. The pipeline will determine if the return instruction was detected by a second pipeline and will send the return address at the top of its return buffer to the second pipeline if the return was not detected by the second pipeline.

Abstract: A system and method of managing processor instructions provides enhanced performance. The system and method provide for decoding a first instruction into a plurality of operations with a decoder. A first copy of the operations is passed from the decoder to a build engine associated with a trace cache. The system and method further provide for passing a second copy of the operation from the decoder directly to a back end allocation module such that the operations bypass the build engine and the allocation module is in a decoder reading state.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing predicted return addresses of instructions being executed by a pipelined processor, the apparatus includes a two part return address buffer that includes a speculative return address buffer and a committed return address buffer, both of which having multiple entries that may include predicted return addresses that have been pushed onto the return buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.

Abstract: An interface system for semi-implantable and fully implantable hearing aid devices that provides direct delivery of audio input from external wireline and wireless sources to the speech processor of the hearing aid. The speech processor of the hearing aid processes the audio inputs to produce a processed signal for a transducer portion of the hearing aid that is implanted in a hearing impaired individual. In a semi-implantable hearing aid, the interface system could be included in the external portion of the hearing aid or be included in an audio input device that replaces the external portion of the hearing aid when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired. In a fully implantable hearing aid, an audio input device including the interface system is provided for use when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for supportably positioning an implantable hearing aid actuator within a patient's skull. The improved apparatus includes a carry device for carrying an implantable hearing aid actuator at a first end, a swivel device for pivotably supporting the carrier device, and a mounting device for mounting the apparatus to a patient's skull. To facilitate installation, a swivel device may be provided in a unitary manner so as to provide for selective placement and securement as a single unit to the mounting device. To yield enhanced depth positioning, the carrier device may be selectively advancable relative to the swivel device, and the carrier device may comprise two or more members interconnected for selective advancement of one relative to other. In the later regard, the carrier device may include at least a first member which telescopes coaxially relative to a second member.

Abstract: A load bearing deck structure is made from at least one sandwich panel formed of a ploymer matrix composite material. The sandwich panel comprises a plurality of substantially hollow, elongated core members having side walls, the core members being provided with an upper facesheet and a lower facesheet. Each facesheet is formed integrally with the side walls of the core members and at least one of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower facesheets so that the side walls and facesheets define a polygonal shape when viewed in cross section.