Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises a housing that defines a cavity; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the cavity; an antenna that comprises an internal portion and an external portion, wherein a first location on the internal portion of the antenna is disposed within the cavity and is physically connected to the PCB and a different second location on the internal portion of the antenna is physically connected to the external portion of the antenna; and a cable protruding from the housing and configured for use as a handle for removal of the hearing instrument from an ear of a user, wherein the cable encloses the external portion of the antenna.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: An antenna system for a wearable device comprises an antenna that includes a plurality of elements. The elements include an antenna element that comprises an electrically conductive material. The antenna also includes one or more feed points configured for operable coupling to a wireless transceiver. Additionally, the antenna includes a set of one or more switch units. For each respective switch unit of the set of switch units: the respective switch unit is connected to one or more elements of the respective switch unit in the plurality of elements, a flow of electrical current to the one or more elements connected to the respective switch unit is dependent on a switch state of the respective switch unit. A radiation characteristic of the antenna is dependent on the switch states of the switch units.

Abstract: An antenna system for a wearable device comprises an antenna that includes a plurality of elements. The elements include an antenna element that comprises an electrically conductive material. The antenna also includes one or more feed points configured for operable coupling to a wireless transceiver. Additionally, the antenna includes a set of one or more switch units. For each respective switch unit of the set of switch units: the respective switch unit is connected to one or more elements of the respective switch unit in the plurality of elements, a flow of electrical current to the one or more elements connected to the respective switch unit is dependent on a switch state of the respective switch unit. A radiation characteristic of the antenna is dependent on the switch states of the switch units.

Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises a housing that defines a cavity; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the cavity; an antenna that comprises an internal portion and an external portion, wherein a first location on the internal portion of the antenna is disposed within the cavity and is physically connected to the PCB and a different second location on the internal portion of the antenna is physically connected to the external portion of the antenna; and a cable protruding from the housing and configured for use as a handle for removal of the hearing instrument from an ear of a user, wherein the cable encloses the external portion of the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna system for a wearable device comprises an antenna that includes a plurality of elements. The elements include an antenna element that comprises an electrically conductive material. The antenna also includes one or more feed points configured for operable coupling to a wireless transceiver. Additionally, the antenna includes a set of one or more switch units. For each respective switch unit of the set of switch units: the respective switch unit is connected to one or more elements of the respective switch unit in the plurality of elements, a flow of electrical current to the one or more elements connected to the respective switch unit is dependent on a switch state of the respective switch unit. A radiation characteristic of the antenna is dependent on the switch states of the switch units.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: Ear-worn devices may include one or more structural elements formed of high-dielectric material. The position and shape of the structural element may be selected relative to an antenna of the ear-worn device to provide specific enhancements of the electric and/or magnetic field generated by the antenna. The structural elements may include a host resin material and a plurality of dielectric material elements. The structural elements may have an effective dielectric constant greater than 5. One or more loading strips may be used to tune a resonating structure formed by the antenna and the structural elements. The antenna may be an antenna array with structural elements disposed between elements of the array.

Abstract: Ear-worn devices may include one or more structural elements formed of high-dielectric material. The position and shape of the structural element may be selected relative to an antenna of the ear-worn device to provide specific enhancements of the electric and/or magnetic field generated by the antenna. The structural elements may include a host resin material and a plurality of dielectric material elements. The structural elements may have an effective dielectric constant greater than 5. One or more loading strips may be used to tune a resonating structure formed by the antenna and the structural elements. The antenna may be an antenna array with structural elements disposed between elements of the array.

Abstract: A catheter manifold device includes one or more inlet ports and a discharge port. Each port has a housing with a height. Each port also includes a fitting with a height that is less than the housing height. The fitting for each port is concealed from contamination within the port housing. The catheter manifold device also includes a port channel extending from the inlet fitting to the discharge port. Where the catheter manifold has more than one inlet port, each inlet port has a channel. The channel of additional inlet ports may extend from the additional inlet port fitting, to the first port channel, and then to the discharge port. The fittings of the catheter manifold device may be connected to various external devices to protect the fittings or to allow the administration of fluids to a patient.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, includes an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna has one or more conductor dimensions that are approximately optimized for minimizing effects of head loading, which vary among users. In one embodiment, a conductor dimension of the antenna is identified for substantially affecting an effect of head loading on the antenna when the hearing assistance device is worn by a user. Performance of the wireless communication using the antenna is evaluated based on one or more performance criteria. The conductor dimension is approximately minimized while the performance of the wireless communication satisfies the one or more performance criteria.