Patents by Inventor Christopher van den Honert
Christopher van den Honert 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: 10300290Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to techniques for determining weights for stimulation channels of a stimulating hearing prosthesis. The determined weights are used to provide stimulation to a recipient of the stimulating hearing prosthesis.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Zachary M. Smith, Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 9844672Abstract: A medical stimulation device such as a cochlear implant configured to provide stimulation of one or more spatially-restricted contiguous portion(s) of the spiral array of auditory nerve fibers in the cochlear (“discrete stimulation regions”). Each discrete stimulation region is defined by the constructive and/or destructive interference of stimulating and limiting signals simultaneously applied to electrode channels of an implanted electrode array, the stimulating and limiting signals being determined based upon transimpedance measurements of intracochlear electrode channels of the implanted electrode array representing specific spread functions of an individual recipient.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Christopher van den Honert
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Publication number: 20170165487Abstract: A medical stimulation device such as a cochlear implant configured to provide stimulation of one or more spatially-restricted contiguous portion(s) of the spiral array of auditory nerve fibers in the cochlear (“discrete stimulation regions”). Each discrete stimulation region is defined by the constructive and/or destructive interference of stimulating and limiting signals simultaneously applied to electrode channels of an implanted electrode array, the stimulating and limiting signals being determined based upon transimpedance measurements of intracochlear electrode channels of the implanted electrode array representing specific spread functions of an individual recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventor: Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 9566433Abstract: A medical stimulation device such as a cochlear implant configured to provide stimulation of one or more spatially-restricted contiguous portion(s) of the spiral array of auditory nerve fibers in the cochlear (“discrete stimulation regions”). Each discrete stimulation region is defined by the constructive and/or destructive interference of stimulating and limiting signals simultaneously applied to electrode channels of an implanted electrode array, the stimulating and limiting signals being determined based upon transimpedance measurements of intracochlear electrode channels of the implanted electrode array representing specific spread functions of an individual recipient. The stimulating signal is preferably applied through a targeted electrode channel; that is, one or more successive electrodes which is/are adjacent to the discrete stimulation region.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Christopher van den Honert
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Publication number: 20150224313Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to techniques for determining weights for stimulation channels of a stimulating hearing prosthesis. The determined weights are used to provide stimulation to a recipient of the stimulating hearing prosthesis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Zachary M. Smith, Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 9031661Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining stimulation channels for a stimulating device is provided. This method and apparatus may involve computing a set of weights for the plurality of stimulation channels of the stimulating hearing prosthesis. These weights may be determined by determining a transimpedance matrix for the stimulating hearing prosthesis where a diagonal of the transimpedance matrix is determined by extrapolation. A transadmittance matrix may then be computed for this transimpedance matrix. An error may then be computed base on positive off-diagonal terms of the transadmittance matrix. The apparatus and method may determine the weights for the stimulation channels by determining an adjustment to the diagonal of the transimpedance matrix that results in a computed error that does not exceed a specified criterion level.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Zachary M. Smith, Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 9008787Abstract: A method and system for charge imbalance compensation in a stimulating medical device is provided. The stimulating medical device includes at least one electrode contact configured for providing stimulation to a recipient. A charge imbalance compensation system in the stimulating medical device measures any residual charge remaining on the electrode contact that may result from an imbalance in the applied stimulation. If the measured residual charge exceeds a threshold, the charge imbalance compensation system causes a compensator current to be applied to reduce the residual charge. This residual charge may be measured by measuring a potential difference between the electrode contact and a reference electrode; or, by measuring a potential difference across a capacitor in-series with the electrode contact.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Paul M. Carter, Torsten Lehmann, Christopher van den Honert, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Tony M. Nygard
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Patent number: 8996127Abstract: Assessment of neuron excitation is implemented by quantifying the interaction between focused and unfocused stimulation applied to a cochlear array. By applying focused and unfocused stimulation to the electrode array and comparing the difference in the responses to the two types of stimulation the interaction may be determined. The magnitude of the interaction may be related to neural excitation and using this data a neural excitation profile may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Christopher van den Honert, Zachary Smith, Christopher J. Long, Daniel M. Lisogurski, Robert P. Carlyon
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Patent number: 8588928Abstract: A body stimulating device operatively adapted to provide electrical stimuli within a body, the device including stimulating electrodes, stimulus generator, and electrode voltage sensors, said electrode voltage sensors operatively measuring the DC/LF voltage of the electrodes, wherein if the sensors determine that the electrode voltage for an electrode is outside a predetermined range, then a compensating current is applied to that electrode, so as to reduce the voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Torsten Lehmann, Paul Carter, Christopher van den Honert, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Tony M. Nygard
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Publication number: 20130303937Abstract: Assessment of neuron excitation is implemented by quantifying the interaction between focused and unfocused stimulation applied to a cochlear array. By applying focused and unfocused stimulation to the electrode array and comparing the difference in the responses to the two types of stimulation the interaction may be determined. The magnitude of the interaction may be related to neural excitation and using this data a neural excitation profile may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Christopher van den Honert, Zachary Smith, Christopher J. Long, Daniel M. Lisogurski, Robert P. Carlyon
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Patent number: 8369958Abstract: A prosthetic hearing implant capable of independently and concurrently processing multiple audio input signals such that each audio input signal is separately utilized to stimulate the basilar membrane of the implant recipient. A prosthetic hearing implant of the present invention simultaneously receives discrete audio signals from each of one or more audio sources, generates a separate set of one or more stimulations signals for each audio signal, and concurrently applies the stimulation signals to the cochlear. Different channels of stimulation may be allocated to each audio input signal. Alternatively, different modes of stimulation may be used for each input signal. Or, in yet another example, the audio input signals may be time-multiplexed such that the input signals are applied in alternating timeslots. Or, in yet other examples, the input signals may be applied using a combination of stimulation channels, modes of stimulation, and alternating time slots.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Bomjun Kwon, Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 8355794Abstract: Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a recipient is described. The medical implant system is configured to provide electrical stimulation and at least one other mode of stimulation to the recipient. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise generating successive generations of child populations and then providing a determined set of parameter values to the medical implant system for use in providing stimulation to the recipient.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Sean Lineaweaver, Gregory Wakefield, Christopher van den Honert, Aaron Parkinson, Wendy Parkinson, Jim Patrick, John Parker
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Publication number: 20110288613Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining stimulation channels for a stimulating device is provided. This method and apparatus may involve computing a set of weights for the plurality of stimulation channels of the stimulating hearing prosthesis. These weights may be determined by determining a transimpedance matrix for the stimulating hearing prosthesis where a diagonal of the transimpedance matrix is determined by extrapolation. A transadmittance matrix may then be computed for this transimpedance matrix. An error may then be computed base on positive off-diagonal terms of the transadmittance matrix. The apparatus and method may determine the weights for the stimulation channels by determining an adjustment to the diagonal of the transimpedance matrix that results in a computed error that does not exceed a specified criterion level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Zachary M. Smith, Christopher van den Honert
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Patent number: 8019430Abstract: Aspects provide methods and sound processor for encoding stimulation signals to convey pitch perception information to a recipient. The method may comprise identifying a first stimulation site based on a selected frequency component of the sound signal that contains pitch perception information, wherein a stimulation signal is generated based on the selected frequency component; determining a second stimulation site adjacent to the first stimulation site; and determining a time delay between when the second stimulation site is independently stimulated with the stimulation signal and when the first stimulation site is independently stimulated with the stimulation signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Christopher van den Honert
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Publication number: 20110178579Abstract: A body stimulating device operatively adapted to provide electrical stimuli within a body, the device including stimulating electrodes, stimulus generator, and electrode voltage sensors, said electrode voltage sensors operatively measuring the DC/LF voltage of the electrodes, wherein if the sensors determine that the electrode voltage for an electrode is outside a predetermined range, then a compensating current is applied to that electrode, so as to reduce the voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Torsten Lehmann, Paul Carter, Christopher van Den Honert, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Tony Nygard
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Publication number: 20110125217Abstract: A method and system for charge imbalance compensation in a stimulating medical device is provided. The stimulating medical device includes at least one electrode contact configured for providing stimulation to a recipient. A charge imbalance compensation system in the stimulating medical device measures any residual charge remaining on the electrode contact that may result from an imbalance in the applied stimulation. If the measured residual charge exceeds a threshold, the charge imbalance compensation system causes a compensator current to be applied to reduce the residual charge. This residual charge may be measured by measuring a potential difference between the electrode contact and a reference electrode; or, by measuring a potential difference across a capacitor in-series with the electrode contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Paul M. Carter, Torsten Lehmann, Christopher van den Honert, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Tony M. Nygard
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Publication number: 20110093038Abstract: A medical stimulation device such as a cochlear implant configured to provide stimulation of one or more spatially-restricted contiguous portion(s) of the spiral array of auditory nerve fibers in the cochlear (“discrete stimulation regions”). Each discrete stimulation region is defined by the constructive and/or destructive interference of stimulating and limiting signals simultaneously applied to electrode channels of an implanted electrode array, the stimulating and limiting signals being determined based upon transimpedance measurements of intracochlear electrode channels of the implanted electrode array representing specific spread functions of an individual recipient. The stimulating signal is preferably applied through a targeted electrode channel; that is, one or more successive electrodes which is/are adjacent to the discrete stimulation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventor: Christopher van den HONERT
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Patent number: 7860573Abstract: A medical stimulation device such as a cochlear implant configured to provide stimulation of one or more spatially-restricted contiguous portion(s) of the spiral array of auditory nerve fibers in the cochlear (“discrete stimulation regions”). Each discrete stimulation region is defined by the constructive and/or destructive interference of stimulating and limiting signals simultaneously applied to electrode channels of an implanted electrode array, the stimulating and limiting signals being determined based upon transimpedance measurements of intracochlear electrode channels of the implanted electrode array representing specific spread functions of an individual recipient. The stimulating signal is preferably applied through a targeted electrode channel; that is, one or more successive electrodes which is/are adjacent to the discrete stimulation region.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Christopher van den Honert
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Publication number: 20100280307Abstract: Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a recipient is described. The medical implant system is configured to provide electrical stimulation and at least one other mode of stimulation to the recipient. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise generating successive generations of child populations and then providing a determined set of parameter values to the medical implant system for use in providing stimulation to the recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: Sean Lineaweaver, Gregory Wakefield, Christopher van den Honert, Aaron Parkinson, Wendy Parkinson, Jim Patrick, John Parker
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Publication number: 20090132006Abstract: Assessment of neuron excitation is implemented by quantifying the interaction between focused and unfocused stimulation applied to a cochlear array. By applying focused and unfocused stimulation to the electrode array and comparing the difference in the responses to the two types of stimulation the interaction may be determined. The magnitude of the interaction may be related to neural excitation and using this data a neural excitation profile may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Christopher van den Honert, Christopher J. Long, Zachary Smith, Daniel M. Lisogurski, Robert P. Carlyon