Patents by Inventor Clemens M. Zierhofer
Clemens M. Zierhofer 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: 9566434Abstract: A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the channel specific sampling sequence. Each electrode in the multichannel electrode array is then simultaneously activated using sign-correlated pulses, the sign-correlated pulses based on parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode, non-linear compression, and each electrode's weighted channel specific sampling sequence.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8975941Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes an input inverter and an output inverter. Each inverter has a signal input for receiving an input rectangular signal, a signal output for providing an inverted output rectangular signal, and a pair of voltage outputs for developing a rectified dc output voltage. A first circuit input terminal is connected to the output of the input inverter and the input of the output inverter. A second circuit input terminal is connected to the input of the input inverter and the output of the output inverter, wherein the signal input terminals receive an input signal having a data component. A pair of supply voltage output terminals is connected to the voltage output terminals of the inverters for providing a rectified dc supply voltage output.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8938304Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Clemens M. Zierhofer, Ingeborg J. Hochmair
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Patent number: 8880194Abstract: A system and method of generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted multi-channel electrode array of a cochlear implant includes processing an acoustic audio signal with a bank of filters. Each filter in the bank of filters is associated with at least one channel having an electrode. The bank of filters includes a first band pass filter that produces a broadband signal b(t) with frequencies that substantially cover at least one of a pitch frequency range of 100 Hz to 400 Hz and a first format range of 400 Hz-1000 Hz. At least one electrode associated with the first band pass filter is activated with electrode stimulation signals based, at least in part, on the broadband signal b(t). The filter bank may include at least one electrode associated with one or more filters other than the first band pass filter, the one or more filters producing signals having only higher frequencies than broadband signal b(t).Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20140324122Abstract: A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the channel specific sampling sequence. Each electrode in the multichannel electrode array is then simultaneously activated using sign-correlated pulses, the sign-correlated pulses based on parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode, non-linear compression, and each electrode's weighted channel specific sampling sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8798758Abstract: A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the channel specific sampling sequence. Each electrode in the multichannel electrode array is then simultaneously activated using sign-correlated pulses, the sign-correlated pulses based on parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode, non-linear compression, and each electrode's weighted channel specific sampling sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20140107730Abstract: A system and method of generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted multi-channel electrode array of a cochlear implant includes processing an acoustic audio signal with a bank of filters. Each filter in the bank of filters is associated with at least one channel having an electrode. The bank of filters includes a first band pass filter that produces a broadband signal b(t) with frequencies that substantially cover at least one of a pitch frequency range of 100 Hz to 400 Hz and a first format range of 400 Hz-1000 Hz. At least one electrode associated with the first band pass filter is activated with electrode stimulation signals based, at least in part, on the broadband signal b(t). The filter bank may include at least one electrode associated with one or more filters other than the first band pass filter, the one or more filters producing signals having only higher frequencies than broadband signal b(t).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20140094874Abstract: An implant includes a humidity sensor for generating a signal indicative of humidity within the implant. A controller within the implant receives the signal indicative of humidity, and controls the implant based on the signal indicative of humidity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Ingeborg Hochmair, Erwin Hochmair, Martin J. Kerber, Werner Lindenthaler, Peter Nopp, Marcus Schmidt, Hansjörg Schösser, Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20130336034Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes an input inverter and an output inverter. Each inverter has a signal input for receiving an input rectangular signal, a signal output for providing an inverted output rectangular signal, and a pair of voltage outputs for developing a rectified dc output voltage. A first circuit input terminal is connected to the output of the input inverter and the input of the output inverter. A second circuit input terminal is connected to the input of the input inverter and the output of the output inverter, wherein the signal input terminals receive an input signal having a data component. A pair of supply voltage output terminals is connected to the voltage output terminals of the inverters for providing a rectified dc supply voltage output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8476955Abstract: A signal processing circuit is provided that includes a CMOS bridge rectifier circuit having a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving a rectangular wave form that includes a data sequence. A first output terminal and a second output terminal provides a rectified dc output voltage. A first data output terminal is connected to one of the first and the second input terminals, and a second data output terminal is connected to one of the first and the second output terminals, wherein the data output terminals provide an output signal representative of the data sequence. A substantially resistive load may be operatively coupled between the first and second voltage output terminals, the resistive load without a discrete parallel capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8478416Abstract: A system and method of operating an implant system having an external portion and an implanted portion. The external portion includes a first magnet and a power signal transmission module for transmitting an electrical power signal across the skin of a user. The implanted portion including a second magnet, a receiver module for receiving the power signal across the skin of a user, a Hall Sensor, a switch, and a battery. The method includes externally orientating and/or positioning the first magnet in a first arrangement, such that the external portion is held in place on the user based substantially on a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet, and such that the power signal transmission module is aligned with the receiver module and the receiver module receives the power signal. The first magnet is orientated and/or positioned in a second arrangement, such that the first magnet applies a magnetic field that is sensed by the Hall Sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8428742Abstract: A stimulation system including a stimulator having a multi-channel electrode array utilizing a monopolar electrode configuration. A processor is operatively coupled to the stimulator. The processor is configured to determine a channel interaction (CI) sequence using simultaneous, sign-correlated pulses and channel interaction compensation. The CI sequence has a CI pulse rate and a CI mean pulse amplitude, and produces resulting potentials that are substantially equal to desired potentials at given positions relative to the multi-channel array. The CI sequence may include temporal gaps between pulses, wherein the processor may be configured to increase the CI pulse rate, such that the temporal gap between pulses is decreased. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to reduce the pulse amplitude of the CI sequence while increasing pulse phase duration, such that charge per pulse remains substantially unchanged and the temporal gap between pulses is decreased.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20120328131Abstract: A system and method of driving a floating mass transducer with an analog input signal uIN(t), uIN(t) being between ground and VCC, is provided. The method includes converting uIN(t) to a binary rectangular signal uR(t) with two levels VCC and GND. A switching network is driven with uR(t) so as to switch nodes N1 and N2 between VCC and ground. The floating mass transducer is coupled between nodes N1 and N2 to a capacitor C in parallel, and further to a coil L in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20120316618Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GmbHInventors: Clemens M. Zierhofer, Ingeborg J. Hochmair
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Publication number: 20120307539Abstract: A signal processing circuit is provided that includes a CMOS bridge rectifier circuit having a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving a rectangular wave form that includes a data sequence. A first output terminal and a second output terminal provides a rectified dc output voltage. A first data output terminal is connected to one of the first and the second input terminals, and a second data output terminal is connected to one of the first and the second output terminals, wherein the data output terminals provide an output signal representative of the data sequence. A substantially resistive load may be operatively coupled between the first and second voltage output terminals, the resistive load without a discrete parallel capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8280522Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving an electrical power signal across the skin of a user, and a recharge module that uses the electrical power signal to recharge the battery. The recharge module recharges the battery at less than the maximum recharge rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Clemens M. Zierhofer, Ingeborg J. Hochmair
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Patent number: 8248141Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes an input inverter and an output inverter. Each inverter has a signal input for receiving an input rectangular signal, a signal output for providing an inverted output rectangular signal, and a pair of voltage outputs for developing a rectified dc output voltage. A first circuit input terminal is connected to the output of the input inverter and the input of the output inverter. A second circuit input terminal is connected to the input of the input inverter and the output of the output inverter, wherein the signal input terminals receive an input signal having a data component. A pair of supply voltage output terminals is connected to the voltage output terminals of the inverters for providing a rectified dc supply voltage output.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Med-El Elekromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20110230934Abstract: A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the channel specific sampling sequence. Each electrode in the multichannel electrode array is then simultaneously activated using sign-correlated pulses, the sign-correlated pulses based on parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode, non-linear compression, and each electrode's weighted channel specific sampling sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8023586Abstract: A rf signal transfer link is described which uses amplitude shift keying (ASK) to transfer rf data pulses. The link minimizes state transition time at the end of each data pulse.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer
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Publication number: 20110112608Abstract: A power supply system for an implant includes an external power supply module. The external power supply module includes a first power signal transmission module having a first coil for transmitting a first electrical power signal across the skin of a user to the implant, and a first rechargeable battery for supplying power to the power signal transmission module. The power supply system further includes an external charger for recharging the first rechargeable battery. The charger includes a second power signal transmission module having a second coil for transmitting a second electrical power signal to the first coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventor: Clemens M. Zierhofer