Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A perimodiolar electrode for cochlear implantation includes an electrode carrier having a front end and a back end. The electrode carrier includes one or more contacts and a hydrophilic segment that swells after insertion in a cochlea and detaches at least in part from the carrier. In accordance with related embodiments, the hydrophilic segment may detach from the electrode carrier between the front end and the back end. The detached hydrophilic segment may surround the modiolus of a scala tympani of the cochlea or the inner wall of a scala tympani of the cochlea.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement includes an audio processor that generates an electrical audio signal and transmits the signal to a coil. The coil is implanted into a patient in a position that results in transmission of mechanical stimulation to the inner ear when the coil is spatially displaced. A permanent magnet is placed in proximity to the coil so that when the coil receives the electrical audio signal form the processor, the induced coil magnetic field in the coil interacts with the magnetic field from the permanent magnet to spatially displace the coil and, as a result, transmit the mechanical stimulation to the inner ear.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system has an external housing adapted for placement at a specific location on the external skin of a user. The external housing includes (i) a signal processing module for converting an incoming acoustic signal into a representative electrical information signal, and (ii) a signal transmission module for transmitting across the skin of the user an electrical power signal representative of the electrical information signal. An implanted portion receives the electrical power signal and produces for the auditory system of the user an electrical stimulation signal representative of the acoustic signal. The external housing and the implanted portion magnetically cooperate so as to hold the external housing in place at the specific location without structural interaction with the outer ear of the user.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: An implant for implantation into a person. The implant includes a hermetically sealed housing enclosing electrical circuitry. A first coil is flexibly coupled to the housing such that the first coil is external to the housing and capable of being repositioned relative to the housing. The first coil is capable, after being implanted in the person, of being arranged adjacent a second coil of a remote device, such that first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled. The first coil may be adapted to receive at least one of a power signal and a data signal from a remote source.

Abstract: Interference-free coil systems are coil systems having at least two coils which are identical in terms of inductance. These coils are arranged such that their magnetic fields are antiparallel to one another. Consequently, induced voltages within the coils are substantially eliminated when the coils are exposed to a homogeneous electromagnetic field. If exposed to an nonhomogeneous electromagnetic field, however, a net voltage is induced and enables the extraction of data and power. Reed switch configurations in the implantable prostheses protect against induced voltages caused by the radio frequency field generated by an MR imager when the reed switches are mounted parallel to the plane of a receiver. Reed switch configuration may be used to disconnect, de-tune, or short circuit a receiver. For example, they may be used to disconnect the receiver diodes.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis is provided for implantation into a subject that includes a flexible electrode carrier for insertion along the length of the cochlea, the electrode carrier bearing along its length, a number of contact members that are superficially placed in pairs, each member of each pairs being diametrically opposite the other. A method of manufacture of the prosthesis is further provided.