Abstract: An electrolytic current injection device comprising an electrode and an electrolytic current port. In addition a control and rectification assembly is adapted to apply a biphasic pulse to said electrode, yet produce a pulsatile, unidirectional DC electrolytic current at said electrolytic current port. In one preferred embodiment a set of micro machined switches and a refresh electrode are used to maintain the unidirectional DC electrolytic current over time.

Abstract: An implanted electrolytic current injection device, comprising a reservoir of KCl in electrolytic contact with the interior of the scala media and including a charge injection electrode and a reservoir of saline solution in electrolytic contact with a part of the body that is saline. Also, a current source supplies current to a support electrode, which is moveable between the reservoir of KCl and the reservoir of saline solution. Accordingly, the support electrode may be alternately placed in the reservoir of KCl, for refreshing the charge injection electrode, and in the saline solution, for providing a source of electrons for driving the charge injection electrode. A driver moves the support electrode between the reservoirs.

Abstract: A laminated multi-electrode biocompatible implant, comprising a first layer of flexible, biocompatible dielectric material having a first, exposed surface. A second layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material, is adhered to the first layer. Further, a third layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material is adhered to the second layer. Additionally, a first conductive trace is interposed between the first layer and the second layer and a second conductive trace interposed between said second layer and said third layer. Finally, a first conductor, which breaches said first layer, conductively connects the first conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a first electrode and a second conductor, which breaches the first layer and the second layer, conductively connects the second conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a second electrode.

Abstract: A bodily implanted charge injection assembly for effecting a voltage difference between a specific body location and surrounding tissue. This assembly comprises a charge injection device that includes a first electrode assembly and a housing defining an interior space substantially enclosing the first electrode assembly and further defining a first opening placed near the specific location. The housing is filled with electrolytic solution. Also, a second electrode assembly is placed in contact with both the electrolytic fluid and the surrounding tissue. In addition, a physical gate assembly is adapted to selectively and controllably occlude the interior space so that either the first opening or the second electrode assembly may be occluded from the first electrode assembly. The physical gate assembly is controlled to drive current through the opening and alternately to refresh the first electrode assembly with current from the second electrode assembly.

Abstract: A laminated multi-electrode biocompatible implant, comprising a first layer of flexible, biocompatible dielectric material having a first, exposed surface. A second layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material, is adhered to the first layer. Further, a third layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material is adhered to the second layer. Additionally, a first conductive trace is interposed between the first layer and the second layer and a second conductive trace interposed between said second layer and said third layer. Finally, a first conductor, which breaches said first layer, conductively connects the first conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a first electrode and a second conductor, which breaches the first layer and the second layer, conductively connects the second conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a second electrode.

Abstract: A method for the real-time transformation of an electrical signal representative of a sound wave that includes the steps of providing an electrical signal representative of a sound wave, transforming that signal to an analytic representation, and passing said electrical signal, in parallel, through a number of bandpass filters to create a set of time domain real and imaginary band limited signals. Next, a stream of instantaneous phase angle and magnitude values for each of said set of time domain real and imaginary band limited signals is computed. Thirdly, a stream of electrical pulses or other digital representation of the phase, instantaneous frequency, and magnitude information is computed for delivery to a cochlear implant or transmission for decoding and synthesis of the original sound.

Abstract: An apparatus (4) and method of non-invasive monitoring of gut motility. An ingestible magnet (10, M) is swallowed by the patient (12) and then linear and rotational movement is directionally detected by an external compass (14, 16). In preferred form, movements of the magnet (10, M) are recorded by a memory means (18) and graphically presented (20) over a period of predetermined time. An alternate embodiment includes multiple compasses (C1, C2) for directionally locating the magnet (10, M) within the patient (12).

Abstract: A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A shape memory material core may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation. In a preferred embodiment, electrical conductors are connected to the shape memory material to permit the select warming of the shape memory material by the passing of an electric current through it. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is warmed by adjacent heating elements.

Abstract: A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A core of shape memory material may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation.