Patents by Inventor Hubert H. Lim

Hubert H. Lim 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).

  • Patent number: 11765523
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Publication number: 20230047703
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Patent number: 11399240
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Publication number: 20210353940
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Craig D. Markovitz, Sarah J. Offutt
  • Patent number: 11115758
    Abstract: A hearing system for stimulating an auditory system for sound perception by activating a particular region of a cochlea of a user using ultrasound signals, the particular region corresponding to a target frequency range, the system including: an ultrasonic transducer configured to deliver an ultrasound signal via an interface medium; and a processor communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the processor to: obtain an audio signal, extract at least one of a temporal feature or a spectral feature from the audio signal, transpose the audio signal to the target frequency range based on extracting the at least one of the temporal feature or the spectral feature from the audio signal, generate a modulated ultrasound signal based on modifying a carrier signal having at least one frequency between 100 kHz and 4 MHz by the transposed audio signal, and provide the modulated ultrasound signal to the ultrasonic transducer for delivery via an interface medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Hongsun Guo
  • Publication number: 20210250706
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Patent number: 10940315
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Craig D. Markovitz, Sarah J. Offutt
  • Patent number: 10904676
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Publication number: 20200351597
    Abstract: A hearing system for stimulating an auditory system for sound perception by activating a particular region of a cochlea of a user using ultrasound signals, the particular region corresponding to a target frequency range, the system including: an ultrasonic transducer configured to deliver an ultrasound signal via an interface medium; and a processor communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the processor to: obtain an audio signal, extract at least one of a temporal feature or a spectral feature from the audio signal, transpose the audio signal to the target frequency range based on extracting the at least one of the temporal feature or the spectral feature from the audio signal, generate a modulated ultrasound signal based on modifying a carrier signal having at least one frequency between 100 kHz and 4 MHz by the transposed audio signal, and provide the modulated ultrasound signal to the ultrasonic transducer for delivery via an interface medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Hongsun Guo
  • Patent number: 10701498
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hearing loss and/or tinnitus or enhancing hearing to sounds or sound features such as in a noisy environment are disclosed. An apparatus includes a hearing aid and associated electrodes for electrically stimulating a portion near, on or in the ear, where the electrical stimulation is synchronized with a sound input and/or sound output of the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Cory D. Gloeckner, Yezihalem Mesfin
  • Patent number: 10631103
    Abstract: A hearing system for stimulating an auditory system for sound perception by activating a particular region of a cochlea of a user using ultrasound signals, the particular region corresponding to a target frequency range, the system including: an ultrasonic transducer configured to deliver an ultrasound signal via an interface medium; and a processor communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the processor to: obtain an audio signal, extract at least one of a temporal feature or a spectral feature from the audio signal, transpose the audio signal to the target frequency range based on extracting the at least one of the temporal feature or the spectral feature from the audio signal, generate a modulated ultrasound signal based on modifying a carrier signal having at least one frequency between 100 kHz and 4 MHz by the transposed audio signal, and provide the modulated ultrasound signal to the ultrasonic transducer for delivery via an interface medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Hongsun Guo
  • Publication number: 20190342675
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Publication number: 20190282808
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Craig D. Markovitz, Sarah J. Offutt
  • Patent number: 10362415
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Patent number: 10265527
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Craig D. Markovitz, Sarah J. Offutt
  • Publication number: 20180352344
    Abstract: A hearing system for stimulating an auditory system for sound perception by activating a particular region of a cochlea of a user using ultrasound signals, the particular region corresponding to a target frequency range, the system including: an ultrasonic transducer configured to deliver an ultrasound signal via an interface medium; and a processor communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the processor to: obtain an audio signal, extract at least one of a temporal feature or a spectral feature from the audio signal, transpose the audio signal to the target frequency range based on extracting the at least one of the temporal feature or the spectral feature from the audio signal, generate a modulated ultrasound signal based on modifying a carrier signal having at least one frequency between 100 kHz and 4 MHz by the transposed audio signal, and provide the modulated ultrasound signal to the ultrasonic transducer for delivery via an interface medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Hongsun Guo
  • Publication number: 20170353807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hearing loss and/or tinnitus or enhancing hearing to sounds or sound features such as in a noisy environment are disclosed. An apparatus includes a hearing aid and associated electrodes for electrically stimulating a portion near, on or in the ear, where the electrical stimulation is synchronized with a sound input and/or sound output of the hearing aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Cory D. Gloeckner, Yezihalem Mesfin
  • Publication number: 20170318397
    Abstract: A hearing system to activate an auditory system using cerebrospinal fluids includes at least one processor configured to receive an audio signal captured using a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), extract temporal and spectral features from the audio signal, and create modulated ultrasound signals in a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with ultrasound carrier frequencies in the range of 50 kHz to 4 MHz, which are ultrasound frequencies that are well-suited to reach the cerebrospinal fluids (e.g., can pass across the skull/bones to reach the cerebrospinal fluids). The system further includes at least one ultrasonic transducer which receives the modulated signal and delivers the modulated signal to the body and activates the auditory system via vibration of cerebrospinal fluids that vibrate cochlear fluids, bypassing the normal conductive pathway that uses middle ear bones and minimizing bone conduction and distortion through the skull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Mark Hamilton, Hongsun Guo, Cory Gloeckner
  • Patent number: 9192778
    Abstract: The invention provides a cochlea stimulator for implantation comprising optical fibers of which are coupled to an irradiation source that is controlled by a modulator to generate irradiation specific for a pre-determined range of sound-frequencies. The cochlea stimulator effects a frequency-specific activation of the organ of Corti needed for speech perception especially in noisy environment and more complex sounds. For imparting excitation signals which are generated by modulated pulsed laser irradiation conducted within an optical fiber in order to elicit nervous signals in residual functional organ of Corti sections, the auditory prosthesis preferably contains optical fibers which are dimensioned to terminate in end sections within the cochlea at different sites or sections of the organ of Corti. e.g. having different lengths for locating their end sections at different internal parts of the cochlea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER, LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAT HANNOVER
    Inventors: Thomas Lenarz, Holger Lubatschowski, Guenter Reuter, Gentiana I. Wenzel, Hubert H. Lim, Wolfgang Ertmer
  • Publication number: 20150126802
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Hubert H. Lim, Craig D. Markovitz, Sarah J. Offutt