Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: An implantable device having an impact side likely to receive forces applied to the device is disclosed, the device comprising: a hermetically-sealed container including, a chassis having secure thereto at least one functional component, a first shell hermetically connected to the chassis to form a hermetic enclosure in which the at least one functional component is located, at least on feedthrough disposed in one or more of either the chassis and the first shell, configured to permit at least one input/output line to infiltrate the hermetic enclosure; and a second shell connected to the container so as to be spaced from and adjacent to the container to define the impact side of the device and to form with the container a non-hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: A bone conduction device for enhancing the hearing of a recipient, comprising: a sound input element configured to receive an acoustic sound signal; an electronics module configured generate an electrical signal representing the acoustic sound signal; a transducer configured to generate mechanical forces representing the electrical signal for delivery to the recipient's bone; and one or more vibration extensions mechanically coupled to the transducer and configured to be inserted into the ear canal of the recipient, and further configured to vibrate in order to transmit the mechanical forces generated from the transducer to the recipient's bone.

Abstract: A bone conduction device, comprising: a sound input element configured to receive an acoustic sound signal; an electronics module configured generate an electrical signal representing said acoustic sound signal; and a transducer configured to generate motion of a mass component based on said electrical signal so as to generate one or more mechanical forces resulting in one or more of motion and vibration of a recipient's skull thereby causing sound perception, wherein one or more of the size and shape of said mass component is selectable at least partially based on a desired mechanical force to be generated by said transducer.

Abstract: A solid state lighting device includes at least one emitter and a forged heatsink arranged to receive and dissipate heat generated by emitter(s). The heatsink may have a thickness and/or profile that varies in at least two dimensions. Fabrication of a solid state lighting device may include providing a forged heatsink, and mounting at least one solid state emitter in thermal communication with the heatsink. A space or object may be illuminated with a lighting device including at least one solid state emitter and a forged heatsink. The lighting device may be operated responsive to at least one sensor arranged to sense temperature and/or at least one characteristic of light emitted by the emitter(s).

Abstract: A method (10) of forming an electrically conducting feedthrough. The method (10) comprises a first step (11) of forming an electrically conductive structure (21) comprising a sacrificial component and a non-sacrificial component. At least a portion of the non-sacrificial component can then be coated with a relatively electrically insulating material (35) prior to removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial component from the electrically conductive structure. The structure of the feedthrough provides electrical connection through the wall of a housing of an implantable component while preventing unwanted transfer of materials between the interior of the component and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member, a stiffening element, and a stiffening sheath that at least partially envelops the elongate member. The member is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon. The member has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea. The member also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea, and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element and sheath are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member. The stiffening element and the stiffening sheath in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element or the stiffening sheath is removed or deactivated, the elongate member adopts an intermediate configuration.

Abstract: Solid state lighting devices include elongated heatsinks with multiple raised features each including a major surface non-parallel to a longitudinal direction of the heatsink. A device-scale heatsink including raised features may include at least a portion of a threaded rod or tube, with threads thereof forming the raised features. Raised features may also be formed by stamped and bent emitter support elements arranged to support solid state light emitters, with the emitter support elements inserted into recesses of an elongated heatsink body.

Abstract: A method (10) of forming an electrically conducting feedthrough. The method (10) comprises a first step (11) of forming an electrically conductive structure (21) comprising a sacrificial component and a non-sacrificial component. At least a portion of the non-sacrificial component can then be coated with a relatively electrically insulating material (35) prior to removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial component from the electrically conductive structure. The structure of the feedthrough provides electrical connection through the wall of a housing of an implantable component while preventing unwanted transfer of materials between the interior of the component and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A lighting device comprising a light emitter positioning element and first and second solid state light emitters positioned on the first light emitter positioning element, at least a first portion of the first light emitter positioning element of a spiral shape. Also, a lighting device comprising first and second solid state light emitters and means for dissipating heat from them. Also, a method of assembling a lighting device, comprising positioning a first light emitter positioning element that comprises a ledge, so that at least a part of it is in contact with a support structure, at least first and second solid state light emitters being on the positioning element, and pressing the positioning element to bring it into contact with the ledge.

Abstract: A lighting device, comprising a solid state light emitter and first and second heat dissipation elements. In some devices, (1) the first heat dissipation element is in the path of at least some of the light emitted, (2) at least half of the 25% of the surface area of a first heat dissipation element that is closest to the first solid state light emitter is exposed, (3) at least part of a heat dissipation element is transparent or reflective, and a portion light from the light emitter goes in a specified range of directions, (4) angular size of gaps between heat dissipation elements are limited, and/or (5) at least 25% of heat generated by the light emitter(s) is dissipated in regions toward which light emitted by light emitter(s) is directed. Also, a lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and means for dissipating heat.

Abstract: A method (10) of forming an electrically conducting feedthrough. The method (10) comprises a first step (11) of forming an electrically conductive structure (21) comprising a sacrificial component and a non-sacrificial component. At least a portion of the non-sacrificial component can then be coated with a relatively electrically insulating material (35) prior to removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial component from the electrically conductive structure. The structure of the feedthrough provides electrical connection through the wall of a housing of an implantable component while preventing unwanted transfer of materials between the interior of the component and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method (10) of forming an electrically conducting feedthrough. The method (10) comprises a first step (11) of forming an electrically conductive structure (21) comprising a sacrificial component and a non-sacrificial component. At least a portion of the non-sacrificial component can then be coated with a relatively electrically insulating material (35) prior to removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial component from the electrically conductive structure. The structure of the feedthrough provides electrical connection through the wall of a housing of an implantable component while preventing unwanted transfer of materials between the interior of the component and the surrounding environment.