Patents by Inventor Ingeborg Hochmair
Ingeborg Hochmair 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: 11660447Abstract: A magnetic system for a medical implant system is described. A planar implant receiver coil is configured to lie underneath and parallel to overlying skin of an implanted patient for transcutaneous communication of an implant communications signal. A planar ring-shaped attachment magnet also is configured to lie underneath and parallel to the overlying skin and radially surrounds the receiver coil. The attachment magnet is characterized by a magnetic field configured to avoid creating torque on the attachment magnet in the presence of an external magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Thomas Wilhelm Eigentler, Andreas Hofner, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20220176111Abstract: A magnetic system for a medical implant system is described. A planar implant receiver coil is configured to lie underneath and parallel to overlying skin of an implanted patient for transcutaneous communication of an implant communications signal. A planar ring-shaped attachment magnet also is configured to lie underneath and parallel to the overlying skin and radially surrounds the receiver coil. The attachment magnet is characterized by a magnetic field configured to avoid creating torque on the attachment magnet in the presence of an external magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Thomas Wilhelm Eigentler, Andreas Hofner, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20200346006Abstract: A magnetic system for a medical implant system is described. A planar implant receiver coil is configured to lie underneath and parallel to overlying skin of an implanted patient for transcutaneous communication of an implant communications signal. A planar ring-shaped attachment magnet also is configured to lie underneath and parallel to the overlying skin and radially surrounds the receiver coil. The attachment magnet is characterized by a magnetic field configured to avoid creating torque on the attachment magnet in the presence of an external magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Thomas Wilhelm Eigentler, Andreas Hofner, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 10272232Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to an inner ear of a subject includes a septum configured to be embedded in the inner ear or on a promontory bone of the subject, a spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum, a catheter in fluid communication with the spear connector, a fixation device configured to secure the septum to the inner ear or the promontory bone.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20170028182Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to an inner ear of a subject includes a septum configured to be embedded in the inner ear or on a promontory bone of the subject, a spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum, a catheter in fluid communication with the spear connector, a fixation device configured to secure the septum to the inner ear or the promontory bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 9550051Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a middle ear section with a proximal end fixed to a tympanic membrane of a patient, and a distal end that penetrates through a fluid-tight sealed opening into the inner ear. An inner ear section has a proximal end that is connected to the distal end of the middle ear guide member at the sealed opening, and a closed distal end terminating the inner ear holding member some predetermined distance within the cochlea. A hollow interior of the inner ear section is configured for containing a replaceable pharmaceutical agent, and an outer surface is configured to release the pharmaceutical agent from the hollow interior into the inner ear of the patient. The middle ear section and the inner ear section are configured to cooperate for replacing the pharmaceutical agent through the proximal end of the middle ear section to the inner ear section.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair, Anandhan Dhanasingh, Pavel Mistrik, Soeren Schilp, Roland Hessler, Kenneth Mugridge
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Patent number: 9498608Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter, the micro-valve configured to be located within a round window or to be secured to a promontory bone of a cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20160220797Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a middle ear section with a proximal end fixed to a tympanic membrane of a patient, and a distal end that penetrates through a fluid-tight sealed opening into the inner ear. An inner ear section has a proximal end that is connected to the distal end of the middle ear guide member at the sealed opening, and a closed distal end terminating the inner ear holding member some predetermined distance within the cochlea. A hollow interior of the inner ear section is configured for containing a replaceable pharmaceutical agent, and an outer surface is configured to release the pharmaceutical agent from the hollow interior into the inner ear of the patient. The middle ear section and the inner ear section are configured to cooperate for replacing the pharmaceutical agent through the proximal end of the middle ear section to the inner ear section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair, Anandhan Dhanasingh, Pavel Mistrik, Soeren Schilp, Roland Hessler, Kenneth Mugridge
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Publication number: 20150105795Abstract: An implantable electrode is described for a cochlear implant patient with a malformed common cavity cochlea having a single internal cavity defined by an outer cavity wall or patients having an incomplete partition or conventional spiral-shaped cochlea. An intra-cochlear electrode array is configured to be inserted into the cochlea through a single cochleostomy opening. Outer array branches are closable about a center axis and the electrode array is configured to be closed into a single tube including the array branches for insertion through the single cochleostomy opening into the internal chamber of the cochlea. The electrode array opens within the internal cavity after insertion into the cochlea so that the array branches move away from the center axis to lie with their outer surfaces against the outer cavity wall to deliver the electrical stimulation signals through the stimulation contacts to adjacent neural tissue for auditory perception by the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Thomas Lenarz, Anandhan Dhanasingh, Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair, Anita Ridl
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Publication number: 20150032124Abstract: An electrode insertion support device is used for inserting a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea scala of a patient cochlea. A stiff electrode holder encloses at least a portion of a cochlear implant electrode while allowing the electrode within to slide freely. A pointed distal tip of the electrode holder is adapted to pierce an electrode opening through an outer surface of the patient cochlea into the cochlea scala. The insertion support device prevents an apical tip of the enclosed electrode from contacting tissues around the electrode opening during the insertion surgery.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Thomas Lenarz, Ingeborg Hochmair, Claude Jolly, Anandhan Dhanasingh, Andreas Harnisch
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Publication number: 20150025509Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter, the micro-valve configured to be located within a round window or to be secured to a promontory bone of a cochleaType: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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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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Patent number: 8620444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmerling, Ingeborg Hochmair, Erwin Hochmair, Martin Kerber, Werner Lindenthaler, Peter Nopp, Marcus Schmidt, Hansjörg Schoesser, Clemens Zierhofer
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Patent number: 8565900Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 8363867Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 8046081Abstract: An implantable electronic system is described. An implantable power supply includes multiple power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and multiple power output ports for developing a detected power signal. An implantable prosthetic processing module includes multiple prosthetic processing input ports connected by wire to the power output ports for receiving the detected power signal, and multiple prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue. Each of the multiple ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Clemens Zierhofer, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Publication number: 20110034857Abstract: An electrode for an implantable prosthesis includes a flexible front end including one or more metal contacts and a back end including one or more metal contacts. The electrode has a cross-sectional shape along the electrode, and the cross-sectional shape has a discontinuity between the flexible front end and the back end. The cross-sectional shape does not have a substantially constant diameter and does not have a continuously growing diameter. The cross-sectional shape of the flexible front end is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the back end such that forces required to bend the flexible front end are less than forces required to bend the back end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 7815615Abstract: A cochlear implant system is described. An implantable housing includes an electronics module containing circuitry for developing an electrical stimulation signal for the inner ear, and a fluid channel port for receiving therapeutic fluid for the inner ear. An electrode array includes multiple electrode contacts in electrical communication with the electronics module for stimulating neural tissue of the inner ear with the electrical stimulation signal, and a fluid delivery channel for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid channel port to the inner ear.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Ingeborg Hochmair
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Patent number: 7744525Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Ingeborg Hochmair, Erwin S. Hochmair
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Publication number: 20100121411Abstract: An implantable device and corresponding method for suppression of tinnitus are described. An implantable signal processing module develops a stimulation signal for application to audio sensing tissue of the user. The signal processing module includes a tinnitus suppression mode in which the stimulation signal is unrelated to environmental sound near the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Ingeborg Hochmair, Martin Zimmerling, Clemens M. Zierhofer, Katrien Vermeire