Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vaginal temperature sensing apparatus, a visually sense-able battery power-on indicator (16), manufacturing with cure temperatures that protect a battery, substantially error-free, user-initiated device activation componentry (30) to start battery power, and a timer to automatically terminate flow of battery power. Data can by an automatic data transform recalculator (138) with body temperature dips in transformed and recalculated diurnal high body temperatures predict an ovulation event and provide an indication through a zenith based ovulation indicator (106). Systems can include neural network based artificial intelligence to automatically self-improve by using historical or even other, multi user data and user input and improve its indication result.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vaginal temperature sensing apparatus, a visually sense-able battery power-on indicator (16), manufacturing with cure temperatures that protect a battery, substantially error-free, user-initiated device activation componentry (30) to start battery power, and a timer to automatically terminate flow of battery power. Data can, by an automatic data transform recalculator (138) with body temperature dips in transformed and recalculated diurnal high body temperatures, predict an ovulation event and provide an indication through a zenith based ovulation indicator (106). Systems can include neural network based artificial intelligence to automatically self-improve by using historical or even other, multi user data and user input and improve its indication result.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapeable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapeable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapeable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapeable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vaginal temperature sensing apparatus, a visually sense-able battery power-on indicator (16), manufacturing with cure temperatures that protect a battery, substantially error-free, user-initiated device activation componentry (30) to start battery power, and a timer to automatically terminate flow of battery power. Data can, by an automatic data transform recalculator (138) with body temperature dips in transformed and recalculated diurnal high body temperatures, predict an ovulation event and provide an indication through a zenith based ovulation indicator (106). Systems can include neural network based artificial intelligence to automatically self-improve by using historical or even other, multi user data and user input and improve its indication result.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vaginal temperature sensing apparatus, a visually sense-able battery power-on indicator (16), manufacturing with cure temperatures that protect a battery, substantially error-free, user-initiated device activation componentry (30) to start battery power, and a timer to automatically terminate flow of battery power. Data can by an automatic data transform recalculator (138) with body temperature dips in transformed and recalculated diurnal high body temperatures predict an ovulation event and provide an indication through a zenith based ovulation indicator (106). Systems can include neural network based artificial intelligence to automatically self-improve by using historical or even other, multi user data and user input and improve its indication result.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vaginal temperature sensing apparatus, a visually sense-able battery power-on indicator (16), manufacturing with cure temperatures that protect a battery, substantially error-free, user-initiated device activation componentry (30) to start battery power, and a timer to automatically terminate flow of battery power. Data can by an automatic data transform recalculator (138) with body temperature dips in transformed and recalculated diurnal high body temperatures predict an ovulation event and provide an indication through a zenith based ovulation indicator (106). Systems can include neural network based artificial intelligence to automatically self-improve by using historical or even other, multi user data and user input and improve its indication result.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stern stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapeable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapeable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods where an implantable microphone of an implantable hearing system is positioned at a location spaced from the surface of the patient's skull. More specifically, the microphone is mounted to soft tissue of the patient to at least partially isolate the microphone from skull-borne vibrations. Accordingly, by utilizing a soft tissue mount, the microphone may be made more sensitive to ambient sounds with reduced concern to amplification of non-ambient vibrations caused by skull-borne vibrations including, for example, transducer feedback, talking and/or chewing. The system will further include an auditory stimulation device that is located proximate to the skull of the patient and which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of the patient in accordance with an output signal generated by the microphone. A subcutaneously routed signal wire may extend between the implanted microphone and the auditory stimulation device.