Patents by Inventor Konstantin Silberzahn

Konstantin Silberzahn 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).

  • Publication number: 20240015450
    Abstract: A method of processing sensor data generated in a hearing device is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a BTE housing configured to be worn behind an ear of a user and an ITE housing configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal of the ear. The method may include receiving, from a movement sensor included in the BTE housing, BTE housing movement data indicative of movements of the BTE housing; receiving, from an ear canal sensor included in the ITE housing, ear canal sensor data affected by movements of an ear canal wall, characterized by determining a correlation between the BTE housing movement data and at least part of the ear canal sensor data; and separating, based on the correlation, information about movements of the ear canal wall relative to the BTE housing from at least part of the ear canal sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Anne Thielen, Konstantin Silberzahn
  • Patent number: 11863937
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing system including a first hearing device configured to be worn at a first ear of a user and a second hearing device configured to be worn at a second ear of the user. The first hearing device includes a first physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of a physiological property of the user and the second hearing device includes a second physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of the same physiological property as the sensor data provided by the first physiological sensor. A processing unit may be configured to control the first and second physiological sensor to alternatingly provide the sensor data in subsequent time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Anne Thielen, Patrizia Richner, Markus Leuthold, Katja Dietrich, Adem Bici, Matthias Riepenhoff, Evgeny Murtola, Emily Urry
  • Patent number: 11647950
    Abstract: An in-ear hearing device includes a light source configured to emit light, a photodetector configured to detect the emitted light after the emitted light passes through tissue of a subject, a spout; an audio receiver configured to deliver a sound to the subject through the spout, and a dome configured to conform to a shape of a subject's ear canal when the hearing device is in the ear canal. An output of the light source and an input of the photodetector are separated by the dome, and the dome absorbs and/or reflects at least part of the emitted light. The photodetector may be a forward biased photodiode. The sensor device can be realized with power levels, circuitry components, and in package sizes, of hearing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei-Krumme, Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Muller, Markus Leuthold
  • Patent number: 11643550
    Abstract: Shape memory polymers allow the fabrication of objects that have a permanent (first) shape, and which can be programmed to adopt a temporary (second) shape, and are able to largely recover their original (first) shape by applying an appropriate stimulus. Materials that permit the fabrication of objects and devices that can (i) be provided in their permanent shape, (ii) be heated to a switching temperature above physiological temperature, at which the material becomes shapeable, (iii) be inserted into the body or placed in contact with the body and be deformed or shaped”to assume a desired temporary shape, (iv) be fixed in the desired temporary shape by keeping the material/device/object at body temperature (about 37° C.) for a convenient period of time, (v) largely retain this temporary shape if removed from the body, and (vi) return largely to their original shape when heated again above the switching temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ADOLPHE MERKLE INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF FRIBOURG
    Inventors: Christoph Weder, Anuja Shirole, Carlo Perotto, Julia Lonsky, Konstantin Silberzahn
  • Patent number: 11647348
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for preparing an earpiece for its customization, the device including an energy release unit comprising a receiving chamber for receiving the earpiece and configured to release energy into the receiving chamber. The disclosure further relates to a system for customizing an earpiece comprising the earpiece and the preparing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Julia Lonsky
  • Publication number: 20220377476
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Publication number: 20220329952
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing system including a first hearing device configured to be worn at a first ear of a user and a second hearing device configured to be worn at a second ear of the user. The first hearing device includes a first physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of a physiological property of the user and the second hearing device includes a second physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of the same physiological property as the sensor data provided by the first physiological sensor. A processing unit may be configured to control the first and second physiological sensor to alternatingly provide the sensor data in subsequent time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Anne Thielen, Patrizia Richner, Markus Leuthold, Katja Dietrich, Adem Bici, Matthias Riepenhoff, Evgeny Murtola, Emily Urry
  • Publication number: 20220287639
    Abstract: A hearing device includes a housing configured to be worn at an ear of a user; an output transducer configured to provide an audio signal to the user; a light source configured to provide light emitted from a light emission area at the housing, the light illuminating an illumination volume extending into tissue at the ear when the housing is worn at the ear; and a first photodetector configured to detect a first light intensity of light arriving from a first acceptance volume extending into tissue at the ear when the housing is worn at the ear such that a part of the emitted light scattered by the tissue into the first acceptance volume is contributing to the first light intensity, the first acceptance volume including a first reception area at the housing having a first distance from the light emission area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Maryam Mostafaei, Konstantin Silberzahn
  • Publication number: 20220174432
    Abstract: A customized in-ear hearing device includes a light source, photodetector, light emission window, and light transmission window. The light source and the photodetector together function as a physiological sensor by emitting light from the light source through the light emission to the skin of a user's ear canal, and detecting at the photodetector light reflected by the skin that passes through the light detection window. The light emission window and light detection window are located at a customized portion of the sidewall of the device that contacts the skin in the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Leuthold, Markus Müller, Christian Frei-Krumme
  • Publication number: 20220046371
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for preparing an earpiece for its customization, the device including an energy release unit comprising a receiving chamber for receiving the earpiece and configured to release energy into the receiving chamber. The disclosure further relates to a system for customizing an earpiece comprising the earpiece and the preparing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Julia Lonsky
  • Patent number: 11235150
    Abstract: A cochlear implant, for use with a micro camera, including a stimulation assembly, a cochlear lead with an electrode array, a lens associated with the distal region of the electrode array, an optical fiber bundle that extends proximally from the lens and outwardly from the proximal region of the cochlear lead, a camera interface in which the proximal end of the optical fiber bundle is located and that is configured to receive the micro camera, and at least one illumination guide that extends from the camera interface to the cochlear lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Martin Grossoehmichen, Konstantin Silberzahn, Tim Nauwelaers, Volkmar Hamacher
  • Publication number: 20210315740
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an earpiece configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear and comprising a core comprising a material that during insertion of the earpiece into the ear is deformable above a transition temperature and non-deformable below the transition temperature. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing the earpiece. The disclosure further relates to a method of customizing the earpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Julia Lonsky, Konstantin Silberzahn, Erdal Karamuk
  • Publication number: 20210298670
    Abstract: An in-ear hearing device includes a light source configured to emit light, a photodetector configured to detect the emitted light after the emitted light passes through tissue of a subject, a spout; an audio receiver configured to deliver a sound to the subject through the spout, and a dome configured to conform to a shape of a subject's ear canal when the hearing device is in the ear canal. An output of the light source and an input of the photodetector are separated by the dome, and the dome absorbs and/or reflects at least part of the emitted light. The photodetector may be a forward biased photodiode. The sensor device can be realized with power levels, circuitry components, and in package sizes, of hearing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei-Krumme, Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Muller, Markus Leuthold
  • Patent number: 11115764
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Publication number: 20210195351
    Abstract: An illustrative earpiece for a hearing device includes a first part comprising a first material wherein the first part is a hollow shapeable part adapted to be inserted into an ear of a user, and a second part comprising a second material, the second part arranged on an end of the first part or at least partially embedded therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Petra Gunde, Konstantin Silberzahn, Feyza Karasu Kilic, Christoph Weder
  • Patent number: 11044564
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component that includes a power source and an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The ITE component may include a microphone arranged so as to face outside of the ear canal of the user while the ITE component is worn by the user, a vent opening configured to ventilate the ear canal of the user to an environment outside of the ear canal, a receiver configured to provide an audio signal to the user based on an input audio signal detected by the microphone, and at least one of active noise control circuitry configured to reduce at least one of environmental noise entering the ear canal through the vent opening and occlusion and an active vent configured to control the vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei, Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Markus Leuthold
  • Publication number: 20210099815
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Publication number: 20210093255
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (“ITE”) component that comprises a shell having a contoured outer shape that is customized for the user to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user, a faceplate configured to fit within an opening provided in the shell and face out of the ear canal of the user when the shell is inserted into the ear canal of the user, a sensor electrode that is provided on an outer surface of the shell, and a conductive path that extends along the outer surface of the shell from the sensor electrode to the faceplate and that conductively connects the sensor electrode with a conductive portion of the faceplate. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Mueller, Konstantin Silberzahn, Natasha Thumm
  • Publication number: 20210099811
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component that includes a power source and an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The ITE component may include a microphone arranged so as to face outside of the ear canal of the user while the ITE component is worn by the user, a vent opening configured to ventilate the ear canal of the user to an environment outside of the ear canal, a receiver configured to provide an audio signal to the user based on an input audio signal detected by the microphone, and at least one of active noise control circuitry configured to reduce at least one of environmental noise entering the ear canal through the vent opening and occlusion and an active vent configured to control the vent opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei, Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Markus Leuthold
  • Publication number: 20200407554
    Abstract: Shape memory polymers allow the fabrication of objects that have a permanent (first) shape, and which can be programmed to adopt a temporary (second) shape, and are able to largely recover their original (first) shape by applying an appropriate stimulus. Materials that permit the fabrication of objects and devices that can (i) be provided in their permanent shape, (ii) be heated to a switching temperature above physiological temperature, at which the material becomes shapeable, (iii) be inserted into the body or placed in contact with the body and be deformed or shaped”to assume a desired temporary shape, (iv) be fixed in the desired temporary shape by keeping the material/device/object at body temperature (about 37° C.) for a convenient period of time, (v) largely retain this temporary shape if removed from the body, and (vi) return largely to their original shape when heated again above the switching temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Christoph WEDER, Anuja SHIROLE, Carlo PEROTTO, Julia LONSKY, Konstantin SILBERZAHN