Abstract: The present invention relates to a measured value transducer (3) having an internal data memory (32), a processing apparatus (2) for such a measured value transducer (3), and a method for storing data in an internal data memory (32) of such a measured value transducer (3). The internal data memory (32) comprises a plurality of memory areas. A respective count value, which corresponds to a frequency of an occurrence of measured values in a certain measured value range, is respectively stored in at least two memory areas of the plurality of memory areas. Thereby, data relating to a loading of a measured value transducer can be stored directly in it and can later be directly and unambiguously allocated to it. Thereby a tamper-proof storage of the data is possible, and a producer or seller of the measured value transducer can determine whether it has been overloaded, in case that e.g. a complaint is made by an end user.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for an implantable hearing aid device including a mechanical output structure that has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is a mechanical attachment structure to attach a stapes prosthesis, and wherein the second portion is a wire-like member coupling the mechanical attachment structure to a magnetically permeable armature shaft assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the shaping of plastics material pre-forms (10) into plastics material containers (20) with a movable carrier (2) on which is arranged at least one shaping station (4), wherein the shaping station has a blow moulding device (6), and wherein the shaping station additionally has a stressing device (12) which acts upon the plastics material pre-forms with a flowable medium for their expansion, wherein the shaping station additionally has a rod-like body (14) which is capable of being inserted into the plastics material pre-forms in order to stretch them in the longitudinal direction (L) thereof, wherein the shaping station has a drive device (24) which moves the rod-like body (14) with respect to the plastics material pre-form.

Abstract: A system for fitting a hearing prosthesis to a recipient. The system comprises a stimulation arrangement configured to at least one of mechanically and acoustically stimulate the recipient's inner ear based on an input signal; a neural response detection arrangement configured to detect the recipient's neural responses to the stimulation; and a processor configured to assess the recipient's neural responses, and to adjust operation of the hearing prosthesis based on the assessment of the neural responses.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for an implantable hearing aid device including a mechanical output structure that has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is a mechanical attachment structure to attach a stapes prosthesis, and wherein the second portion is a wire-like member coupling the mechanical attachment structure to a magnetically permeable armature shaft assembly.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (100) suitable, for example, in hearing aid applications is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the actuator comprise a hermetic titanium housing (1), a mechanical output structure (110) emulating the long process of incus (8), and means for efficiently generating movement in the audible frequency range. The electromechanical actuator (100) may be configured to be coupled to the inner ear fluids via a conventional stapes prosthesis. The implantable actuator (100), which may be considered to be operably equivalent to a loudspeaker of a conventional hearing aid, may bypass the outer and the middle ear in order to directly drive the inner ear fluids. As such, embodiments of the electromechanical actuator of the present invention may be used to remedy any source of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: An elongate hollow device for providing direct access to the cochlea of a recipient. The device has a symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis through the center of the device, and comprises a first end having an aperture with its geometric center positioned at the longitudinal axis, and a distal end having an aperture with its geometric center positioned at the longitudinal axis, wherein the access device is configured to be at least partially positioned in the mastoid bone of the recipient such that the first end is positioned adjacent the surface of the mastoid bone, and the distal end is inserted into the cochlea.

Abstract: An implantable fixation assembly (30) for removably securing a (medical) device in a human body is disclosed. The assembly includes: an anchor portion (1) securable to bone; a pair of spaced apart legs (15), at least one leg (15) being resiliently flexible, the ends (15a) of the legs (15) attached to the anchor portion (1); a clamp portion (2) attached towards or at the ends (15a) of the legs (15); a screw and nut combination having an axis of rotation longitudinal to the legs, the combination operably engaging at least one of the legs (15) so as to pull them together or push them apart thereby actuating the clamp portion (2) to secure the device, wherein the actuating is reversible for selectively gripping and releasing the device.

Abstract: A power management system for supplying power to an output circuit comprising a plurality of rechargeable batteries, a conversion means for converting a supply voltage to a battery voltage to enable charging of one or more of the rechargeable batteries and switch means to enable a selected battery of the plurality of rechargeable batteries to be connected to an output circuit to enable the selected battery to be discharged through the output circuit.

Abstract: A system for fitting a hearing prosthesis to a recipient. The system comprises a stimulation arrangement configured to at least one of mechanically and acoustically stimulate the recipient's inner ear based on an input signal; a neural response detection arrangement configured to detect the recipient's neural responses to the stimulation; and a processor configured to assess the recipient's neural responses, and to adjust operation of the hearing prosthesis based on the assessment of the neural responses.

Abstract: A mechanical stimulator for evoking a hearing percept by directly generating waves of fluid motion of fluid in a recipient's semicircular canal. The mechanical stimulator comprises a sound processing unit configured to process a received sound signal; and an implantable stimulation arrangement, comprising: a stapes prosthesis having a first end configured to be positioned abutting an opening in the semicircular canal, an actuator configured to receive electrical signals representing the processed sound signal and configured to vibrate in response to the electrical signals, and a coupler connecting the actuator to the stapes prosthesis such that vibration of the actuator results in waves of fluid motion in a recipient's semicircular canal that evoke a hearing percept of the received sound signal.

Abstract: A system for rehabilitating the hearing of a recipient. The system comprises: an elongate hollow access device having a symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis through the center of the device, and comprising first and second ends each having apertures therein which have their geometric centers positioned at the longitudinal axis, wherein the access device is configured to be at least partially positioned in the mastoid bone of the recipient, such that the first end is positioned adjacent the surface of the mastoid bone, and the second end is inserted into the cochlea, and a first membrane disposed across the aperture at the first end of the device configured to vibrate in response to an acoustic sound signal presented there to, and wherein the access device has a cross-sectional diameter along its length that provides a desired amplification of the received sound signal.

Abstract: An elongate hollow device for providing direct access to the cochlea of a recipient. The device has a symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis through the center of the device, and comprises a first end having an aperture with its geometric center positioned at the longitudinal axis, and a distal end having an aperture with its geometric center positioned at the longitudinal axis, wherein the access device is configured to be at least partially positioned in the mastoid bone of the recipient such that the first end is positioned adjacent the surface of the mastoid bone, and the distal end is inserted into the cochlea.

Abstract: An implantable fixation assembly (30) for removably securing a (medical) device in a human body is disclosed. The assembly includes: an anchor portion (1) securable to bone; a pair of spaced apart legs (15), at least one leg (15) being resiliently flexible, the ends (15a) of the legs (15) attached to the anchor portion (1); a clamp portion (2) attached towards or at the ends (15a) of the legs (15); a screw and nut combination having an axis of rotation longitudinal to the legs, the combination operably engaging at least one of the legs (15) so as to pull them together or push them apart thereby actuating the clamp portion (2) to secure the device, wherein the actuating is reversible for selectively gripping and releasing the device.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (100) suitable, for example, in hearing aid applications is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the actuator comprise a hermetic titanium housing (1), a mechanical output structure (110) emulating the long process of incus (8), and means for efficiently generating movement in the audible frequency range. The electromechanical actuator (100) may be configured to be coupled to the inner ear fluids via a conventional stapes prosthesis. The implantable actuator (100), which may be considered to be operably equivalent to a loudspeaker of a conventional hearing aid, may bypass the outer and the middle ear in order to directly drive the inner ear fluids. As such, embodiments of the electromechanical actuator of the present invention may be used to remedy any source of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: A power management system for supplying power to an output circuit comprising a plurality of rechargeable batteries, a conversion means for converting a supply voltage to a battery voltage to enable charging of one or more of the rechargeable batteries and switch means to enable a selected battery of the plurality of rechargeable batteries to be connected to an output circuit to enable the selected battery to be discharged through the output circuit.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for updating or installing new software loaded into the memory of an implantable medical device(IMD) implanted within a body of a patient is described. The updated or new software may be installed in the memory of the IMD without the patient having to travel to a clinic or hospital, and may be effected by employing modem telecommunication and Internet techniques in conjunction with a remote computer system.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for automatically generating invoices when medical services are provided to a patient are described. Invoices are automatically generated by the system, for example, when monitoring of certain aspects of the performance of an implantable medical device(IMD) implanted within a body of a patient is initiated by the patient or remotely, or when the delivery of a therapy to the patient through the IMD is initiated locally or remotely. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable beneficial agent infusion device featuring a unique energy recovery circuit and a deflectable energy storing member such as a piezo-electric membrane is disclosed. The circuit and deflectable energy storing member cooperate to permit electrical energy employed to activate the member to be at least partially recovered. In a preferred embodiment, the deflectable energy storing member is connected to a seal which is opened to permit the delivery or infusion of a pre-determined amount of a beneficial agent to a patient when the member is deflected or actuated through the application of a sufficiently high voltage thereacross. Charge stored on or in the deflectable energy storing member as a result of the voltage being applied thereacross is recovered by a novel circuit when the deflectable energy storing membrane is permitted to return to its non-actuated state or position.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus relating to a therapeutic substance delivery patch for attachment to a patient such that the patch is in contact with the patient's skin, wherein the patch coordinates its delivery of the therapeutic substance to the patient based on information received relating to the operation of the implanted device. The information received by the patch may be received through telemetry from the implanted device, or alternatively from the patch sensing the action of the implanted device, or alternatively from the patch sensing the patient's physiologic reaction to the action taken by the implanted device.