Patents by Inventor Martin Zimmerling

Martin Zimmerling 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).

  • Patent number: 7338028
    Abstract: A fluid switch or valve for an implantable fluid delivery system is provided. The fluid switch or valve includes a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an internal magnet disposed within the fluid chamber. The internal magnet is moveable such that displacement of the internal magnet restricts the flow of fluid through the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Claude Jolly
  • Publication number: 20070203536
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Ingeborg Hochmair, Martin Zimmerling
  • Publication number: 20070126540
    Abstract: An electromagnetic driver transducer free of torque in the presence of an external magnetic field, of any direction and orientation (such as in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment). The transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A plurality of magnets within the housing are aligned along an axis in an anti-parallel orientation. The magnets are free to move along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing. The transducer may be, for example, fixed to an ossicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Zimmerling
  • Patent number: 7190247
    Abstract: An electromagnetic driver transducer free of torque in the presence of an external magnetic field, of any direction and orientation (such as in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment). The transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A plurality of magnets within the housing are aligned along an axis in an anti-parallel orientation. The magnets are free to move along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing. The transducer may be, for example, fixed to an ossicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Zimmerling
  • Publication number: 20060244560
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Patent number: 7091806
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Publication number: 20050062567
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Publication number: 20050001703
    Abstract: An electromagnetic driver transducer free of torque in the presence of an external magnetic field, of any direction and orientation (such as in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment). The transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A plurality of magnets within the housing are aligned along an axis in an anti-parallel orientation. The magnets are free to move along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing. The transducer may be, for example, fixed to an ossicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventor: Martin Zimmerling
  • Patent number: 6838963
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Publication number: 20040256584
    Abstract: A fluid switch or valve for an implantable fluid delivery system is provided. The fluid switch or valve includes a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an internal magnet disposed within the fluid chamber. The internal magnet is moveable such that displacement of the internal magnet restricts the flow of fluid through the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Claude Jolly
  • Publication number: 20040012470
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair