Patents by Inventor Mathias Kals
Mathias Kals 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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Publication number: 20230347148Abstract: A patient-specific frequency mapping procedure, a fitting system for carrying out said procedure and computer program product for a cochlear implant or an electric-acoustic stimulation device having an electrode array that has been implanted into the cochlea of said patient is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2021Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Richard Penninger, Mathias Kals, Reinhold Schatzer, Dirk Meister, Peter Nopp, Daniel Hofer
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Publication number: 20220008722Abstract: Arrangements are described for fitting an implanted patient and a hearing implant system having an implanted electrode array of electrode contacts. Objective response measurements are performed following delivery of preliminary electrical stimulation signals to the electrode contacts to determine a preliminary fit map that characterizes preliminary patient-specific operating parameters for the hearing implant system. Then an adjusted fit map is produced that characterizes adjusted patient-specific operating parameters for the hearing implant system based on using the preliminary fit map to constrain an implant neural response model to best fit a normal hearing neural response model.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Guoping Li, Dirk Meister, Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 11077302Abstract: A fitting system is described for fitting electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array implanted in a cochlea of an implanted patient. A test stimulation generator delivers to at least one of the electrode contacts a test stimulation sequence at a variable charge level and a variable stimulation rate over time, wherein the charge level and stimulation rate are inversely related as a function of a defined loudness percept by the implanted patient to the test stimulation sequence. A response measurement module obtains objective response measurements of auditory neural tissues of the implanted patient that are affected by the test stimulation sequence. A fit mapping module defines a patient-specific fit map for the electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array based on the objective response measurements.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20200030605Abstract: A fitting system is described for fitting electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array implanted in a cochlea of an implanted patient. A test stimulation generator delivers to at least one of the electrode contacts a test stimulation sequence at a variable charge level and a variable stimulation rate over time, wherein the charge level and stimulation rate are inversely related as a function of a defined loudness percept by the implanted patient to the test stimulation sequence. A response measurement module obtains objective response measurements of auditory neural tissues of the implanted patient that are affected by the test stimulation sequence. A fit mapping module defines a patient-specific fit map for the electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array based on the objective response measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventor: Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 10493273Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant system has a left side and a right side. There is an interaural time delay (ITD) processing module on each side that adjusts ITD characteristics of the stimulation signals based on defined groups of stimulation channels that include: i. an apical channel group on each side corresponding to a lowest range of audio frequencies up to a common apical channel group upper frequency limit, wherein a common number of one or more stimulation channels is assigned to each apical channel group, and wherein corresponding apical channel group stimulation channels on each side have matching bands of audio frequencies, and ii. one or more basal channel groups on each side corresponding to higher range audio frequencies above the apical channel group upper frequency limit.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Dirk Meister, Peter Schleich, Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 10300274Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrode stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in a cochlear implant electrode array. A signal filter bank transforms an input sound signal into band pass signals, which each represent an associated frequency band of audio frequencies. An envelope processing module processes the band pass signals in a sequence of sampling time frames, wherein for each time frame, the processing includes calculating for each band pass signal at least one signal envelope dynamic property that is changing during the time frame. A channel selection module selects one or more of the band pass signals for each time frame based on the dynamic properties to produce the electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation contacts.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Dirk Meister, Mathias Kals, Peter Schleich
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Publication number: 20190151661Abstract: Arrangements are described for fitting an implanted patient and a hearing implant system having an implanted electrode array of electrode contacts. Objective response measurements are performed following delivery of preliminary electrical stimulation signals to the electrode contacts to determine a preliminary fit map that characterizes preliminary patient-specific operating parameters for the hearing implant system. Then an adjusted fit map is produced that characterizes adjusted patient-specific operating parameters for the hearing implant system based on using the preliminary fit map to constrain an implant neural response model to best fit a normal hearing neural response model.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Guoping Li, Dirk Meister, Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 9987490Abstract: A method of determining insertion status of a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea of a patient is provided. The method includes measuring conductivity associated with an electrode in the electrode array. Insertion status of the electrode is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conductivity.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Ernst Kabot, Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20180001089Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant system has a left side and a right side. There is an interaural time delay (ITD) processing module on each side that adjusts ITD characteristics of the stimulation signals based on defined groups of stimulation channels that include: i. an apical channel group on each side corresponding to a lowest range of audio frequencies up to a common apical channel group upper frequency limit, wherein a common number of one or more stimulation channels is assigned to each apical channel group, and wherein corresponding apical channel group stimulation channels on each side have matching bands of audio frequencies, and ii. one or more basal channel groups on each side corresponding to higher range audio frequencies above the apical channel group upper frequency limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Dirk Meister, Peter Schleich, Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 9662493Abstract: A system, method, and computer product for adjusting dynamic range of electrical stimulation associated with a cochlear prosthesis system is provided. The cochlear prosthesis system includes an electrode array for stimulating the acoustic nerve. Present electrode impedance values are determined for an electrode in the array. At least one stimulation parameter for the electrode is adjusted based, at least in part, on the present electrode impedance values, such that hearing sensation is not influenced due to a change between the present electrode impedance values and previous electrode impedance values.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Mathias Kals, Ernst Kabot
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Patent number: 9320887Abstract: A cochlear implant arrangement is described for creating sound perception in an implanted patient. An implant electrode contains electrode wires for carrying stimulation signals to corresponding electrode contacts distributed along a length of an outer surface of an apical electrode array section of the implant electrode. An apical portion of the electrode array is characterized by a tendency to fold back against a more basal section of the electrode array when inserted into a cochlea of the patient. An implantable stimulation processor produces the stimulation signals such that each electrode contact, including any in a folded back portion, delivers stimulation signals for a frequency band defined based on a function of spatial spread of stimulation voltage and correctly associated with tonotopic frequency response of the adjacent neural tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 9320896Abstract: Approaches are described for fitting an implanted cochlear implant electrode array having stimulation electrodes to the implanted patient. A first unfit stimulation electrode is fit to the patient by determining a most comfortable loudness (MCL) value. Then an MCL value is determined for each remaining unfit stimulation electrode starting from an initial fitting current based on current spread characteristics of at least one already fit stimulation electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 9295837Abstract: A cochlear implant arrangement includes an implant electrode having electrode contacts for delivering to adjacent neural tissue electrode stimulation signals for a defined frequency band reflecting tonotopic organization of the cochlea. An implantable stimulation processor is coupled to the implant electrode for producing the electrode stimulation signals. At least one of the electrode contacts is deactivated based on current spread overlap and an electrode masking function of long term average spectra data to avoid delivering electrode stimulation signals to an electrode contact masked by an adjacent electrode contact.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20150314122Abstract: A method of determining insertion status of a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea of a patient is provided. The method includes measuring conductivity associated with an electrode in the electrode array. Insertion status of the electrode is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conductivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Ernst Kabot, Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20150265838Abstract: A system, method, and computer product for adjusting dynamic range of electrical stimulation associated with a cochlear prosthesis system is provided. The cochlear prosthesis system includes an electrode array for stimulating the acoustic nerve. Present electrode impedance values are determined for an electrode in the array. At least one stimulation parameter for the electrode is adjusted based, at least in part, on the present electrode impedance values, such that hearing sensation is not influenced due to a change between the present electrode impedance values and previous electrode impedance values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Mathias Kals, Ernst Kabot
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Patent number: 9084894Abstract: A channel fitting process is described for a cochlear implant. A check is made for a channel fitting response condition to a stimulation signal, and if the condition is present, a channel operating parameter is set for the current electrode contact based on the channel fitting response condition, and if channel operating parameters have been set for all the electrode contacts, the channel fitting process ends. Otherwise, a next electrode contact is selected, the stimulation level is changed by a channel fitting increment, and if a stimulation level limit has been reached, the channel fitting process ends, or otherwise, the currently selected electrode contact is stimulated with the stimulation signal at the current stimulation level and the channel fitting process repeats.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20150112408Abstract: A cochlear implant arrangement is described for creating sound perception in an implanted patient. An implant electrode contains electrode wires for carrying stimulation signals to corresponding electrode contacts distributed along a length of an outer surface of an apical electrode array section of the implant electrode. An apical portion of the electrode array is characterized by a tendency to fold back against a more basal section of the electrode array when inserted into a cochlea of the patient. An implantable stimulation processor produces the stimulation signals such that each electrode contact, including any in a folded back portion, delivers stimulation signals for a frequency band defined based on a function of spatial spread of stimulation voltage and correctly associated with tonotopic frequency response of the adjacent neural tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Mathias Kals
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Publication number: 20150080980Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrode stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in a cochlear implant electrode array. A signal filter bank transforms an input sound signal into band pass signals, which each represent an associated frequency band of audio frequencies. An envelope processing module processes the band pass signals in a sequence of sampling time frames, wherein for each time frame, the processing includes calculating for each band pass signal at least one signal envelope dynamic property that is changing during the time frame. A channel selection module selects one or more of the band pass signals for each time frame based on the dynamic properties to produce the electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Dirk Meister, Mathias Kals, Peter Schleich
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Publication number: 20150025596Abstract: A cochlear implant arrangement includes an implant electrode having electrode contacts for delivering to adjacent neural tissue electrode stimulation signals for a defined frequency band reflecting tonotopic organization of the cochlea. An implantable stimulation processor is coupled to the implant electrode for producing the electrode stimulation signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventor: Mathias Kals
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Patent number: 8892212Abstract: Approaches are described for fitting an implanted cochlear implant having electrode array contacts to the implanted patient. A normal electrode stimulation arrangement is used to deliver electrode stimulation signals to the active electrode channel electrode contacts at an initial common charge level. The common charge level is increased until a desired common percept criteria is met to establish a common baseline charge level for the stimulation electrode contacts. For each individual electrode contact, a fitting stimulation signal is delivered to the electrode starting from the common baseline charge level and the charge level is increased until an individual electrode percept criteria is met.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Mathias Kals, Marek Polak