Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a medical device can include a handle, a shaft, a plurality of sleeves, and a suture. The shaft includes a proximal end portion coupled to the handle and is configured to be disposed outside of a patient's body during an implantation procedure and a distal end portion configured to be disposed inside a patient's body during the implantation procedure. Each of the sleeves includes a connection portion coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and a receiving portion configured to receive an apex of a stent or a prosthetic heart valve. The suture extends through the shaft and the sleeves and is configured for releasably securing the stent or the prosthetic heart valve to the receiving portions of the sleeves.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the insertion of an intra-cochlear stimulating assembly for the occurrence of one or more insertion stop conditions. The insertion stop conditions are detectable events indicating that movement of the stimulating assembly into a recipient's cochlea should be at least temporarily stopped. The insertion monitoring is based on objectively measured inner ear potentials, such as acoustically-evoked potentials.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that make use of objective measurements obtained in response to acoustic stimulation signals. More specifically, at least one measure of outer hair cell function and at least one measure of auditory nerve function are obtained from a tonotopic region of an inner ear of a recipient of a hearing prosthesis. The at least one measure of auditory nerve function and the least one measure of outer hair cell function are then analyzed relative to one another.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring a recipient's cochlea health via a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to proactively identify (i.e., predict) changes to the recipient's cochlea health outside of a clinical setting. The cochlea health monitoring techniques presented herein obtain, via either an external or implanted PPG sensor, one or more cardiovascular health biomarkers associated with a recipient's cochlea health, and analyze these biomarkers to predict that a recipient health change is likely to occur.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the insertion of an intra-cochlear stimulating assembly for the occurrence of one or more insertion stop conditions. The insertion stop conditions are detectable events indicating that movement of the stimulating assembly into a recipient's cochlea should be at least temporarily stopped. The insertion monitoring is based on objectively measured inner ear potentials, such as acoustically-evoked potentials.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques in which a specific branch of the vagal nerve that extends to the car, referred to as the auricular branch of the vagal nerve (ABVN), is stimulated via an implantable stimulator. Described herein are implantable stimulation assembly arrangements for implantation adjacent to the auricular branch of the vagal nerve, and use of the implantable stimulating assembly arrangements in order to electrically stimulate the auricular branch of the vagal nerve.

Abstract: A medical device, including an implantable portion of the medical device, the implantable portion including at least one electrode, wherein the implantable portion is configured to, while implanted in a human, obtain data indicative of wear of the at least one electrode. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical device is a cochlear implant.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that make use of objective measurements obtained in response to acoustic stimulation signals. More specifically, at least one measure of outer hair cell function and at least one measure of auditory nerve function are obtained from a tonotopic region of an inner ear of a recipient of a hearing prosthesis. The at least one measure of auditory nerve function and the least one measure of outer hair cell function are then analyzed relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an electrode, wherein the electrode is at least one of directly or indirectly fixed to an otic capsule or tissue associated with the otic capsule of a human at least in part with cured securement material, wherein the electrode is part of a human ailment treatment and/or mitigation system, at least in part implantable in the human.

Abstract: A method includes providing an electrode configured to be implanted within a body portion of a recipient in tissue at a target implantation location, the electrode comprising a screw portion. The method further includes driving the screw portion into the tissue at the target implantation location, monitoring at least one signal indicative of insertion of the screw portion into the tissue, and stopping the driving in response to the at least one signal being indicative of a predetermined insertion of the screw portion.

Abstract: An example method includes obtaining vestibular biological state data and external sensor data over a period of time. Changes in one or both of the vestibular biological state data and the external sensor data over the period of time are monitored. The changes over time are used to determine a performance of the vestibular system of the recipient based on the changes.

Abstract: Techniques and electrode array designs can facilitate implantation of a vestibular electrode array proximate a target treatment location of the recipient’s vestibular system. An example vestibular electrode array can include a variety of mechanisms to provide fine control of the vestibular electrode array’s position in the vestibular space. Further, the position can be guided by real time feedback mechanisms, such as fluoroscopy or electrophysiological measures to assist with optimizing the position of the vestibular electrode array.

Abstract: An example implanted medical device includes one or more vestibular sensors and one or more cochlear sensors. Data obtained from the one or more vestibular sensors are used to diagnose or predict a condition of the cochlear system. Data obtained from the one or more cochlear sensors are used to diagnose or predict a condition of the vestibular system. Treatment actions can be performed based on the diagnosis or prediction.

Abstract: A method, including energizing one or more electrodes of a cochlear electrode array to induce a current flow in the cochlea at a plurality of temporal locations, measuring one or more electrical properties at one or more locations in the cochlea resulting from the induced current flow at the plurality of different temporal locations and determining whether or not trauma has occurred based on a change between the measured electrical properties from the first temporal location to the second temporal location.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for assessing one or more outcomes associated with implantation of one or more electrodes into the inner ear of a recipient.

Abstract: Techniques and electrode array designs can facilitate implantation of a vestibular electrode array proximate a target treatment location of the recipient’s vestibular system. An example vestibular electrode array can include a variety of mechanisms to provide fine control of the vestibular electrode array’s position in the vestibular space. Further, the position can be guided by real time feedback mechanisms, such as fluoroscopy or electrophysiological measures to assist with optimizing the position of the vestibular electrode array.

Abstract: A tip member for inserting into the cochlea, a device comprising: an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and a tip member extending distally from a distal end of the elongate member, the tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of the tapered portion, wherein the tip member is resiliently flexible, and a method for making such a device.

Abstract: Controlling the interaction between an external device and an implanted device, including a method of controlling interaction between an external device and an implanted device, the method including at least the steps of: establishing communications between the implanted device and the external device; the external device determining an identification of the implant and comparing the identification with identifications in a stored list; if the device matches one of said identifications, then using a corresponding set of operating parameters to interact with said implant; and otherwise, not interacting with said device.