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: The invention provides non-crosslinked and crosslinked block copolymers comprising at least one block A comprising repeating units derived from monomers comprising one or more C1-C3 alkyl (meth)acrylamides and/or (meth)acrylates and at least one block B comprising repeating units derived from monomers comprising one or more C4-C40 alkyl (meth)acrylamides. The invention further provides compositions comprising the block copolymers and applications thereof in various industrial areas including personal care. The invention furthermore provides compositions comprising colloidal particles of the block copolymers. The variables x, y, R1, and R2 are described herein.

Abstract: An auxiliary bezel assembly includes first-side and second-side attachment structures, an auxiliary bezel, and a first-side and second-side attachment feature. The auxiliary bezel defines an auxiliary bezel display area and is connected to the first-side attachment structure at a first side of the auxiliary bezel display area and to the second-side attachment structure at a second side of the auxiliary bezel display area. When the auxiliary bezel is placed in an operating position on a video display device the auxiliary bezel display area overlays a portion of the video display area with the first-side attachment structure extending along a first edge of the display device and the second-side attachment structure extending along a second edge of the display device. The first-side and second-side attachment features each comprise an arrangement by which the respective attachment structure is connectable to the video display device.

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: 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 chainsaw chain includes a plurality of drive links, a plurality of cutters, and a plurality of rivets. Each drive link includes a drive link body, a pair of rivet holes extending through the drive link body, and a tang extending from the drive link body and configured to engage a drive element of a chainsaw. Each cutter includes a cutter body having a pair of rivet holes extending therethrough, a cutting tooth coupled to an upper portion of the cutter body, a feed limiter, and a gullet. The cutter body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the pair of rivet holes and a vertical axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cutting tooth is set relative to the vertical axis. The plurality of rivets couples the plurality of drive links and the plurality of cutters together.

Abstract: A chainsaw chain includes a plurality of drive links, a plurality of cutters, and a plurality of rivets. Each drive link includes a drive link body, a rivet hole extending through the drive link body, and a tang configured to engage a drive element of a chainsaw. Each cutter includes a cutter body having a rivet hole extending therethrough, a cutting tooth coupled to an upper portion of the cutter body, a carbide cutting tip coupled to the cutting tooth, a feed limiter coupled to the upper portion of the cutter body and spaced from the cutting tooth, and a gullet defined between the cutting tooth and the feed limiter. The plurality of rivets is received within corresponding rivet holes of the plurality of drive links and the plurality of cutters, to couple the plurality of drive links and the plurality of cutters together.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 assessing one or more outcomes associated with implantation of one or more electrodes into the inner ear of a recipient.

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: 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.