Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: A method of identifying objects in a subject's ear, comprising the following steps: introducing an optical electronic imaging unit and a light source into an ear canal of a subject's outer ear, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits an optical axis directed in a distal direction, especially directed at the eardrum of the subject's ear; using the electronic imaging unit to capture an image from an eccentric observation point positioned on the optical axis and positioned eccentrically within the ear canal; and determining brightness or color information to identify objects shown in the image by electronic means, in order to automatically identify the objects, especially the eardrum.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods configured to detect a location of a source of at least one cardiac rhythm disorder in a patient's heart. In some embodiments, electrogram signals are acquired from inside a patient's heart, and subsequently normalized, adjusted and/or filtered, followed by generating a two-dimensional (2D) spatial map, grid or representation of the electrode positions, processing the amplitude-adjusted and filtered electrogram signals to generate a plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces corresponding at least partially to the 2 D grid, one surface being generated for each or selected discrete times, and processing the plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces through time to generate a velocity vector map corresponding at least partially to the 2 D grid.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and one or more microphones in a magnetic bone conduction hearing device. Such systems, devices, components and methods include acoustically sealing or welding first and second compartments of the hearing device from one another, where the first compart contains the one or more microphones, and the second compart contains the transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods configured to detect a location of a source of at least one cardiac rhythm disorder in a patient's heart. In some embodiments, electrogram signals are acquired from inside a patient's heart, and subsequently normalized, adjusted and/or filtered, followed by generating a two-dimensional spatial map, grid or representation of the electrode positions, processing the amplitude-adjusted and filtered electrogram signals to generate a plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces corresponding at least partially to the 2D map, one surface being generated for each or selected discrete times, and processing the plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces through time to generate a velocity vector map corresponding at least partially to the 2D map.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for improving acoustic coupling between a bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) and a patient's head or skull. Such systems, devices, components and methods include disposing a gel or paste between the BCHD and the patient's skin, hair and/or skull. The gel or paste improves the transmission of acoustic signals generated by a transducer in the BCHD to the patients head or skull by providing a more efficient and improved intermediary acoustic medium for the transmission of acoustic signals to the patient's head or skull.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture.

Abstract: An otoscope comprising a handle portion and a head portion being substantially tapered along its longitudinal axis, the head portion having a proximal end adjacent to the handle portion and a smaller distal end adapted to be introduced in an ear canal of a patient's outer ear. The otoscope further comprises an electronic imaging unit at the distal end of the head portion, and fixing means configured to fix an at least partially transparent probe cover adapted to be put over the head portion in a gas-tight manner to the head portion and/or to the handle portion, and wherein the otoscope further comprises a probe cover moving mechanism configured to move at least a portion of the probe cover. A probe cover for such an otoscope and a method of identifying objects in a subject's ear are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of identifying objects in a subject's ear, comprising the following steps: introducing an optical electronic imaging unit and a light source into an ear canal of a subject's outer ear, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits an optical axis directed in a distal direction, especially directed at the eardrum of the subject's ear; using the electronic imaging unit to capture an image from an eccentric observation point positioned on the optical axis and positioned eccentrically within the ear canal; and determining brightness or color information to identify objects shown in the image by electronic means, in order to automatically identify the objects, especially the eardrum.

Abstract: An otoscope comprising a handle portion and a head portion substantially tapering along its longitudinal axis, wherein the head portion has a proximal end adjacent to the handle portion and a smaller distal end configured to be introduced in an outer ear canal. The otoscope comprises an optical electronic imaging unit at the distal end of the head portion, especially at a distal tip of the head portion, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits at least one optical axis which is radially offset from the longitudinal axis, and wherein the distal end is configured for accommodating the electronic imaging unit in such a way that the radial offset can be maximum with respect to the diameter of the distal end.

Abstract: An ear inspection device configured for being at least partially introduced into an external ear canal for determining an ear condition, such as temperature, in particular at the subject's eardrum, wherein the device comprises an infrared sensor unit configured for detecting infrared radiation from the ear, and an electronic imaging unit configured for capturing images based on radiation in the visible range from the ear, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits at least one optical axis arranged such that it can be radially offset within the ear canal, and wherein the infrared sensor unit exhibits a visual axis arranged such that it can be positioned centrically within the ear canal or radially offset within the same semicircle, especially the same quadrant, of the cross section of the ear canal.

Abstract: An otoscope comprises a handle portion and a head portion tapering along its longitudinal axis. The head portion has a proximal end adjacent the handle portion and a smaller distal end adapted to be introduced in an ear canal of a patient's outer ear. The otoscope further comprises an electronic imaging unit positioned at the distal end of the head portion and a probe cover moving mechanism configured to move at least a portion of an at least partially transparent probe cover adapted to be put over the head portion, especially configured to move the probe cover with respect to at least one optical axis of the electronic imaging unit. The present invention further refers to a probe cover for such an otoscope and to a method of identifying objects in a subject's ear.

Abstract: A method of identifying objects in a subject's ear, comprising: introducing an optical electronic imaging unit and light source into an ear canal of a subject's outer ear, wherein the electronic imaging unit exhibits an optical axis directed in a distal direction, especially directed at the eardrum; using the electronic imaging unit to capture an image; and determining color information or brightness and color information to identify objects shown in the image by electronic means, in order to automatically identify the objects, especially the eardrum, wherein the electronic imaging unit comprises a color video camera, and wherein the method further comprises a step of determining the spectral composition of reflections of the eardrum, once the eardrum has been identified.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for a magnetic hearing aid system comprising an implantable sound transmission device configured for implantation in a patient's skull. The sound transmission device is configured to receive acoustic signals generated by an EM transducer in a magnetic hearing aid that are transmitted through the patient's skin, and to transmit the received acoustic signals to the patient's cochlea via one or more sound-transmitting metal members. According to some embodiments, the sound transmission device is curved to permit optimal placement of the hearing aid and corresponding magnetic implant behind a patient's ear.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for improving acoustic coupling between a bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) and a patient's head or skull. Such systems, devices, components and methods include disposing a gel or paste between the BCHD and the patient's skin, hair and/or skull. The gel or paste improves the transmission of acoustic signals generated by a transducer in the BCHD to the patients head or skull by providing a more efficient and improved intermediary acoustic medium for the transmission of acoustic signals to the patient's head or skull.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture.