Abstract: A method of feeding an elongate workpiece to a forming machine includes: providing first and second feed units, wherein each of the feed units has a receiving device that receives a workpiece stock in a coil, and a straightening device downstream of the receiving device that straightens the workpiece before it enters the forming machine, wherein the first and second feed units are arranged on a common platform movable between first and second working positions, wherein, in the first working position of the platform, the first feed unit is arranged in a working position suitable for transferring workpiece portions to the forming machine, and the second feed unit is arranged in a setting-up position, and, in the second working position of the platform, the second feed unit is arranged in the working position and the first feed unit in a setting-up position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for applying a neural stimulus. A battery supplies electrical energy at a battery voltage and an electrode applies the electrical energy to neural tissue. A circuit measures the nervous response of the tissue and a voltage converter receives the electrical energy from the battery and controls a voltage applied to the electrode based on the measured nervous response of the tissue. This direct voltage control is energy efficient because losses across a typical current mirror are avoided. Further, the control based on the measured nervous response leads to automatic compensation of impedance variation due to in-growth or change in posture. As a result, the stimulation results in a desired neural response.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable neuro stimulation devices with a feedback loop to control an amount of energy delivered into a neural tissue based on a measured evoked neural response. Stimulation electrodes deliver stimulation energy to neural tissue and a stimulator comprises a microprocessor and program memory with program code, which causes the microprocessor to perform closed-loop control of the stimulation energy based on a feedback signal that is indicative of an evoked neural response. A charge monitor monitors the delivery of energy to the stimulation electrodes by determining an amount of charge delivered by the stimulation electrodes and connected to the stimulator to provide a status signal indicative of the charge delivered to the stimulator. The device adjusts the control of the stimulation energy in response to the status signal from the charge monitor indicating undesirable charge delivery to the stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable neuro stimulation devices with a feedback loop to control an amount of energy delivered into a neural tissue based on a measured evoked neural response. Stimulation electrodes deliver stimulation energy to neural tissue. A microprocessor performs closed-loop control of the stimulation energy based on a feedback signal that is indicative of an evoked neural response. A supervisor is connected to the feedback signal and detects malfunction of the stimulator based on the feedback signal. The supervisor is also connected to the stimulator to provide a status signal to the stimulator and changes the status signal to indicate malfunction upon detecting malfunction based on the feedback signal. The microprocessor adjusts the control of the stimulation energy in response to the status signal from the supervisor indicating malfunction.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for applying a neural stimulus. A battery supplies electrical energy at a battery voltage and an electrode applies the electrical energy to neural tissue. A circuit measures the nervous response of the tissue and a voltage converter receives the electrical energy from the battery and controls a voltage applied to the electrode based on the measured nervous response of the tissue. This direct voltage control is energy efficient because losses across a typical current mirror are avoided. Further, the control based on the measured nervous response leads to automatic compensation of impedance variation due to in-growth or change in posture. As a result, the stimulation results in a desired neural response.

Abstract: The invention is a distributed implantable neuro-stimulation system, comprising an implant controller including control logic to transmit two time-varying power signals, varying between two levels and out of phase with the other, and a command signal modulated onto at least one of the power signals. One or more electrode cells, each having control logic to extract charge from the power signals and recover commands from the command signal. A two-wire bus interconnecting the implant controller and all the electrode cells, to carry one of the time varying signals in each of the two wires, and to carry the command signal.

Abstract: A distributed implantable neurostimulation system. One or more electrode arrays each have at least one electrode configured to be positioned at a desired implant location within the body. An implantable control unit is configured to selectively direct stimulus and/or telemetry instructions and power to each electrode of each array. A shared bus extends to each of the plurality of electrode arrays, the bus interconnecting each array with the implantable control unit. There is at least one electrode cell associated with each electrode array. The electrode cell obtains electrical power and command signals from the shared bus, and controls operation of each electrode associated with that electrode cell. The bus is connected to the control unit and/or the electrode cell by docking contacts of the bus to form electrical contact with contacts of the control unit and/or electrode cell.

Abstract: The invention is a distributed implantable neuro-stimulation system, comprising an implant controller including control logic to transmit two time-varying power signals, varying between two levels and out of phase with the other, and a command signal modulated onto at least one of the power signals. One or more electrode cells, each having control logic to extract charge from the power signals and recover commands from the command signal. A two-wire bus interconnecting the implant controller and all the electrode cells, to carry one of the time varying signals in each of the two wires, and to carry the command signal.

Abstract: Charging a battery of an implanted device involves positioning an external charging coil proximal to a charging locale. An implant recipient and the implanted device are expected to occupy the charging locale from time to time. The charging coil has a coil area which is significantly larger than a coil area of an implanted coil, and is configured to produce an electromagnetic field throughout the charging locale. When an implant recipient is within the charging locale, the external charging coil is driven with a signal which transmits electromagnetic power from the charging coil to the implanted coil.

Abstract: A virtual wire assembly that includes a substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate and a plurality of hermetic feedthroughs including a conductive region extending transversely through the substrate to form a conductive pathway with accessible surfaces at opposing ends thereof, wherein each conductive pathway is electrically isolated from other conductive pathways. In certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate is a semiconductor device, and the conductive regions each include an n-type or a p-type doped semiconductor material.

Abstract: An implantable component (30) of a cochlear implant system comprising a housing for a stimulator unit (31) that is adapted to output one or more stimulation signals and an electrode assembly (30) adapted to apply electrical stimulation in accordance with the output of the stimulator unit (31). On implantation, the housing is positionable such that the electrode assembly (20) extends from the housing at least initially in a downward orientation toward the mastoid cavity before entering the cochlea. An external component (50, 60 or 70) of a cochlear implant system comprising a support for mounting to the ear of an recipient and an external signal transmitter coil (53) wherein the signal transmitter coil (53) is movably mounted to at least a portion of the support.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an acoustic prosthesis is disclosed. The acoustic prosthesis comprises: an external speech processor unit comprising electronic components and a power source contained within a housing, wherein the power source provides power to the electronic components via a power line; and a magnetically-responsive switch disposed along the power line to switchingly connect the power source to the electronic components in response to the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: One disclosed embodiment of the present invention is a medical device having an electronic assembly and battery contained within a housing. Sealed in the housing is a heat absorption medium for regulating the temperature of the medial device, wherein said heat absorption medium undergoes a state change at a state change temperature of 36° Celsius or greater.

Abstract: A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Abstract: A virtual wire assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate; and a plurality of hermetic feedthroughs each comprising a conductive region extending transversely through the substrate to form a conductive pathway with accessible surfaces at opposing ends thereof, wherein each conductive pathway is electrically isolated from other conductive pathways. In certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate is a semiconductor device, and the conductive regions each are comprised of an n-type or a p-type doped semiconductor material. Also disclosed are implanted medical devices requiring electronic or other components to be retained in a hermetic enclosure, such as cochlear and other sensory or neural prosthetic devices.

Abstract: A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Abstract: A virtual wire assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate; and a plurality of hermetic feedthroughs each comprising a conductive region extending transversely through the substrate to form a conductive pathway with accessible surfaces at opposing ends thereof, wherein each conductive pathway is electrically isolated from other conductive pathways. In certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate is a semiconductor device, and the conductive regions each are comprised of an n-type or a p-type doped semiconductor material. Also disclosed are implanted medical devices requiring electronic or other components to be retained in a hermetic enclosure, such as cochlear and other sensory or neural prosthetic devices.

Abstract: A GPS receiver includes baseband resources for simultaneous determination of carrier frequency shift and code chip offset. Reduction in the power consumption of a receiver is achieved by managing the sampling rate of an analog-to-digital converter, the intermediate frequency of the RF front end, and the front end bandwidth so these are appropriate to the current function of the receiver. In a GPS receiver during signal tracking, the IF, front end bandwidth, and ADC sampling rate are set as high as possible; during signal acquisition, the IF and front end bandwidth are set to relatively low values, and the ADC sample rate is set to a high value; and during ephemeris download, the IF, front end bandwidth, and the ADC sample rate are set to relatively low values. When a low battery condition is detected, the IF, front end bandwidth, and the ADC sample rate are set to relatively low values regardless of whether the GPS receiver is in the signal acquisition mode, signal tracking mode, or ephemeris download mode.

Abstract: A power management system for a power supply (43) providing power to electrical equipment, such as a totally implantable prosthetic hearing implant (40). The power supply (43) can comprise a first rechargeable battery and at least one further rechargeable battery that each independently provide power to the implant (40) through a switching means. The management system comprises a management means for controlling the operation of the switching means to place the system in a first state where the implant (40) can draw power from only the first battery or at least in a further state where the implant (40) can draw power from only said at least one further battery.