Abstract: Pulse generating circuitry for an electroporation system is provided. The pulse generating circuitry includes a first voltage source, a second voltage source, and a plurality of electrode addressing circuits. Each electrode addressing circuit is configured to be coupled to an associated electrode and includes a first switch couplable between the electrode and the first voltage source, a second switch couplable between the electrode and the second voltage source, and a third switch couplable between the electrode and a return voltage.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter includes a catheter shaft having a distal portion, a plurality of magnetic localization elements disposed within the distal portion, and an integrated electronics package disposed within the distal portion of the catheter shaft. The integrated electronics package, which can be a system on a chip such as an application specific integrated circuit, includes a power supply, a pre-amplifier, a multiplexor, and an imaging element driver. It can also include imaging elements. The magnetic localization elements can include magnetic coils and/or solid state magnetic localization elements, such as anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors, and can also be incorporated into the integrated electronics package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assists a hearing impaired person by introducing and maintaining a mechanical feedback barrier between a microphone and a transducer of an implantable hearing assistance system. In this method, mechanical sound vibrations impinging on the person's body habitus are received with an electromechanical device (e.g. microphone) disposed at a body habitus sound reception site. The body habitus sound reception site can be located within the external auditory canal, or external of the external auditory canal either subdermally or external of the scalp. The mechanical sound vibrations are converted with the electromechanical device to an amplified electrical signal. Next, the amplified electrical signal is delivered to the inner ear with a transducer operatively coupled between the electromechanical device and the middle ear or the inner ear.

Abstract: An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring system and method for using such is disclosed. The system stimulates and interprets predictable external effects of elevated ICP. In one embodiment, the system non-invasively and continuously monitors ICP by stimulating and interpreting predictable changes measured in the otoacoustic emission (OAE) signal of the patient. The system may alternately non-invasively and continuously monitor ICP by stimulating, measuring, and interpreting other responses which rely on the transmission of vibrations through the middle ear cochlear interface, such as tympanograms (TGRAMs), ocular-acoustic reflex, auditory brainstem response (ABR), or cochlear microphonics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assists a hearing impaired person by introducing and maintaining a mechanical feedback barrier between a microphone and a transducer of an implantable hearing assistance system. In this method, mechanical sound vibrations impinging on the person's body habitus are received with an electromechanical device (e.g. microphone) disposed at a body habitus sound reception site. The body habitus sound reception site can be located within the external auditory canal, or external of the external auditory canal either subdermally or external of the scalp. The mechanical sound vibrations are converted with the electromechanical device to an amplified electrical signal. Next, the amplified electrical signal is delivered to the inner ear with a transducer operatively coupled between the electromechanical device and the middle ear or the inner ear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assists a hearing impaired person by introducing and maintaining a mechanical feedback barrier between a microphone and a transducer of an implantable hearing assistance system. In this method, mechanical sound vibrations impinging on the person's body habitus are received with an electromechanical device (e.g. microphone) disposed at a body habitus sound reception site. The body habitus sound reception site can be located within the external auditory canal, or external of the external auditory canal either subdermally or external of the scalp. The mechanical sound vibrations are converted with the electromechanical device to an amplified electrical signal. Next, the amplified electrical signal is delivered to the inner ear with a transducer operatively coupled between the electromechanical device and the middle ear or the inner ear.

Abstract: The invention discloses a programmable implantable hearing aid including built-in electronics being in wireless communications with a hand-held programmer. The programmer transmits digital code signals of the type including RF, infrared and ultrasonic, based on selected parameter settings. A receiver accepts the signals for transmission to an input transducer in the middle ear. The input transducer collects the middle ear's response to the signals and transmits it to a circuit in the implanted hearing aid. The circuit searches for specific programming patterns and decodes the signals to effectuate the desired adjustment in the hearing aid. The conditioned signals are then transferred to an output transducer to operate the device at the adjusted signal level and condition. The invention enables both a patient and doctor to make unlimited number of adjustments in the implanted hearing aid without invasive surgery.

Abstract: A support shaft for use in supporting a universal connector for use in an implantable hearing assistance system. The support shaft provides an implantation surgeon with several features designed to secure a support shaft within the air cell-filled portion of a temporal bone. The support shaft is further configured to allow the secure attachment of the universal connector, the connector configured to support transducers and other components of an implantable hearing assistance system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assists a hearing impaired person by introducing and maintaining a mechanical feedback barrier between a microphone and a transducer of an implantable hearing assistance system. In this method, mechanical sound vibrations impinging on the person's body habitus are received with an electromechanical device (e.g. microphone) disposed at a body habitus sound reception site. The body habitus sound reception site can be located within the external auditory canal, or external of the external auditory canal either subdermally or external of the scalp. The mechanical sound vibrations are converted with the electromechanical device to an amplified electrical signal. Next, the amplified electrical signal is delivered to the inner ear with a transducer operatively coupled between the electromechanical device and the middle ear or the inner ear.

Abstract: A total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) or partial middle ear implantable (PMEI) hearing assistance system provides a transient middle ear mechanical vibration stimulus, and senses emissions from the cochlea. The sensed cochlear emissions include mechanical vibrations (“otovibratory emissions”) and sound pressure waves (“otoacoustic emissions”). Based on the sensed emissions, diagnostic information is provided to the physician at an external programmer, allowing easier positioning and coupling of an electrical-to-mechanical output transducer. Diagnosis of auditory system or hearing assistance system malfunctions is effectively implemented using the data communicated from the implantable hearing assistance device. Signal processing parameters are adjusted based on the sensed cochlear emissions for improved hearing assistance. Otovibratory emission sensing is likely more sensitive than otoacoustic emissions, providing improved audiometric screening data.

Abstract: An improved partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing assistance system includes a device and method of providing between a vibrating auditory element and a transducer that senses or provides such mechanical vibrations adjustably positionable contact at a controllable, adjustable, or calibrated force. A screw adjusts a spacing between first and second members of the transducer mount to position the transducer and obtain the desired coupling force between the transducer and the auditory element. A spring provides an adjustable coupling force. A spacer limits further compression of the spring, providing additional force. A calibrated coupling force is obtained by compressing the spring by a known amount, such as by observing visual demarcations, or by reducing the spacing between the first and second members until the spacing is almost limited by the length of the spacer. Optimal ranges of forces for sensing malleus vibrations are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing assistance system includes a device and method of providing between a vibrating auditory element and a transducer that senses or provides such mechanical vibrations adjustably positionable contact at a controllable, adjustable, or calibrated force. A screw adjusts a spacing between first and second members of the transducer mount to position the transducer and obtain the desired coupling force between the transducer and the auditory element. A spring provides an adjustable coupling force. A spacer limits further compression of the spring, providing additional force. A calibrated coupling force is obtained by compressing the spring by a known amount, such as by observing visual demarcations, or by reducing the spacing between the first and second members until the spacing is almost limited by the length of the spacer. Optimal ranges of forces for sensing malleus vibrations are disclosed.

Abstract: An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring system and method for using such is disclosed. The system stimulates and interprets predictable external effects of elevated ICP. In one embodiment, the system non-invasively and continuously monitors ICP by stimulating and interpreting predictable changes measured in the otoacoustic emission (OAE) signal of the patient. The system may alternately non-invasively and continuously monitor ICP by stimulating, measuring, and interpreting other responses which rely on the transmission of vibrations through the middle ear cochlear interface, such as tympanograms (TGRAMs), ocular-acoustic reflex, auditory brainstem response (ABR), or cochlear microphonics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assists a hearing impaired person by introducing and maintaining a mechanical feedback barrier between a microphone and a transducer of an implantable hearing assistance system. In this method, mechanical sound vibrations impinging on the person's body habitus are received with an electromechanical device (e.g. microphone) disposed at a body habitus sound reception site. The body habitus sound reception site can be located within the external auditory canal, or external of the external auditory canal either subdermally or external of the scalp. The mechanical sound vibrations are converted with the electromechanical device to an amplified electrical signal. Next, the amplified electrical signal is delivered to the inner ear with a transducer operatively coupled between the electromechanical device and the middle ear or the inner ear.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer for an implantable hearing aid, such as a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid system. The invention comprises at least one piezoelectric element proportioned for mechanically coupling to a middle ear only through an auditory element in the middle ear, such as the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, or in the inner ear, such as the oval window, round window, vestibule, or semicircular canals. The invention need not be secured to a temporal bone. Inertial masses and a carrier are optionally provided to assist in sensing or producing mechanical vibrations. The carrier is optionally hermetically sealed. Superpositioned individual frequency responses optimize an overall frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: An accelerometer based rate adaptive pacemaker generating an acceleration output signal corresponding to sensed acceleration of a patient's body. Apparatus for providing a sensor determined interval is coupled to the acceleration sensor and the sensor determined interval is proportional to the acceleration output signal. Apparatus for determining an actual pacing interval is coupled to an apparatus for determining a generated pacing interval. The generated pacing interval is a function of both the sensor determined interval and the actual pacing interval.