Patents by Inventor Stefan B. Nielsen
Stefan B. Nielsen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 10363417Abstract: A cochlear implant system is described which includes an implant housing containing a stimulation processor for processing externally produced communications signals to generate electrical stimulation signals for the cochlea of an implant patient. The implant housing lies substantially in a plane and has an outer perimeter adapted to fit within a surgically prepared housing recess in skull bone of the implant patient. Multiple housing fixation features are located on the outer perimeter and cooperate to develop lateral force in the plane of the implant housing between the implant housing and adjacent skull bone of the housing recess to fixedly secure the implant housing within the housing recess.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventor: Stefan B. Nielsen
-
Publication number: 20160001076Abstract: A cochlear implant system is described which includes an implant housing containing a stimulation processor for processing externally produced communications signals to generate electrical stimulation signals for the cochlea of an implant patient. The implant housing lies substantially in a plane and has an outer perimeter adapted to fit within a surgically prepared housing recess in skull bone of the implant patient. Multiple housing fixation features are located on the outer perimeter and cooperate to develop lateral force in the plane of the implant housing between the implant housing and adjacent skull bone of the housing recess to fixedly secure the implant housing within the housing recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventor: Stefan B. NIELSEN
-
Patent number: 9037253Abstract: A system and method for selecting an appropriate implantable hearing device for a patient with a hearing impairment is disclosed. The system includes an auditory parameter generating module configured to receive electronically generated image data of the patient's auditory structure and to generate at least one auditory parameter based on the image data. The system further includes memory, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module, that is configured to store a listing of one or more implantable hearing devices, and a hearing device determining module, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module and the memory, that is configured to select the implantable hearing device based on the auditory parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anandhan Dhanasingh, Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen, Roland Hessler
-
Patent number: 8948884Abstract: A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes an electrode array core made of a flexible polymer material including an elongated helical portion having multiple helical turns. Electrode wires are embedded within the array core for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire, an electrode stimulation contact is exposed through the array core for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode array and has an outer surface with contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anup Ramachandran, Stefan B. Nielsen, Claude Jolly, Martin Zimmerling
-
Patent number: 8831750Abstract: A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold to be greater for bending less than the bend radius threshold and lesser for bending greater than the bend radius threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anup Ramachandran, Stefan B. Nielsen, Claude Jolly, Martin Zimmerling
-
Publication number: 20140228909Abstract: A system and method for selecting an appropriate implantable hearing device for a patient with a hearing impairment is disclosed. The system includes an auditory parameter generating module configured to receive electronically generated image data of the patient's auditory structure and to generate at least one auditory parameter based on the image data. The system further includes memory, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module, that is configured to store a listing of one or more implantable hearing devices, and a hearing device determining module, in communication with the auditory parameter generating module and the memory, that is configured to select the implantable hearing device based on the auditory parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anandhan Dhanasingh, Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen, Roland Hessler
-
Patent number: 8457764Abstract: A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anup Ramachandran, Stefan B. Nielsen, Claude Jolly, Martin Zimmerling
-
Patent number: 8160715Abstract: An implantable fixation structure includes a c-shape bone fixation clip adapted to fit over and attach to a bony bridge element in the middle ear of a patient. A c-shape electrode fixation clip is adapted to fit over and attach to an electrode array element in the middle ear of the patient. A connecting bar has a first end connected to the bone fixation clip and a second end connected to the electrode fixation clip. A coupling clip is connected to the connecting bar between the first end and the second end and adapted to fit over and attach to a cochlear implant element and hold the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Marcus Schmidt, Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen, Joachim Muller, Daniel Schaudel
-
Publication number: 20120004715Abstract: A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anup Ramachandran, Stefan B. Nielsen, Claude Jolly, Martin Zimmerling
-
Publication number: 20100305677Abstract: An implantable fixation structure includes a c-shape bone fixation clip adapted to fit over and attach to a bony bridge element in the middle ear of a patient. A c-shape electrode fixation clip is adapted to fit over and attach to an electrode array element in the middle ear of the patient. A connecting bar has a first end connected to the bone fixation clip and a second end connected to the electrode fixation clip. A coupling clip is connected to the connecting bar between the first end and the second end and adapted to fit over and attach to a cochlear implant element and hold the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventors: Marcus Schmidt, Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen, Joachim Müller, Daniel Schaudel
-
Publication number: 20100305673Abstract: An implantable electrode device and a corresponding method of fabricating such a device are described. An electrode network of wires and contacts is developed by inkjet deposition of conductive metal material over portions of the electrode substrate for electrically connecting an implant processor device to targeted tissue in a patient. An electrode substrate beneath the electrode network provides structural support to the electrode network. A biocompatible encapsulation layer selectively covers a portion of the electrode network and provides electrical insulation for the covered portion of the electrode network while leaving exposed portions of the electrode network which allow electrical contact with adjacent tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventors: Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen
-
Patent number: 7792587Abstract: An implantable fixation structure includes at least one implantable holding element. The holding element is connected to an implantable cochlear implant element and maintains the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of a patient user.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Marcus Schmidt, Claude Jolly, Stefan B. Nielsen, Joachim Müller, Daniel Schaudel
-
Publication number: 20100036470Abstract: A method of fabricating an implantable stimulation electrode is described. An arrangement of conductive metal powder is provided atop an electrode substrate. A laser beam is then focused on the metal powder to form the stimulation electrode in a given geometry with given dimensions and supported by the electrode substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBHInventor: Stefan B. Nielsen