Patents by Inventor Steve Blumenkranz

Steve Blumenkranz 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: 8023675
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component and can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David P. Knight, Mitchell Barham
  • Patent number: 7720242
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a flexible joint for extended wear hearing devices. One embodiment provides a flexible joint for a hearing device comprising a compliant tube having a lateral and a medial end, a pivotal portion and a lumen. The hearing device can include a CIC hearing aid positioned in the bony portion of the ear canal. The tube ends are configured to be coupled to lateral and medial device assemblies. The tube allows the lateral assembly to advance the medial assembly into the bony portion of the ear canal and have the lateral and medial assemblies conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement. The tube also acoustically decouples the two assemblies. The pivotal portion can comprise a necked portion or otherwise have decreased stiffness relative to other tube portions. The tube can be shaped to fit over and retain one or both assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Anderson, Adnan Shennib, Robert Schindler, Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Ian Day
  • Publication number: 20090238389
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component and can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David P. Knight, Mitchell Barham
  • Patent number: 7558394
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David P. Knight, Mitchell Barham
  • Patent number: 7466836
    Abstract: A removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David P. Knight, Mitchell Barham
  • Publication number: 20070036379
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a flexible joint for extended wear hearing devices. One embodiment provides a flexible joint for a hearing device comprising a compliant tube having a lateral and a medial end, a pivotal portion and a lumen. The hearing device can include a CIC hearing aid positioned in the bony portion of the ear canal. The tube ends are configured to be coupled to lateral and medial device assemblies. The tube allows the lateral assembly to advance the medial assembly into the bony portion of the ear canal and have the lateral and medial assemblies conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement. The tube also acoustically decouples the two assemblies. The pivotal portion can comprise a necked portion or otherwise have decreased stiffness relative to other tube portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Anderson, Adnan Shennib, Robert Schindler, Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Ian Day
  • Publication number: 20070009106
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David Knight, Mitchell Barham
  • Publication number: 20070003086
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal. The tool comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Tilson, Steve Blumenkranz, Pat Contioso, David Knight, Mitchell Barham