Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a photodiode and, in particular, to operating a photodiode in a zero-mode operation, where the photodiode operates at either zero current or zero voltage. Accordingly, there is provided a circuit configured for detecting light, including a photodiode; and a circuit configured for operating the photodiode at zero-mode.

Abstract: A device, including an implantable electronic circuit integrated at least one of in or on a substrate, wherein the device includes a hermetic enclosure having a space therein, wherein the substrate forms at least a portion of the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that enable electroporation of the cells of a recipient of a tissue-stimulating prostheses while the tissue-stimulating prosthesis is implanted in the recipient. Tissue-stimulating prostheses in accordance with embodiments presented herein are configured such that the stimulation electronics (e.g., current sources and integrated circuit) of the prosthesis are not exposed to the high voltages used in electroporation.

Abstract: Presented herein are implantable medical devices, such as tissue-stimulating prostheses, that are configured to deliver simultaneous stimulation to a recipient. In one embodiment, a tissue stimulating prosthesis comprises a plurality of current sources, a plurality of electrodes (e.g., a linear array of electrodes), and a hardwired electrical network of switches, sometimes referred to herein as a “sparse switch network.” The sparse switch network is configured to connect each of the current sources to more than one of the electrodes, and to connect each of the electrodes to only a subset of the current sources. The sparse switch network is configured to prevent adjacent electrodes from being connected to the same current source.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that enable electroporation of the cells of a recipient of a tissue-stimulating prostheses while the tissue-stimulating prosthesis is implanted in the recipient. Tissue-stimulating prostheses in accordance with embodiments presented herein are configured such that the stimulation electronics (e.g., current sources and integrated circuit) of the prosthesis are not exposed to the high voltages used in electroporation.

Abstract: Tissue-stimulating prostheses that include a single-wire electrode array for delivery of electrical stimulation signals (current stimulation) to a recipient. The single-wire electrode array comprises a plurality of electrode devices that are all connected to a stimulator unit via a single-wire connection (i.e., only one wire or lead). Each of the plurality of electrode devices is individually addressable by the stimulator unit for delivery of the current signals to the recipient via the single-wire connection.

Abstract: Presented herein are implantable medical devices, such as tissue-stimulating prostheses, that are configured to deliver simultaneous stimulation to a recipient. In one embodiment, a tissue stimulating prosthesis comprises a plurality of current sources, a plurality of electrodes (e.g., a linear array of electrodes), and a hardwired electrical network of switches, sometimes referred to herein as a “sparse switch network.” The sparse switch network is configured to connect each of the current sources to more than one of the electrodes, and to connect each of the electrodes to only a subset of the current sources. The sparse switch network is configured to prevent adjacent electrodes from being connected to the same current source.

Abstract: A device, including an implantable electronic circuit integrated at least one of in or on a substrate, wherein the device includes a hermetic enclosure having a space therein, wherein the substrate forms at least a portion of the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: Tissue-stimulating prostheses that include a single-wire electrode array for delivery of electrical stimulation signals (current stimulation) to a recipient. The single-wire electrode array comprises a plurality of electrode devices that are all connected to a stimulator unit via a single-wire connection (i.e., only one wire or lead). Each of the plurality of electrode devices is individually addressable by the stimulator unit for delivery of the current signals to the recipient via the single-wire connection.

Abstract: A device, including an implantable electronic circuit integrated at least one of in or on a substrate, wherein the device includes a hermetic enclosure having a space therein, wherein the substrate forms at least a portion of the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: An amplifier calibration system has a calibration controller, a comparator coupled between an amplifier to be tested and the calibration controller, and an analog test signal generator driven by the calibration controller and coupled to the amplifier input. The system applies a cycle of analog tests to the amplifier input. The cycle has an upward path and a downward path. The upward path includes three signal levels: lowest, medium low, and medium high. The downward path includes: highest, medium high, and medium low. The comparator determines successive polarities of the amplifier's responses to the cycle of analog tests. Based on the polarities, the system determines amplifier characteristics, and calibrates amplifier parameters to change the amplifier characteristics to desired values. Characteristics may include hysteresis, offset, input range values, and other amplifier specifications.

Abstract: A system for transferring data and power between electronic devices implanted in a patient is described. The system comprises a first unit and a second unit that in use are both implanted in the patient and a cable connecting the first unit and the second unit. The first unit comprises a current supply unit that supplies a selected current output to the second unit via the cable and a processor configured to anticipate an action to be performed by the second unit and to select the current output dependent on the anticipated action.

Abstract: A method and system for charge imbalance compensation in a stimulating medical device is provided. The stimulating medical device includes at least one electrode contact configured for providing stimulation to a recipient. A charge imbalance compensation system in the stimulating medical device measures any residual charge remaining on the electrode contact that may result from an imbalance in the applied stimulation. If the measured residual charge exceeds a threshold, the charge imbalance compensation system causes a compensator current to be applied to reduce the residual charge. This residual charge may be measured by measuring a potential difference between the electrode contact and a reference electrode; or, by measuring a potential difference across a capacitor in-series with the electrode contact.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier has a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals. A first pair of transconductors is connected to the input terminals and the output terminals. A second pair of transconductors has inputs connected to output terminals, and outputs connected to the opposing output terminals. A third pair of transconductors has both its inputs and its outputs connected to the output terminals. One or more of the transconductors have a control port for a control signal to adjust its transconductance. The control signal may switch the transconductance of this or these transconductors between two or more values. One or more of the transconductors in the transconductance amplifier may include a tri-state inverter, which may be enabled or disabled through a control port.

Abstract: A device, including an implantable electronic circuit integrated at least one of in or on a substrate, wherein the device includes a hermetic enclosure having a space therein, wherein the substrate forms at least a portion of the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digital-to-analog conversion. A digital-to-analog converter includes a sampler for resampling a digital signal and a DAC array. The DAC array includes a sequencer, a unit element activator, and an array of one-bit DACs (unit elements). The unit elements are activated in a cyclical sequence, based on the resampled digital signal. Unit elements in the sequence may be skipped, based on a disruption probability. The disruption probability may be determined randomly, or pseudo-randomly. Output signals of the unit elements are summed or averaged to form an analog signal. The converter may include a filter to filter the analog signal.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier has a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals. A first pair of transconductors is connected to the input terminals and the output terminals. A second pair of transconductors has inputs connected to output terminals, and outputs connected to the opposing output terminals. A third pair of transconductors has both its inputs and its outputs connected to the output terminals. One or more of the transconductors have a control port for a control signal to adjust its transconductance. The control signal may switch the transconductance of this or these transconductors between two or more values. One or more of the transconductors in the transconductance amplifier may include a tri-state inverter, which may be enabled or disabled through a control port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digital-to-analog conversion. A digital-to-analog converter includes a sampler for resampling a digital signal and a DAC array. The DAC array includes a sequencer, a unit element activator, and an array of one-bit DACs (unit elements). The unit elements are activated in a cyclical sequence, based on the resampled digital signal. Unit elements in the sequence may be skipped, based on a disruption probability. The disruption probability may be determined randomly, or pseudo-randomly. Output signals of the unit elements are summed or averaged to form an analog signal. The converter may include a filter to filter the analog signal.

Abstract: A body stimulating device operatively adapted to provide electrical stimuli within a body, the device including stimulating electrodes, stimulus generator, and electrode voltage sensors, said electrode voltage sensors operatively measuring the DC/LF voltage of the electrodes, wherein if the sensors determine that the electrode voltage for an electrode is outside a predetermined range, then a compensating current is applied to that electrode, so as to reduce the voltage.