Patents by Inventor William Vanbrooks Harrison
William Vanbrooks Harrison 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).
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Patent number: 8155747Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 8150527Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 8023677Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, C. Geoffrey E Fernald, Scott Crawford
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Patent number: 7970157Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, C. Geoffrey E Fernald, Scott Crawford
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Patent number: 7949412Abstract: Implantable electrode leads, e.g. cochlear, spinal cord stimulation, or any type of neurostimulation leads, used in a patient's body to stimulate muscle or nerve tissue, provide enhanced stimulation for treating, e.g., hearing loss or chronic pain. One such lead includes, an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, which lead provides improved stability of electrode contact direction. In-line electrodes are spaced-apart along one side of a flexible carrier having non-conductive bumps coated with a bioresorbable material spaced apart between each electrode contact. Over time the bioresorbable material is absorbed thereby reducing chronic placement pressure caused during the insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The bioresorbable material may also serve as a carrier for drugs or other materials that would improve performance of the electrode for any type of lead.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Michael S Colvin, Janusz A Kuzma, Thomas J Balkany
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Patent number: 7920925Abstract: Errors in pitch (frequency) allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Edward H. Overstreet, Leonid M. Litvak, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Publication number: 20100331913Abstract: A hybrid electrode array includes a basal array section and a distal array section. The basal array section is configured to provide high frequency stimulation. The basal array section is configured to extend into the cochlea up to a region where electrical stimulation provides recovery for high frequency loss. The distal array section is configured to be attached to a distal tip of the basal array section and is configured to extend into the cochlear to a region where electrical stimulation provides recovery for middle to low frequency hearing loss. For progressive hearing loss treatment, the distal array section is not activated during initial stages of hearing loss allowing the patient to rely on a combination of acoustic stimulation and high frequency stimulation provided by the basal array section. As hearing loss progresses, the distal array section is selectively activated to treat lower frequency hearing loss using lower frequency stimulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2005Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7805198Abstract: Errors in pitch (frequency) allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Edward H Overstreet, Leonid M Litvak, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7769194Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. The microphone includes means for adjusting the position of the microphone to receive sound waves through a port. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, C. Geoffrey E Fernald, Scott Crawford
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Publication number: 20090264962Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Publication number: 20090264963Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7561920Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7526096Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone which converts audio sounds into electrical signals which are then processed by a speech processor to generate electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the cochlea, improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, Scott Crawford, C. Geoffrey E Fernald
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Patent number: 7444185Abstract: An active electrode array provides a programmable number of electrode contacts through which stimulation current may be selectively delivered to surrounding tissue, preferably through the use of appropriate stimulation groups. The active electrode array provides a large number of both medial and lateral contacts, any one of which may be selected to apply a stimulus pulse through active switching elements included within the array. The active switching elements included within the array operate at a very low compliance voltage, thereby reducing power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Michael A Faltys, Glen A Griffith, William VanBrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7251530Abstract: Errors in pitch (frequency) allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: Edward H Overstreet, Leonid M Litvak, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 7167572Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In a preferred embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, Scott Crawford, C. Geoffrey E Fernald
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Patent number: 7106873Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In a preferred embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Lee F Hartley, Philip A Segel, Scott A Crawford, C. Geoffrey E Fernald
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Patent number: 7039466Abstract: A cochlear implant system, or other neural stimulation system, has the capability to stimulate fast enough to induce stochastic neural firing so as to restore “spontaneous” neural activity. The stimulation rate applied to the more distally-located electrodes of an electrode array connected to the implant system is reduced from the stimulation rate applied to the more proximally-located electrodes. Thus, in the case of a cochlear implant system, the apically-located regions within the cochlea are stimulated at a reduced rate in order to conserve power. Pulse widths of the reduced-rate pulses may further be increased, and amplitudes reduced, to further conserve power. As needed, a low-level random conditioner stimulation signal may be applied to the apical regions of the cochlea in order to ensure the occurrence of random neural firings.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: William Vanbrooks Harrison, Michael A. Faltys
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Patent number: 6980864Abstract: A fully implantable cochlear prosthesis includes (1) an implantable hermetically sealed case wherein electronic circuitry, including a battery and an implantable microphone, are housed, (2) an active electrode array that provides a programmable number of electrode contacts through which stimulation current may be selectively delivered to surrounding tissue, preferably through the use of appropriate stimulation groups, and (3) a connector that allows the active electrode array to be detachably connected with the electronic circuitry within the sealed case. The active electrode array provides a large number of both medial and lateral contacts, any one of which may be selected to apply a stimulus pulse through active switching elements included within the array. The active switching elements included within the array operate at a very low compliance voltage, thereby reducing power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: Michael A. Faltys, Glen A. Griffith, William Vanbrooks Harrison
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Patent number: 6889094Abstract: A cochlear electrode array is adapted for implantation within the basal end of the scala tympani duct of a human cochlea. A first embodiment of the cochlear electrode array (10) comprises a skinny, elongate carrier (12) of from 6-8 mm in length. Four to eight spaced-apart electrode contacts (14) reside along one of the flat sides of the carrier, each of which is connected to a respective wire (22) embedded within the carrier. The wires exit a proximal end of the carrier via a wire bundle. The wire bundle, in turn, is connectable to an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) or equivalent pulse generator. The electrode array (10) is inserted into the relatively straight portion of the basal end of the scala tympani duct of the cochlea through a small slit (42) made in the round window membrane that separates the cochlea from the middle ear. The slit is oriented so as to place the electrode contacts facing the modiolar wall (32).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Advanced Bionics CorporationInventors: Janusz A. Kuzma, William Vanbrooks Harrison, Thomas J. Balkany