Surgically Implanted Vibratory Hearing Aid Patents (Class 600/25)
  • Patent number: 12003925
    Abstract: An external component of a medical device, including an actuator including a static magnetic flux path that reacts with a dynamic magnetic flux path to actuate the actuator, and a magnetic retention system configured to retain the external component to a recipient via interaction with a ferromagnetic component attached to a recipient, the magnetic retention system including a magnetic flux path that encircles the static magnetic flux path of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Johan Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 11956588
    Abstract: An electronic device may include one or more terminals configured to provide a voltage signal to an actuator. The electronic device may detect a current associated with the voltage signal provided by the terminal to the actuator. The electronic device may determine an impedance across associated with the actuator based on the voltage signal and the electrical current. The electronic device may compare the impedance to a threshold impedance to determine whether there is sufficient skin contact with the actuator. The electronic device may provide audio via cartilage conduction if there is sufficient contact based on comparing the impedance to the threshold impedance, or may output a notification to the user to adjust placement of the electronic device to improve contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Drew Stone Briggs, Morteza Khaleghimeybodi, Chuming Zhao, John Raymond Brodie
  • Patent number: 11910164
    Abstract: Presented herein are stand-alone hearing aid adapters configured to enable the use of the recipient's hearing aid to detect and process ambient sound signals and to convert output signals generated by the acoustic hearing aid into input signals useable by the implantable hearing prosthesis for generation and delivery of stimulation to a recipient
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Case, Michael Goorevich
  • Patent number: 11890226
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for magnetically pushing agents into an eye. The agents are magnetic or magnetizable or magnetically responsive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Benjamin Shapiro, Aleksandar Nacev
  • Patent number: 11825273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration module for placing on an eardrum, which vibration module has a flat sound transducer and an eardrum contact mold for contacting the eardrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Vibrosonic GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Fritzsche, Daniela Wildenstein
  • Patent number: 11770660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Smruti Mirchandani, Christoph Menzel
  • Patent number: 11743663
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus suitable for use with hearing devices. A vapor deposition process can be used to make a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to a tissue surface, such as a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to one or more of an eardrum, the eardrum annulus, or a skin of the ear canal. The retention structure can be resilient and may comprise an anatomically accurate shape profile corresponding to a portion of the ear, such that the resilient retention structure provides mechanical stability for an output transducer assembly placed in the ear for an extended time. The output transducer may couple to the eardrum with direct mechanical coupling or acoustic coupling when retained in the ear canal with the retention structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Jake L. Olsen, David Chazan, Jonathan P. Fay, Micha Rosen, Sunil Puria
  • Patent number: 11736869
    Abstract: Technologies disclosed herein can be used to test vibrating actuators, such as those found in auditory prostheses. An example test system includes a trigger signal generator that emits a trigger signal, a test frequency generator that operates in a test mode responsive to receiving a trigger signal, and a diagnostic tool comprising a vibration sensor. The diagnostic tool can measure an output of the vibration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Werner Meskens, Clare James
  • Patent number: 11706569
    Abstract: A sound producing cell includes a membrane and an actuating layer. The membrane includes a first membrane subpart and a second membrane subpart, wherein the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart are opposite to each other. The actuating layer is disposed on the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart. The first membrane subpart includes a first anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the first membrane subpart other than the first anchored edge are non-anchored. The second membrane subpart includes a second anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the second membrane subpart other than the second anchored edge are non-anchored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: xMEMS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiung C. Lo, Hao-Hsin Chang, Wen-Chien Chen, Chun-I Chang
  • Patent number: 11697587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bone-conduction sensor assembly. The bone-conduction sensor assembly includes a housing, a printed circuit board assembly forming a first receiving cavity together with the housing, a diaphragm accommodated in the first receiving cavity, a MEMS die and an ASIC chip mounted on the printed circuit board assembly. The MEMS die electrically connects to the ASIC chip through a bonding wire. A first weight is located on a surface of the diaphragm facing to the printed circuit board assembly. A position of the first weight has an avoiding portion corresponding to the bonding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tingting Hong, Zhenkui Meng, Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 11644692
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker may include an earphone core, an auxiliary function module, and a flexible circuit board. The earphone core may be configured to convert an electric signal into a vibration signal. The auxiliary function module may be configured to receive an auxiliary signal and execute an auxiliary function. The flexible circuit board may be configured to electrically connect to an audio signal wire and an auxiliary signal wire of an external control circuit, and electrically connect the audio signal wire and the auxiliary signal wire with the earphone core and the auxiliary function module via the flexible circuit board, respectively. The loudspeaker in the present disclosure may simplify the wire routing and improve sound quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yueqiang Wang, Yongjian Li, Haofeng Zhang, Yunbin Chen, Fen You, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11627935
    Abstract: An ultrasound signal processor uses an excitation generator to cause displacement of a tympanic membrane while a series of ultrasound pulses are applied to the tympanic membrane. Phase differences between a transmitted signal and received signal are examined to determine the movement of the tympanic membrane in response to the applied excitation. An examination of the phase response of the tympanic membrane provides a determination as to whether the fluid type behind the tympanic membrane is one of: no fluid, serum fluid, or purulent fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: OtoNexus Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Moehring, George A. Gates, Daniel M. Kreindler, Jay A. Chesavage, Rahul Singh
  • Patent number: 11601768
    Abstract: A method of generating sounds for reducing an effect of tinnitus is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: acquiring a sound frequency of a tinnitus sound of a user, and playing a plurality of pure tones within a frequency range during a playback time, wherein the plurality of pure tones include a plurality of first pure tones and a plurality of second pure tones; the plurality of first pure tones and the sound frequency are located at a first frequency area, and the plurality of second pure tones are located at a second frequency area; the first frequency area covers X Hz, where 100?X?12000, the second frequency area covers the remaining portion of the frequency range excluding the first frequency area, and the plurality of first pure tones accounts for M % of the plurality of pure tones, where 50<M?90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Wei Kao, Neo Bob Chih-Yung Young, Kuo-Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 11595750
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of a speaker capable of producing multi-frequency-range sound using bar magnets, multiple diaphragms, and a shared planar voice coil. The planar voice coil is located between the bar magnets and translates a received electric signal into the kinetic energy that vibrates the diaphragms, thus reproducing multi-frequency range sound. In some embodiments, the speaker generates bi-directional sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Resonado, Inc.
    Inventors: Leeg Hyun Cho, Youngil Cho, Christian Femrite
  • Patent number: 11577078
    Abstract: An improved implantable auditory stimulation system includes two or more implanted microphones for transcutaneous detection of acoustic signals. Each of the implanted microphones provides an output signal. The microphone output signals may be combinatively utilized by an implanted processor to generate a signal for driving an implanted auditory stimulation device. The implanted microphones may be located at offset subcutaneous locations and/or may be provided with different design sensitivities, wherein combinative processing of the microphone output signals may yield an improved drive signal. In one embodiment, the microphone signal may be processed for beamforming and/or directionality purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Brian M. Conn, Jose H. Bedoya
  • Patent number: 11582568
    Abstract: A prosthesis including an abutment, an operationally removable component including a coupling apparatus, and an adapter, wherein the abutment is connected to the adapter and the coupling apparatus of the operationally removable component is releasably coupled to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Marcus Andersson
  • Patent number: 11570555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Smruti Mirchandani, Christoph Menzel
  • Patent number: 11554268
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a coil configured to be positioned over a wound on a body and held in place on the body by a magnet implanted within the body. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the coil and configured to apply therapeutic electromagnetic pulses by way of the coil to the wound. Other systems and methods for providing therapeutic electromagnetic pulses to a recipient are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, R. Tissa Karunasiri, Kanthaiah Koka, Smita S. Agrawal
  • Patent number: 11553293
    Abstract: A tinnitus shielding device primarily includes an audio pick-up circuit, a processor, and a speaker in a case. The audio pick-up circuit receives a sound from an outer environment to generate a sound signal, and the processor processes the sound signal to compare a sound frequency in each of a plurality of audio components according to a configuration data and generates an output audio component by a frequency shifting process to at least one of the sound frequency which conforming to the configuration data. Then the processor combines the output audio component and the audio components those are not shifted to generate an output sound signal, to allow the speaker to output the output sound signal. Accordingly, the tinnitus shielding device of the present disclosure provides automatically shielding the sound frequency which may cause tinnitus discomfort to the user, to avoid the problem with tinnitus thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: AWNT LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi-Chang Liu, Li-Min Sun
  • Patent number: 11546698
    Abstract: A device includes an electromagnetic radiation delivery system such as a laser of light emitting diode infrared emitter configured for delivery of electromagnetic radiation within a sealed canal such as an ear canal, a fiber optic cable configured for delivering or capturing the electromagnetic radiation within the sealed canal, and a photo detector coupled to the fiber optic cable forming a portion of a voice communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Goldstein, John Patrick Keady, Paul Calvert
  • Patent number: 11528565
    Abstract: A method performed by an electronic controller includes determining a charge level of a power supply configured to provide power to a medical device, and estimating, based on the charge level of the power supply, a first power supply life for operating the medical device according to a first mode. Further, the method includes estimating, based on the charge level of the power supply, a second power supply life for operating the medical device according to a second mode. As recited, operating the medical device according to the first mode has a different power use or consumption characteristic from operating the medical device according to the second mode. The method also includes generating a notification indicative of the first power supply life and the second power supply life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Michael Goorevich, Kenneth Oplinger, Zachary Smith
  • Patent number: 11496845
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an elongate body, a first connector, and a second connector. The first connector has a first axis and is configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from a percutaneous implant of a bone conduction acoustic prosthesis system. The second connector has a second axis and is configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from a component of the acoustic prosthesis system, the component external to the recipient. The first axis and the second axis are offset from one another along a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Emelie Lager, Madeleine Gustavsson, Henrik Fyrlund
  • Patent number: 11477579
    Abstract: An acoustic device and method generates an acoustic signal by applying an excitation signal to a first coil disposed about an armature of an acoustic receiver. A second coil magnetically coupled to the first coil generates an electrical output signal in response to the excitation signal applied to the first coil, wherein the output signal of the second coil is indicative of a change in a state or operation of the receiver or acoustic device. In some embodiments, the first and second coils are wired independently of each other, and the acoustic device further includes an electrical circuit which determines the change in the acoustic performance based on a change in the electrical output signal of the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventor: Charles King
  • Patent number: 11463829
    Abstract: A method for processing audio signals includes extracting a fundamental frequency (F0) component from a first audio signal; processing the first audio signal with Dominant Melody Enhancement (DoME) based on a hearing profile and output a second audio signal; and providing the second audio signal to the user. The DoME enhances the F0 component. The enhancement weight of the DoME is corresponding to the hearing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Drew Cappotto, Jan Schnupp
  • Patent number: 11457322
    Abstract: An implantable unit of a transcutaneous hearing device and a transcutaneous hearing device comprising the same are disclosed. The implantable unit comprises a receiver element configured to wirelessly receive an electromagnetic wave, a rectifier element configured to generate upper and lower half waveforms of the electromagnetic wave, and a vibrator element configured to electromechanically produce vibration using the half waveforms of the electromagnetic wave. The vibrator element comprises a first vibrator and a second vibrator. The first vibrator is configured to be driven by the upper half waveform of the electromagnetic wave, and the second vibrator is configured to be driven by the lower half waveform of the electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: OTICON MEDICAL A/S
    Inventor: Bengt Bern
  • Patent number: 11438717
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described herein related to improving the sound quality of a bone conduction speaker. The sound quality of the bone conduction speaker is adjusted in the sound generation, sound transferring, and sound receiving of the bone conduction speaker by designing vibration generation manners and vibration transfer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengyun Liao, Jinbo Zheng, Qian Chen, Hao Chen, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11433236
    Abstract: An exemplary sound processor is configured to maintain data representative of a frequency allocation table that maps frequencies in an upper region of an audible frequency range to a plurality of electrodes located within a cochlea of the first ear, receive an audio signal, direct a cochlear implant to apply standard electrical stimulation representative of frequencies in the audio signal that are within the upper region to the cochlea of the first ear by way of the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the frequency allocation table, and direct the cochlear implant to apply phantom electrical stimulation representative of frequencies in the audio signal that are within a lower region of the audible frequency range to the cochlea of the first ear by way of a most apical electrode and one or more compensating electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes in accordance with a phantom electrode stimulation configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventor: Josef Chalupper
  • Patent number: 11432068
    Abstract: An example system includes a microphone sensor for an electronic device and a chamber coupled to the microphone sensor. The chamber is to be selectively filled with a fluid or having a vacuum therein. When the chamber is filled with the fluid, sound waves are allowed to travel through the chamber to the microphone sensor, and fluid pressure in the chamber causes an indicator to be in a first position. When the chamber has a vacuum therein, sound waves are prevented from traveling through the chamber to the microphone sensor and the vacuum in the chamber causes the indicator to be in a second position different from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rafael Ballagas, Mary G. Baker
  • Patent number: 11425514
    Abstract: A middle ear implant system includes a bone conduction transducer configured for fixed attachment to skull bone of a patient beneath the skin behind the ear, and for generating sound vibrations from an external communications signal received through the skin for coupling to the skull bone for bone conduction sound perception by the patient. A malleable ossicle connector is connected to the bone conduction transducer and a middle ear hearing structure of the patient. And one or more isolation springs are configured for placement at the fixed attachment of the bone conduction transducer to the skull bone to acoustically decouple the bone conduction transducer from the skull bone to avoid bone conduction sound perception so that sound perception from the external communications signal is solely via the middle ear sound perception from vibrations coupled to the middle ear hearing structure by the ossicle connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Grasso
  • Patent number: 11406813
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a bio-electric stimulation probe assembly including a patch including a first aperture and also a guide socket including a grommet and a second aperture. The guide socket is positioned on the patch such that the first and second apertures are aligned. The assembly further includes a guide including a tip that is positioned within and rotatable within the grommet. A probe of the assembly having at least one electrode is interconnected with the guide and extends through the first and second apertures. The guide and guide socket are collectively arranged and configured so that the guide has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet thus meaning the probe correspondingly has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet. Methods of using stimulation probe assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Anirudhan Narasimhan, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin, Gabriela A. Guillen
  • Patent number: 11400291
    Abstract: An implantable battery device is disclosed, which comprises a battery, a first antenna, a second antenna, and a driving unit. The first antenna is configured to inductively supply energy from the battery to a first device and to transmit information received from a processing unit to the first device. The second antenna is provided for wireless communication with a second device. The driving unit is configured to operate the first antenna according to control signals received from the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to transmit control signals to the driving unit to control the inductive supply of energy to the first device, to receive information via the second antenna from the second device, and to transmit information received via the second antenna from the second device to the first device via the first antenna driven by the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventors: Dan Gnansia, Nicolas Veau, Yannick Vaiarello
  • Patent number: 11399245
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described herein related to improving the sound quality of a bone conduction speaker. The sound quality of the bone conduction speaker is adjusted in the sound generation, sound transferring, and sound receiving of the bone conduction speaker by designing vibration generation manners and vibration transfer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengyun Liao, Jinbo Zheng, Qian Chen, Hao Chen, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11389180
    Abstract: Presented herein is a bone fixture for a medical prosthesis. The bone fixture includes a self-drilling threaded body that is configured to be inserted into a recipient's bone. The threaded body includes a bone removal mechanism configured to cut away parts of the bone that are in the path of the threaded body and to remove portions of the cut parts of the bone, sometimes referred to herein as bone fragments, from the hole. The bone fixture also comprises a coupling section that is attached to a proximal end of the threaded body. The coupling section is configured to be positioned external to the recipient's bone and includes a connector interface that is entirely/completely proximal to the threaded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Andersson, Stefan Magnander
  • Patent number: 11368802
    Abstract: A prosthesis including an implantable component including an LC circuit, wherein a piezoelectric material forms at least a part of the capacitance portion of the LC circuit, the piezoelectric material expands and/or contracts upon the application of a variable magnetic field to the inductor of the LC circuit, the LC circuit has an electrical self-resonance frequency below 20 kHz, and the piezoelectric material forms part of an actuator configured to output a force to tissue of a recipient in which the implantable component is implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Werner Meskens
  • Patent number: 11368797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Daniel C. Contreras, Kimberly L. Harrison, Michael A. Helmbrecht, Ron L. Moses, Christopher Salthouse
  • Patent number: 11363364
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sound converting device, and in particular, a sound converting device having a near-infrared ray emission function, which allows a wearer to remain in a stable state by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and adjusts a stimulation effect on the wearer by adjusting an intensity of stimulation. A near-infrared ray emitted by an optical device of a light emitting unit has at least one of a set wavelength included in a reference wavelength range, a set frequency included in a reference frequency range, and a set light intensity included in a reference light intensity range, and the optical device operates to correspond to a set duty ratio included in a reference duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: EM-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyuk Won
  • Patent number: 11272297
    Abstract: Presented herein are directed to techniques for using objective measurements to determine a combined efficiency of an implantable actuator and a mechanical coupling of the implantable actuator to an auditory structure of an ear of a recipient. In particular, the implantable actuator is activated so as to deliver, via the mechanical coupling, mechanical stimulation to the auditory structure to effect a pressure change in an inner ear of the recipient. At least one stimulation device, that is separate from the implantable actuator, is configured to deliver secondary stimulation to the recipient to also effect a pressure change in the inner ear of the recipient. Objective measurements are performed to intra-operatively capture auditory evoked responses of the recipient in response to the mechanical stimulation and in response to the secondary stimulation. These auditory evoked responses are analyzed to determine a vibratory coupling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Bernd Waldmann, Tiago Rocha Felix
  • Patent number: 11259129
    Abstract: A processor comprises instructions to adjust a bias of an input signal in order to decrease a duty cycle of a pulse modulated optical signal. The bias can be increased, decreased, or maintained in response to one or more measured values of the signal. In many embodiments, a gain of the signal is adjusted with the bias in order to inhibit distortion. The bias can be adjusted slowly in order to inhibit audible noise, and the gain can be adjusted faster than the bias in order to inhibit clipping of the signal. In many embodiments, one or more of the bias or the gain is adjusted in response to a value of the signal traversing a threshold amount. The value may comprise a trough of the signal traversing the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Freed, Sunil Puria
  • Patent number: 11229927
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer may include a multi-layered membrane having a plurality of slits extending through the membrane, thereby forming a plurality of sections of the membrane at least partially separated by the slits. Each slit extends from a perimeter of the membrane to a respective end position at a predetermined distance away from a center of the membrane. The plurality of sections of the membrane are connected to each other at the center of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Xing Haw Marvin Tan, Yuandong Alex Gu, Liang Lou
  • Patent number: 11223913
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Smruti Mirchandani, Christoph Menzel
  • Patent number: 11212625
    Abstract: A noise cancelling system is described for a in a patient implantable hearing implant system. An implantable microphone senses a sound signal present at the microphone that includes a sound source component from a sound source external to the patient, and a noise component from internal bone conduction. At least one implantable noise sensing element is located near the microphone to sense the noise component. A filter is controlled by an adaptive algorithm responsive to transform the noise component and outputs a transducer control signal. A bone conduction transducer receives the transducer control signal and generates a corresponding mechanical vibration signal to the skull bone. The adaptive algorithm controls the filter so that the mechanical vibration signal of the bone conduction transducer offsets the noise component sensed by the at least one noise sensing element so as to minimize the noise component sensed by the implantable microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventor: Martin J. Kerber
  • Patent number: 11128967
    Abstract: An implantable apparatus, including an implantable transducer fixation mechanism, the fixation mechanism being configured to receive an implantable transducer, wherein the fixation mechanism is configured to be fixed to a wall of the middle ear cavity of the recipient, and the fixation mechanism is configured to locate the transducer at least partially outside the middle ear cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Koen Erik Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 11115750
    Abstract: A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ecole de Technologie Superieure
    Inventors: Hami Monsarrat-Chanon, Jeremie Voix, Vincent Nadon, Thomas Habrant
  • Patent number: 11096828
    Abstract: An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator and an earpiece having a first axial earpiece conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Nocira, LLC
    Inventors: David George, George Buckler, David Brice Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11090495
    Abstract: An alert system detects when an auditory prosthesis recipient is wearing her sound processor. When the processor is not worn, the alert system signals a secondary device, such as an accessory, to provide some other form of tactile stimulation to allow the recipient to be made aware of certain auditory stimuli she is not receiving via the auditory prosthesis. Thus, the alert system can effectively “hear” for the recipient. Since many auditory prosthesis recipients are, for all practical purposes, completely deaf without their external sound processors attached and operational, such an alert system increases the recipient's safety, convenience, and quality of life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Hunt, David Harte, Hans Yoo, Roger Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 11083891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Ron L. Moses, Michael M. Moore, Christopher Salthouse
  • Patent number: 11064303
    Abstract: A hearing aid having a bellows vibration body is disclosed. The hearing aid comprises: an external unit having a microphone for converting an external voice into an electrical signal; an internal unit which can be implanted under the skin and is for communicating with the external unit; a bellows vibration body which can be connected to the auditory ossicles and comprises a non-magnetic body; and an audio transmission tube for transmitting an acoustic signal, which is output from the internal unit, to the bellows vibration body, wherein the bellows vibration body vibrates in accordance with the acoustic signal transmitted by means of the audio transmission tube and thus transmits the vibration to the auditory ossicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KYUNGPOOK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jin-ho Cho, Hyung Gyu Lim, Dong Ho Shin, Ki Woong Seong
  • Patent number: 11026032
    Abstract: A device, including an electromagnetic transducer including a bobbin having a space therein, a connection apparatus in fixed relationship to the bobbin configured to transfer vibrational energy directly or indirectly at least one of to or from the electromagnetic transducer, and a passage from the space to the connection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Andersson, Tommy Bergs, Johan Gustafsson, Anders Kallsvik
  • Patent number: 11000190
    Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
  • Patent number: 10960218
    Abstract: The present application relates to stacked piezoelectric composites comprising piezoelectric structures. Suitably, the composites are useful as tissue-stimulating implants, including spinal fusion implants. The present application also relates to methods of making stacked piezoelectric composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Elizabeth Annamaria Friis, John Patrick Domann, Paul M. Arnold