External Auditory Canal Patents (Class 607/136)
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Patent number: 8112161Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode is described. A basal electrode lead carries electrical stimulation signals from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening, and a portion of the electrode lead has a periodically recurring lead shape. An apical electrode array at the cochleostomy end of the electrode lead passes into a cochlea scala and includes electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A portion of the electrode array has a periodically recurring array shape different from the lead shape.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Claude Jolly, Stefan Nielsen, Fabrice Béal
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Patent number: 8068914Abstract: A case for use with a speech processor unit including a housing configured to receive the speech processor unit and a connector configured to be connected to a connector on the speech processor unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold
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Patent number: 8019429Abstract: Generation of electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array is described. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which include a fine structure carrier signal and a modulator envelope signal. For each band pass signal, fine time structure information is extracted from the carrier signal to determine a sequence of stimulation event signals. For one or more low frequency band pass signals, the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. For one or more higher frequency band pass signals, if and only if the modulator envelope signal exceeds a sampling threshold value, then the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. The envelope weighted stimulation event signals are then processed to produce electrode stimulation signals for the implanted electrode array.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Ernst Aschbacher, Peter Schleich
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Publication number: 20110178586Abstract: An electrode unit is provided for use in cranial electrostimulation in which an electric current transferring electrode operatively transfers electrical energy to the region of an ear of a patient. The electrode unit has an electrode carried on the outer periphery of an audio earphone of the type suitable for engagement in the entrance to, or within, the auditory canal of an ear of a patient. The electrode has an electrical contact area for operatively transferring electrical energy between the electrode and the skin of a patient fitted with the electrode unit. The electrode may have a contact surface layer exposed for direct contact with the skin of a patient, in use, or it may have an electrically conductive cover for the electrode itself. Typically, the electrode unit forms one of a pair thereof in which instance the audio earphones are a pair of stereo earphones of substantially conventional type.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2009Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: To Be First AGInventor: Robert Russell Grey
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Patent number: 7962226Abstract: An elongate electrode carrier member including a longitudinally-extending central region, two side regions laterally extending from opposing sides of the central region, a lateral surface defined by the central and side regions together forming a convex circumferential surface, a medial surface defined by a convex surface of the central region and a concave surface for each of the side regions, a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrodes disposed on or in the convex surface of the central region of the medial surface, and a support structure including a plurality of longitudinally extending wires each connected to one or more of the electrodes, wherein a subset of the plurality of wires is disposed in the central region and at least one of the plurality of wires is disposed in one of the side regions.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Ernst Lehnhardt, Horst Hessel, Peter Gibson, John Parker, Ernst von Wallenberg
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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: 7933657Abstract: Alternative stimuli, i.e., stimuli other than the constant amplitude stimuli used in prior fitting schemes, are used to set the parameters of a cochlear implant system. The use of such alternative stimuli allows the entire fitting process to be completed in a very short time period, and generally eliminates the need for secondary adjustments. In one preferred embodiment, the alternative stimuli comprise white noise that is internally generated within the speech processor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, Tracey L. Kruger, Lakshmi N. Mishra
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Patent number: 7809444Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11) having a plurality of electrodes thereon. The electrodes are preferably disposed in a linear array on the carrier member (11) and are adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation to the cochlea. The carrier member (11) is preformed from a resiliently flexible biocompatible silicone and extends from a distal end (12) to a stop member (13). The carrier member (11) is adapted for intracochlear but extraluminar insertion within the cochlea of an implantee. In particular, the carrier member (11) is adapted to be implanted in the crevice (21) between the spiral ligament (22) and the endosteum (23) of the lateral wall of the cochlea (20). This is a quite different location to the normal placement of the cochlear implant electrode array in the scala tympani (24) of the cochlea (20).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Peter Gibson, Ernst Lehnhardt, John L. Parker
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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
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Patent number: 7631424Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible circuit electrode array adapted for neural stimulation, comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces at least one tack opening; wherein said polymer base layer, said metal traces and said polymer top layer are thermoformed in a three dimensional shape. The present invention provides further a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on said polymer base layer; patterning said metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; preparing at least one tack opening; and heating said flexible circuit electrode array in a mold to form a three dimensional shape in said flexible circuit electrode array.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, James Singleton Little, Brian V. Mech
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Patent number: 7512448Abstract: A number of ear-worn hearing system devices are provided that each include a pair of electrodes to transmit time varying electrical signals therebetween when in contact with skin of a user's body. The devices each include a housing, a sound sensor, and processing circuitry included within the housing. The electrodes are coupled to the circuitry and are spaced apart from one another a distance sufficient to provide capacitance between the electrodes below a desired threshold. The electrodes are disposed along the housing for placement on locations of the user's body where skin contact is not likely to be disrupted by nominal body movements.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Crista Malick, Xie Qi, Mitesh Parikh, Steve Franke, Douglas L. Jones, Jeffery B. Larsen, Christopher D. Schmitz, Francois Callias
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Patent number: 7496406Abstract: Alternative stimuli, i.e., stimuli other than the constant amplitude stimuli used in prior fitting schemes, is used to set the parameters of a cochlear implant system. The use of such alternative stimuli allows the entire fitting process to be completed in a very short time period, and generally eliminates the need for secondary adjustments. In one preferred embodiment, the alternative stimuli comprise white noise that is internally generated within the speech processor.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLCInventors: Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, Tracey L. Kruger, Lakshmi Narayan Mishra
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Patent number: 7272446Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for neural stimulation with improved power consumption and/or effectiveness. The stimulus generator is arranged, for example via a look up table, to recognize proposed stimuli which will be masked by earlier or simultaneous stimuli. Such masked stimuli are either deleted, or replaced by another stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: John Parker, James F. Patrick
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Patent number: 7194314Abstract: A cochlear implant wherein the return path of the electrode array is located to increase current flow through the modiolus. The return electrode is placed at various locations outside the cochlea, and into the modiolus itself. In addition, the electrode array includes an inflatable membrane that is inflated to anchor the array in position in the cochlea with the electrode contacts pressed into contact with the modiolar wall and allowing the membrane to seal with the surrounding tissue of the cochlea, increasing the longitudinal resistance along the cochlear implant electrode, decreasing shunting of the injected current via scala tympani. In experiments that were conducted the current along the modiolus was determined to be, on average, 2.4 times larger with the return electrode in the modiolus than in an extracochlear location.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Northwestern UniversityInventors: Claus-Peter Richter, Steven Ho
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Patent number: 6377693Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tinnitus involves generating a noise signal to mask the ringing or buzzing in the ears caused by tinnitus and transposing the noise signal into the ultrasonic frequency range. As such, the masking signal effectively masks the tinnitus noise without interfering with the subject's perception of normal sounds such as human speech. In an alternative embodiment, human speech is transduced into electrical signals, transposed to the ultrasonic frequency range, and physically applied to the patient while tinnitus masking signals in the auditory range are applied to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Hearing Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Arnold S. Lippa, James A. Nunley
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Patent number: 6292572Abstract: Hearing aids having housings formed as standardized shapes include electronic components. The components can be separate or integrated into a single unit. The housings can be formed as one or more spheroidal-like surfaces of revolution which are symmetrical along an axis. Alternately, the housings can be formed by lofting ellipses along a central axis. Representative housing shapes include egg-shaped and pear-shaped surfaces. An insertion and extraction element is fixedly attached to an end of the housing which extends toward the outer ear when the aid is inserted into an ear canal. The insertion/extraction member can be formed as either a rigid or a flexible element. The housing can carry a soft, deformable outer layer to improve performance and user comfort when installed in an ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Beltone Electronics CorporationInventors: Robert Yoest, Greg Prutnikov, Miles Posen
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Patent number: 5674196Abstract: A device is provided for administering medical fluid to at least one of the ear canal and the ear drum of a human ear. The device includes an earplug adapted to fit in the ear such that at least a portion of the earplug is snugly received in and substantially seals the ear canal. The earplug has an outer end section proximate the concha of the ear and an inner end section proximate the eardrum. The conduit extends completely through the earplug from the outer end section to the inner end section thereof for introducing medical fluid through the earplug into the ear canal such that the medical fluid is administered to at least one of the ear canal and the eardrum.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Inventors: John Donaldson, Krista Donaldson
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Patent number: 5514175Abstract: Described is a low voltage, multipoint auricular stimulator which is lightweight, portable and unobtrusive for use by a patient to reduce or eliminate sensations of pain and anxiety and for correcting other neural dysfunctions, and a treatment method incorporating the pain reducing and neural dysfunction correcting apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Cerebral Stimulation, Inc.Inventors: Ki Ho Kim, Saul Liss, Bernard Liss