Promoting Auditory Function Patents (Class 607/55)
  • Patent number: 8180081
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system (100) and method for synthesizing an audio input signal of a hearing device. The system (100) comprises a microphone unit (102) for converting the audio input signal to an electric signal, a filter unit (110) for removing a selected frequency band of the electric signal and pass a filtered signal, a synthesizer unit (118) for synthesizing the selected frequency band of the electric signal based on the filtered signal thereby generating a synthesized signal, a combiner unit (120) for combining the filtered signal and the synthesized signal so as to generate a combined signal, and finally an output unit (122, 124, 126) for converting the combined signal to an audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Lunner
  • Patent number: 8170677
    Abstract: A hearing prosthesis for delivering stimuli to a hearing-impaired recipient is disclosed, the hearing prosthesis comprising: a sound transducer for converting received sound signals into electric audio signals; a sound processor for converting the electric audio signals into stimuli signals; a stimulator for delivering the stimuli to the recipient; a memory for storing data representative of sound signals; and a controller configured to cause selected sound data to be retrieved from the memory and processed by the sound processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: John Chambers, Michael Goorevich, Konstadinos Hatzianestis, Koen Van den Heuvel, Paul M. Carter
  • Patent number: 8160714
    Abstract: A complementary drug delivery sheath for implantable medical devices. The complementary drug delivery sheath is covered, impregnated or otherwise carries one or more drugs. The complementary drug-delivery sheaths are manufactured separately from to the implantable device and are operationally combined with the device subsequent to the device's manufacture and/or sterilization. For example, embodiments of the complementary drug-delivery sheaths may be configured, for example, to attain an implanted position adjacent to one or more surfaces of an implantable medical device. In certain embodiments, the sheath is configured in the form of a glove, pocket, pouch, or the like to receive and to partially or completely wrap around or envelop an implantable medical device. Embodiments of the complementary drug delivery sheath may be implanted into the recipient prior to, concurrently with, or subsequent to the implantation of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Gibson
  • Patent number: 8155746
    Abstract: A cochlear implant sound processor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated into the sound processor. The sound processor contains an inductive coil that may be tuned to an external charging coil for battery recharging. The electronic circuits and coil of the sound processor are housed in a material transparent to RF signals. The sound processor may be placed in a recharging base station in which the sound processor is positioned in a space surrounded by the inductive charging coil embedded in a material transparent to RF signals. The inductive charging coil sends power to the coil inside the processor and thereby recharges the battery. An alternative embodiment utilizes contacts in the sound processor case and aligned terminals in the recharging base station that allow direct charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Albert A. Maltan, David Miller, W. Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Patent number: 8155747
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Patent number: 8155748
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold
  • Patent number: 8150527
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Philip A. Segel, Edward H. Overstreet, William Vanbrooks Harrison
  • Patent number: 8150080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adapting a hearing aid with at least one input converter, a signal processing device and an output converter by using a genetic feature of the wearer to whom the hearing aid is to be adapted. Depending on the genetic feature, at least one adaptable parameter is adapted by the signal processing device. The invention further relates to a hearing device system which can be adapted to the hearing device wearer as a function of a genetic feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Kristin Rohrseitz
  • Patent number: 8150049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital hearing aid, which models the structures of external ear canals, sizes and shape characteristics of which differ between respective persons, obtains resonance gains generated due to the structural characteristics of the external ear canals, and performs digitization and signal processing to allow the resonance gains to be used as the gain factors of the digital hearing aid, and thus applies the gain factors to digital signal processing units. Further, the present invention proposes a gain obtainment unit capable of taking both resonance gains, generated due to the structural characteristics, and gains, obtained through a hearing test, into account, thus reducing the time required for gain fitting and possible errors, and optimizing the performance of the digital hearing aid for each individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hoi-Jun Yoo, Sun-Young Kim, Seung-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 8139778
    Abstract: The training of a hearing apparatus in respect of an individual adjustment is to be developed in a more user-friendly manner. To this end, provision is firstly made to automatically classify a hearing situation, to adjust a parameter of the signal processing facility of the hearing apparatus and to automatically learn the adjusted parameters for the current hearing situation. A temporal monitoring of the steps “classifying” and “adjusting” is however carried out here and the automatic learning is only triggered if the classified hearing situation and the adjustment of the parameters have not changed over a predetermined time period. This not only simplifies the training, but also enables a more rapid training by means of automatically triggered training events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Barthel, Robert Bäuml, Eghart Fischer
  • Patent number: 8135474
    Abstract: A cochlear implant for a cochlear stimulation system and method of assembling the implant comprising an implantable sealed housing comprising a metal feedthrough case and a metal bottom cover and containing cochlea stimulation circuitry, the feedthrough case comprising silicone enclosed feedthrough pins for connecting an electrical lead of a cochlear electrode to the stimulation circuitry, and a moisture absorbing material comprising calcium oxide secured within the housing and sufficient in quantity to absorb moisture released by the circuitry materials and leaking into the feedthrough case at leak rates of about 1×10?7 atm cc/s to maintain the cochlear implant within acceptable internal moisture limits for at least about 60 years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Jian Xie
  • Patent number: 8126153
    Abstract: A binaural supply with a hearing system is to be enabled, whereby the computing outlay and energy consumption are to be kept as minimal as possible. A hearing system comprising a first hearing apparatus including a first signal input facility and a first communication facility and a second hearing apparatus including a second signal input facility, a second communication facility for receiving a signal from the first communication facility and a second signal processing facility for processing signals from the second signal input facility and the second communication facility are provided to form a common output signal. The signal transmitted from the first to the second communication facility corresponds to a real spectral part of the overall frequency spectrum of the first input signal. As only one part of the overall spectrum is transmitted and/or binaurally processed, the computing outlay and energy consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Eghart Fischer
  • Patent number: 8126572
    Abstract: An electrode for use with a cochlear implant capable of being implanted in a subject is provided. The electrode includes a main electrode branch which provides functions to an inner ear of the subject and an adjustable subdivision connected to the main electrode for providing functions to a middle ear of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Claude Jolly, S. Bryde Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8126562
    Abstract: Systems and methods for neural stimulation may include a stimulus unit; a first electrode assembly having a first set of contacts; and a second set of contacts. The stimulus unit can be an implantable pulse generator including a first terminal that can be biased at a first signal polarity and a second terminal that can be biased at a second signal polarity. The first electrode assembly includes a support member configured to be placed at the stimulation site, the first set of contacts carried by the support member, and a first lead configured to be attached to the first terminal of the implantable pulse generator for biasing the surface contacts at the first polarity. The second set of contacts is detached from the surface electrode assembly. The second set of contacts can be one or more conductive elements fixed to or forming portions of the implantable pulse generator, or a separate electrode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Fowler, Bradford Evan Gliner, Allen Wyler
  • Patent number: 8126564
    Abstract: An electrode array which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilising collar extends outwardly from the elongate carrier at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier following completion of insertion of the array into the cochlea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Iowa
    Inventor: Bruce J. Gantz
  • Patent number: 8118725
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Patent number: 8121698
    Abstract: Contrast between various frequency components of sound is enhanced through a lateral suppression strategy to provide increased speech perception in the electrically stimulated cochlea. A received audio signal is divided into a plurality of input signals, wherein each input signal is associated with a frequency band. A plurality of envelope signals are generated by determining the envelope of each of a plurality of the input signals. At least one of the envelope signals is scaled in accordance with a scaling factor to generate at least one scaled envelope signal. An output signal is generated by combining at least one envelope signal with at least one scaled envelope signal, and the cochlea is stimulated based on the generated output signal. The lateral suppression strategy can be applied to one or more frequency bands using scaled amplitude signals associated with one or more neighboring frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Gene Y. Fridman, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 8112161
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Claude Jolly, Stefan Nielsen, Fabrice Béal
  • Patent number: 8103353
    Abstract: A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Rankiri T. Karunasiri
  • Patent number: 8103354
    Abstract: Exemplary cochlear implant systems include an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient and generate a stimulation current having an adjustable current level, one or more electrodes communicatively coupled to the stimulator and configured to apply the stimulation current to one or more locations within an ear of the patient, and a probe configured to acquire sound data used to derive an acoustic reflectance of the ear. The implantable cochlear stimulator is configured to adjust the current level of the stimulation current until a change in the acoustic reflectance above a threshold is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Quick, Leonid M. Litvak, Aniket Saoji
  • Patent number: 8099169
    Abstract: A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Rankiri T. Karunasiri
  • Patent number: 8086319
    Abstract: A method for fitting a cochlear prosthesis to a cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability, in order to exploit the residual acoustic hearing capability to the extent possible. A portion of the cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability is determined by measuring the neural response to acoustic and/or electrical stimulations. Electrical stimulations are applied only to the portions of the cochlea lacking acoustic hearing capability, or possessing only partial acoustic hearing capability. Surgical implantation depth may be optimised by the method, and/or a patient map may be suitably defined to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Bas van Dijk
  • Patent number: 8082040
    Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising a carrier member having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon, and at least one signal transmitting wire extending through at least a portion of the carrier member and adapted to transmit signals through the carrier member to and/or from the electrodes. The number of wires within the carrier member is less than the number of electrodes mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Ibrahim Hanna Ibrahim, John L. Parker
  • Patent number: 8068914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold
  • Patent number: 8060215
    Abstract: An implantable microstimulator arrangement includes at least one implantable microstimulator unit; an implantable battery unit separate from the implantable microstimulator unit(s); and at least one lead coupling the microstimulator unit(s) to the battery unit. The microstimulator unit(s) are operated to treat body tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Xiaohai He
  • Publication number: 20110257702
    Abstract: A medical implant having an electrically conductive region for stimulating tissue of a user or patient. The electrically conductive region is coated with a self assembled monolayer (SAM) which at least inhibits the attachment of impedance-inducing material such as protein, cells or fibrous tissue, to the electrically conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Sule Kara, James F. Patrick, Martin Svehla
  • Patent number: 8027732
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently transmitting power using a high frequency (e.g., RF) telemetry transmitter are provided. The telemetry transmitter may include a fixed clock source (which may provide a fixed clock signal), telemetry phase shift circuitry (which may include switching circuitry and phase shifting circuitry), and a push-pull network. The telemetry phase shift circuitry generates a phase shifted clock signal that is phase shifted with respect to the fixed clock signal. The fixed and phase shifted clock signals may drive the switching circuitry to produce a high frequency signal that is passed through the push-pull network. The power or magnitude of the high frequency signal is based on the phase delay between the fixed clock signal and the phase shifted clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Glen A Griffith
  • Patent number: 8027733
    Abstract: Optimizing pitch allocation in a cochlear stimulation system may include implanting an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes into the cochlea of a patient, where the electrode array has an associated implant fitting characteristic that defines a relationship between the implanted electrode array and audio frequencies, presenting sounds through the electrode array to the patient, receiving from the patient a selection of one of the sounds that most closely conforms to a single note, and determining a slope of the implant fitting characteristic of the electrode array based on the sound selected by the patient. Each sound may include a fundamental frequency and one or more harmonics. The optimization may also include changing a center frequency of a band pass filter associated with each electrode based on the determined slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Gene Y. Fridman, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 8027734
    Abstract: Methods of optimizing stimulation current applied to a cochlear implant patient include determining a plurality of narrowband spectral modulation detection thresholds for the patient and adjusting a stimulation current applied to the patient in accordance with the narrowband spectral modulation detection thresholds. Systems for optimizing stimulation current applied to a cochlear implant patient include an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, an implantable cochlear stimulator coupled to the electrode array and configured to apply a stimulation current to one or more locations along a cochlea of a patient via one or more of the electrodes, and a fitting station communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator. The fitting station is configured determine a plurality of narrowband spectral modulation detection thresholds and adjust the stimulation current in accordance with the narrowband spectral modulation detection thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Aniket Saoji, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 8024046
    Abstract: Systems for fitting an implantable cochlear stimulator to a patient include an interface unit configured to display a graphical representation of an implant fitting line as part of a graphical user interface. The implant fitting line has a slope and a horizontal position and represents a mapping relationship between a plurality of audio frequencies and a plurality of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient. The interface unit is further configured to facilitate adjustment of the slope and/or horizontal position of the fitting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Lakshmi N. Mishra
  • Patent number: 8019429
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Aschbacher, Peter Schleich
  • Patent number: 8014871
    Abstract: A prosthetic hearing device comprising a biocompatible housing having a surface that vibrates in response to sound waves traveling through tissue; and an interferometer mounted in the housing, the interferometer is constructed and arranged to generate a light beam that impinges on a reflective interior surface of the vibrating surface, and to receive light reflected from the reflective interior surface. The device detects ambient sound by impinging a light beam on a portion of the vibrating surface; receiving light reflected from the reflective portion; measuring the movement of the vibrating surface based on an interference pattern of the impinging and reflected light; and determining at least a frequency of the incident sound wave based on the interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: James Dalton, Allira Gofers
  • Patent number: 8013699
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A spherical magnet within the housing is capable of turning in any direction and of moving along an axis. A first keeper and a second keeper are positioned on opposite sides of the magnet, both the first keeper and the second keeper including magnetically soft material and free to move along the axis. A first biasing member holds the first keeper along the axis, and a second biasing element that holds the second keeper along the axis. The first keeper and the second keeper are attracted by magnetic poles of the magnet in the absence of an external magnetic field, such that opposing magnetic poles of the magnet are aligned parallel to the axis. Alternating current flowing through the at least one coil causes a vibration of the magnet, the vibration transferred to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Zimmerling
  • Patent number: 8014870
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically stimulating the brain to alleviate tinnitus. In one aspect of the invention the areas of the brain to which stimulation is applied are determined by a procedure which first involves analysis of the patient to determine the nature of the sound perceived by the patient to produce tinnitus. These sound frequencies are then provided to the patient while imaging studies are made of the patient's brain. These studies may include magnetoencephalography (MEG) and/or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These studies are then analyzed to determine the locus of the tinnitus, and one or more electrodes are placed at the indicated region in the patient's brain and a stimulation device for outputting a varying control pattern of electrical signals to the electrodes is also implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Michael D. Seidman
  • Patent number: 8010210
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for insertion of a flexible implant into a body section of an implant recipient, the apparatus comprising an elongate guiding section having a longitudinal axis and an inner volume for removably receiving the implant, an elongate first receiving member connected at its first end to a first actuator arranged for moving the first receiving member within the guiding section in parallel to the axis of the guiding section, a first control device for controlling the actuation of the first actuator, wherein first receiving member at its second end opposite its first end carries a gripping unit for releasably gripping a proximal end of the implant, a second actuator for controlling the configuration of the implant, and a second control device for controlling the actuation of the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Leibniz Universitat Hannover
    Inventors: Thomas Stephan Rau, Andreas Hussong, Omid Majdani, Martin Leinung, Thomas Lenarz, Hubertus Eilers, Stephan Baron
  • Patent number: 8000797
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for selecting one or more channels of a neural implant to stimulate. A channel selection unit is configured to asynchronously and stochastically select the winning channel or channels based, in part, on the richness of the input sensory environment. Thereafter, the channel selection unit reduces the likelihood that the selected channel or channels will be selected again for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Advanced Bionics, LLC, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rahul Sarpeshkar, Michael A. Faltys, Ji-Jon Sit
  • Publication number: 20110190882
    Abstract: A system for fitting a hearing prosthesis to a recipient. The system comprises a stimulation arrangement configured to at least one of mechanically and acoustically stimulate the recipient's inner ear based on an input signal; a neural response detection arrangement configured to detect the recipient's neural responses to the stimulation; and a processor configured to assess the recipient's neural responses, and to adjust operation of the hearing prosthesis based on the assessment of the neural responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: John Parker, Herbert Baechler, Markus Haller
  • Patent number: 7976453
    Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Erwin Hochmair
  • Patent number: 7979135
    Abstract: A system and method are described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array having multiple stimulation electrodes. An acoustic audio signal is processed to determine associated pitch characteristics and frequency component information. From the pitch characteristics and the frequency component information, electrode stimulation signals are determined which have intensity levels that reflect the pitch characteristics. Then audio nerve tissue is stimulated by applying the electrode stimulation signals to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Arnoldner, Jafar Sasan Hamzavi
  • Patent number: 7974711
    Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), a first stiffening element (15a), and a second stiffening element (15b). The carrier member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon. The carrier member (11) has a first configuration selected to allow it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea (30), a second configuration wherein it is curved in shape to match a surface of the cochlea (30), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the first and second stiffening elements (15a,15b) are made of a material relatively stiffer than said the material and in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the first stiffening element (15a) or the second stiffening element (15b) are removed, the elongate member (11) adopts the at least one intermediate configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Fysh Dadd, Derek I. Darley, Peter Gibson, John Parker, Claudiu Treaba
  • Patent number: 7974700
    Abstract: A protective faceplate (37) for an implantable component of a tissue-stimulating prosthesis, such as a prosthetic hearing implant. The faceplate (37) comprising a first or outer surface and an opposed second or inner surface. The implantable component can be removably or non-removably mountable to the second surface and adapted to extend into a cavity formed in a bone of a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Gibson
  • Patent number: 7966077
    Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising a low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier and a corresponding guide tube for introducing the carrier into the cochlea to place electrodes disposed at the distal end of the carrier at desired locations along the tonotopically-mapped cochlea. The electrode assembly facilitates intra- and extra-cochlea atraumatic implantation of the unobtrusive electrode carrier of the present invention thereby minimizing adverse impact to natural auditory functioning. For example, the electrode assembly may be utilized to implant the low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier into the scala tympani without damaging the delicate structures of the cochlea and without interfering with the natural hydrodynamic nature of the cochlea such as the natural flow of perilymph in the cochlea canals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Frank Risi
  • Patent number: 7962226
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Ernst Lehnhardt, Horst Hessel, Peter Gibson, John Parker, Ernst von Wallenberg
  • Patent number: 7962217
    Abstract: A method for providing relief from Meniere's disease, includes reversibly disabling vestibular function following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, III
  • Patent number: 7953490
    Abstract: A cochlear implant processing strategy increases speech clarity and provides higher temporal performance. The strategy determines the power spectral component within each channel, and dynamically selects or de-selects the channels through which a stimulation pulse is provided as a function of whether the spectral power of the channel is high or low. “High” and “low” are estimated relative to a selected spectral power, for example. The selected spectral power can be estimated by signal average or mean, or by other criteria. Once a selection of the channels to stimulate has been made, the system can decide that only those channels are stimulated, and stimulation is removed from the other channels. The selected channels are the ones on which the spectral power is above the mean of all the available channels. Fewer channels are stimulated at any time and the contrast of the stimulation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Gene Y. Fridman
  • Patent number: 7941223
    Abstract: A system and method for activating electrodes in an implanted electrode array with a stimulation signal is described. A stimulation definition stage, for each of a plurality of defined sound signal characteristics (C), assigns each electrode to one of a plurality of stimulation groups (G) each having an associated group stimulation amplitude function (A), where (G) varies with (C). An electrode stimulator activates each electrode as the stimulation signal varies based on spectral components of the stimulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Clemens M. Zierhofer, Peter Nopp, Peter Schleich, Andrea Nobbe, Ernst Aschbacher
  • Patent number: 7937154
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a prosthetic hearing implant is disclosed, the electrode assembly comprising: an elongate carrier member for implantation into the cochlea, said carrier member having a proximal end adapted to be positioned in a basal region of the cochlea, and a distal end adapted to be positioned toward an apical region of the cochlea, wherein a substantial portion of said carrier member has a fabiform cross section; and a plurality of electrodes disposed along said carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Frank Risi
  • Patent number: 7937156
    Abstract: A housing for an implantable device to be secured to a patient's bone is disclosed. The housing comprises at least one osseointegrating protuberance extending from one or more surfaces of the housing adapted to abut the patient's bone. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance is configured to be extricated from the bone subsequent to osseointegration. The housing can be used, for example, for an implantable stimulator unit of a cochlear prosthetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Gibson
  • Patent number: 7925350
    Abstract: Methods of detecting an error associated with an implantable device include powering up the implantable device with an external device, disabling a back-telemetry transmitter within the implanted device after the implanted device is powered up, detecting an error with the implanted device, generating a fault signal corresponding to the error with the implanted device, turning on the back-telemetry transmitter after the fault signal has been generated, and transmitting the fault signal to the external device with the back-telemetry transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Logan P. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7925355
    Abstract: Exemplary cochlear implant systems include an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient and generate a stimulation current having an adjustable current level, one or more electrodes communicatively coupled to the stimulator and configured to apply the stimulation current to one or more locations within an ear of the patient, and a sound processor configured to derive an acoustic reflectance of the patient's ear. The implantable cochlear stimulator is configured to adjust the current level of the stimulation current until the sound processor detects a change in the acoustic reflectance above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew P. Quick