By Partially Or Wholly Implanted Device Patents (Class 607/57)
  • Patent number: 12648728
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement set comprising a plurality of measurement values generated using a plurality of electrodes distributed along an elongate structure configured to be implanted in and/or on a body portion of a recipient. The measurement set is indicative of a pose of the elongate structure relative to the body portion. The method further includes generating, in response at least in part to the measurement set, a gradient vector dataset comprising a plurality of gradient vector phase values. The method further includes generating, in response at least in part to the gradient vector dataset, an evaluation of the pose of the elongate structure relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Zachary Mark Smith, Matthew Zygorodimos, Ryan Orin Melman
  • Patent number: 12616837
    Abstract: Devices and methods for extracochlear stimulation are described herein. Such devices and methods may be configured for improving hearing in a subject in need thereof in any frequency range. In some embodiments, high frequency ranges are particularly targeted by the energy delivery elements provided herein. Low frequency ranges may be amplified by an acoustic amplifier, in various embodiments. Further, an external surface of the cochlea may be minimally prepared or altered prior to or during electrode placement on the cochlear surface. Such minimal preparation may include: disrupting mucosa on the external surface of the cochlea, applying an acid to the external surface of the cochlea, or applying a tissue growth factor to the external surface of the cochlea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Jay Dhuldhoya, Francis Wong, Peter Luke Santa Maria, Ina Bianca Yu, David Hindin, Saniya Ali
  • Patent number: 12594425
    Abstract: In the present invention, an IPG incorporates electrical resistivity monitoring with a reflectometry trigger. The IPG is configured to determine both optically and electrically if migration occurs between the electrodes. If the light intensity variation in the optical trigger is greater than an optical threshold value, then the system will pause stimulation and conduct a resistivity test. A resistivity test is also conducted periodically in the absence of the reflectometry trigger to verify that no lead migration has occurred. The stimulation signal is automatically adjusted if a variation in resistivity values is detected above a resistivity threshold value. The resistivity threshold value is set above the normal variation that occurs due to routine movement of the spinal cord in the spinal canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Wavegate Corporation
    Inventor: Erich W. Wolf, II
  • Patent number: 12564718
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for performing in-situ stimulation adjustments of a cochlear implant. The embodiment may include identifying, dynamically, a first set of magnetic coils and a second set of magnetic coils based on dominant frequency components of a received sound. The first set and the second set are implanted within a cochlea of a user having a cochlear implant (CI). The embodiment may include activating, according to a stimulator profile of the user, the first set via an electric current sent to the first set in order to stimulate cochlear neurons. The embodiment may include determining that an in-situ adjustment to the activation of the first set is required based on analysis of a cochlear neuronal response recorded via the second set. The embodiment may include adjusting the stimulator profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sagarika Mukesh, John S. Werner, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Steven Holmes
  • Patent number: 12558531
    Abstract: A system including a galvanic stimulator, and an eye tracking device, wherein the system is a clinical vestibular implant suitability evaluation system. The system includes a computing apparatus configured analyze eye tracking data generated by the eye tracking device and provide output indicative of the analysis. The system is configured to evoke a vestibular reflex in a human with at least a partially functioning neural system of the human's vestibular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
    Inventors: Angel Ramos de Miguel, Angel Manuel Ramos Macias
  • Patent number: 12558530
    Abstract: A system for providing therapy to a patient includes stimulation generation circuitry, sensing circuitry, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause storage of a first voltage at a first terminal at a first calibration capacitor and storage of a second voltage at a second terminal at a second calibration capacitor. The processing circuitry is configured to switch out a first calibration switch to prevent the first voltage stored at the first calibration capacitor from changing and switch out a second calibration switch to prevent the second voltage stored at the second calibration capacitor from changing and determine, with the sensing circuitry, a sensing signal based on the first voltage offset by a first calibration voltage stored by the first capacitor and based on the second voltage offset by a second calibration voltage stored by the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Corey, Joel A. Anderson, David A. Dinsmoor, Kristin N. Hageman, Scott R. Stanslaski, Todd V. Smith, Heba Tareq Omar
  • Patent number: 12558543
    Abstract: A method, wherein the method includes obtaining data, wherein, the data contains audio content, visual content, or audio content and visual content processing data based on the audio and/or visual content using results from machine learning to develop output, and stimulating tissue of a recipient to evoke a sensory percept based on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Helmut Christian Eder
  • Patent number: 12558544
    Abstract: A cochlear hearing aid system for providing electrical stimulation to auditory nerve fibers of a cochlea of a recipient of the cochlear hearing aid system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignees: Cochlear Limited, ESPCI Paris
    Inventors: Guillaume Tourrel, Léa Milenkovic, Yvette Tran, Dominique Hourdet, Zuxiang Xu
  • Patent number: 12544564
    Abstract: A cochlear implant system can comprise an input source configured to receive a stimulus and generate an input signal representative of the stimulus, a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in communication with the cochlear electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to cochlear tissue via the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor programmed with a first pulse rate. The signal processor can be configured to receive the input signal from the input source and filter the input signal based on the first pulse rate such that one or more frequencies associated with the first pulse rate in the received input signal are attenuated. The signal processor can further be configured to output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the filtered input signal with the stimulation signal causing the stimulator to provide electrical stimulation to the cochlear tissue at the first pulse rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Mazanec, Brice Journot, Ronald Wiese
  • Patent number: 12544571
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the healing of a recipient of an implantable medical device after a surgical procedure, such as after initial implantation of the implantable medical device in the recipient. The implantable medical device comprises one or more implantable sensors configured to detect input signals and to generate sensor output signals therefrom. The sensor output signals are analyzed to determine when the recipient is sufficiently healed from the surgical procedure so as to activate (switch-on) the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Stijn Eeckhoudt
  • Patent number: 12544580
    Abstract: A detachable leadless pacemaker system for cardiac conduction bundle pacing is disclosed. The system includes a detachable leadless pacemaker and a passive leadless pacemaker. A hook-shape side electrode is inserted into a ventricular septum for cardiac conduction bundle pacing. The detachable leadless pacemaker may be arranged in a ventricle, and the passive leadless pacemaker may be arranged in an atrium, so as to realize dual-chamber pacing both in the ventricle and in the atrium. The detachable leadless pacemaker is coupled with the passive leadless pacemaker by an anti-tension reinforced wire, which is used for pulling back the detachable leadless pacemaker to a new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Inventor: Chengjun Guo
  • Patent number: 12533515
    Abstract: A cochlear and nerve stimulation system comprises a signal input to receive an audio input signal, a multiple channel microphone input to receive multiple channel ambient noise signals, and a multiple channel cochlear converter coupled to the signal input to produce multiple channel surround sound cochlear and nerve stimulation signals based on the audio input signal. The stimulation signals include one or both of interaural level differences and interaural time differences. A sound canceling processor is coupled between the microphone input and the cochlear converter to produce multiple channel sound canceling signals based on the ambient noise signals. Multiple channel cochlear and nerve stimulation electrodes are configured for attachment to a user and coupled to receive the multiple channel surround sound cochlear stimulation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Michael J. Cevette, Jan Stepanek, Gaurav N. Pradhan, Kenneth H. Brookler
  • Patent number: 12526588
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for improving an effective dynamic range including acquiring a hearing profile of a user, setting a section between a T level and a C level as a target range of a stimulation current for each of a plurality of electrodes included in an electrode array of a cochlear implant system based on the hearing profile, and mapping a plurality of current levels to an output current within the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignees: TODOC CO., LTD., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Woojin Ahn, Kyousik Min, Hoseung Lee, Minkyu Je
  • Patent number: 12485285
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for adapting/transitioning operation of a medical prosthesis, such as an auditory prosthesis, from a first or initial group of settings to a second or target group of settings. The adaptation in the operation of the medical prosthesis from the first group of settings to the second group of settings occurs over a period of time and in a series of individualized (recipient-specific) incremental steps. That is, the adaptation process occurs in incremental steps that are set based on attributes/characteristics of the recipient of the specific medical prosthesis so that the adaptation is made as unobtrusive to the recipient as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Zachary Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 12465754
    Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can comprise an implantable subsystem comprising a cochlear electrode, a stimulator, a battery, and a first near field communication interface positioned subcutaneously proximate an ear canal. Cochlear implant systems can further comprise a removable earplug comprising a sensor, a second near field communication interface, and a signal processor. The removable earplug can be inserted into an ear canal to align the first and second near field communication interfaces. Once aligned, the battery can provide electrical power to the removable earplug via the near field communication interfaces. The signal processor can receive input signals from the sensor of the removable earplug and generate a stimulation signal representative of the auditory signals. The signal processor can communicate the stimulation signal to the stimulator via the near field communication interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Mazanec
  • Patent number: 12458796
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for the determination/selection of a set of electrodes for use in an electrically-stimulating auditory/hearing prosthesis. More specifically, an electrically-stimulating hearing prosthesis includes a plurality of electrodes implanted in a recipient. Based, at least in part on a recipient's subjective preferences, one or more of these electrodes may be deactivated. The remaining (i.e., non-deactivated) electrodes form a final electrode set that is subsequently used by the hearing prosthesis for subsequent hearing rehabilitation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Sean Lineaweaver
  • Patent number: 12447340
    Abstract: An auditory neural interface device for sound perception by an individual that may be used as a hearing aid. The auditory neural interface device includes a receiver configured to receive sound signals, a processor operably connected to the receiver and configured to encode a received sound signal as a multi-channel neurostimulation signal, and a neurostimulation device operably connected to the processor and configured to apply the multi-channel neurostimulation signal to a neurostimulation electrode of the individual. The neurostimulation signal is configured to directly stimulate afferent sensory neurons of the central nervous system of the individual and thereby to elicit, for each channel of the neurostimulation signal, one or more non-auditory, preferably somatosensory, perceptions in a cortex area of the individual. Each channel of the neurostimulation signal is associated with a different non-auditory perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Ceregate GmbH
    Inventors: Saman Hagh Gooie, Bálint Várkuti, Ricardo Smits Serena
  • Patent number: 12434056
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for bilateral-coordination of channel selection in bilateral hearing prosthesis systems. A bilateral hearing prosthesis system comprises first and second hearing prostheses each configured to receive sound signals, and a processing module. The processing module is configured to select, based on bilateral sound information, a set of sound processing channels for use by both of the first and second hearing prostheses. The first hearing prosthesis is configured stimulate the first ear of the recipient using stimulation generated from the sound signals received at the first hearing prosthesis and processed in at least the set of sound processing channels by the first hearing prosthesis. The second hearing prosthesis is configured stimulate the second ear of the recipient using stimulation generated from the sound signals received at the second hearing prosthesis and processed in at least the set of sound processing channels by the second hearing prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Sara Ingrid Duran, Zachary Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 12432508
    Abstract: A middle ear implant system includes a disc-shape vibration surface that is configured for implantation within skin lying over skull bone of a patient, with the disc-shape vibration surface parallel to an outer surface of the skin and to the skull bone so that sound vibrations striking the outer surface of the skin create corresponding vibrations in the disc-shape vibration surface within the skin. A rigid ossicle connector has a proximal end connected to the disc-shape vibration surface and a distal end connected to an ossicle in the middle ear of the patient so that vibrations of the disc-shape vibration surface are mechanically coupled to the ossicle for perception by the patient as sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Ball, Alexander Hofer
  • Patent number: 12407994
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hearing aid for placement on head of a user comprising a first second part. The first part may comprise an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert ambient sound picked up at the ear of the user to an electric signal, a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of user into a processed electric signal, and an output transducer adapted to covert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal, The second part may comprise an anchor adapted to fixate said second part under the skin to skull bone of the user, and a receiver adapted to receive the transmission signal and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user. The first part may comprise an inner recess adapted to receive an insert element, where the insert element may comprise a first magnet adapted to in cooperation with the second part to cause the first part to attach to the head of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventors: Emilie Munk Haagerup, Peder Hesselbjerg Pedersen, Mads Buur Mortensen, Johan Rosengren
  • Patent number: 12390634
    Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a signal processor in communication with the stimulator, and an implantable battery and/or communication module. The signal processor can receive an input signal from an input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and a transfer function of the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module may be configured to provide electrical power to the signal processor. The signal processor may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a first impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication. The implantable battery and/or communication module may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a second impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Mazanec, Joshua J. Wibben, Timothy J. Earnest, Benjamin R. Whittington
  • Patent number: 12390641
    Abstract: An exemplary sound processor is configured to direct a cochlear implant to apply standard electrical stimulation representative of frequencies in an audio signal that are within an upper region to a cochlea of a first ear of a recipient by way of a plurality of electrodes in accordance with a frequency allocation table that maps frequencies in the upper region of the audible frequency range of the recipient to the plurality of electrodes, the upper region of the audible frequency range comprising frequencies above and including a cutoff frequency, and direct the cochlear implant to apply 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 an electrode stimulation configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventor: Josef Chalupper
  • Patent number: 12387577
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to facilitate creating the sensation of vibrotactile movement on the body of a user. Vibratory motors are used to generate a haptic language for music or other stimuli that is integrated into wearable technology. The disclosed system in certain embodiments enables the creation of a family of devices that allow people such as those with hearing impairments to experience sounds such as music or other input to the system. For example, a “sound vest” or other wearable array transforms musical input to haptic signals so that users can experience their favorite music in a unique way, and can also recognize auditory or other cues in the user's real or virtual reality environment and convey this information to the user using haptic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Not Impossible, LLC
    Inventors: Mick Ebeling, Daniel Biscaro Loureiro, Patrick Hanlon, David Francis Putrino
  • Patent number: 12383740
    Abstract: A method is provided which includes determining a status of a sound processor of an auditory prosthesis, and selectively initiating autonomous programming of the sound processor based, at least in part, on the determined status of the sound processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Luk Macken, Jan Raymond Janssen
  • Patent number: 12376780
    Abstract: Neural activity in the brain arising from a stimulus is monitored. A stimulus is applied to a target structure of the brain and a neural measurement is obtained from at least one electrode implanted in contact with the target structure. The neural measurement is configured to capture a measure of any late response arising in the target structure, typically being a neural response arising after conclusion of an ECAP, such as in the period 1.5-10 ms after stimulus onset. The late response(s) can be a useful biomarker such as of therapeutic ranges of deep brain stimulation, disease progression, medication efficacy, and intra-operative changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Closed Loop Medical Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Louis Parker, Gerrit Eduard Gmel
  • Patent number: 12357830
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for determining stimulation parameters based on one or more stimulation thresholds (e.g., a perception threshold or a detection threshold). In one example, a medical device includes sensing circuitry configured to sense one or more ECAP signals, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to sense each ECAP signal of the one or more ECAPs elicited by a respective control pulse of a plurality of control pulses, and the medical device includes processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the one or more ECAP signals, a stimulation level for the plurality of control pulses that achieves a stimulation threshold, determine, based on the stimulation level, a value of a stimulation parameter that at least partially defines a plurality of therapy pulses of electrical stimulation therapy, and control stimulation generation circuitry to deliver the electrical stimulation therapy according to the value of the stimulation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Melanie D. Goodman Keiser
  • Patent number: 12357816
    Abstract: Presented herein are dynamic current steering techniques in which a dynamic stimulation pulse is delivered to a recipient as current stimulation applied across a plurality of stimulation channels. The current stimulation is weighted and applied in a pattern that results in a time varying progressive change in the location of a locus of the current stimulation across the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Jozef Mauger, Zachary Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 12350494
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing non-obtrusive, automatic adjustment of an auditory prosthesis are disclosed. A control expression can be detected during a conversation. Upon detection of the control expression, an audio setting adjustment can be selected and applied to the auditory prosthesis. Multiple adjustments can be made in response to identifying multiple control expressions during a conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Martin Evert Gustaf Hillbratt
  • Patent number: 12350030
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the physical state of a stimulating assembly to, for example, detect the occurrence of an adverse event. More specifically, an elongate stimulating assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced contacts is at least partially implanted into a recipient. Electrical measurements are performed at one or more of the plurality of contacts and the electrical measurements are evaluated relative to one another to determine the physical state of the stimulating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Peter Johnston, Paul Michael Carter, Stuart John Kay, Andrea Lam, Shaun Ashwin Kumar, Joerg Pesch
  • Patent number: 12350038
    Abstract: To determine an auditory threshold of a test subject, according to the method, multiple tone sets, which predominantly contain a plurality of noises, having properties remaining uniform within a tone set, are presented in succession to a test subject by use of an output transducer. The test subject is asked to indicate a perceived number of noises from the presented tone set after each presentation of one of these tone sets. As a function of the perceived number of noises, a property of at least one part of the noises is changed in relation to the preceding tone set for the presentation of a following tone set and the following tone set is presented to the test subject. As a function of the respective perceived number of noises in the presented tone sets, at least one value of the auditory threshold of the test subject is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Giese, Eva Droste
  • Patent number: 12350493
    Abstract: A headpiece including a housing, a headpiece magnet carried by the housing, and a headpiece antenna carried by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: James George Elcoate Smith, Sung Jin Lee, Andreas Benedikt Brehm
  • Patent number: 12329976
    Abstract: Implementations provide a method that includes: placing a controller device over a surface region of the patient where the implantable wireless stimulation device has been implanted; configuring the controller device to (i) monitor a return loss representing electrical power reflected from the implantable wireless stimulation device to the controller device; (ii) compute a first path loss metric based on a first monitored return loss when the controller device is place over a first location within the surface region; (iii) compute a second path loss metric based on a second monitored return loss when the controller device is over a second location within the surface region; and (iv) generate a feedback to an operator to indicate whether the second path loss is smaller than the first path loss such that the controller device is placed at a location with more electrical energy non-inductively transferred to the implantable wireless stimulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: CURONIX LLC
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Patrick Larson, Richard LeBaron
  • Patent number: 12318613
    Abstract: A cochlear implant and analysis system includes a stimulator, an input source, a signal processor, a wireless communication interface, and an external device. The system can receive an acoustic stimulus, generate an input signal representative thereof, and apply a transfer function to the input signal to generate and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator. The signal processor can receive an analysis input indicating a first signal for analysis and generate an analysis signal based on the received analysis input. The first signal can be an input signal from an input source or a result of one or more processing steps. The signal processor can output the analysis signal to the wireless communication interface with the wireless communication interface configured to output a signal representative of the analysis signal to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Mazanec
  • Patent number: 12318606
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the insertion of an intra-cochlear stimulating assembly for the occurrence of one or more insertion stop conditions. The insertion stop conditions are detectable events indicating that movement of the stimulating assembly into a recipient's cochlea should be at least temporarily stopped. The insertion monitoring is based on objectively measured inner ear potentials, such as acoustically-evoked potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: John Michael Heasman, Peter Gibson, Stephen O'Leary, Luke Campbell
  • Patent number: 12311173
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an external positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console may have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console may generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system may be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: IotaMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kaufmann, Adam Hahn, Allan Henslee, Marlan Hansen, Eric Timko
  • Patent number: 12274882
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 12263337
    Abstract: In a system for electrical stimulation of nerves of a living being a pulse generator is configured to provide a sequence of electrical and/or vibration pulses to at least one electrode and/or vibration generator that are maintained in close proximity to the nerve of interest with the use of means for securing the electrode to the skin or tissue of the living being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: INNOCON MEDICAL APS
    Inventors: Torsten Fjeldgaard Hvalsøe, Dianna Marsk Knudsen, Jesper Nielsen
  • Patent number: 12251564
    Abstract: An illustrative cochlear implant system includes an electrode lead having an array of electrodes, a cochlear implant coupled with the electrode lead and configured to be implanted within a recipient together with the electrode lead, and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the cochlear implant. The processing unit is configured to direct the cochlear implant to apply stimulation to the recipient by way of the array of electrodes. The processing unit is further configured to detect, by way of one or more electrodes included in the array of electrodes, a cortical potential produced by the recipient. Based on the detected cortical potential, the processing unit is configured to determine a fitting parameter associated with the cochlear implant system. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, R. Tissa Karunasiri, Hannah A. Glick, Kanthaiah Koka, Chen Chen, Jason Galster
  • Patent number: 12233255
    Abstract: A prosthetic system, comprising a first sub-system configured to evoke a hearing percept based on a first principle of operation, and a second sub-system configured to evoke a hearing percept based on at least one of the first principle of operation or a second principle of operation different from the first principle of operation, wherein the first and second sub-systems are configured to independently process respective inputs indicative of an ambient sound to harmonize an estimated recipient perception of magnitude of a property of the respective evoked hearing percepts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Tom Francart, Hugh Joseph McDermott, Colette McKay
  • Patent number: 12220596
    Abstract: An illustrative 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; and a controller communicatively coupled to the coil, the controller 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: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, R. Tissa Karunasiri, Kanthaiah Koka, Smita S. Agrawal
  • Patent number: 12214195
    Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include an inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from the cochlear tissue of a wearer and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The inner ear sensor can be configured to detect pressure, for example, within a wearer's cochlear tissue and generate an input signal based on the detected pressure. The inner ear sensor can be integrated with a cochlear electrode implanted in the cochlear tissue. Systems can include a signal processor programmed with a transfer function and configured to receive an input signal and output a stimulation signal based on the received input signal and transfer function. Systems can include an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to interface with and update the transfer function of the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Mazanec
  • Patent number: 12214203
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include technology for the detection and treatment of neotissue formation proximate an implantable stimulator. Neotissue formation can include ossification, scar tissue, soft tissue fibrosis, and other tissue growth. The neotissue formation can be detected by analyzing (e.g., using a machine-learning framework) stimulation data relating to the implantable stimulator. Neotissue formation characteristics can be analyzed to determine appropriate treatment actions for ameliorating the effects of neotissue formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Filiep Vanpoucke, Floris Heutink, Berit Verbist
  • Patent number: 12208265
    Abstract: An illustrative scalar translocation detection system directs a loudspeaker to apply acoustic stimulation to a cochlear implant patient while an electrode lead is inserted into a cochlea of the cochlear implant patient. The system detects a first evoked response to the acoustic stimulation while an electrode is positioned at a first location in the cochlea and detects a second evoked response to the acoustic stimulation while the electrode is positioned at a second location in the cochlea. Then, based on at least one of an amplitude change or a phase change between the first and second evoked responses, the system determines that a scalar translocation of the electrode lead from one scala of the cochlea to another scala of the cochlea has occurred. Based on this determination, the system also notifies a user that the scalar translocation has occurred. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Kanthaiah Koka, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 12212911
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an earphone comprising a sound production component and an ear hook. In a wearing state, the ear hook is configured to place the sound production component at a position near an ear canal but not blocking the ear canal. An inner contour of the ear hook's projection on a user's sagittal plane includes a first curve having an extremum point in a first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to a long-axis direction of a projection of the sound production component on the sagittal plane. The extremum point is located behind a projection point of an upper vertex of the ear hook on the sagittal plane, and the upper vertex is a highest point of an inner contour of the ear hook along the user's vertical axis. An inclination angle of the long-axis direction relative to a horizontal direction is within a range of 13°-21°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Peigeng Tong, Guolin Xie, Yongjian Li, Jiang Xu, Tao Zhao, Duoduo Wu, Ao Ji, Xin Qi, Zeying Zheng, Haofeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 12186550
    Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable device is implantable into a body of a patient, and includes a prong and an electrode. The prong has a contact portion at or adjacent to a distal end thereof that is configured to contact an organ. The prong is constructed to apply pressure to the organ with spring action so as to maintain contact between the contact portion and the organ without fixing the contact portion to the organ. The electrode is provided at the contact portion of the prong, is configured to contact the organ, and is electrically coupled or couplable with circuitry that is configured to provide monitoring, therapeutic, and/or diagnostic capabilities with respect to the organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Manicka Institute LLC
    Inventor: Yatheendhar D. Manicka
  • Patent number: 12186558
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques to control the spread of current beyond, in an apical direction, a predetermined location/point in the cochlea. As a result, the techniques presented herein create a protected apical zone at an apical side of the predetermined location for undisturbed acoustic temporal coding (i.e., an apical region of the cochlea in which the voltage fields from delivered current signals are nulled, minimized, or otherwise controlled in order to eliminate, reduce, or otherwise limit electro-acoustic interactions that could negatively affect remaining low-frequency hair cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Zachary Mark Smith, Bastiaan Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 12186560
    Abstract: A vestibular stimulation prosthesis can restore vestibular function in recipients having vestibular deficiency. In an example, a body is appended onto or within the recipient's ossicular chain such that the body directly interfaces with an oval window of an inner ear of the recipient. Electrical stimulation is provided using one or more electrodes of the body to stimulate the vestibular system and thereby restore vestibular functioning. In an example, a stimulator device connected to the body via a lead is also implanted. The stimulator device can have a small and convenient form factor. In some instances, the stimulator device is a stand-alone device that is configured to provide stimulation to the recipient's vestibular system without respect to signals received from devices external to the recipient. In some implementations, the stimulator device is a component of a sensory prosthesis (e.g., a cochlear implant or bionic eye) or another medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignees: Cochlear Limited, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
    Inventors: Angel Manuel Ramos Macias, Angel Ramos De Miguel, Koen Erik Van Den Heuvel, Mattheus Johannes Petrus Killian
  • Patent number: 12172002
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first information regarding a pose of a structure in a first time period. The structure is configured to be inserted into a body portion of a recipient. The first information includes at least one of: a first estimate of the pose of the structure in the first time period, and a first measurement set including one or more first measurement values. At least some of the one or more first measurement values are generated using a plurality of sensors distributed along the structure. The one or more first measurement values are indicative of the pose of the structure in the first time period. The method further includes generating a second estimate of the pose of the structure using at least the first information and a probabilistic model of the structure and/or the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Zygorodimos
  • Patent number: 12172015
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the non-invasive treatment of diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium. A method for comprises positioning an electrode in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient and transmitting, via the electrode, an electric current transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with each of the bursts comprising a frequency from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz and with each of the pulses comprising a duration from about 20 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 12161443
    Abstract: A system for monitoring neural activity of a living subject is provided. The system may comprise a correspondence module configured to be in communication with (1) a neural module and (2) one or more additional modules comprising a sensing module, another neural module, and/or a data storage module. The neural module(s) are configured to collect neural data indicative of perceptions experienced by the living subject. The sensing module may be configured to collect (1) sensor data indicative of real-world information about an environment around the living subject, and/or (2) sensor data indicative of a physical state or physiological state of the living subject. The data storage module may be configured to store prior neural data and/or prior sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Paradromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Angle, Edmund Huber, Richard C. Gerkin, Konrad Kording