Abstract: An exemplary scalar translocation detection system detects a first evoked response occurring in response to acoustic stimulation applied to a cochlear implant patient. The system detects the first evoked response by way of an electrode configuration disposed on an electrode lead while the electrode configuration is positioned at a first location along an insertion path of the electrode lead into a cochlea of the patient. The system further detects, by way of the electrode configuration while it is positioned at a second location along the insertion path, a second evoked response occurring in response to additional acoustic stimulation applied to the patient. The system further determines an amplitude change and/or a phase change between the first and second evoked responses, and then determines whether a scalar translocation of the electrode lead from one scala of the cochlea to another has occurred based on the amplitude change and/or the phase change.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system that provides for transtympanic stimulation of the inner ear that can be used for safely and effectively treating tinnitus. The electrical stimulation system of the present invention may be fully implantable or partially implantable. The system features an electrode placed on the round window membrane. An external portion provides the power to the electrode, which can stimulate the inner ear via the round window as needed by the patient. The present invention also features methods of treating tinnitus using the electrical stimulation system described herein.

Abstract: A voltage converter for medical devices includes a switch capacitor converter core including a plurality of power transistor switches configured to receive an input voltage and output an output voltage; a switch driver connected with the switch capacitor converter core and configured to turn on corresponding power transistor switches in the switch capacitor converter core so as to supply power to a load receiving the output voltage; a switch signal router connected with the switch driver and configured to selectively transmit signals required by the switch driver; a gain selection decoder connected with the switch signal router; a gain controller connected with the gain selection decoder, the gain selection decoder being configured to decode gain selection instructions transmitted from the gain controller; an input adjusting device connected with the gain controller and configured to receive the input voltage and a reference voltage, to indicate relationship between the input voltage and the reference voltage

Abstract: A voltage converter for medical devices includes a switch capacitor converter core including a plurality of power transistor switches configured to receive an input voltage and output an output voltage; a switch driver connected with the switch capacitor converter core and configured to turn on corresponding power transistor switches in the switch capacitor converter core so as to supply power to a load receiving the output voltage; a switch signal router connected with the switch driver and configured to selectively transmit signals required by the switch driver; a gain selection decoder connected with the switch signal router; a gain controller connected with the gain selection decoder, the gain selection decoder being configured to decode gain selection instructions transmitted from the gain controller; an input adjusting device connected with the gain controller and configured to receive the input voltage and a reference voltage, to indicate relationship between the input voltage and the reference voltage

Abstract: A processing device is interfaced with an auditory region of the brain of a subject that is responsible for auditory perception. The processing device receives signals associated with nerve impulses that are transmitted to the auditory region of the brain of the subject in response to sound collected by an ear of the subject. The processing device processes the received signals and generates at least one audio signal that is representative of the auditory perception, by the subject, of the sound collected by the ear. In certain embodiments, the processing device processes at least one audio signal that is representative of at least one sound to convert the at least one audio signal to a sequence of nerve impulses, and selectively provides the sequence of nerve impulses to the auditory region of the brain of the subject such that the subject audially perceives the at least one sound.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus includes signal processing circuitry configured to generate processed data signals in response at least in part to transducer signals from at least one acoustic transducer and filtering signals, and to transmit the processed data signals via at least one communication channel to an actuating assembly of an auditory prosthesis. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to monitor one or more of the signal processing circuitry, the processed data signals, and the at least one communication channel, and to generate filtering control signals in response at least in part thereto. The apparatus further includes filtering circuitry configured to generate the filtering signals in response at least in part to the processed data signals and the filtering control signals.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for assisting recovery from dysphagia.

Abstract: Winding a wire at a first location such that the wire is bunched at the first location, extending the wire from the first location to a second location, winding the wire at the second location such that the wire is bunched at the second location, extending the wire from the second location back towards the first location to a third location proximate the second location, winding the wire at the third location such that the wire is bunched at the third location, extending the wire from the third location back towards the first location to a fourth location at least proximate the first location, winding the wire at the fourth location such that the wire is bunched at the fourth location, severing the wire at one or more locations, and forming an electrode assembly utilizing the windings.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for assessing one or more outcomes associated with implantation of one or more electrodes into the inner ear of a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a an electrode assembly for nerve stimulation, in particular for the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, comprising at least one electrode and a bow-shaped holding portion which is designed to hold the electrode assembly at the ear of a patient.

Abstract: Machine-learning techniques are used to train a classifier to predict auditory and language skills improvement in a patient who is a candidate for cochlear implantation (CI). One or more images of portions of the patient's brain are obtained, and quantitative data is extracted that represents the composition of one or more brain areas related to auditory and/or cognitive processing. For training of the classifier, data is obtained for previous CI patients whose improvement in language skills has been measured. Once trained, the classifier can be used to predict a likely degree of improvement in a prospective CI patient's auditory and language skills.

Abstract: A dichotic pulsatile and analog stimulation system, comprises a first cochlear implant device implanted in one ear of a patient; and a second cochlear implant device implanted in another ear of the patient; wherein the first cochlear implant device comprises a first speech processor configured to provide single channel analog stimulation to a first electrode array mounted to a cochlea of the one ear and the second cochlear implant device comprises a second speech processor configured to provide interleaved pulse stimulation to a second electrode array mounted to a cochlea of the other ear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the treatment of a tinnitus condition, comprising a pressure point body which is dimensioned so that it can be secured to or in the vicinity of the auricle, characterized in that said pressure point body has a fastening element and a pressure element, whereby the position of the auricle is changed and/or the middle ear is deformed.

Abstract: An alert system detects when an auditory prosthesis recipient is wearing her sound processor. When the processor is not worn, the alert system signals a secondary device, such as an accessory, to provide some other form of tactile stimulation to allow the recipient to be made aware of certain auditory stimuli she is not receiving via the auditory prosthesis. Thus, the alert system can effectively “hear” for the recipient. Since many auditory prosthesis recipients are, for all practical purposes, completely deaf without their external sound processors attached and operational, such an alert system increases the recipient's safety, convenience, and quality of life.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid system is disclosed. According to one or more of the mentioned aspects, the implantable hearing aid system comprises a charger unit which includes a coil unit having a first resonance frequency, a hearing aid and an implantable component. The hearing aid includes a rechargeable battery, an inductive coil arrangement having a second resonance frequency configured to form an inductive charging link with the coil unit to receive power signals from the charger unit. The implantable component includes an implantable coil, wherein the inductive coil arrangement may further be configured to form a transcutaneous link with the implantable coil to transmit at least one of data and power to the implantable component.

Abstract: Stimulation of nervous system components by electrodes can be used in many applications, including in the operation of brain-machine interfaces, bidirectional neural interfaces, and neuroprosthetics. The optimal operation of such systems requires a means of accurately measuring neural responses to such stimulations. However, currently the measurement of neural responses is difficult due to heavy stimulation artifacts arising from stimulatory pulses. The invention encompasses novel methods of estimating stimulation artifacts in measurements attained by recording electrodes and the effective removal of these artifacts. This provides improved neural recording systems and enables the deployment of closed-loop neural stimulation systems.

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.

Abstract: An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions. Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board.

Abstract: A band-pass clock distribution circuit includes a clock tree circuit including at least one clock buffer circuit. The clock tree circuit may be configured to receive a first clock signal from a clock generator circuit and to generate a second clock signal based on the first clock signal. A band-pass filter may be configured to receive the second clock signal and to provide a third clock signal to one or more load circuits. The band-pass filter includes a filtering resonant network including a first inductor and a second inductor coupled to one another at a center tap. The filtering resonant network is configurable to resonate with a parasitic capacitance associated with the one or more load circuits. A portion of the band-pass filter is integrated with the clock tree circuit.

Abstract: The aspect of the disclosure is achieved by a cochlear implant system which comprises a microphone unit configured to receive an acoustical signal and transmit an audio signal based on the acoustical signal and an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, the system comprises a processor unit including a filter bank which includes multiple bandpass channels configured to divide the audio signal into multiple bandpass audio signals. Each of the multiple bandpass channel may be confined to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, the system may comprise a first temporal feature extractor configured to determine a primary group of temporal features of a bandpass audio signal of the multiple bandpass audio signals, and a second temporal feature extractor configured to window filter the bandpass audio signal and determine a secondary group of temporal features of the window filtered bandpass audio signal.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that make use of objective measurements obtained in response to acoustic stimulation signals. More specifically, at least one measure of outer hair cell function and at least one measure of auditory nerve function are obtained from a tonotopic region of an inner ear of a recipient of a hearing prosthesis. The at least one measure of auditory nerve function and the least one measure of outer hair cell function are then analyzed relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one housing configured to be implanted within a body of a recipient, at least one acoustic transducer positioned on or within the at least one housing, at least one motion sensor positioned on or within the at least one housing, gain circuitry configured to apply a gain to transducer output signals from the at least one acoustic transducer, at least one storage device, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one acoustic transducer, the at least one motion sensor, the gain circuitry, and the at least one storage device. The at least one processor is configured to adjust the gain circuitry in response to a reference acoustic sensitivity function, a reference vibration response function, the transducer output signals, and sensor output signals from the at least one motion sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a miniature ear canal hearing aid, electronic elements other than a receiver being wrapped inside a housing, a front end of the housing being sealed and fixed at a rear end of the receiver, a sound outlet of the receiver being exposed to an outside of the housing, the receiver being wrapped with an eardrum head thereon, the eardrum head being fixed at the front end of the housing in a detachable manner, and the sound outlet of the receiver being located inside the eardrum head. The structure of the present invention can increase a degree of curvature of a portion going deep into the ear canal, reduce a volume of the hearing aid, and improve adaptability, comfort and concealment.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that use acoustic scene (environmental) analysis to determine the sound class of sound signals received at a hearing prosthesis and, accordingly, assess the estimated listening difficulty that the acoustic environment presents to a recipient of the hearing prosthesis. This difficulty of the recipient's listening situation can be used to adjust, adapt, or otherwise set the resolution of the electrical stimulation signals delivered to the recipient to evoke perception of the sound signals. In other words, the resolution of the electrical stimulation signals is dynamically adapted based on the present acoustic environment of the hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attach and release payloads such as cargo or ballast from the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a fitting device configured to be communicatively connected to first stimulation device comprising an implantable electric stimulation device including a plurality of stimulation channels for electrical stimulation of a patient's ipsilateral ear at various stimulation sites according to a electrical stimulation signal and a second stimulation device selected from the group consisting of a device for acoustic stimulation of the patient's ipsilateral ear and a device for acoustic stimulation of the patient's contralateral ear according to an acoustic stimulation signal for adjusting the first stimulation device and the second stimulation device.

Abstract: A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a housing with a microphone, an amplifier, where the hearing aid device comprises an antenna and either: a) a tube configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome or electrically to a receiver in an ear mould or a dome or b) a hook configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome. The antenna extends along at least a portion of the tube or the hook.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

Abstract: A headpiece including a housing, a headpiece magnet carried by the housing, and a headpiece antenna carried by the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed examples generally include methods and apparatuses related to microphone units, such as may be found in implantable medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants). Microphone units generally include a microphone element connected to a chamber having a concave floor with the chamber covered by a membrane. Microphone units can be configured to produce an output based on pressure waves (e.g., sound waves) that reach the membrane. In an example, a microphone unit has a pressurized gas within the chamber below the membrane such that, while in a static state, the membrane deflects away from the chamber floor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an output architecture for an implantable pulse generator of a neurostimulation system. The output architecture includes a power supply, a plurality of outputs, a global source current regulator coupled to the power supply and operable to source current from the power supply to the plurality of outputs through a plurality of source current branches, a global sink current regulator operable to sink current from the plurality of outputs to ground through a plurality of sink current branches, a current source branch selector operable to select, for each of the plurality of outputs, an amount of current sourced from the plurality of source current branches, and a current sink branch selector operable to select, for each of the plurality of outputs, an amount of current sunk to the plurality of sink current branches.

Abstract: A speech intelligibility calculating method is a method executed by a speech intelligibility calculating apparatus, the speech intelligibility calculating method including: a speech intelligibility calculating step of calculating a speech intelligibility that is an objective assessment index of a speech quality, based on a difference component between features found through an analysis of an input clean speech and an input enhanced speech, using one or more filter banks; and a step of outputting the speech intelligibility calculated at the speech intelligibility calculating step. This speech intelligibility calculating method is capable of calculating a speech intelligibility without any dependency on a speech enhancement method.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode array from an electrode array blank that includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts. The method includes the steps of forming a first window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a first one of the electrically conductive contacts, the first window defining a first window perimetric center, and forming a second window in the flexible body that extends through the exterior of the flexible body to a second one of the electrically conductive contacts, the second window defining a second window perimetric center that is perimetrically offset from the first window perimetric center when the flexible body is straight and not twisted around the longitudinal axis of the flexible body.

Abstract: An exemplary electrode locating system performs an excitation spread measurement by directing a first electrode to generate an electrical pulse and, in response to the generation of the electrical pulse, detecting a voltage between a second electrode and a reference that are both distinct from the first electrode. The first and second electrodes are included in a plurality of electrodes disposed on an electrode lead included within a cochlear implant system and that comprises a proximal portion configured to be coupled with a cochlear implant and a distal portion configured to be inserted into a cochlea of a patient by way of an insertion procedure. Based on the excitation spread measurement, the electrode locating system determines whether at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is located within the cochlea. Corresponding methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stimulation assembly having an elongate body and a plurality of stimulation elements longitudinally spaced from one another along a portion of the elongate body. The stimulation assembly includes a first set of the stimulation elements and a second set of the stimulation elements. The apparatus further includes a tube over the second set of the stimulation elements. The tube is configured to be removed from the stimulation assembly.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an implantable coil case that contains a communications coil. A magnet receptacle is located within the coil case at the radial center and has a magnet opening in one of the lateral surface or the medial surface of the coil case. A magnet fitting groove is recessed into one of the lateral or medial surface of the coil case and extends from the magnet opening to the outer circumference of the coil case. A u-shaped implant magnet clip has parallel clip legs that are connected at a closed end of the u-shape, and an implant magnet is attached to one of the clip legs. The coil case and the magnet clip are configured to cooperate for a portion of the coil case to fit between the clip legs and the implant magnet to slide through the magnet fitting groove and fit through the magnet opening into the magnet receptacle.

Abstract: A wireless earpiece includes a wireless earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the wireless earpiece housing, at least one microphone operatively connected to the processor, and at least one speaker operatively connected to the processor. The processor is configured to receive audio from the at least one microphone, perform processing of the audio to provide processed audio, and output the processed audio to the at least one speaker. The processing of the audio involves identifying body generated sounds generated by a body of a user of the wireless earpiece and removing the body generated sounds.

Abstract: A method and a system for measuring a main electrically evoked compound action potential is described. The system may comprise a cochlea implant system which includes an electrode array, and where the electrode array includes at least a stimulator electrode, a first recording electrode and a second recording electrode, and where the first recording electrode is arranged closer to the stimulator electrode than the second recording electrode, a processor electrically in communication with the cochlea implant system.

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.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case and a magnet assembly, having a spine and at least one magnet that is secured to the spine, that is located within the case and is rotatable relative to the case.

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.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting knowledge based on brainwave response to external stimulation. A subject can be exposed to stimuli and brainwave responses indicating a p-300 signal can be detected. Further stimuli or sequences of stimuli can be selected be presented to the subject based on the category correlated with the stimuli that indicate a p-300 response.

Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attaches to a ferry vehicle for transport to the location of use.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for stimulating one or more nerves with an implantable device. The implantable device may comprise an antenna circuit including a loop antenna and a control circuit including a rectifying diode for rectifying an alternating voltage induced in the antenna circuit by an external electromagnetic field. The implantable device may also include a chargeable storage element for storing energy from the rectified voltage without using a battery. The device may also include an electrode array containing a set of electrodes for emitting an electric field using the stored energy in response to a control signal received from the control circuit. The components of the device may be affixed onto a soft polymer substrate including a linkable peripheral tab on at least two edges of a substantially rectangular body section of the substrate for forming a cuff about the one or more nerves to be stimulated.

Abstract: A portion of a vestibular prosthesis system is described which includes an external coil housing and an external holding magnet that allow rotation of the external coil housing around a rotation axis that passes through the external holding magnet orthogonal to a skin interface surface. An external communications coil arrangement within the housing includes three or more external coil segments rotationally adjacent to each other around the rotation axis, each external coil segment being independently operable by an external signal processor for coupling an implant communication signal. And the external signal processor is configured to periodically operate the external coil segments to quantify rotation of the external coil housing and adjust the signal component of the implant communication signal to offset quantified rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring neural activity responsive to a stimulus in a brain, the method comprising: applying the stimulus to one or more of at least one electrode implanted in a target neural structure of the brain; detecting a resonant response from the target neural structure evoked by the stimulus at one or more of the at least one electrode in or near the target neural structure of the brain; and determining one or more waveform characteristics of the detected resonant response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid a cochlear implant comprising a) at least one input transducer for capturing incoming sound and for generating electric audio signals which represent frequency bands of the incoming sound, b) a sound processor which is configured to analyze and to process the electric audio signals, c) a transmitter that sends the processed electric audio signals, d) a receiver/stimulator, which receives the processed electric audio signals from the transmitter and converts the processed electric audio signals into electric pulses, e) an electrode array embedded in the cochlear comprising a number of electrodes for stimulating the cochlear nerve with said electric pulses, and f) a control unit configured to control the distribution of said electric pulses to the number of said electrodes.