Abstract: A nerve electrical stimulation device includes an electrical stimulator and a magnetic electrode assembly. The electrical stimulator includes a housing, a circuit board, two first electrical connecting elements and a first magnetic unit. One end of each first electrical connecting element is connected to the circuit board. The magnetic electrode assembly includes a main body, two electrodes, a second magnetic unit and two second electrical connecting elements. The electrodes are disposed on a surface of the main body, and connected to the circuit board. The second magnetic unit is located corresponding to the first magnetic unit. The second electrical connecting elements pass through the main body and connected to the electrodes and the other ends of the first electrical connecting elements, respectively. The magnetic electrode assembly is detachably positioned at one side of the electrical stimulator by a magnetic attraction of the first and second electrical connecting elements.

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.

Abstract: A system that includes an implanted medical device such as an auditory prosthesis having a capacity to conduct communications on two channels to establish an association for communication with another electronic device. One of the channels is preferably a short range or near field channel, and the other channel is a broadcast channel. A method of asynchronous communication using both channels for establishing the association is also described.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device includes a housing comprising a first end and an opposing second end, a first side and an opposing second side, and the first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The first side is configured to contact the wearer's head. A battery is disposed within the housing proximate the first end. An acoustic receiver or an acoustic receiver connector is disposed within the housing proximate the second end. Electronics including a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) radio are disposed in the housing. A directional magnetic antenna is situated in or on the housing and coupled to the NFMI radio. The antenna comprises a core having a complex shape and a coil wound around a portion of the core. The core comprises a closed end oriented toward a source of magnetic noise and an open end oriented away from the source of magnetic noise.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to individualized (recipient-specific) techniques for fitting an auditory/hearing prosthesis to a recipient. In the individualized fitting techniques, a fitting system obtains data/information that is specific to the recipient to which the auditory prosthesis is being fitted. The fitting system is configured to analyze the recipient-specific data and to generate an individualized fitting plan/program that is specifically tailored to the recipient.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic implant comprising an elongate electrode carrier having a plurality of stimulation electrodes that can be introduced into a cochlea and comprising a flat sound transducer that is excitable to vibrate at least regionally by applying a voltage, with the sound transducer being configured such that it is arrangeable in, on and/or in front of a round window or an oval window or a surgically created third window of an ear and/or in a round window niche of an ear, covering the corresponding window at least partially or completely, such that vibrations of the sound transducer effect sound vibrations through the corresponding window, with the elongate electrode carrier extending through a surface of the flat sound transducer that extends, when the sound transducer is arranged in front of the corresponding window, at least partially over the corresponding window.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, a housing, a magnet apparatus located within the flexible housing and including a first partial disk shaped magnet member and a second partial disk shaped magnet member spaced apart from the first partial disk shaped magnet member, an antenna within the housing, and a stimulation processor.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, and an implant magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case defining a central axis, a first disk-shaped magnet member, located within the case and rotatable relative to the case about the central axis of the case, including a magnetic north portion (“N-portion”), a magnetic south portion (“S-portion”) and an amagnetic portion (“AM-portion”), and a second disk-shaped magnet member, located within the case and rotatable relative to the case about the central axis of the case, including a N-portion, a S-portion and an AM-portion.

Abstract: Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, and a signal processor in communication with the stimulator. 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 signal processor can be connected to the stimulator via a first detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the stimulator. The signal processor can be connected to the input source via a second detachable connector configured to detachably connect and provide communication between the signal processor and the input source. A modular signal processor can be detached from the stimulator and the input source for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A visor for visual stimulation of visually impaired subjects is shown. The visor comprises a frame, a coil, a camera and a mounting system. A connector allows the coil to be positioned along a first direction. A sliding device allows the coil to be positioned along a second direction. Positioning of the visor on a subject's nose allows the coil to be positioned along a third direction. Positioning of the coil along the first, second or third direction is useful to maximize coupling RF coupling between the coil and an internal coil implanted on a subject wearing the visor.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for adapting/adjusting the end-of-charge (termination) voltage of a rechargeable battery integrated in an auditory prosthesis or other electronic device based on an estimated power consumption of the auditory prosthesis or other electronic device. In particular, the estimated power consumption of an auditory prosthesis or other electronic device is used to set an end-of-charge voltage that is customized to the power consumption needs of the auditory prosthesis or other electronic device.

Abstract: Fully implantable 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 in communication with the signal processor. A cochlear implant network can include an external device in wireless communication with the fully implantable cochlear implant system via one or more system components, such as the implantable battery and/or communication module, the stimulator, and/or the signal processor. The external device can be configured to wirelessly communicate signals to the fully implantable cochlear implant system such as control signals and/or audio signals. Networks can include a plurality of external devices capable of interfacing with one or more implantable components of a fully implantable cochlear implant system.

Abstract: Wires and coils within an electrode assembly electromagnetically interact and cause mechanical motion of the assembly. This mechanical motion can be used to supplement or replace the electrical stimulation provided by a standard cochlear implant and provides targeted acoustic stimulation to the cochlea.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system includes: an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with the electrode array; an implanted antenna which is electrically coupled to the internal processor; and a modular external headpiece which is removably positioned over the implanted antenna, the modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to the implanted antenna; and a modular component configured to releasably engage the core and supply electrical power to the core.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for time interleaving the sampling of input signals with the delivery of stimulation signals to a recipient of an implantable electrically-stimulating hearing prosthesis. The input signals, which are received via one or more input channels and sampled by a sound processing unit, are susceptible to electrical feedback from the stimulation signals. As such, in accordance with embodiments presented herein, the sampling of the input signals by the sound processing unit, and the delivery of the stimulation signals to the recipient, are synchronized with one another so as to avoid stimulation-evoked electrical feedback within the input signals.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device includes a housing comprising a first end and an opposing second end, a first side and an opposing second side, and the first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The first side is configured to contact the wearer's head. A battery is disposed within the housing proximate the first end. An acoustic receiver or an acoustic receiver connector is disposed within the housing proximate the second end. Electronics including a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) radio are disposed in the housing. A directional magnetic antenna is situated in or on the housing and coupled to the NFMI radio. The antenna comprises a core having a complex shape and a coil wound around a portion of the core. The core comprises a closed end oriented toward a source of magnetic noise and an open end oriented away from the source of magnetic noise.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to map an electrical waveform to a user-perceivable input. Some system examples include at least one electrode configured to sense neural activity in a patient, a mapping controller configured to receive an electrical waveform from the at least one electrode and map the sensed neural activity to a user-perceivable output based on the sensed neural activity, and a user interface operably connected to the mapping controller and configured to provide the user-perceivable output to a user.

Abstract: A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant system has a left side and a right side. There is an interaural time delay (ITD) processing module on each side that adjusts ITD characteristics of the stimulation signals based on defined groups of stimulation channels that include: i. an apical channel group on each side corresponding to a lowest range of audio frequencies up to a common apical channel group upper frequency limit, wherein a common number of one or more stimulation channels is assigned to each apical channel group, and wherein corresponding apical channel group stimulation channels on each side have matching bands of audio frequencies, and ii. one or more basal channel groups on each side corresponding to higher range audio frequencies above the apical channel group upper frequency limit.

Abstract: An implantable hearing prosthesis comprising an implantable upgrade module including a pre-processing unit configured to generate audio signals based on microphone information; and a implantable main module, physically separate from and electrically connected to the upgrade module. The implantable main module comprises a sound processing unit configured to generate stimulation information based on the audio signals received from the pre-processing unit, and a stimulator unit configured to generate stimulation signals based on the stimulation information. The hearing prosthesis also comprises a stimulation module configured to deliver the stimulation signals to a recipient.

Abstract: A battery-powered electronic device, such as an electronic hearing protector (100) includes a housing (113) enclosing the battery and an electronics assembly powered by the battery, the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlled by updatable software. The device further includes a first electrical contact (119a) that is a ground line; a second electrical contact (119b) that is a data programming line in a first state, and that is a charging voltage line in a second state; and a third electrical contact (119c) that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a charge enable line in the second state. The first, second and third electrical contacts (119a-c) are accessible from outside the housing (113). A switch enclosed by the housing (113) changes the second electrical contact (119b) between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system includes a binaural pair of microphones that are configured to be located, respectively, at a first ear and a second ear of a user. The system further includes an interconnected binaural pair of sound processors that are associated with the binaural pair of microphones. The sound processors are configured to preserve an interaural level difference (“ILD”) between a first signal generated by the first microphone and a second signal generated by the second microphone. The sound processors do this by performing a contralateral gain synchronization operation to a first degree with respect to the first and second signals at the first sound processor, and to a second degree with respect to the first and second signals at the second sound processor, where the first degree is distinct from the second degree or at least one of the first and second degrees is a partial degree.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus 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: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system comprises a control facility that represents a first frequency domain signal to a patient by 1) directing a cochlear implant included in the cochlear implant system to apply, during a first stimulation frame, a first monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a first temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the first stimulation frame, the first monophasic stimulation pulse having a first polarity, and 2) directing the cochlear implant to apply, during a second stimulation frame that is temporally subsequent to the first stimulation frame, a second monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a second temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the second stimulation frame, the second monophasic stimulation pulse configured to at least partially charge balance the first monophasic stimulation pulse and having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

Abstract: An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes a sound processor apparatus having 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact that facilitates interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components to the sound processor apparatus, the plurality of external components including a programming system, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the first contact and that communicates with each of the plurality of external components by way of the first contact. The exemplary auditory prosthesis system may also include a wireless module configured to be interchangeably connected to the interface assembly in place of the programming system, wherein, while the wireless module is interchangeably connected to the interface assembly, the wireless module is communicatively coupled to the control module by way of the first contact. Corresponding auditory prosthesis systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device comprises a tank circuit including a parallel tank circuit and a series tank circuit. In this example, the parallel tank circuit and the series tank circuit share a capacitive component and an inductive component. The device also includes electronics, and circuitry configured to selectively couple the electronics to the parallel tank circuit for a first application and to couple the electronics to the series tank circuit for a second application.

Abstract: Approaches are described for fitting an implanted cochlear implant having electrode array contacts to an implanted patient. For multiple different fitting methods, each fitting method is assigned one or more electrode contacts such that each assigned electrode contact is assigned only one fitting method. For each fitting method, the assigned electrode contacts are fitted according to the fitting method and fitting values for non-assigned electrode contacts are interpolated. Then a fitting is performed for each electrode contact in the electrode array based on a weighted averaging of the fittings for the plurality of different fitting methods.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for performing automated Electrocochleography (ECoG) testing using ambient sound signals received by a hearing prosthesis during normal operation (i.e., outside of a clinical setting). In particular, the hearing prosthesis analyzes ambient sound signals to identify portions of the sound signals that are conducive/suitable to the performance of an ECoG measurement (i.e., an ECoG measurement structure). When an ECoG measurement structure is identified, the hearing prosthesis itself performs an ECoG measurement using one or more implanted electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing auxiliary device for helping a person with hearing impairment to obtain hearing information. The hearing auxiliary device includes a bone conduct transceiver, a receiver and a driver. The bone conduct transceiver converts a sound raw data to a bone conduct signal. The receiver is installed to an inner ear portion of the person with hearing impairment, and the receiver receives the bone conduct signal and converts the bone conduct signal to a sound restoration signal. The driver sends out a physical signal according to the sound restoration signal, in order to let the person with hearing impairment to obtain a hearing signal.

Abstract: A method for processing sound that includes, generating one or more noise component estimates relating to an electrical representation of the sound and generating an associated confidence measure for the one or more noise component estimates. The method further comprises processing, based on the confidence measure, the sound.

Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.

Abstract: A magnet is completely encased within a body of a biocompatible implant. The body of the biocompatible implant is formed so as to allow for removal of the magnet after implantation in a recipient. The body includes a portion that is at least partially separable from the remainder of the body, either by application of a removing agent or a tool. The magnet can be removed and replaced. Thereafter, the body can be sealed or the magnet can be left exposed.

Abstract: A cochlear implant including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a processor case, and a printed circuit board assembly located within the processor case. The processor case may include a base with a bottom wall and first and second side walls that together define a one-piece, unitary structure, a first end wall, attached to the bottom wall and to the first and second side walls, including a first plurality of feedthrough pins, a second end wall, attached to the bottom wall and to the first and second side walls, including a second plurality of feedthrough pins, and a cover attached to the first and second side walls and to the first and second end walls.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, first and second log amplifiers, and a controller. The RF output stage is configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The current sensor is configured to sense a current of the electrosurgical energy and generate a current signal corresponding to the current of the electrosurgical energy. The first log amplifier is configured to amplify and compress the current signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a voltage of the electrosurgical energy and generate a voltage signal in response thereto. The second log amplifier is configured to amplify and compress the voltage signal. The controller is configured to receive the amplified voltage signal and the amplified current signal and operatively control the generation of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the amplified voltage signal and the amplified current signal.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor included in a cochlear implant system used by a patient generates a spectral input signal representative of spectral energy contained within a frequency band of an audio signal presented to the patient. The sound processor determines whether a spectral energy level of the spectral input signal exceeds a predetermined system noise threshold that is based on a characterization of system noise generated by the cochlear implant system within the frequency band. The sound processer then generates a spectral output signal by 1) including the spectral input signal in the spectral output signal if the spectral energy level exceeds the predetermined system noise threshold, and 2) excluding the spectral input signal from the spectral output signal if the spectral energy level does not exceed the predetermined system noise threshold. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Presented herein are objective techniques for determining the upper limit of the dynamic range (i.e., the comfort level) of implanted stimulating contacts through the use of electrocochleography (ECoG) measurements to indirectly detect the onset and duration of a recipient's stapedius reflex. In particular, stimulation is delivered to a recipient's cochlea to trigger the onset of the stapedius reflex and the resulting acoustic impedance change is detected by monitoring the acoustically evoked ECoG.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a processing facility and a control facility. The processing facility is configured to 1) divide an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a frequency domain signal, and 2) maintain data representative of a crossover frequency. The control facility is configured to 1) direct a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of each frequency domain signal included in a plurality of low frequency analysis channels located below the crossover frequency in accordance with a low frequency stimulation strategy that includes a degree of focusing, and 2) direct the cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of each frequency domain signal included in a plurality of high frequency analysis channels located above the crossover frequency in accordance with a high frequency stimulation strategy that includes a lesser degree of focusing than the low frequency stimulation strategy.

Abstract: Presented herein are stimulation techniques for implantable tissue-stimulating systems. The stimulation techniques generate and deliver sets of micro-charge pulses to a recipient. The micro-charge pulses within a set collectively cause the firing of a recipient's nerve cell(s).

Abstract: A sound processing arrangement is described for a patient with a bilateral cochlear implant system having implanted electrode arrays in each ear. There is a left-side sensing microphone and a right-side sensing microphone, each configured for sensing the sound environment surrounding the patient and generating corresponding microphone signals. A sound object identification module is configured for analyzing the microphone signals to identify one or more sound objects within the sound environment. A sound object selection module is configured for processing the microphone signals to generate a sound object signal for each of the one or more sound objects. A stimulation side selector module is configured for selecting on which side or sides of the bilateral cochlear implant arrangement to process each sound object signal. One or more sound processors processes the sound object signals to generate stimulation signals to the implanted electrode arrays on the selected side or sides.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to techniques for enabling a user of a mobile electronic device to wirelessly control one or more functions of an implantable medical device system. The techniques presented herein establish a secure (encrypted) communication channel between the implantable medical device system and a central system associated with the manufacturer of the implantable medical device system and use the secure communication channel to authorize a user to wirelessly control one or more functions of the implantable medical device system via the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrode stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in a cochlear implant electrode array. A signal filter bank transforms an input sound signal into band pass signals, which each represent an associated frequency band of audio frequencies. An envelope processing module processes the band pass signals in a sequence of sampling time frames, wherein for each time frame, the processing includes calculating for each band pass signal at least one signal envelope dynamic property that is changing during the time frame. A channel selection module selects one or more of the band pass signals for each time frame based on the dynamic properties to produce the electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation contacts.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effectiveness of an auditory prosthesis comprises transmitting a stimulus via an auditory prosthesis, thereby delivering an auditory stimulus to the auditory nervous system of a person fitted with said auditory prosthesis, picking up the neurophysiological signals transmitted by said auditory nervous system in response to the auditory stimulus by means of an electro- or magneto-encephalography system, and processing the received signals. The method also includes transmitting a stimulus made up of at least one pair of linguistic units selected from a phonetic confusion matrix, picking up a neurophysiological signal in response separately for each linguistic unit, and comparing the signals in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An expert diagnosis system integrated in a hearing prosthesis system is configured to diagnosis, grade, and remediate inner ear crises. In particular, the expert diagnosis system analyzes combinations of in-situ measured inner ear potentials, obtained in response to electrical and/or acoustic stimulation, in order to identify crisis signatures and to correlate those crisis signatures to clinical symptoms of a specific type and cause of an inner ear crises (i.e., automatically diagnosis the inner ear crisis). The expert system is further configured to grade the severity of the identified clinical symptoms and initiate some form of remedial action to address the identified inner ear crisis.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis, including an implantable microphone, and a sound management system, wherein the hearing prosthesis is configured to set an operational parameter of the sound management system based on input from a microphone external to the recipient of the implantable microphone.

Abstract: This method of determining an intracochlea tissue impedance comprises using at least two stimulating electrodes to apply an electrical stimulus to intracochlea tissue. A voltage caused by the stimulus is measured between two measuring electrodes distinct from the stimulating electrodes. From the voltage a stimulus-response characteristic of tissue between the two measuring electrodes is determined. This allows the tissue/electrode interface impedance and potential and the tissue impedance and potential to be uniquely determined. In turn, modiolus currents can be estimated in monopolar stimulation mode. Also provided is automated initiation of re-mapping of the device when tissue characteristics change.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for detecting sensory outcome issues through an analysis of data representing the direction of incidence/arrival of a sensory input and inertial data representing movement of the recipient's head following detection of the sensory input. By correlating recipient head movement (including lack of movement) with the arrival direction of the sensory input, a sensory prosthesis system can determine whether or not the recipient acted as expected and, if not, whether a sensory outcome problem is present.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for distributed processing of electrophysiological signals. The system may include a processor, a remote device, and an implant comprising an array of electrodes. The method may comprise the processor receiving an electrophysiological signal request from the remote device that specifies at least one electrode at the implant from which to receive an electrophysiological signal, transmitting to the implant instructions to apply a plurality of stimuli via the specified at least one electrode and, for individual stimuli in the plurality of stimuli, recording an electrophysiological signal component resulting from the stimulus. The method may also comprise the processor combining the recorded individual electrophysiological signal components to produce the electrophysiological signal and transmitting the electrophysiological signal to the remote device for further processing.

Abstract: In some examples of selecting a target therapy delivery site for treating a patient condition, a relatively high frequency electrical stimulation signal is delivered to at least two areas within a first region (e.g., an anterior nucleus of the thalamus) of a brain of a patient, and changes in brain activity (e.g., as indicated by bioelectrical brain signals) within a second region (e.g., a hippocampus) of the brain of the patient in response to the delivered stimulation are determined. The target therapy delivery site, an electrode combination, or both, may be selected based on the changes in brain activity.

Abstract: Controlling the interaction between an external device and an implanted device, including a method of controlling interaction between an external device and an implanted device, the method including at least the steps of: establishing communications between the implanted device and the external device; the external device determining an identification of the implant and comparing the identification with identifications in a stored list; if the device matches one of said identifications, then using a corresponding set of operating parameters to interact with said implant; and otherwise, not interacting with said device.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for operating a stimulation prosthesis that contains a command module and a stimulator module that communicate by a data link. The stimulation prosthesis has at least two operating states: a configuration state and a stimulation state. In one embodiment, the stimulation prosthesis may use a communication protocol that is suitable for the current operating state. The risk of unintended transitions between the operating states due to data transmission errors is substantially eliminated. And in accordance with another embodiment, in addition to switching stimulation strategies, the stimulation prosthesis may also switch stimulation data formats to a format that is optimized for the new stimulation strategy.