ADVANCED BIONICS AG Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160136425 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NEURAL HEARING STIMULATION - A system for stimulation of a patient's ipsilateral cochlea, having at least two spaced apart patient-worn microphones for providing first and second audio signals from ambient sound; a sound processor for generating an ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in a plurality of output channels from at least one of the input audio signals; and a stimulation assembly for being implanted within the ipsilateral cochlea and having a plurality of stimulation channels for ipsilateral stimulation of the patient's hearing according to the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal. The sound processor comprising a DOA unit for determining periodically a main direction of incidence of ambient sound from a sound source by analyzing the first and second audio signals, and a directional information coding unit for coding information concerning the determined main direction of incidence in the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in manner to enable the patient to localize the sound source. | 05-19-2016 |
20160106988 | Electrical Feedthrough Assembly - A device includes a hermetically sealed case with electronic circuitry housed within. One surface of the hermetically sealed case includes a metallic plate and a co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough with a number of vias. The co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough is hermetically joined to the metallic plate and a hybrid circuit is connected to the feedthrough. | 04-21-2016 |
20160082249 | THIN PROFILE COCHLEAR IMPLANTS - A thin profile impact resistant cochlear implant includes a single piece machined case having a bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface is concave and a single piece machined cover configured to be joined to the case, the cover comprising a convex upper surface. A method for forming thin profile cochlear implant is also provided. | 03-24-2016 |
20160066109 | IMPLANTABLE HEARING AID - A hearing aid including a permanent magnet to be fixed at a patient's incus ( | 03-03-2016 |
20160051819 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELICITING A STAPEDIAL REFLEX TO PROTECT HEARING - An exemplary system includes 1) a sound detector configured to detect an audio signal, 2) an implantable stimulator configured to be implanted within a user, and 3) a sound processor communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator and the sound detector. The sound processor is configured to determine that a level of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined threshold and direct, in response to the determination that the level of the audio signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the implantable stimulator to elicit a stapedial reflex within the user by applying electrical stimulation to one or more stimulation sites within the user. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 02-25-2016 |
20160021468 | SOUND PROCESSOR APPARATUSES THAT FACILITATE LOW POWER COMPONENT TYPE DETECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH A PROGRAMMING SYSTEM - An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, 3) a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, 4) a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, and 5) a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described. | 01-21-2016 |
20160015401 | CUSTOMIZED DRILLING JIG FOR IMPLANTATION OF A HEARING AID - A customized drilling jig for implantation of a hearing aid involves a molded imprint ( | 01-21-2016 |
20150380833 | WIRE TERMINATION USING FIXTURING ELEMENTS - A method for forming a connection between a wire and a pin includes placing a fixturing element over the pin, capturing the wire between an upper surface and a lower surface of the fixturing element, compressing the fixturing element to hold the wire around the pin and forming a fixed connection between the wire and the pin. A system for forming an electrical connection includes a pin, a fixturing element disposed around the pin, and a wire placed around pin and sandwiched between an upper surface and a lower surface of the fixturing element. | 12-31-2015 |
20150373463 | SOUND PROCESSOR APPARATUSES THAT FACILITATE BATTERY TYPE DETECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH A PROGRAMMING SYSTEM - An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, and 3) a control module that detects a connection of a battery module to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, enables the first switchable current source while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, detects a logic level of the first data line while the first switchable current source is enabled and while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and identifies, based on the detected logic level of the first data line, a battery type associated with the battery module. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described. | 12-24-2015 |
20150360029 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RENDERING A CUSTOMIZED ACOUSTIC SCENE FOR USE IN FITTING A COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM TO A PATIENT - An exemplary system includes 1) a fitting facility configured to maintain data representative of a library of one or more sounds and data representative of a library of one or more environments, and 2) a detection facility configured to detect a selection by a user of a sound included in the library of one or more sounds an environment included in the library of one or more environments. The fitting facility is further configured to generate, based on the selected sound and the selected environment, an audio signal representative of an acoustic scene and use the audio signal to fit a cochlear implant system to a patient. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 12-17-2015 |
20150358744 | SOUND PROCESSOR APPARATUSES WITH A MULTIPURPOSE INTERFACE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM - An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts and that facilitates interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components to the sound processor apparatus, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that interacts with each of the external components by overloading each contact included in the plurality of contacts with a plurality of functions. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described. | 12-10-2015 |
20150358710 | SOUND PROCESSOR APPARATUS WITH DUAL-MODE EARHOOK INTERFACE ASSEMBLY - An exemplary sound processor apparatus includes 1) an earhook interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts and that is configured to interchangeably connect to a microphone assembly and an EAS receiver assembly by way of the plurality of contacts, and 2) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that is configured to selectively operate in an input mode or in an output mode. While operating in the input mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as input ports to receive one or more audio signals detected by the microphone assembly while the microphone assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly. While operating in the output mode, the control module uses the plurality of contacts as output ports to output one or more EAS signals to the EAS receiver assembly while the EAS receiver assembly is connected to the earhook interface assembly. | 12-10-2015 |
20150352359 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NEURAL HEARING STIMULATION - An auditory prosthesis device for neural stimulation of a patient's hearing having an audio signal input device; a sound processor for generating a neural stimulation signal; and an implantable stimulation assembly having plural stimulation channels for stimulation of the patient's hearing, the sound processor having a filter bank for dividing the input audio signal into plural analysis channels, each containing a frequency domain signal representative of a portion of the audio signal, a signal level determiner for each analysis channel for analyzing the respective frequency domain signal, a neural stimulation signal generator for each analysis channel, a mapping unit for allocating the analysis channels to the stimulation channels according to an adjustable mapping scheme, and a control unit for controlling the mapping unit such that a standard mapping scheme is used in a standard operation mode and a low bandwidth mapping scheme is used in a low bandwidth operation mode. | 12-10-2015 |
20150335890 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NEURAL HEARING STIMULATION - The invention relates to an auditory prosthesis device for neural stimulation of a patient's hearing, comprising means for providing an input audio signal, a sound processor for generating a neural stimulation signal from the input audio signal, an implantable stimulation assembly for stimulation of the patient's hearing according to the neural stimulation signal, and a control unit for controlling the sound processor, the control unit being adapted to control at least one parameter used in the generation of the neural stimulation signal from the input audio signal such that, during an adjustment period, the value of the at least one parameter is automatically changed from a first value to a second value as a function of the time having passed since a reference point in time. | 11-26-2015 |
20150335889 | COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM INCLUDING AN IMPLANTABLE BATTERY - An exemplary cochlear implant system includes 1) a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a patient, 2) a sound processor configured to be located external to the patient and to direct the cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more audio signals to the patient, and 3) an implantable battery configured to be implanted within the patient and to provide operating power for the cochlear implant. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 11-26-2015 |
20150334496 | Independent Volume Control in Electro-Acoustic Stimulation Systems - A system includes a sound processor included in an electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) device and that directs a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation to a patient and a receiver to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. The system further includes a volume control facility and a selection facility that selectively associates the volume control facility with the electrical stimulation in response to a first user input, selectively associates the volume control facility with the acoustic stimulation in response to a second user input, and selectively associates the volume control facility with both the electrical stimulation and the acoustic stimulation in response to a third user input. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334495 | INDEPENDENT VOLUME CONTROL IN ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - An exemplary system includes 1) a first sound processor included in a first auditory prosthesis system associated with a first ear of a patient, the first sound processor including a first volume control facility, and 2) a second sound processor included in a second auditory prosthesis system associated with a second ear of the patient, the second sound processor including a second volume control facility. The first volume control facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the first volume control facility, a first volume level perceived by the patient when electrical stimulation is applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system. The second volume control facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the second volume control facility, a second volume level perceived by the patient when acoustic stimulation is applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system. | 11-19-2015 |
20150328471 | RANDOM-ACCESS ELECTRODE ADDRESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary cochlear implant includes a communication facility configured to receive at least a first data word and a second data word in series from a sound processor by way of a forward-telemetry link and a processing facility communicatively coupled to the communication facility and configured to 1) use the first data word to dynamically determine an address associated with an electrode by way of which a stimulation pulse is to be applied during a time slot of a stimulation frame and 2) use the second data word to determine an amplitude of the stimulation pulse that is to be applied by way of the electrode during the time slot of the stimulation frame. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 11-19-2015 |
20150328457 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A WIDTH OF AN EXCITATION FIELD CREATED BY CURRENT APPLIED BY A COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM - An exemplary sound processor ( | 11-19-2015 |
20150320550 | TIP ELEMENTS FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANTS - A cochlear implant system includes an electrode array comprising a tip element and a sensing module in communication with the tip element. The sensing module detects conditions surrounding the electrode array using the tip element during insertion of the electrode array into a cochlea. Various methods for implanting a cochlear electrode array with a tip element are also presented. | 11-12-2015 |
20150297891 | Systems and Methods for Optimizing a Compliance Voltage of an Auditory Prosthesis - An exemplary sound processor 1) sets a current steering range for a stimulation channel defined by first and second physical electrodes communicatively coupled to an auditory prosthesis to be less than an entire physical range of the stimulation channel, 2) maps each frequency included in a frequency band associated with the stimulation channel to a virtual electrode included in a plurality of virtual electrodes included in the current steering range of the stimulation channel, 3) identifies a feature of an audio signal, 4) identifies a virtual electrode included in the plurality of virtual electrodes and that is associated with the identified feature, and 5) directs the auditory prosthesis to apply electrical stimulation representative of the identified feature to a stimulation site associated with the identified virtual electrode by concurrently stimulating the first physical electrode with a first current level and the second physical electrode with a second current level. | 10-22-2015 |
20150290458 | CONNECTORIZED COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary system includes 1) a cochlear implant module configured to be implanted within a patient and comprising cochlear implant circuitry configured to apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more audio signals to the patient, and 2) a modular connector coupled to the cochlear implant module by way of a cable and configured to be implanted within the patient. The modular connector may be removably connected to an implantable antenna in order to facilitate communicative coupling of the implantable antenna to the cochlear implant circuitry. In this configuration, the cochlear implant circuitry may wirelessly communicate with a sound processor located external to the patient. The modular connector may alternatively be removably connected to an implantable sound processor. In this configuration, the cochlear implant circuitry and the implantable sound processor may communicate one with another by way of a wired connection. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 10-15-2015 |
20150271612 | Independent Volume Control in Electro-Acoustic Stimulation Systems - An exemplary system includes 1) an electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) subsystem that directs a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation to a patient, and directs a receiver to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient; and 2) a volume control subsystem communicatively coupled to the EAS subsystem and that facilitates independent control of a first volume level perceived by the patient when the electrical stimulation is applied and a second volume level perceived by the patient when the acoustic stimulation is applied. | 09-24-2015 |
20150246234 | IMPLANT STABILIZATION - An implant system includes an implantable body ( | 09-03-2015 |
20150246230 | Systems and Methods for Optimizing a Compliance Voltage of an Auditory Prosthesis - An exemplary system includes a sound processor that 1) determines a relative importance of performance versus power conservation for an auditory prosthesis, 2) determines, in accordance with the determined relative importance of performance versus power conservation, a current steering range for a stimulation channel defined by first and second physical electrodes communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis, the current steering range centered about a midpoint of the stimulation channel; and 3) directs the auditory prosthesis to apply electrical stimulation representative of audio content having a frequency included in a frequency band associated with the stimulation channel in accordance with the determined current steering range. | 09-03-2015 |
20150098196 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD APPARATUS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Printed circuit board apparatus with electromagnetic interference shields and methods of making the same. | 04-09-2015 |
20150088025 | ELECTROMYOGRAPHY RESPONSE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary EMG response detection system may be configured to 1) direct an implantable stimulator to sequentially present a plurality of substantially identical stimulation events to a patient, 2) record a plurality of EMG signals generated by a muscle in the patient and each corresponding to a presentation of a particular stimulation event included in the plurality of substantially identical stimulation events, 3) determine an asynchronous component of each of the recorded EMG signals, and 4) utilize the asynchronous components of the recorded EMG signals to determine whether an EMG response is evoked by the stimulation events. | 03-26-2015 |
20150057733 | SURFACE MODIFIED DEVICES AND STERILE PACKAGING THEREFOR - A method for sterile packaging of a surface modified implantable device includes irradiating a surface of the device such that the hydrophobicity of the surface is decreased and, optionally, the device is simultaneously sterilized. The surface of the sterile, surface-modified implantable device is then covered in a polar solution to prevent hydrophobic recovery of the surface. | 02-26-2015 |
20150049890 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FITTING AN ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC STIMULATION SYSTEM TO A PATIENT - An exemplary system includes 1) a stimulation management facility configured to direct an electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) system to concurrently apply acoustic stimulation to a patient by way of a loudspeaker and electrical stimulation to the patient by way of an electrode located within a cochlea of the patient during a fitting session, and 2) a fitting facility communicatively coupled to the stimulation management facility and configured to detect, during the fitting session, an interaction between the acoustic stimulation and the electrical stimulation, and set, during the fitting session, one or more control parameters governing an operation of the EAS system based on the detected interaction. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 02-19-2015 |
20150045855 | COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEMS INCLUDING MAGNETIC FLUX REDIRECTION MEANS - An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a component that houses a circuit board comprising electronic circuitry that generates one or more signals, an induction coil that transmits the one or more signals by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between and in direct contact with a top surface of the induction coil and a bottom surface of the circuit board. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045844 | INTRANEURAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary intraneural stimulation system may include an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted within a patient, an intracochlear electrode array communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis and configured to be inserted into a cochlea of the patient, and an intraneural electrode array communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis and configured to be inserted into an auditory nerve of the patient. In this configuration, the auditory prosthesis may stimulate the auditory nerve by applying electrical stimulation by way of the intracochlear electrode array and/or the intraneural electrode array. | 02-12-2015 |
20150012053 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING APICAL ELECTRODE STIMULATION BY AN ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC STIMULATION SYSTEM - An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) device includes 1) a detection facility configured to detect audio content presented to a patient and included in an acoustic stimulation frequency range, 2) an acoustic stimulation management facility configured to direct a loud-speaker to apply acoustic stimulation representative of the audio content included in the acoustic stimulation frequency range to the patient, and 3) an electrical stimulation management facility configured to direct a cochlear implant implanted within the patient to apply sub-threshold electrical stimulation to the patient by way of one or more electrodes disposed within an apical region of a cochlea of the patient together with the application of the acoustic stimulation. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 01-08-2015 |
20140343657 | ATRAUMATIC ELECTRODE LEAD - A cochlear implant includes a processor, an array of electrodes disposed along a flexible body and a lead body connecting the processor to the array of electrodes. The lead body includes a first tube having a first outside diameter, a second tube having a second outside diameter smaller than the first diameter, a portion of the second tube being disposed within the first tube, and wires passing through the first tube and the second tube, the wires comprising a helically coiled portion. A method for forming a lead body is also provided. | 11-20-2014 |
20140330344 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING BINAURAL HEARING BY A COCHLEAR IMPLANT PATIENT - An exemplary system for facilitating binaural hearing by a cochlear implant patient includes 1) a spectral analysis facility configured to divide a first audio signal presented to a first ear of the patient and a second audio signal presented to a second ear of the patient into first and second sets of analysis channels, respectively, and 2) a processing facility configured to process acoustic content contained in a first analysis channel included in the first set of analysis channels and acoustic content contained in a second analysis channel included in the second set of analysis channels, mix the processed acoustic content contained in the first and second analysis channels, and direct a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of the mixed acoustic content to the first ear by way of a stimulation channel that corresponds to the first analysis channel. | 11-06-2014 |
20140323905 | STAPEDIUS REFLEX MEASUREMENT SAFETY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary stapedius reflex measurement safety system includes a stimulation management facility configured to direct a cochlear implant system to apply an electrical stimulus to an auditory pathway of a patient and a detection facility configured to determine that a change in acoustic immittance that occurs as the electrical stimulus is being applied by the cochlear implant system is likely representative of a rise time phase associated with an occurrence of a stapedius reflex within the patient. The stimulation management facility is further configured to direct, in response to the determination, the cochlear implant system to cease applying the electrical stimulus. | 10-30-2014 |
20140309712 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING AN OPERATION OF A MIDDLE EAR ANALYZER AND A COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM - An exemplary system for synchronizing an operation of a middle ear analyzer and a cochlear implant system includes 1) a mapping facility configured to maintain mapping data representative of an association between a plurality of sound levels and a plurality of current levels and between a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of electrodes, 2) a detection facility configured to receive an acoustic signal transmitted by the middle ear analyzer and detect a sound level and a frequency of the acoustic signal, and 3) a processing facility configured to identify, based on the mapping data, a current level associated with the detected sound level and one or more electrodes associated with the detected frequency and direct the cochlear implant system to apply electrical stimulation having the identified current level to one or more stimulation sites within a patient by way of the identified one or more electrodes. | 10-16-2014 |
20140277276 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPTIMIZING SPEECH AND MUSIC PERCEPTION BY A BILATERAL COCHLEAR IMPLANT PATIENT - An exemplary method of optimizing speech and music perception by a bilateral cochlear implant patient includes identifying a first ear of a bilateral cochlear implant patient as being relatively more suited for processing speech than a second ear of the patient, directing a first cochlear implant subsystem associated with the first ear to operate in accordance with a first sound processing program configured to enhance speech perception by the patient, and directing a second cochlear implant subsystem associated with the second ear to operate in accordance with a second sound processing program configured to enhance music perception by the patient. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270299 | SOUND PROCESSORS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257431 | COMPENSATION CURRENT OPTIMIZATION FOR AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEMS - An exemplary system includes an implantable cochlear stimulator implanted within a patient, a short electrode array coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator and having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, and a sound processor communicatively coupled to the implantable cochlear stimulator. The sound processor may direct the implantable cochlear stimulator to apply a main current to a first electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a first pitch, direct the implantable cochlear stimulator to concurrently apply, during the application of the main current, a compensation current to a second electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a second pitch, and optimize an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. | 09-11-2014 |
20140243928 | COMPENSATION CURRENT OPTIMIZATION FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEMS - An exemplary system includes a sound processor configured to process one or more audio signals and an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to apply stimulation representative of the one or more audio signals to a patient via a plurality of electrodes. In some embodiments, the sound processor directs the implantable cochlear stimulator to 1) apply a main current to a first electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a first pitch, 2) concurrently apply, during the application of the main current, a compensation current to a second electrode included in the plurality of electrodes and associated with a second pitch that is lower than the first pitch, and 3) adjust the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient, the target pitch being higher than the first pitch. | 08-28-2014 |
20140233775 | MODULAR ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR TELECOIL AND AUXILIARY AUDIO INPUT DEVICE MIXING - An exemplary apparatus for use with an auditory prosthesis system includes a housing, a connector port disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to be communicatively coupled to an auxiliary audio input device, a telecoil disposed at least partially within the housing, and a multi-position switch disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to selectively enable the auxiliary audio input device and the telecoil. The auxiliary audio input device is enabled and the telecoil is disabled when the switch is in a first position, both the auxiliary audio input device and the telecoil are enabled when the switch is in a second position, and the telecoil is enabled and the auxiliary audio input device is disabled when the switch is in a third position. Corresponding apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140202759 | PROTECTION FOR IMPLANTED GOLD SURFACES - An implantable device includes an exterior gold surface and a thin film disposed on the exterior gold surface and forming a barrier between the exterior gold surface and an implanted environment, in which the thin film includes molecules with a head portion, the head portion attached to the exterior gold surface. | 07-24-2014 |
20140200645 | SOUND PROCESSOR INTERCONNECTS, HEADPIECE ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - An interconnect for connecting a sound processor to a headpiece and headpiece assemblies including the same. The interconnect comprises: a plug ( | 07-17-2014 |
20140200630 | Fully Implantable Cochlear Implant Systems Including Optional External Components and Methods for Using the Same - An exemplary method includes 1) detecting, by an external module configured to be positioned external to and worn by a patient, an input audio signal presented to the patient, 2) acoustically transmitting, by the external module, an audio signal representative of the input audio signal, 3) detecting, by an implantable module configured to be implanted within the patient, the acoustically transmitted audio signal, 4) generating, by the implantable module, one or more stimulation parameters based on the acoustically transmitted audio signal, and 5) applying, by the implantable module, electrical stimulation representative of the input audio signal to one or more stimulation sites within the patient in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. | 07-17-2014 |
20140188189 | BILATERAL AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary bilateral auditory prosthesis system includes 1) a primary auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted on a first side of a head of a patient, 2) a secondary auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted on a second side of the head of the patient and to be communicatively coupled to the primary auditory prosthesis with one or more wires, the second side being contralateral to the first side, and 3) a sound processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the primary auditory prosthesis and to control an operation of the secondary auditory prosthesis by transmitting control data to the secondary auditory prosthesis by way of the primary auditory prosthesis and at least one wire included in the one or more wires. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 07-03-2014 |
20140169602 | Speech Processor Cases - Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit. | 06-19-2014 |
20140163628 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC STIMULATION USING AN OFF-THE-EAR SOUND PROCESSOR MODULE - An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) system ( | 06-12-2014 |
20140135872 | Systems and Methods of Facilitating Manual Adjustment of One or More Cochlear Implant System Control Parameters - An exemplary system includes a sound processing unit configured to apply noise reduction to an audio signal in accordance with a noise reduction parameter, an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit and configured to apply stimulation representative of the noise reduced audio signal to a patient via one or more electrodes, and a user input facility communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit and that facilitates manual adjustment of the noise reduction parameter. | 05-15-2014 |
20140126731 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOGGING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AN OPERATION OF A SOUND PROCESSOR BY AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS - An exemplary method includes 1) detecting, by an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted in a patient, a communicative coupling of a sound processor to the auditory prosthesis, the sound processor configured to be located external to the patient, and 2) logging, by the auditory prosthesis, data associated with an operation of the sound processor while the sound processor is communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis. Corresponding auditory prostheses and systems are also disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20140114375 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING ADJUSTMENT OF ONE OR MORE FITTING PARAMETERS BY AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS PATIENT - An exemplary method of facilitating adjustment of one or more fitting parameters by an auditory prosthesis patient includes 1) receiving, by a fitting subsystem communicatively coupled to a sound processor, user input representative of a selection of a fitting parameter, 2) associating, by the fitting subsystem in response to the user input, the fitting parameter with a physical input mechanism that is a part of the sound processor, and 3) dynamically adjusting, by the fitting subsystem, a value of the fitting parameter in response to actuation by a user of the physical input mechanism. Corresponding methods and systems are also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140107400 | TEMPLATE FOR IMPLANTING A HOUSING OF A HEARING INSTRUMENT - The invention relates to a template for implanting a housing of an implantable unit of a partially implantable hearing instrument, comprising a template plate comprising an implant position marking opening and a template position indicating element which extends substantially normal with regard to the surface of the template plate, wherein the implant position marking opening is designed to mark the position of a receptacle to be created in the patient's temporal bone for receiving an elevated housing positioning portion of the housing, and wherein the template position indicating element is a projection designed to be seen or felt by a surgeon through the patient's skin when the template plate is positioned at the patient's skull to mark the position of said receptacle. | 04-17-2014 |
20140094864 | COCHLEAR IMPLANT HEARING INSTRUMENT - A hearing instrument for direct stimulation of the cochlea of a patient, comprising an audio signal source for providing audio signals, a sound processor for generating auditory nerve stimulation signals from the audio signals, a stimulation assembly to be implanted into the cochlea and comprising an electrode array to be located in the basal part of the cochlea for electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in the basal part of the cochlea and a plurality of optical fibers extending beyond the electrode array into the apical part of the cochlea for optical stimulation of the auditory nerve in the apical part of the cochlea, and a driver unit for providing the stimulation assembly, according to the auditory nerve stimulation signals from the sound processor, with electric stimulation signals for the electrode array and with stimulation light from at least one light source for the optical fibers. | 04-03-2014 |
20140086439 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING TIME-BASED FITTING BY A SOUND PROCESSOR - An exemplary sound processor ( | 03-27-2014 |
20140086424 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-SITU EVALUATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING INSTRUMENT ACTUATOR - A system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in a middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea includes: a reference output transducer assembly for generating sound waves in the middle ear cavity, means for providing test audio signals as input to the actuator and to the reference transducer assembly, a microphone assembly for being inserted at least in part into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and by the reference output transducer assembly according to the test audio signals and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the microphone assembly in order to evaluate the actuator performance. | 03-27-2014 |
20140081352 | Inner Hair Cell Stimulation Model for Use by a Cochlear Implant System - The stimulation provided in the electrically stimulated cochlea is modulated in accordance with the amplitude of a received acoustic signal and the onset of a sound in a received acoustic signal to provide increased sound perception. An onset time that corresponds to the onset of a sound is detected in an acoustic signal associated with a frequency band. A forcing voltage and a transmitting factor are determined, wherein the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor are associated with the frequency band at the detected onset time. The acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor to generate an output signal. The generated output signal can be used to stimulate the cochlea. The modulation strategy can be used in conjunction with sound processing strategies that employ frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or a combination of frequency and amplitude modulation. | 03-20-2014 |
20140074463 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING REPRESENTATION BY AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM OF AUDIO SIGNALS HAVING INTERMEDIATE SOUND LEVELS - An exemplary system includes a detection facility configured to detect an input sound level of an audio signal presented to an auditory prosthesis patient; and an adaptive gain control (AGC) facility configured to 1) determine whether the detected input sound level is in a quiet region, an intermediate region, or a loud region, and 2) apply a gain to the audio signal in accordance with an AGC gain function that specifies the gain to be substantially equal to or less than a first gain threshold if the detected input sound level is in the quiet region, substantially equal to or less than a second gain threshold if the detected input sound level is in the loud region, and greater than the first and second gain thresholds if the detected input sound level is in the intermediate region. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074184 | Encoding Fine Time Structure in Presence of Substantial Interaction Across an Electrode Array - Among other things, a stimulation strategy can be customized for a cochlear implant implanted in an individual by testing at least a pair of electrodes selected from an array of electrodes associated with the cochlear implant. Testing the at least a pair of electrodes includes applying a first stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a first pair of pulse trains that are out of phase, and applying a second stimulation to the at least a pair of electrodes using a second pair of pulse trains that are out of phase. A determination is made on whether the at least a pair of electrodes stimulate the same neural population based on a sensitivity of the individual to detect a perceived difference between the two pairs of pulse trains. The one or more electrodes of the array of electrodes are selectively stimulated based on the determination. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074183 | Spectral Contrast Enhancement in a Cochlear Implant Speech Processor - Among other things, enhancing spectral contrast for a cochlear implant listener includes detecting a time domain signal. A first transformation is applied to the detected time domain signal to convert the time domain signal to a frequency domain signal. A second transformation is applied to the frequency domain signal to express the frequency domain signal as a sum of two or more components. A sensitivity of the cochlear implant listener to detect modulation of each component is obtained. | 03-13-2014 |
20140073842 | IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE - An implantable microphone, comprising a rigid housing, a sensor membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue, the sensor membrane being arranged to seal an opening of the housing, a transducer, for generating an output signal corresponding to the deflection of the sensor membrane, and a compliant suspension arrangement located opposite to the sensor membrane for being exposed to soft tissue and for supporting the housing on soft tissue in a manner that the housing is moveable relative to said soft tissue upon acceleration of the housing and the soft tissue, the suspension arrangement comprising means for adjusting the spring constant of the suspension arrangement when the microphone is implanted. | 03-13-2014 |
20140073841 | IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE - An implantable microphone for placement in soft tissue, comprising a sensor arrangement comprising a housing, a first pressure sensor having a first membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue and a second pressure sensor having a second membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue and a compensation circuitry for combining the output signals of the first and second sensor in a manner so as to eliminate signals resulting from acceleration forces acting on the sensor arrangement, wherein the first and the second sensor are of a mirror-symmetric design with regard to each other, with the first and the second membrane being arranged parallel to each other. | 03-13-2014 |
20140064532 | Systems and Methods for Optimizing a Compliance Voltage of an Auditory Prosthesis - Exemplary systems and methods for optimizing a compliance voltage of an auditory prosthesis are disclosed. Each stimulation channel formed by electrodes that are coupled to an auditory prosthesis may have an adjustable current steering range associated therewith. Each adjustable current steering range is centered about the midpoint of its respective stimulation channel and defines a range of current steering that may be used within its respective stimulation channel. A compliance voltage of an auditory prosthesis may be optimized by setting a current steering range for one or more stimulation channels to a value that results in an optimum balance between power conservation and performance of the auditory prosthesis. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064530 | IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE - An implantable microphone, comprising a source of incoherent light, a light detector for outputting a signal corresponding to the total light intensity impinging onto a detector surface, a housing for housing the light source and the detector, and a sensor membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue, the membrane being arranged to seal an opening of the housing and comprising reflector means provided at the inner side of the sensor membrane for reflecting light from the light source onto the detector in manner that the total light intensity reflected onto the detector varies as a function of the position of the reflector means relative to the detector. | 03-06-2014 |
20140046402 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MINIMIZING A PERCEPTUAL DISTURBANCE CAUSED BY SHORTED ELECTRODES IN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM - An exemplary system for minimizing a perceptual disturbance caused by shorted electrodes in an auditory prosthesis system includes a sound processor ( | 02-13-2014 |
20140031899 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANT SIGNAL PROCESSING - An exemplary speech processor configured to be used in a cochlear implant system includes signal processing circuitry that 1) separates an incoming audio signal into a plurality of channels, wherein each channel included in the plurality of channels includes a channel signal included in a plurality of channel signals and representing a portion of the audio signal, 2) selects one or more channel signals from the plurality of channel signals that have a spectral power that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the selected one or more channel signals corresponding to one or more channels included in the plurality of channels, and 3) designates only the one or more channels that correspond to the selected one or more channel signals to be used for stimulation representative of the incoming audio signal. | 01-30-2014 |
20140012351 | Methods and Systems for Managing Cochlear Implant Fitting Software Features - An exemplary system includes 1) a storage facility configured to maintain data representative of a cochlear implant fitting software package comprising a plurality of cochlear implant fitting features and maintain data representative of a plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponding to the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, wherein each independent licensing heuristic within the plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponds to a different cochlear implant fitting feature within the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, and 2) a feature control facility configured to selectively enable or disable each cochlear implant fitting feature in accordance with the corresponding independent licensing heuristic. Corresponding methods and systems are also described. | 01-09-2014 |
20130345767 | Independent Volume Control in Electro-Acoustic Stimulation Systems - An exemplary system includes an electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) subsystem and a volume control subsystem communicatively coupled to the EAS subsystem. The EAS subsystem is configured to direct a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representative of audio content included in a first frequency band to a patient and to direct a receiver to apply acoustic stimulation representative of audio content included in a second frequency band to the patient. The volume control subsystem is configured to facilitate independent control of a volume associated with the electrical stimulation and a volume associated with the acoustic stimulation. Corresponding systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343588 | SOUND PROCESSORS HAVING CONTAMINATION RESISTANT CONTROL PANELS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343582 | AT LEAST PARTIALLY IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE - There is provided an at least partially implantable device for picking up sound impinging onto a skin area of a person, comprising means for generating an audio signal corresponding to the change in time of the distance between a position of the device and the outer surface of the skin area, wherein the device position is adjacent to the skin area. | 12-26-2013 |
20130338427 | IMPLANTABLE ACTUATOR FOR DIRECT COCHLEA STIMULATION - There is provided an implantable actuator for direct stimulation of a patient's cochlea comprising a frame to be fluid-tightly fixed within the patient's oval window in a manner to replace the stapes footplate and having an oval shape conforming to the shape of the oval window, a rigid vibration element for acting on the perilymph fluid, which vibration element is guided within the frame, an elastic holding element fixed both at the frame and at the vibration element and extending laterally between the frame and the vibration element for allowing axial movement of the vibration element relative to the frame but preventing lateral movement of the vibration element relative to the frame, and a rod having a first end to be driven by the tympanic membrane, an ossicle or a driver of an at least partially implantable hearing aid and a second end connected to the vibration element for causing reciprocating movement of the vibration element within the frame. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336492 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-SITU EVALUATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING INSTRUMENT ACTUATOR - There is provided a system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in the middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea, comprising: a hydrophone for being inserted into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the hydrophone in order to evaluate the actuator performance. | 12-19-2013 |
20130333918 | WIRE CONSTRUCTS - A method for forming a wire construct includes forming a groove in a polymer having a mouth that is narrower than a width of a deeper portion of the groove and placing a substantial length of wire in the groove, the wire having a larger cross-sectional dimension than the mouth of the groove. Encapsulant is placed over the polymer. The wire construct is to be used for implantable stimulation leads, such as a cochlear stimulation lead or a neurostimulation lead. Two wire constructs can be assembled to form a multilayer wire construct. | 12-19-2013 |
20130317566 | COMPENSATION CURRENT OPTIMIZATION FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEMS - An exemplary method includes 1) applying a main current to a first electrode disposed within a patient and associated with a first pitch, 2) concurrently applying a compensation current to a second electrode disposed within the patient and associated with a second pitch during the application of the main current, the compensation current being out-of-phase with the main current, and 3) optimizing an amount of the compensation current to result in a target pitch being presented to the patient that is distanced from the first pitch in a pitch direction opposite a pitch direction of the second pitch in relation to the first pitch. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 11-28-2013 |
20130308808 | SOUND PROCESSOR HOUSINGS, SOUND PROCESSORS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308803 | MODULAR AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes a sound processor module configured to process an audio signal and operate in accordance with a plurality of control parameters and an accessory header module configured to be selectively coupled to the sound processor module and facilitate external adjustment of one or more control parameters included in the plurality of control parameters while coupled to the sound processor module. Corresponding systems and methods are also described. | 11-21-2013 |
20130301859 | SOUND PROCESSORS WITH LIGHT TRANSMISSIVE SEALS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processors with light transmissive seals and systems including such sound processors are disclosed. A seal, formed in part from substantially translucent material and having at least a portion of the substantially translucent material associated with the housing exterior of the sound processor, transmits light from a light emitter carried within the housing to indicate an operational aspect of the sound processor. | 11-14-2013 |
20130301852 | SOUND PROCESSOR HOUSINGS, SOUND PROCESSORS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. | 11-14-2013 |
20130296994 | MOISTURE RESISTANT HEADPIECES AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Cochlear implant headpieces with improved moisture resistance. The headpiece comprises a housing ( | 11-07-2013 |
20130296971 | SOUND PROCESSOR HOUSINGS, SOUND PROCESSORS AND IMPLANTABLE COCHLEAR STIMULATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. | 11-07-2013 |
20130272556 | HEARING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A hearing instrument and a method of operating a hearing instrument are provided. The hearing instrument includes an electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical output transducer. When a low battery status of the hearing instrument is detected, a low power audio signal processing mode is selected to extend a lifetime of a battery. The low power audio signal processing mode includes reducing a gain at predefined frequencies; switching off an audio signal processing function for one or more audio frequencies; switching-off parts of a digital audio processor to reduce a duty cycle; and reducing power consumption of an audio signal preamplifier, an audio signal analog-to-digital converter or an audio signal digital-to-analog converter. | 10-17-2013 |
20130261701 | IMPLANTABLE ACTUATOR FOR HEARING STIMULATIOIN - There is provided an implantable actuator for stimulating a patient's hearing, comprising a support frame ( | 10-03-2013 |
20130226297 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-MONOPOLAR CURRENT STEERING IN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM - An exemplary method includes a sound processor 1) mapping an analysis channel associated with a frequency band to a stimulation channel that comprises at least three electrodes communicatively coupled to an auditory prosthesis associated with a patient, 2) identifying a spectral peak included in an audio signal presented to the patient, the spectral peak having a peak frequency included in the frequency band, and 3) directing the auditory prosthesis to apply electrical stimulation representative of the spectral peak to a stimulation site associated with the peak frequency by simultaneously stimulating at least two of the at least three electrodes at substantially fifty percent or less of their respective most comfortable current levels (M levels) in accordance with a multi-monopolar current steering strategy. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 08-29-2013 |
20130205562 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOADING A PRE-CURVED ELECTRODE ARRAY ONTO A STRAIGHTENING MEMBER - Exemplary systems and methods for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member are described herein. An exemplary system may include a loading tool including a housing and a slider member disposed at least partially within the housing. The slider member may be slidable from a first position to a second position and configured to move a pre-curved electrode array from a curved configuration to a straightened configuration as it slides from the first position to the second position. The exemplary system may also include a straightening member configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array. Corresponding methods are also described. | 08-15-2013 |
20130204339 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOADING A PRE-CURVED ELECTRODE ARRAY ONTO A STRAIGHTENING MEMBER - An exemplary system for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member includes a loading tool and a straightening member. An exemplary loading tool may include a body and first and second flexible arms each having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end. The first and second flexible arms may define a straightening channel configured to constrain a pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration. The first and second flexible arms may be further configured to flex away from each other to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel. The straightening member is configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array while the pre-curved electrode array is in the straightened configuration and retain the pre-curved electrode array in the straightened configuration after the pre-curved electrode array is removed from the loading tool. Corresponding methods are also described. | 08-08-2013 |
20130204326 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MINIMIZING AN EFFECT OF CHANNEL INTERACTION IN A COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM - An exemplary method of minimizing an effect of channel interaction among a plurality of channels in a multi-channel cochlear implant system includes empirically generating an electrical spread matrix that is specific to a patient and representative of a channel interaction among a plurality of channels defined by a plurality patient of electrodes of a multi-channel cochlear implant system associated with the patient, generating a model electrical spread matrix that approximates the empirically generated electrical spread matrix and that has a band inverse matrix, and using the band inverse matrix to determine a set of stimulation current levels to be applied by way of a corresponding set of electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes in order to produce desired stimulation current levels at a plurality of stimulation sites within the cochlea in the presence of the channel interaction. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 08-08-2013 |
20130197606 | Tonality-Based Optimization of Sound Sensation for a Cochlear Implant Patient - An exemplary system includes a sound processor configured to 1) divide an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels and 2) generate one or more tonality indices each representing a tonality of one of the analysis channels, and an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processor and configured to 1) generate one or more stimulation pulses configured to represent the audio signal in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, and 2) adjust the one or more stimulation parameters based on at least one of the tonality indices. | 08-01-2013 |
20130188813 | HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An at least partially implantable hearing assistance system, having an audio signal source, an audio signal processing unit for processing audio signals from the audio signal source, an implantable output transducer for stimulating a user's hearing according to the processed audio signals, a hermetically sealed gas-filled chamber forming part of said output transducer or forming part of an microphone as said audio signal source, a barometric pressure sensor for sensing the presently prevailing atmospheric pressure, and a correction signal unit for generating a correction signal as a predetermined function of the sensed atmospheric pressure, wherein said correction signal is adapted to be used by a pressure compensation element of the system for adjusting the system gain in a manner so as to compensate for the impact of deviations of the atmospheric pressure from a reference value on the compliance of said gas-filled chamber. | 07-25-2013 |
20130182874 | RECHARGEABLE PARTIALLY IMPLANTABLE HEARING INSTRUMENT - A system has an implantable unit and an external unit. The external unit is fixable at the patient's head and has an audio signal source, an audio signal processing unit for processing audio signals from the audio signal source, a rechargeable power source, a transmitter for transmitting processed audio signals via a transcutaneous audio link to the implantable unit and a power transmission coil for transmitting power via a transcutaneous power link to the implantable unit. The implantable unit has a stimulator for a patient's middle ear or inner ear component according to the processed audio signals. The external unit is coupleable to the inductive charging device for inducing an AC voltage in the power transmission coil. The external unit has a recharging circuitry for transforming the AC voltage induced in the power transmission coil by the charging device into a charging current for recharging the rechargeable power source. | 07-18-2013 |
20130178855 | IMPLANTABLE HEARING AID AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING THE SAME - An at least partially implantable hearing aid, having: a microphone arrangement ( | 07-11-2013 |
20130172662 | PARTIALLY IMPLANTABLE HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - A partially implantable hearing assistance system, having: an external unit ( | 07-04-2013 |
20130110199 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING ONE OR MORE CENTRAL AUDITORY POTENTIALS | 05-02-2013 |
20130108092 | Dynamic Noise Reduction in Auditory Prosthesis Systems | 05-02-2013 |
20130104049 | Methods and Systems for Preventing Unauthorized Access to Patient Information - An exemplary method includes a privacy management system 1) presenting, within a GUI, a patient list that initially includes a plurality of entries each comprising a plurality of obscured characters representative of patient information associated with a distinct patient included within a plurality of patients, 2) receiving user input representative of a search term comprising a sequence of one or more characters selected to identify a particular patient included within the plurality of patients, and 3) dynamically updating the patient list presented within the GUI in response to the user input by unobscuring a sequence of one or more obscured characters included in each entry of the patient list and that matches the sequence of one or more characters included in the search term and removing each entry included in the plurality of entries that does not include the search term from the patient list presented within the GUI. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100595 | Electrical Feedthrough Assembly - A device includes a hermetically sealed case with electronic circuitry housed within. One surface of the hermetically sealed case includes a metallic plate and a co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough with a number of vias. The co-fired ceramic electrical feedthrough is hermetically joined to the metallic plate and a hybrid circuit is connected to the feedthrough. | 04-25-2013 |
20130006044 | HEARING AID AND METHOD OF IMPLANTING A HEARING AID - A hearing aid including a permanent magnet to be fixed at a patient's incus ( | 01-03-2013 |
20120303097 | HEARING AID COMPRISING AN INTRA-COCHLEAR ACTUATOR - An at least partially implantable hearing aid has an input transducer ( | 11-29-2012 |
20120016181 | Fully or Partially Implantable Hearing System - There is provided an at least partially implantable hearing system comprising a microphone assembly for capturing audio signals from ambient sound; an audio signal processing unit for processing the audio signals captured by the microphone assembly; an implantable main electromechanical output transducer for direct mechanical stimulation of the cochlea according to the audio signals processed by the audio signal processing unit; an implantable box having a central part and an open flange for penetrating through the cochlear wall into the perilymph fluid, wherein the inner cross section of the central part is larger than the inner cross section of the flange; and wherein the electromechanical output transducer is for acting on the perilymph fluid in the central part of the box through a port provided at the box. The box comprises at least one of a port for an implantable auxiliary electromechanical output transducer for acting on the perilymph fluid in the central part of the box, a port for drug application into the perilymph fluid in the central part of the box, a port for taking out perilymph fluid from the central part of the box, a port for applying optical stimuli to the perilymph fluid of the cochlea, and a port for at least one sensor for sensing at least physical or chemical parameter of the perilymph fluid in the central part of the box. | 01-19-2012 |
20120014545 | Hearing Instrument and Method for Providing Hearing Assistance - There is provided a hearing instrument comprising an audio signal processing unit for processing audio signals and means for mechanically applying acoustic waves to the blood in a blood vessel of a user in the audible frequency range according to the processed audio signals in order to stimulate the user's hearing sense. | 01-19-2012 |