| MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120101559 | Implantable Electrode with Variable Mechanical Modulation Wiring - A cochlear implant electrode is described. A basal electrode lead carries electrical stimulation signals from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening, and a portion of the electrode lead has a periodically recurring lead shape. An apical electrode array at the cochleostomy end of the electrode lead passes into a cochlea scala and includes electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A portion of the electrode array has a periodically recurring array shape different from the lead shape. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120089202 | Flexible Coil Design for Implantable Device - A coupling coil is described for transcutaneous coupling of energy and communications signal in an implantable implant system. The coupling coil has a defined coil plane and multiple concentric curved planar surfaces of conductor and insulation laminate which are arranged perpendicular to the coil plane. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120065705 | Accelerated Fitting Of Cochlear Implants Based On Current Spread - Approaches are described for fitting an implanted cochlear implant electrode array having stimulation electrodes to the implanted patient. A first unfit stimulation electrode is fit to the patient by determining a most comfortable loudness (MCL) value. Then an MCL value is determined for each remaining unfit stimulation electrode starting from an initial fitting current based on current spread characteristics of at least one already fit stimulation electrode. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120029377 | Electrically Evoked Brainstem Response Measurements via Implant Prosthesis - A method of measuring electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses of a patient or animal body is provided. The method includes surgically implanting an auditory prosthesis having an electrode array, the electrode array positioned either intracochlear or substantially proximate a brainstem of the body. At least one electrode is stimulated in the electrode array. Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses resulting from said stimulation are recorded using, at least in part, an electrode in the electrode array as a negative electrode, and a positive electrode positioned substantially proximate the vertex of the head of the body. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120022616 | Vestibular Implant System with Internal and External Motion Sensors - A partially implantable vestibular prosthesis system is described which includes an external movement sensor that is attachable to the outer skin surface of a patient's head for generating an external movement signal which represents movement of the patient's head. An external transmitter is in communication with the external movement sensor and provides an electromagnetic transmission of an implant communication signal which includes a signal component based on the external movement signal and an electrical power component that provides electrical power for implanted system components. An internal movement sensor is implantable under the skin of the patient's head for generating an internal movement signal which represents movement of the patient's head. And an implant processor also is implantable under the skin and in communication with the internal movement sensor and the external transmitter for generating an implant stimulation signal based on one of the movement signals to electrically stimulate target neural tissue for vestibular sensation by the patient. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120004715 | Ear Implant Electrode and Method of Manufacture - A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes electrode wires for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire is an electrode stimulation contact for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode wires and has an outer surface with a plurality of contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. Multiple bend control elements are distributed along the length of the electrode array to control bending flexibility of the electrode array as a function of a bend radius threshold. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004706 | Envelope Specific Stimulus Timing - An implantable stimulation arrangement is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array having stimulation electrodes. A filter bank pre-processor processes an input acoustic audio signal to generate band pass signals each corresponding to an associated band of audio frequencies. A signal envelope module computes a corresponding signal envelope for each band pass signal. A stimulation pulse generator extracts stimulation signal information from the rate of change of the signal envelopes such as a time-based derivative to generate stimulation event signals defining electrode stimulation timings and amplitudes for some or all of the stimulation electrodes. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110282177 | Electrode Arrangement and Measuring Device for Measuring the Electrical Activity in an Electrically Active Tissue - The invention relates to an electrode arrangement and a measuring device for measuring the action flow and/or the action potential of an electrically active tissue. The aim of the invention is to provide a simple and economically producible electrode for measuring action flows and/or action potentials in electrically active tissues (preferably the stapedius muscle tissue), ensuring that the electrode is fixed securely, but reversibly, in the muscle tissue and that the muscle tissue is disturbed as little as possible. The electrode arrangement according to the invention comprises a first electrode ( | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275953 | Hearing Treatment In Patients With Questionable Cochlear Nerve Functionality - An intraoperative approach for objective determination of auditory nerve functioning is described. Following surgical removal of tumor tissue impairing auditory functioning of a patient, an electrode array having electrode contacts is intra-operatively inserted into the cochlea of the patient. A diagnostic stimulation signal is provided to the electrode contacts to stimulate auditory nerve tissue within the cochlea. And an electrically evoked functional response is measured of the auditory nerve tissue to the stimulation signal. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110270370 | Impact Protection for Implants - An implantable device includes an implantable housing having an outer surface and providing a hermetically sealed interior volume. A flexible electric lead is mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected to circuitry within the interior volume. An impact protector overlies at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and shields the underlying housing surface from the force of a mechanical impact. At least a portion of the impact protector may include an electrode electrically connected to the circuitry within the interior volume. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110264172 | MRI-Safe Disc Magnet for Implants - A magnetic arrangement is described for an implantable system for a recipient patient. A planar coil housing contains a signal coil for transcutaneous communication of an implant communication signal. A first attachment magnet is located within the plane of the coil housing and rotatable therein, and has a magnetic dipole parallel to the plane of the coil housing for transcutaneous magnetic interaction with a corresponding second attachment magnet. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264169 | Equal Loudness Contour with Channel Specific Map Laws - A method is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals each representing an associated band of audio frequencies. Stimulation information is extracted from the band pass signals to generate stimulation event signals defining electrode stimulation signals. The stimulation event signals are mapped according to independent channel-specific loudness functions to produce a set of electrode stimulation signals within channel-specific minimum and maximum threshold levels. The electrode stimulation signals are developed into a set of output electrode pulses to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110257704 | Equal Loudness Contour with Channel Specific Map Laws - A method is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals each representing an associated band of audio frequencies. Stimulation information is extracted from the band pass signals to generate stimulation event signals defining electrode stimulation signals. The stimulation event signals are weighted according to independent channel-specific loudness functions to produce a set of electrode stimulation signals within channel-specific minimum and maximum threshold levels. The electrode stimulation signals are developed into a set of output electrode pulses to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257703 | Inductive Link with Ferrite Sheets - An arrangement is described for a partially implantable medical system. A communications coil is adapted for placement parallel to a corresponding partner coil for communication of an implant communications signal having an associated magnetic field component. An implant electronics module is adjacent to the communications coil and electrically connected with it for coupling of the communications signal. And a planar coil shield lens is between the communications coil and the electronics module to promote coupling of the communications signal between the coils and to shield the electronics module from interaction with the magnetic field component. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255731 | Transducer for Stapedius Monitoring - An electro-magnetic transducer assembly includes a first component. The first component includes at least one magnet, and optionally a first attachment mechanism for attaching the first component to a vibrating structure. A coil assembly includes a second attachment mechanism for removably attaching the coil assembly to the first component. The coil assembly further includes at least one coil that produces a signal representative of the vibration of the at least one magnet. An output port provides the signal. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110230934 | Electrical Nerve Stimulation Based on Channel Specific Sampling Sequences - A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the channel specific sampling sequence. Each electrode in the multichannel electrode array is then simultaneously activated using sign-correlated pulses, the sign-correlated pulses based on parameters of spatial channel interaction reflecting geometric overlapping of electrical fields from each electrode, non-linear compression, and each electrode's weighted channel specific sampling sequence. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110224756 | Reducing Effect of Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields on an Implant's Magnet and/or Electronics - An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts. The body and the implantable magnet are positioned such that the body is shifted to one of the first position and the second position as a function of the external magnetic field resulting in a magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetically soft body. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224629 | Inner Ear Drug Delivery Device and Method - A drug delivery device for the inner ear is described. A drug delivery member for the inner ear without any stimulation electrodes has an intra-cochlear portion that penetrates into the inner ear of the patient and contains a drug eluting polymer material having at least one therapeutic drug which is released over time in a therapeutically effective amount into fluid in the inner ear of the patient. An extra-cochlear portion of the drug delivery member resides in the middle ear of a patient and completely occludes where the intra-cochlear portion penetrates into the inner ear. An anchor rod is within the intra-cochlear portion of the drug delivery member and adapted to extend out into the middle ear, ending in a retrieval knob for pulling the drug delivery member out of the cochlea. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110213444 | Energy Saving Silent Mode for Hearing Implant Systems - A signal processing arrangement for a cochlear implant system is described. A sensing microphone senses an acoustic signal to generate a corresponding electrical sound signal. An information detection circuit performs spectral analysis on the sound signal to identify the presence of speech information. A sound signal processing circuit generates an implant communications signal for the cochlear implant system based on the sound signal, and has an energy saving operational mode wherein the implant communications signal is generated only when the information detection circuit identifies that speech information is present in the sound signal. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110213196 | Middle Ear Direct Action Improved Hearing Aid and Related Installation Method - A middle ear prosthesis device and corresponding implantation procedure are described. A sensing microphone converts an acoustic audio signal into a corresponding electrical audio signal. A sensing amplifier amplifies the electrical audio signal. An audio transducer converts the amplified electrical audio signal into a corresponding amplified acoustic audio signal. An acoustic waveguide conducts the amplified acoustic audio signal from the audio transducer to the middle ear and includes: i. a main tubular portion having an outer end for placement in the outer ear canal and an inner end for placement in the middle ear, and ii. an extension portion having an outer end coupleable to the audio transducer and an inner end coupleable to the outer end of the main tubular portion. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110202120 | Electrode Design for Reduced Trauma Insertion - An implantable electrode for a cochlear implant system is described. A basal electrode lead goes from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening and contains electrode wires for carrying one or more electrical stimulation signals. An apical electrode array fits through the cochleostomy opening into a patient cochlea and has multiple electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue in the cochlea. Resilient array projections extend radially outward from an outer surface of the electrode array. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110178529 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Facilitating Interface with Laryngeal Structures - A minimally invasive method of introducing an interface element to interface with laryngeal structures of a subject includes forming a subperichondral tunnel on an outside of a cricoid cartilage arch and through the cricoid cartilage arch towards a cricothyroid joint to form an insertion route. The method also includes inserting a hollow needle into the insertion route to a posterior space of a cricoid cartilage plate of the subject, positioning at least one interface element along the insertion route for interfacing with the laryngeal structures of the subject, and retracting the hollow needle back along the insertion route. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110144415 | IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE FOR HEARING SYSTEMS - An implantable microphone for use in hearing systems includes a housing having a sidewall, a first membrane coupled to a top portion of the housing and configured to move in response to movement from an auditory ossicle, and a second membrane coupled to the sidewall such that an interior volume of the housing is divided into a first volume and a second volume. The second membrane has an opening that permits fluid to flow from the first volume to the second volume. The implantable microphone also includes a vibration sensor adjacent to the second membrane and configured to measure the movement of the second membrane and to convert the measurement into an electrical signal. The vibration sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor and/or a MEMS sensor. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110137109 | IMPLANTABLE MICROPHONE FOR HEARING SYSTEMS - An implantable microphone for use in hearing systems includes a housing having a back wall. The back wall has a recess (e.g., blind hole) configured to be coupled to an auditory ossicle. The implantable microphone also includes a membrane coupled to a top portion of the housing and a vibration sensor adjacent to the membrane. The membrane is configured to move in response to movement from the auditory ossicle, and the vibration sensor is configured to measure the movement of the membrane and to convert the measurement into an electrical signal. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110130622 | Inductive Signal and Energy Transfer through the External Auditory Canal - An inductive coil arrangement is described for an ear canal of a recipient patient. An inner transmitter coil inserts into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal. The transmitter coil includes transmission wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal. An outer receiver coil is implantable under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. The receiver coil includes receiver wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal substantially parallel to the transmitter coil. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110112608 | Implant Power System - A power supply system for an implant includes an external power supply module. The external power supply module includes a first power signal transmission module having a first coil for transmitting a first electrical power signal across the skin of a user to the implant, and a first rechargeable battery for supplying power to the power signal transmission module. The power supply system further includes an external charger for recharging the first rechargeable battery. The charger includes a second power signal transmission module having a second coil for transmitting a second electrical power signal to the first coil. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112607 | Implant Power Control - A system and method of operating an implant system having an external portion and an implanted portion. The external portion includes a first magnet and a power signal transmission module for transmitting an electrical power signal across the skin of a user. The implanted portion including a second magnet, a receiver module for receiving the power signal across the skin of a user, a Hall Sensor, a switch, and a battery. The method includes externally orientating and/or positioning the first magnet in a first arrangement, such that the external portion is held in place on the user based substantially on a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet, and such that the power signal transmission module is aligned with the receiver module and the receiver module receives the power signal. The first magnet is orientated and/or positioned in a second arrangement, such that the first magnet applies a magnetic field that is sensed by the Hall Sensor. The switch in the implanted portion is controlled based, at least in part, on output from the Hall Sensor, the switch for providing power from the battery. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110098784 | Channel-Specific Loudness Mapping for Prosthetic Hearing Systems - Generating electrode stimulation signals is described for stimulating cochlear tissue using an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which represent an associated band of audio frequencies. Stimulation information is extracted from the band pass signals to generate stimulation event signals that define electrode stimulation signals. The stimulation event signals are then weighted according independent channel-specific loudness functions to produce electrode stimulation signals. The electrode stimulation signals are developed into output electrode pulses to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array for stimulating cochlear tissue. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110082519 | Hearing Implant Fitting - A system and method of fitting a cochlear implant of a patient includes analyzing data of one or more previously fitted cochlear implant users. Predicted fitting data for the patient is provided based on the analysis. Stimulation parameters of the cochlear implant are adjusted based, at least in part, on the predicted fitting data. Further steps are suggested to minimize the prediction error. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110077711 | Simultaneous Stimulation for Low Power Consumption - A stimulation system including a stimulator having a multi-channel electrode array utilizing a monopolar electrode configuration. A processor is operatively coupled to the stimulator. The processor is configured to determine a channel interaction (CI) sequence using simultaneous, sign-correlated pulses and channel interaction compensation. The CI sequence has a CI pulse rate and a CI mean pulse amplitude, and produces resulting potentials that are substantially equal to desired potentials at given positions relative to the multi-channel array. The CI sequence may include temporal gaps between pulses, wherein the processor may be configured to increase the CI pulse rate, such that the temporal gap between pulses is decreased. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to reduce the pulse amplitude of the CI sequence while increasing pulse phase duration, such that charge per pulse remains substantially unchanged and the temporal gap between pulses is decreased. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110070747 | Communications/Audio Interface with Self-Orienting Magnet Attachment System - An electronic connection device is described. A magnetic connector interface has at least two adjacent magnetic interface elements. One is a north wiring interface element having an outer surface with a north magnetic field orientation and at least one wiring contact for providing electrical connection to at least one north electrical wire. The other interface element is a south wiring interface element having an outer surface with a south magnetic field orientation and at least one wiring contact for providing electrical connection to at least one south electrical wire. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110066210 | Low Pulse Rate Cochlear Implant Stimulation In Conjunction With A Separate Representation Of Fundamental Frequencies And Voiced/Unvoiced Distinctions - A method is described for generating stimulus signals for an auditory prosthesis system. A high frequency signal conveys higher frequency audio information including exceptionally low rate band-pass envelope characteristics. This high frequency signal represents at least the upper part if not all of the range of frequencies for speech, music, and other sounds that are audible to listeners with normal hearing. A separate low frequency signal is also provided representing lower audio frequency information including periodicity characteristics (voiced/unvoiced or periodic/aperiodic distinctions) and for periodic sounds, fundamental frequency characteristics. The high frequency signal is applied to the auditory system of a patient by an associated high frequency stimulator, and the low frequency signal is applied to the auditory system of the patient by an associated low frequency signal. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110043210 | MRI-Safe Implant Electronics - A power supply arrangement for an implantable electronic system is described. An MRI power supply arrangement cooperates with an implantable power supply circuit to provide a high output impedance for implanted circuitry during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110034857 | Implantable Fluid Delivery Apparatuses and Implantable Electrode - An electrode for an implantable prosthesis includes a flexible front end including one or more metal contacts and a back end including one or more metal contacts. The electrode has a cross-sectional shape along the electrode, and the cross-sectional shape has a discontinuity between the flexible front end and the back end. The cross-sectional shape does not have a substantially constant diameter and does not have a continuously growing diameter. The cross-sectional shape of the flexible front end is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the back end such that forces required to bend the flexible front end are less than forces required to bend the back end. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110004274 | Cochlear Implant Stimulation with Low Frequency Channel Privilege - A system and method for activating stimulation electrodes in cochlear implant electrode is described. A preprocessor filter bank processes an input acoustic audio signal to generate band pass signals that each represent an associated band of audio frequencies. An information extractor extracts stimulation signal information from the band pass signals based on assigning the band pass signals to corresponding electrode stimulation groups that each contain one or more stimulation electrodes, and generates a set of stimulation event signals for each electrode stimulation group that define electrode stimulation timings and amplitudes. A pulse selector selects a set of electrode stimulation signals from the stimulation event signals based on a pulse weighting function that uses channel-specific weighting factors favoring lower frequencies for activating the stimulation electrodes to stimulate neighboring audio nerve tissue. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100322446 | Spatial Audio Object Coding (SAOC) Decoder and Postprocessor for Hearing Aids - An audio processor device for a hearing impaired listener is described. An input signal decoder decodes an audio input data signal into a corresponding multi-channel audio output representing multiple audio objects and associated side information. An audio processor adjusts the multi-channel audio output based on user-specific hearing impairment characteristics to produce a post-processed audio output to improve auditory scene analysis (ASA) by the hearing impaired listener of the audio objects. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100305677 | Middle Ear Fixation Structure - An implantable fixation structure includes a c-shape bone fixation clip adapted to fit over and attach to a bony bridge element in the middle ear of a patient. A c-shape electrode fixation clip is adapted to fit over and attach to an electrode array element in the middle ear of the patient. A connecting bar has a first end connected to the bone fixation clip and a second end connected to the electrode fixation clip. A coupling clip is connected to the connecting bar between the first end and the second end and adapted to fit over and attach to a cochlear implant element and hold the cochlear implant element in a desired position relative to the middle ear of the patient. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100305673 | Ink Jet Printing of Implantable Electrodes - An implantable electrode device and a corresponding method of fabricating such a device are described. An electrode network of wires and contacts is developed by inkjet deposition of conductive metal material over portions of the electrode substrate for electrically connecting an implant processor device to targeted tissue in a patient. An electrode substrate beneath the electrode network provides structural support to the electrode network. A biocompatible encapsulation layer selectively covers a portion of the electrode network and provides electrical insulation for the covered portion of the electrode network while leaving exposed portions of the electrode network which allow electrical contact with adjacent tissue. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100268054 | Electrode Configuration and Measuring Device for Measuring the Electrical Activity in Electrically Active Tissue - An electrode arrangement for sensing electrical activity in target tissue is described. A support electrode has an elongate electrode body with a base end and a penetrating end for insertion into the target tissue. A fixation electrode has an elongate electrode body with a base end and a penetrating end at an angle to the electrode body. The electrodes are joined together with their electrode bodies in parallel so that the penetrating end of the fixation electrode penetrates a fixed distance into the target tissue so that at least one of the electrodes senses electrical activity in the target tissue. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100249880 | Carrier and Envelope Triggered Cochlear Stimulation - Generation of electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array is described. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which include a fine structure carrier signal and a modulator envelope signal. For each band pass signal, fine time structure information is extracted from the carrier signal to determine a sequence of stimulation event signals. For one or more low frequency band pass signals, the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. For one or more higher frequency band pass signals, if and only if the modulator envelope signal exceeds a sampling threshold value, then the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. The envelope weighted stimulation event signals are then processed to produce electrode stimulation signals for the implanted electrode array. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100249879 | Musical Fitting of Cochlear Implants - A method of developing a weighting matrix for a cochlear implant patient is described. An electrode stimulus signal is derived from a first musical signal. A set of further stimulus signals is derived that have a defined musical relation to the first musical signal. A set of weighting values are selected for the stimulation electrodes for the electrode stimulus signal. Then the weighting values are set for the stimulation electrodes for each of the further stimulus signals. Each of the stimulus signals is consecutively presented to the patient and the weighting values individually adjusted for each of the further stimulus signals until the series of stimulus signals elicits an increasing pitch percept according to the defined musical relation. The adjusted weighting values are stored and assigned to a corresponding analysis channel. The process is iteratively repeated using one of the further stimulus signals as the first electrode stimulus signal until weighting values for a complete frequency range have been derived. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100228320 | Metallic Implant with Reduced Secondary Electron Generation - An implant includes a housing and at least one electronic component. The housing is made of a first material and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The shield is positioned within the housing proximate the inner surface, the shield made of a second material. The second material has an atomic number greater than the atomic number of the first material. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100204768 | Implantable Electrode with Variable Mechanical Modulation Wiring - A cochlear implant electrode is described. A basal electrode lead carries electrical stimulation signals from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening, and a portion of the electrode lead has a periodically recurring lead shape. An apical electrode array at the cochleostomy end of the electrode lead passes into a cochlea scala and includes electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A portion of the electrode array has a periodically recurring array shape different from the lead shape. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204755 | Phase Triggered Envelope Sampler - A method of generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array is described. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which each represent an associated band of audio frequencies. For each band pass signal, fine time structure information is extracted to determine a sequence of phase event signals. For each sequence of phase event signals, when the number of phase event signals reaches a channel pitch rate factor, a signal limiting period without signals is introduced to produce a modified sequence of phase event signals. Each modified sequence of phase event signals is weighted with a channel amplitude value in order to generate a set of electrode stimulation signals for the implanted electrode array. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100191309 | Channel Specific Gain Control Including Lateral Suppression - A method is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for a plurality of stimulation electrodes in an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed with a bank of filters to generate a set of band pass signals where each band pass signal corresponds to a band of audio frequencies associated with one of the filters. A lateral suppression network is used to perform channel specific dynamic amplitude mapping of the band pass signals to generate a set of compressed band pass signals. Stimulation information is extracted from the compressed band pass signals to generate a set of stimulation timing signals, and the stimulation timing signals are developed into a set of electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation electrodes. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191308 | Stimulation Channel Conditioning - A method is described for delivering stimulation signals in an implantable multichannel neuro-stimulating device such as a cochlear implant. A stimulation channel is selected for delivering a data stimulation signal. One or more desensitization channels spatially adjacent to the stimulation channel are also selected. One or more non-data desensitization signals are delivered on the desensitization channels during a desensitization period before delivery of the data stimulation signal, and then the data stimulation signal is delivered on the stimulation channel. The stimulation channel may be blanked to prevent stimulation signals during a sensitization period before delivering the data stimulation signal. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100185261 | High Accuracy Tonotopic And Periodic Coding With Enhanced Harmonic Resolution - Generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array is described. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which represent associated bands of audio frequencies. Macro bands are defined, each of which characterizes multiple band pass signals. The macro bands are processed in a sequence of sampling intervals. For each sampling interval, the processing includes: i. extracting timing and energy information from each band pass signal to form requested stimulation events, ii. decimating the requested stimulation events to select a maximum energy band pass signal within each macro band, and iii. decimating each selected band pass signal based on a pulse selection inhibition function and preserving temporal and spectral structures of the band pass signals so as to generate stimulation event signals. The stimulation event signals are weighted with a weighting matrix reflecting patient-specific pitch perception characteristics to produce output electrode stimulation signals to the implanted electrode array. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100152814 | Artifact Cancellation In Hybrid Audio Prostheses - A system and method are described for determining an estimated neural response in a hybrid acoustic-electrical audio prosthesis. Target nerve tissue such as remaining hair cells and cochlear nerve tissue receive synchronized electric and acoustic stimulation signals which are recorded and processed to determine an artifact canceled estimated neural response. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100145411 | Method For Fitting A Cochlear Implant With Patient Feedback - A method is described for fitting to a patient user an audio prostheses having a set of operating parameters. An audio stimulation pattern is initiated to the audio prosthesis. A fit adjustment process is performed during the audio stimulation pattern, which includes: changing a set of selected operating parameter values. Patient feedback is received that indicates a subjective performance evaluation of operation of the audio prosthesis. The process is repeated (e.g., continuously) to collect performance evaluation data related to the operating parameter values. Then the operating parameters are set based on the performance evaluation data. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145177 | Stapedius Muscle Electrode - The invention relates to a stapedius muscle electrode array for detecting the action elements generated when a human stapedius muscle is contracted. Said array comprises an electrode ( | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100131032 | Audio Prostheses Product Selection - Selection of a prosthetic hearing product is described. A patient testing module tests hearing characteristics of a potential patient to determine a patient audiogram representing patient hearing impairment. A product comparison module compares the patient audiogram to a plurality of product audiograms, where each product audiogram represents a region of hearing impairment treatable by a specific prosthetic hearing product. A product selection module selects a specific prosthetic hearing product for the potential patient based on the audiogram comparison. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100121422 | Hydrogel-Filled Drug Delivery Reservoirs - A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. A drug lumen is within the electrode carrier and adapted to receive a therapeutic fluid. The drug lumen contains delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier and a hydrogel matrix disposed between the drug lumen and the one or more delivery openings and adapted to swell in volume when exposed to the therapeutic fluid. The hydrogel matrix is adapted to control diffusion of the therapeutic fluid from the drug lumen through the delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100121411 | Tinnitus Suppressing Cochlear Implant - An implantable device and corresponding method for suppression of tinnitus are described. An implantable signal processing module develops a stimulation signal for application to audio sensing tissue of the user. The signal processing module includes a tinnitus suppression mode in which the stimulation signal is unrelated to environmental sound near the user. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100121256 | Implantable and Refillable Drug Delivery Reservoir - Implantable drug delivery apparatuses and methods are described. An input port septum receives a therapeutic drug. An implantable delivery catheter holds a volume of the therapeutic drug and includes a proximal end in fluid communication with the input port septum, a distal end including an output septum for removing fluid from the catheter, and a drug permeable surface for diffusion of the therapeutic drug into nearby tissue. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100114240 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACIAL NERVE STIMULATION - A method for stimulating facial nerves in a subject with synkinetic reinnervated muscles includes providing an electrode, having a plurality of contacts, in a parotic region of the subject's face, stimulating each of the contacts separately, identifying one or more contacts from the plurality of contacts that cause one or more nerve branches to activate a desired facial muscle, and selecting the identified contacts to stimulate the one or more nerve branches. The system includes an electrode having a plurality of contacts for placement in a parotic region of the subject's face and a processor in communication with the electrode. The processor has program code for stimulating each of the contacts separately, for identifying one or more contacts from the plurality of contacts that cause one or more nerve branches to activate a desired facial muscle, and for selecting the identified contacts to stimulate the one or more nerve branches. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100106134 | Inner Ear Drug Delivery Device and Method - A drug delivery device for the inner ear is described. A drug delivery member for the inner ear without any stimulation electrodes has an intra-cochlear portion that penetrates into the inner ear of the patient and contains a drug eluting polymer material having at least one therapeutic drug which is released over time in a therapeutically effective amount into fluid in the inner ear of the patient. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104121 | Low Power Signal Transmission - A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100094311 | Implant Electrode and Accessories for Use in Robotic Surgery - An implant electrode for a cochlear implant system includes a basal electrode lead passing from an implant housing to a mastoid cortex surface for carrying one or more electrical stimulation signals from the implant housing. An apical electrode array fits through a cochleostomy opening into a cochlea scala and has multiple electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A middle electrode section passes through the mastoid cortex and the middle ear to the cochleostomy opening for connecting the electrode lead and the electrode array. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100087905 | Cochlear Tissue Protection from Electrode Trauma - A cochlear implant device is described which is an electrode shell for insertion into a fixed position in cochlear tissue. The electrode shell includes an interior volume that partially encases an implant electrode so that its electrode contacts are exposed for delivering electrical stimulation signals to the cochlear tissue. The electrode shell allows insertion and removal of the implant electrode with minimal trauma to the cochlear tissue. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100087700 | Cochlear Implant Sound Processor for Sleeping with Tinnitus Suppression and Alarm Function - An external processor device is described for an implanted audio prosthesis. A low profile device housing attaches on the head of a patient user over an implanted receiver coil. A limited functionality processor within the device housing generates an implant data signal consisting of special non-representational audio data not characteristic of the nearby environment. A transmitter coil within the housing in communication with the processor transmits the implant data signal to the implanted receiver coil. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100069999 | Double Branch Cochlear Implant Electrode - A stimulation electrode is described for a hearing impaired patient. An intra-fluid electrode branch is immersed in cochlear fluid within an interior volume of a patient cochlea and has electrode contacts for delivering a cochlear stimulation signal to adjacent neural tissue. An intra-modiolus electrode branch penetrates through the cochlea and has one or more electrode contacts for delivering a modiolus stimulation signal to cochlear nerve tissue within the modiolus of the patient. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100069996 | Stimulus Artifact Removal for Neuronal Recordings - A method is described for processing a waveform signal containing a stimulus artifact and one or more neuronal action potentials. An electrical stimulation signal is derived based on satisfying a cost function comparison with a plurality of known neuronal action potential waveforms. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100049318 | Implantable Housing With Stabilizer - Components of an implant system are described. An implant housing contains system components for performing system operating functions. An implant stabilizer extends out from the implant housing and implant data lead for interacting with an underlying curved bone surface to immobilize the implant housing in a fixed position. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100048983 | Multipath Stimulation Hearing Systems - A prosthetic hearing system is described that provides multi-path stimulation of the patient auditory system. A mechanical stimulation component applies mechanical stimulation signals to cerebral tissue such as the dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, vestibular structures, etc. using multiple separate mechanical stimulation channels. And an electrical stimulation component provides electrical stimulation of auditory neural tissue of the patient user. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100036470 | Laser-Based Fabrication of Implantable Stimulation Electrodes - A method of fabricating an implantable stimulation electrode is described. An arrangement of conductive metal powder is provided atop an electrode substrate. A laser beam is then focused on the metal powder to form the stimulation electrode in a given geometry with given dimensions and supported by the electrode substrate. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036458 | External Button Processor with a Rechargeable Battery - An external processor device is described for an implantable prosthetic system. An external processor housing has a generally planar skin contacting surface and a central axis perpendicular to the skin contacting surface. A signal processor is located within the processor housing for developing an implant data signal. The processor housing also contains a transmitter coil for coupling the implant data signal across the skin to the implantable prosthetic system. A battery compartment is also located within the processor housing in an annular region around the central axis for containing a battery arrangement to provide electrical power to the signal processor and the transmitter coil. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100010609 | Multi-Channel Electrode for Cochlear Implants Having a Plurality of Contacts Distributed Over the Length of the Electrode - In a multi-channel electrode for cochlear implants, having a plurality of contacts ( | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100004716 | Reducing Effect of Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields on an Implant's Magnet and/or Electronics - An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts. The body and the implantable magnet are positioned such that the body is shifted to one of the first position and the second position as a function of the external magnetic field resulting in a magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetically soft body. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090299437 | Conductive Coating of Implants with Inductive Link - An implantable device includes an implanted coil for receiving a transcutaneous coil signal from an external transmitting coil. A coil housing contains the coil and has a non-conductive surface. A conductive coating covers at least a portion of the housing surface and forms a non-shielding pattern that minimizes interaction with the coil signal. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090264961 | Tonotopic Implant Stimulation - Electrode stimulation signals are generated for an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed with a bank of filters that are each associated with a band of audio frequencies, and a set of band pass signals is generated with each band pass signal corresponding to the band of frequencies associated with one of the filters. Stimulation information is extracted from the band pass signals to generate a set of stimulation event signals defining electrode stimulation signals. Then the stimulation event signals are weighted with a weighted matrix of stimulation amplitudes reflecting patient-specific perceptual characteristics to produce a set of electrode stimulation signals for electrodes in the implanted electrode array. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090259267 | Implantable Neuro-Stimulation Electrode With Fluid Reservoir - An implantable electrode with a fluid reservoir is described. An implantable electrode carrier has an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nearby neural tissue. An enlarged fluid storage reservoir within the electrode carrier stores a treatment volume of therapeutic fluid for an extended therapeutic treatment period. At least one fluid delivery port connects the fluid storage reservoir to the outer surface of the electrode carrier for delivering the therapeutic fluid from the fluid storage reservoir to the outer surface. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090254150 | Electrical Stimulation of the Acoustic Nerve with Coherent Fine Structure - A method of enhancing temporal cues in a cochlear implant system is presented. The cochlear implant system includes an electrode array in which each electrode is stimulated based on a stimulation sequence of pulses. The method includes deriving signal c(t) from an acoustic representative electrical signal, the signal c(t) including low frequency temporal information. An estimate of spectral energy e(t) is derived from the acoustic representative electrical signal, the signal e(t) including spectral information with substantially no pitch related temporal information. The stimulation sequence is created for at least one electrode in the array as a function of c(t) and e(t). | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090254149 | Synchronized Diagnostic Measurement for Cochlear Implants - Objective measurement of cochlear implant operation is described which coordinates the delivery to a patient of an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The acoustic signal is developed as an acoustic stimulation input to the ear canal of a patient, and the electrical signal is developed as an electrical stimulation input to intracochlear electrodes of a cochlear implant. The evoked response in the patient to the delivered signals is then measured. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090248156 | Middle Ear Direct Action Improved Hearing Aid and Related Installation Method - The present invention relates to an improved acoustic prosthesis ( | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090177220 | Surgical Tool for Implantation of a Device with a Convex Element - A surgical tool lifts an overlying layer of skin away from underlying bone to prepare the bone to accommodate a convex element of an implantable device. The tool includes a lifting shell for insertion between the skin and the bone so as to lift the skin away from bone. A tool base supports the lifting shell and is supported by the bone. A drill template opening in the tool base provides access for preparing the bone to accommodate the convex element. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090143839 | Impact Protector For An External Element Of A Partially Implantable System - An external component housing is described for a cochlear implant system. A signal processing stage is contained within the housing for generating an electrical signal for an implanted portion of the system. An external coil is also within the housing for transmitting the electrical signal transcutaneously through the skin of a patient to the implanted portion. An impact absorber shields the system components from the impact energy associated with a mechanical impact to the housing. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090125082 | Pulsatile cochlear implant stimulation strategy - An implantable device includes a multi-channel electrode array in which each channel is associated with an electrode in the array. An audio processing stage processes an input audio signal to produce output channel signals representing associated bands of audio frequencies. A timing and envelope detector processes the output channel signals in a sequence of sampling intervals, including, for each sampling interval, determining for each output channel signal: i. a set of requested pulse timings containing a plurality of pulse timing requests, and ii. a set of corresponding envelope signals representing pulse magnitude for pulse timing requests. A pulse selection amplitude definition stage determines for each set of requested pulse timings: i. a set of output pulses at specified times selected from the set of requested pulse timings based on a pulse selection inhibition function, and ii. a stimulation amplitude associated with each output pulse. The multi-channel electrode array applies the output pulses at their associated stimulation amplitudes to surrounding tissue. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125081 | Cochlear Implant Stimulation Artifacts - An artifact monitoring stimulation system and corresponding method are described. An implantable electrode stimulator applies an electrical stimulation pulse to target tissue using implantable electrode contacts. An artifact monitor module monitors the electrode contacts during and after the stimulation pulse to observe an artifact signal resulting from the stimulation pulse to determine a operating characteristic associated with the stimulation system, the stimulated tissue and/or electrode-electrolyte interface properties. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090099403 | Implant Magnet Insertion and Removal Tools - A magnet positioning tool is described for use with an implantable device. The device has a pair of opposing positioning surfaces, at least one of which has a magnet cradle for mechanically engaging an implant magnet associated with a magnet position in the implantable device. The tool also includes a position engagement surface for engaging the implantable device when the magnet cradle is adjacent to the magnet position. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090069892 | Impact Protection for Implants - An implantable device includes an implantable housing having an outer surface and providing a hermetically sealed interior volume. A flexible electric lead is mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected to circuitry within the interior volume. An impact protector overlies at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and shields the underlying housing surface from the force of a mechanical impact. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090043369 | Flexible Biodegradable Coating For Implantable Medical Devices - An implantable device includes an implantable cochlear electrode carrier for electrically stimulating cochlear tissue. A flexible lubricant coating covers the outer surface of at least a portion of the electrode carrier and may include a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent for surrounding tissue of the inner ear. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090043361 | Pulse Width Adaptation for Inductive Links - A signal processor is described for communication with an implanted medical device. An external processor transmits to the implanted medical device an implant data signal having a sequence of HI and LOW logic states at a fixed data bit rate. The pulse width durations of the HI and LOW logic states is adjustable in response to feedback telemetry data from the implantable medical device. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090030481 | Implantable Microphone for Treatment of Neurological Disorders - A system and method is described for adjunct electrical neuromodulation therapy of neurological disorders. In response to a detected event sensed by an implantable microphone, a targeted component is selectively stimulated by electrical stimulation pulses, or a therapeutically effective amount of a selected drug may be delivered to a targeted physiological function location. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090018614 | Electrical Nerve Stimulation with Broad Band Low Frequency Filter - A system and method of generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted multi-channel electrode array of a cochlear implant includes processing an acoustic audio signal with a bank of filters. Each filter in the bank of filters is associated with at least one channel having an electrode. The bank of filters includes a first band pass filter that produces a broadband signal b(t) with frequencies that substantially cover at least one of a pitch frequency range of 100 Hz to 400 Hz and a first format range of 400 Hz-1000 Hz. At least one electrode associated with the first band pass filter is activated with electrode stimulation signals based, at least in part, on the broadband signal b(t). The filter bank may include at least one electrode associated with one or more filters other than the first band pass filter, the one or more filters producing signals having only higher frequencies than broadband signal b(t). | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090015255 | Demagnetized Implant for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is described. A magnetic element in an implanted medical device is demagnetized by exposing it to an external demagnetizing magnetic field. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient is performed. Then the magnetic element is remagnetized without removing it from the implanted medical device by exposing the magnetic element to an external remagnetizing magnetic field. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090012580 | Cochlear Implant Pitch Intensity - A system and method are described for generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array having multiple stimulation electrodes. An acoustic audio signal is processed to determine associated pitch characteristics and frequency component information. From the pitch characteristics and the frequency component information, electrode stimulation signals are determined which have intensity levels that reflect the pitch characteristics. Then audio nerve tissue is stimulated by applying the electrode stimulation signals to the electrodes in the implanted electrode array. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080221641 | Implantable Device with Removable Magnet - An implantable device includes a receiving coil assembly including a magnet holding structure for containing an internal holding magnet which is reorientable in responsive alignment to an external magnetic field. The magnet holding structure is adapted for allowing removal and subsequent reinsertion of the internal holding magnet. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080208280 | Equine Airway Disorders - Airway disorders in a horse are relieved by electrical stimulation of the airway tissue. Particular disorders and techniques include electrical stimulation to relieve laryngeal hemiplegia. A pacemaker processor generates an electrical treatment signal to be applied to upper airway tissue of the horse for treating the upper airway disorder. One or more stimulation electrodes interfaces with the upper airway tissue for delivering the treatment signal to the upper airway tissue. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080200779 | Implant Sensor and Control - An implant includes a humidity sensor for generating a signal indicative of humidity within the implant. A controller within the implant receives the signal indicative of humidity, and controls the implant based on the signal indicative of humidity. | 08-21-2008 |
