Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234793 | SECURING AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE IN A PATIENT - An apparatus and method for implanting and securing an implanted medical device in a recipient. The implantable medical device of the generally includes an electrode assembly that comprises an elongate carrier member having at least one stimulating electrode positioned thereon. The carrier member further has a fixation structure positioned thereon configured to interact with a portion of the rigid structure to longitudinally secure the carrier member in the recipient. | 09-25-2008 |
20090012594 | COMPLIMENTARY DRUG DELIVERY SHEATH FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A complementary drug delivery sheath for implantable medical devices. The complementary drug delivery sheath is covered, impregnated or otherwise carries one or more drugs. The complementary drug-delivery sheaths are manufactured separately from to the implantable device and are operationally combined with the device subsequent to the device's manufacture and/or sterilization. For example, embodiments of the complementary drug-delivery sheaths may be configured, for example, to attain an implanted position adjacent to one or more surfaces of an implantable medical device. In certain embodiments, the sheath is configured in the form of a glove, pocket, pouch, or the like to receive and to partially or completely wrap around or envelop an implantable medical device. Embodiments of the complementary drug delivery sheath may be implanted into the recipient prior to, concurrently with, or subsequent to the implantation of the implantable medical device. | 01-08-2009 |
20090048580 | INDEPENDENTLY-MANUFACTURED DRUG DELIVERY MODULE AND CORRESPONDING RECEPTACLE - A drug delivery system for an implantable medical device and methods for making and using the same. Embodiments include a housing of an implantable component of the medical device and one or more at least quasi-solid drug-delivery modules that retain an at least quasi-solid state if not a solid state. The drug-delivery modules and component housing are physically distinct, and as such, may be manufactured independently of each other. The independently-manufacturable drug delivery modules each carry a drug, while the component housing has an exterior surface with one or more recesses formed therein. Associated module(s) and recess(es) are correspondingly dimensioned so that each module may be securely retained within an associated recess via, for example, an interference fit such as by physical interlocking or by friction fit. When so retained in a housing recess, the drug-delivery module and surrounding exterior surface of the housing form a contiguous component surface. | 02-19-2009 |
20090076581 | IMPLANTATABLE COMPONENT HAVING AN ACCESSIBLE LUMEN AND A DRUG RELEASE CAPSULE FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SAME - In one aspect of the invention, a method for delivering drugs from an implantable medical device to an implantee is disclosed, comprising implanting the medical device having a receptacle configured to receive a drug release capsule, the drug release capsule having at least one drug disposed thereon, placing the drug release capsule in the receptacle subsequent to the implanting, and permitting the release of the at least one drug from the drug release capsule to the recipient | 03-19-2009 |
20090254163 | SECURING AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE IN A PATIENT - An apparatus and method for implanting and securing an implanted medical device in a recipient. The implantable medical device of the generally includes a stimulating lead assembly that comprises an elongate carrier member having at least one stimulating element positioned thereon. The stimulating lead assembly further has an expandable portion thereon configured to be inserted into said reference structure in a first dimension, expand to a second dimension, and interact with a portion of the reference structure to help longitudinally secure the carrier member in the recipient. | 10-08-2009 |
20090292329 | APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF PHARMACEUTICALS TO THE COCHLEA - An implantable tissue-stimulating device, such as a cochlear implant, having a resiliently flexible elongate member ( | 11-26-2009 |
20100057180 | IMPLANTABLE CARRIER MEMBER HAVING A NON-COMMUNICATIVE LUMEN - A non-communicative lumen for electrode assemblies of medical implants, in particular prosthetic hearing implants, is provided by the present invention. The non-communicative lumen prevents the lumen within the cochlea from being able to transport fluids, cells, bacteria, tissue, etc., with the lumen outside the cochlea, and vis versa through the incision or cochleostomy. The lumen may have a cavity or slit that receives a stylet during insertion of the electrode assembly. | 03-04-2010 |
20100106232 | HEARING PROSTHESIS ELECTRODE ARRAY WITH RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE TIP MEMBER - A tip member for inserting into the cochlea, a device comprising: an elongate member including at least one electrode mounted thereon; and a tip member extending distally from a distal end of the elongate member, the tip member comprising a tapered portion tapering distally and a blunt end portion at a distal end of the tapered portion, wherein the tip member is resiliently flexible, and a method for making such a device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100174329 | COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL NEURAL STIMULATION - A neural-stimulating device for stimulating nerve cells of a recipient is provided. The neural-stimulating device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate one or more optical stimulation signals and an electrical stimulation generator configured to generate electrical stimulation signals. The neural-stimulating device also comprises an implantable stimulating assembly configured to be implanted in the recipient, and having disposed thereon an optical contact to deliver the one or more optical stimulation signals to the nerve cells, and an electrical contact to deliver the electric stimulation signals to the nerve cells. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174344 | OPTICAL NEURAL STIMULATING DEVICE HAVING A SHORT STIMULATING ASSEMBLY - A cochlear implant is provided. The cochlear implant comprises a stimulator unit configured to generate electrical stimulation signals based on sound processor-encoded signals, and to generate one or more optical stimulation signals, and an implantable stimulating assembly. The implantable stimulating assembly is configured to be implanted into a basal region of a recipient's cochlea such that when the stimulating assembly is fully implanted, a distal end of the assembly extends to the basal turn of the cochlea. The stimulating assembly also comprises: an optical contact to deliver the one or more optical stimulation signals to the cochlea, and an electrical contact to deliver the electric stimulation signals to a basal region of the cochlea so as to cause perception by the recipient of one or more frequency components of the acoustic sound signal. | 07-08-2010 |
20100268312 | CONTROL OF SHAPE OF AN IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE ARRAY - An implantable electrode array includes an elongated carrier ( | 10-21-2010 |
20100287770 | MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRODE CARRIER FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electrode carrier comprising one or more electrode contacts of an implantable medical device, comprising: coupling at least one electrode to a base plate, securing the base plate in a mold, injecting the mold with injection material at least partially around the at least one electrode coupled to the base plate, curing the injected material, and decoupling the at least one electrode from the base plate such that the cured injection material is separated from the base plate. | 11-18-2010 |
20110022147 | METHOD OF INSERTING AN ENDOSTEAL ELECTRODE - An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member ( | 01-27-2011 |
20110040364 | ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY HAVING A FLEXIBLE TIP - A cochlear implant electrode assembly device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member, a stiffening element, and a stiffening sheath that at least partially envelops the elongate member. The member is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon. The member has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea. The member also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea, and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element and sheath are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member. The stiffening element and the stiffening sheath in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the stiffening element or the stiffening sheath is removed or deactivated, the elongate member adopts an intermediate configuration. | 02-17-2011 |
20110098813 | COMPLEMENTARY DRUG DELIVERY SHEATH FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A complementary drug delivery sheath for implantable medical devices. The complementary drug delivery sheath is covered, impregnated or otherwise carries one or more drugs. The complementary drug-delivery sheaths are manufactured separately from to the implantable device and are operationally combined with one or more components subsequent to the device's manufacture and/or sterilization. | 04-28-2011 |
20110126410 | MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY HAVING CONTOURED ELECTRODE CONTACT SURFACES - A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The method comprises: forming a comb having a plurality of electrode contacts, wherein the surface of at least one of the electrode contacts comprises a plurality of indentations such that the effective surface area per area unit of a center region of the at least one electrode contact is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region; assembling an array of electrode contacts from the comb; molding a carrier member about the assembled array of electrode contacts, wherein a surface of the at least one electrode contact is covered by a layer of the carrier member material; and removing the layer of carrier member material on the surface of the at least one electrode contact. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130815 | CONTOURED ELECTRODE CONTACT SURFACES - An electrode assembly is provided. The electrode assembly comprises a carrier member and one or more electrode contacts disposed in the carrier member, wherein a surface of at least one of the electrode contacts is contoured such that the effective surface area per area unit of the center region is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region. | 06-02-2011 |
20110160855 | COCHLEAR IMPLANT COMPONENT HAVING A UNITARY FACEPLATE - A protective faceplate ( | 06-30-2011 |
20110208303 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE HAVING OSSEOINTEGRATING PROTUBERANCES - A housing for an implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone is disclosed. The housing comprises one or more surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is substantially orthogonal to an implant axis and is configured to abut the patient's bone, and a first osseointegrating protuberance extending from one of the surfaces, wherein a longitudinal axis of the first protuberance is disposed at an acute first angle relative to the implant axis. | 08-25-2011 |
20110218548 | CARTRIDGE FOR AN ELECTRODE ARRAY INSERTION DEVICE - A device, system and method for inserting a pre-curved electrode array ( | 09-08-2011 |
20110264168 | COCHLEAR ELECTRODE ARRAY - An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis such as a cochlear implant system comprising an elongate carrier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode positioned thereon; at least one electrical conductor extending from one or more of the at least one electrode; a lead extending from the carrier member and enclosing the at least one electrical conductor; and a holding member constructed and arranged to radially extend outwardly from the surface of the carrier member to facilitate grasping of the holding member during implantation of the carrier member in a patient. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264170 | COCHLEAR IMPLANT COMPONENT HAVING A UNITARY FACEPLATE - A protective faceplate ( | 10-27-2011 |
20110264183 | PRE-CURVED COCHLEAR IMPLANT ELECTRODE ARRAY - An implantable electrode array ( | 10-27-2011 |
20110288468 | DRUG-DELIVERY ACCESSORY FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable drug-delivery sleeve for an elongate component of an implantable medical device. The sleeve includes a tubular substrate having a lumen configured to receive the elongate component so as to allow relative displacement of the substrate and the elongate component, wherein the substrate is shaped so as to be retained stationary at a desired position along the elongate component, and a drug releasably carried by the substrate. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288500 | DRUG-DELIVERY ELEMENT FOR AN ELONGATE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE COMPONENT - An implantable medical device including an implantable elongate component and at least one elongate drug-delivery element. The elongate drug-delivery element releasably carries at least one drug and is configured to be mounted to the elongate component such that the longitudinal axis of the drug-delivery element is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate component. | 11-24-2011 |
20120041515 | WIRELESS REMOTE DEVICE FOR A HEARING PROSTHESIS - A hearing prosthesis and method for same are disclosed wherein a smaller wireless microphone component transmits audio signals to an external component of the medical device. The external component processes the received audio signal(s) to generate stimulation data. The external component is detachably connected to a coil that transmits power and the stimulation data, via magnetic induction, to an implanted component. The implanted component applies stimulation to a recipient in accordance with the received stimulation data. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046702 | APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF PHARMACEUTICALS TO THE COCHLEA - An implantable electrode array assembly configured to stimulate tissue of a recipient, including an elongate member configured to be inserted into a recipient, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member includes a bio-active substance. | 02-23-2012 |
20120172832 | INDEPENDENTLY-MANUFACTURED DRUG DELIVERY MODULE AND CORRESPONDING RECEPTACLE IN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A drug delivery system for an implantable medical device and methods for making and using the same. Embodiments include a housing of an implantable component of the medical device and one or more at least quasi-solid drug-delivery modules that retain an at least quasi-solid state if not a solid state. The drug-delivery modules and component housing are physically distinct, and as such, may be manufactured independently of each other. The independently-manufacturable drug delivery modules each carry a drug, while the component housing has an exterior surface with one or more recesses formed therein. Associated module(s) and recess(es) are correspondingly dimensioned so that each module may be securely retained within an associated recess via, for example, an interference fit such as by physical interlocking or by friction fit. When so retained in a housing recess, the drug-delivery module and surrounding exterior surface of the housing form a contiguous component surface. | 07-05-2012 |
20120265170 | COMPLEMENTARY DRUG DELIVERY SHEATH FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A complementary drug delivery sheath for implantable medical devices. The complementary drug delivery sheath is covered, impregnated or otherwise carries one or more drugs. The complementary drug-delivery sheaths are manufactured separately from to the implantable device and are operationally combined with the device subsequent to the device's manufacture and/or sterilization. For example, embodiments of the complementary drug-delivery sheaths may be configured, for example, to attain an implanted position adjacent to one or more surfaces of an implantable medical device. In certain embodiments, the sheath is configured in the form of a glove, pocket, pouch, or the like to receive and to partially or completely wrap around or envelop an implantable medical device. Embodiments of the complementary drug delivery sheath may be implanted into the recipient prior to, concurrently with, or subsequent to the implantation of the implantable medical device. | 10-18-2012 |
20130046360 | IMPLANT MAGNET SYSTEM - A magnetic alignment system that can form part of a cochlear implant system. The magnetic alignment system prevents substantial movement of a magnet of an implanted component during an MRI procedure or allows for easy removal of the magnet to facilitate the MRI procedure. | 02-21-2013 |
20130144354 | COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL NEURAL STIMULATION - A neural-stimulating device for stimulating nerve cells of a recipient is provided. The neural-stimulating device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate one or more optical stimulation signals and an electrical stimulation generator configured to generate electrical stimulation signals. The neural-stimulating device also comprises an implantable stimulating assembly configured to be implanted in the recipient, and having disposed thereon an optical contact to deliver the one or more optical stimulation signals to the nerve cells, and an electrical contact to deliver the electric stimulation signals to the nerve cells. | 06-06-2013 |
20140025148 | ARRANGEMENT FOR THE FIXATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical implant, such as a cochlear implant, comprising a fixating point which is located remotely from the medical implant. This arrangement can reduce the risk of post operative infection in a patient in which the medical implant is implanted. | 01-23-2014 |
20140114388 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE HAVING OSSEOINTEGRATING PROTUBERANCES - An implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone includes a housing and at least one osseointegrating protuberance. The housing includes a surface having an abutting portion configured to abut the bone when the housing is implanted in the patient, the abutting portion defining a housing axis orthogonal to the surface. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance: extends from the surface of the housing; is adapted to abut the patient's bone; and has a substantially smooth shaft. | 04-24-2014 |
20140142675 | COCHLEAR ELECTRODE ARRAY - An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis such as a cochlear implant system comprising an elongate carrier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode positioned thereon; at least one electrical conductor extending from one or more of the at least one electrode; a lead extending from the carrier member and enclosing the at least one electrical conductor; and a holding member constructed and arranged to radially extend outwardly from the surface of the carrier member to facilitate grasping of the holding member during implantation of the carrier member in a patient. | 05-22-2014 |
20140155811 | APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF PHARMACEUTICALS TO THE COCHLEA - An implantable electrode array assembly configured to stimulate tissue of a recipient, including an elongate member configured to be inserted into a recipient, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member includes a bio-active substance. | 06-05-2014 |
20140180195 | Drug-Delivery Accessory for an Implantable Medical Device - An implantable drug-delivery sleeve for an elongate component of an implantable medical device. The sleeve includes a tubular substrate having a lumen configured to receive the elongate component so as to allow relative displacement of the substrate and the elongate component, wherein the substrate is shaped so as to be retained stationary at a desired position along the elongate component, and a drug releasably carried by the substrate. | 06-26-2014 |
20140233709 | Internet Phone Trailer - A training system is disclosed. The training system includes a server. The server includes a processor, data storage, a data input/output interface, and a voice interface. The data input/output interface is configured to provide a web-based interface to a data terminal and to receive, from the data terminal and via the web-based interface, both an identifier identifying at least one voice terminal and at least one response. The voice interface is configured to transmit at least one audio test signal corresponding to at least one audio test to the at least one voice terminal. The response is a response to the at least one audio test. In one embodiment, the voice terminal and the data terminal are combined in a single device. | 08-21-2014 |
20150039052 | RECOGNITION OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Controlling the interaction between an external device and an implanted device, including a method of controlling interaction between an external device and an implanted device, the method including at least the steps of: establishing communications between the implanted device and the external device; the external device determining an identification of the implant and comparing the identification with identifications in a stored list; if the device matches one of said identifications, then using a corresponding set of operating parameters to interact with said implant; and otherwise, not interacting with said device. | 02-05-2015 |