Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120303096 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING AN IMPEDANCE OF ONE OR MORE ELECTRODES IN A COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM - An exemplary method includes a sound processing unit 1) directing an implantable cochlear stimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes to generate an electrical stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, 2) automatically detecting an impedance of at least one of the electrodes, and 3) directing, in accordance with the detected impedance, the implantable cochlear stimulator to adjust a pulse width of the electrical stimulation current to maintain constant a total electric charge level of the electrical stimulation current. | 11-29-2012 |
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 |
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 |
20140094892 | MID-SCALAR ELECTRODE ARRAY - In one example, a cochlear lead includes a flexible body, an array of electrodes in the flexible body, and a plurality of wires passing along the array of electrodes. The plurality of wires includes a flexural geometry between each pair of adjacent electrodes and a substantially straight geometry over the electrodes. A method for forming an electrode array with a reduced apical cross section is also provided. | 04-03-2014 |
20140343626 | RETENTION OF A MAGNET IN A COCHLEAR IMPLANT - A system for retaining a magnet in a cochlear implant, comprising a retainer embedded within an encapsulant of the cochlear implant, and a magnet case engaged with the retainer. A retainer for retaining a magnet within a cochlear implant comprising a number of first fasteners that couple with a number of corresponding second fasteners of a magnet case hermetically sealing the magnet, and a number of supports embedded within an encapsulant of the cochlear implant. | 11-20-2014 |
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 |
20140358174 | Intraneural Implant - An intraneural implant comprises a lead comprising a number of electrode wires, a number of electrodes communicatively coupled to the electrode wires, the electrodes forming an electrode array, and an overmold surrounding the electrode wires and at least a portion of the electrodes, and a blunt dissector tip coupled to the lead to penetrate nerve tissues as the electrode array is implanted. An intraneural implant system comprises a flexible lead. The flexible lead comprises a lead body, an electrode array communicatively coupled to the lead body, a blunt dissector tip to penetrate a nerve bundle as the electrode array is implanted into the nerve bundle, and an implantation tool coupled to the electrode array to implant the electrode array into the nerve bundle. | 12-04-2014 |
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 |