403 results about "Cochlear implant" patented technology

Systems, methods, and devices for sharing ambient audio via an audio-sharing network are provided. By way of example, a system that receives shared audio from such an audio-sharing network may include a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device may join an audio-sharing network of other electronic devices and receive several audio streams from the audio-sharing network. Based at least partly on these audio streams, the personal electronic device may determine a digital user-personalized audio stream, outputting the digital user-personalized audio stream to a personal listening device. By way of example, the personal electronic device may represent a personal computer, a portable media player, or a portable phone. The personal listening device may represent a speaker of the personal electronic device, a wireless hearing aid, a wireless cochlear implant, a wired hearing aid, a wireless headset, or a wired headset, to name only a few examples.

A cochlear implant sound processor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is permanently integrated into the sound processor. The sound processor contains an inductive coil that may be tuned to an external charging coil for battery recharging. The electronic circuits and coil of the sound processor are housed in a material transparent to RF signals. The sound processor may be placed in a recharging base station in which the sound processor is positioned in a space surrounded by the inductive charging coil embedded in a material transparent to RF signals. The inductive charging coil sends power to the coil inside the processor and thereby recharges the battery. An alternative embodiment utilizes contacts in the sound processor case and aligned terminals in the recharging base station that allow direct charging of the battery.

A directionally-sensitive device for detecting and processing vibration waves includes an array of polymeric optical waveguide resonators positioned between a light source, such as an LED array, and a light detector, such as a photodiode array. The resonators which are preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to incoming vibration waves, vibrate when a wave is detected, thus modulating light signals that are transmitted between the light source and the light detector. The light detector converts the modulated light into electrical signals which, in a preferred embodiment, are used to drive either the speaker of a hearing aid or the electrode array of a cochlear implant. The device is manufactured using a combination of traditional semiconductor processes and polymer microfabrication techniques.

An intra-cochlear implant is provided for aiding in the hearing of a patient. The implant includes a body portion implantable within an interior of a cochlea of a patient. The body portion has a proximal end, a distal end and a primary axis. A plurality of signal carrying electrodes extends along the body portion. The electrodes have proximal ends and distal ends, with the proximal ends being capable of receiving a signal from a signal generator, and the distal ends being capable of delivering the received signal to an anatomical receptor within a cochlea. At least several of the plurality of electrodes have a nanoelectrode-sized portion. The implant also may include a fluid delivery system of tubules, reservoirs, and pumps for the delivery of chemicals and cells to activate regeneration of neural elements lost during the hearing loss process.

The invention comprises a surgically implantable hearing aid for hearing impaired persons. The hearing aid includes a vibrational element which is vibrated by sound waves and attached to the skull of the person, and a connector which crosses the mastoid cavity and delivers the sound waves to the dura mater of the human being thereby vibrating the dura mater, the cerebrospinal fluids, and the brain to create a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to act as a tinnitus masker or used in conjunction with a cochlear implant. It can also be used in a modified form to connect directly through the skull of the human being.

A method for fitting a cochlear prosthesis to a cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability, in order to exploit the residual acoustic hearing capability to the extent possible. A portion of the cochlea having residual acoustic hearing capability is determined by measuring the neural response to acoustic and/or electrical stimulations. Electrical stimulations are applied only to the portions of the cochlea lacking acoustic hearing capability, or possessing only partial acoustic hearing capability. Surgical implantation depth may be optimised by the method, and/or a patient map may be suitably defined to implement the method.

Devices for the delivery of a bioactive substance to a cochlea and methods of delivery thereof. The devices include means to allow the release of the bioactive substance within a cochlea.

A method of fitting an auditory stimulation system to a recipient the system having a plurality of channels, and the method including the steps of establishing an initial current level profile representative of a current level setting spanning across at least some of the plurality of channels and adjusting parameters of the initial current level profile in the presence of a stimulation signal. There is further included a programming apparatus adapted to be interfaced with the auditory stimulation system to allow manipulation of threshold (T) and comfort (C) levels of the system. The apparatus includes a graphical display means adapted to display a graphical representation of the current profile of the channel array and means for adjusting a current level setting of the current pmfile of the array.

A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.

Implantable drug delivery systems target delivery of small volumes of drugs to specific tissues. In some cases, a drug delivery system includes an implantable osmotic pump connected to a drug-containing housing, with that housing connected to a needle, cochlear implant or other type of component for ultimate delivery to the target tissue. In some implementations, a subcutaneous port receives a fluid from an external pump. The port is connected to a needle or other component for delivery of one or more drugs to the target tissue. Both solid and liquid drug formulations can be used. In embodiments using solid drugs, a separate drug vehicle (such as saline) can be used to dissolve a portion of the solid drug, with the drug-loaded vehicle then delivered to the target tissue.

The disclosure relates to jointly transmitting and processing analog-digital information using Inaudible Synchronous Online User-optimized Processing (iSOUP), wherein digital and analog information can be transmitted via one connection. iSOUP may be implemented in real-time MP3 anti-piracy, customized MP3 songs, Internet customized medical devices, Internet customized consumer electronics, Internet controlled psychoacoustic and physiological tests, tinnitus treatment devices, anti-piracy MP3 players, assistive listening MP3 players, healthcare sensor networks, Bluetooth sensors, audio-visual hearing aids (HAs) and cochlear implants (CIs), audio-touch HAs and CIs, Bluetooth HAs and CIs, automated fitting of HAs and CIs. The invention has applicability in copyright protection, data hiding, hearing aid remote controls, children learning devices, musical special effects generators, multiuser multimedia devices, Internet treatment and disease surveillance, wireless medical devices, wireless telemetry, multimedia rehabilitation devices, hearing aids and other implants.

The invention is a method for increasing the airflow to a zinc-air battery such that the energy density is 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc. This allows 8 to 16 hours use as a primary (throw-away) battery, with, for example, high-duty cycle, high-drain cochlear implants, and neuromuscular stimulators for nerves, muscles, and both nerves and muscles together. The systems incorporating the high energy density source are also part of the invention, as well as the resulting apparatus of the method. The uses of this inexpensive, i.e., a $1.00 per day, throw-away primary battery are new uses of the modified zinc-air battery and are directed toward helping people hear again, walk again, and regain body functionality which they have otherwise lost permanently.

An assistive listening device cap attaches to a headpiece of a cochlear implant behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, an other BTE unit, an earhook, or an external component unit to supplement or replace components thereof. The cap may receive signals from sources outside the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit. The cap communicates with the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit using direct, wired, or wireless technology.

System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing, cochlear implants, speech recognition, voice input devices, surveillance devices, hands-free telephony devices, remote telepresence or teleconferencing, wireless acoustic sensor arrays, and other applications.

An insertion tool uses a stylet wire to help guide an electrode system into a cochlea. The insertion tool includes three main elements or parts: a handle, a guide and a slider. The handle is made from light stainless steel tube flattened in front with a machined slot. The guide consists of a plurality of metal tubes, fixed to each other within a holding bracket. In one embodiment, the slider includes a stabilizer wire, a long stylet wire, and a short stylet wire. During the assembly process, the stabilizer and stylet wires are inserted into respective tubes of the guide and the end of the stabilizer wire is bent to form an offset. The electrode system is loaded onto the tool by inserting the short stylet wire into a holder that supports the electrode lead.

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.

A cochlear stimulation apparatus includes an implantable device and an external device. The implantable device includes a receiving coil, an array of electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, and circuitry for receiving signals through the receiving coil and generating stimulation pulses that are directed to selected electrodes of the array. The external device is in the form of a single, integral unit. The external device includes circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, a transfer coil for transferring the signals to the receiving coil and a ferromagnetic core for providing a low reluctance path between the transfer coil and the receiving coil.

A cochlear implant system is provided that does not require a headpiece. Rather, the external coil used to transfer power and data and control signal to the implant device is integrated into the housing of the external processor. In one embodiment, where the external processor is carried within a behind-the-ear (BTE) module that is worn by a user of the cochlear implant system, the external coil is carried within the BTE module or housing, or formed as part of the ear hook used to hold the BTE module in place. Because the external transfer coil forms an integral part of the external portion of the system, the present invention does not require the use of an implanted magnet. Hence, the cochlear implant system can be described as headpieceless and magnetless (e.g., including a single external device).

An apparatus (30) that can test external components of a cochlear implant system in a manner that does not require the person conducting the test to have advanced knowledge of the operation of the tested component. The apparatus provides a relatively quick and straightforward answer to the question of whether the component is operative or not. The testing apparatus (30) comprises at least one testing station (32,33,34) for receiving the component to be tested and makes an electrical and/or inductive connection thereto. A testing circuit is adapted to apply at least one test to the component and measure the response of the component to that test. The apparatus (30) compares the response of the component to stored data indicative of the response to the test of at least one equivalent component that is known to be operational and outputs a result of said comparison.

An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising a carrier member having a plurality of electrodes (11) mounted thereon, and at least one signal transmitting wire (13) extending through at least a portion of the carrier member and adapted to transmit signals through the carrier member to and/or from the electrodes (11). The number of wires (13) within the carrier member is less than the number of electrodes (11) mounted thereon.

A cochlear stimulation apparatus includes an implantable device including electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, circuitry for processing signals to generate stimulation pulses that are directed to the electrodes, a non-volatile memory device, and a receiving coil, and an external device including circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, the external device including a transfer coil for communicating the signals from the external device to the implantable device, the transfer coil being inductively coupled to the receiving coil, wherein all patient data used by the cochlear stimulation apparatus is stored in the non-volatile memory device.

An apparatus for providing fluid communication with a cochlear lumen, the apparatus includes a delivery-tube configured for insertion into the cochlear lumen. Delivery-tube orifices on the delivery-tube provide fluid communication between a lumen defined by the delivery-tube and the cochlear lumen.

Methods and systems for analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system. A sound stimulus signal is generated to excite the cochlear stimulation system to operate. During operation, the intracochlear electrodes generate signals into the auditory nerve system. The patient's nervous system's response may be measured as the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”. The ECR can be detected and analyzed for fitting, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the cochlear implant of the patient. Also example methods may be used to estimate the audiometric thresholds of the cochlear implant without the implanted patient's knowledge.