A device includes an electromagnetic radiation delivery system such as a laser of light emitting diode infrared emitter configured for delivery of electromagnetic radiation within a sealed canal such as an ear canal, a fiber optic cable configured for delivering or capturing the electromagnetic radiation within the sealed canal, and a photo detector coupled to the fiber optic cable forming a portion of a voice communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A novel method to stimulate electrically active biological cells using visible wavelength light and metallic nanoparticles possessing plasmonic properties is presented herein. Using this technology, prosthetic devices such as cochlear and retinal implants and cardiac pacemakers can be developed to have superior properties as compared to the currently utilized electrical stimulation designs. These properties include improved spatial resolution; less or non-invasive devices; and higher fidelity of transduction. An additional advantage of using visible light wavelengths is the avoidance of unwanted heating of surrounding tissue that occurs with infrared stimulation.

The present invention provides methods for treating, reducing the severity, or inhibiting the growth of cancer (e.g., skin cancer). The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a programmed death 1 (PD-1) antagonist (e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody). In certain embodiments, the skin cancer is cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma.

A cochlear implant hearing aid system is disclosed. The cochlear implant hearing aid system comprises an external part. The external part includes a sound pickup unit configured to pick up sound from the environment and a sound processing unit configured to process said sound. The cochlear implant hearing aid system further comprises an implant part. The implant part includes an implant processing unit and a plurality of cochlea stimulation electrodes for stimulation of a cochlea of a user. The cochlear implant hearing aid system further comprises a near-infrared transmitter configured to transmit a near-infrared wave. The cochlear implant hearing aid system further comprises a near-infrared receiver configured to receive said near-infrared wave.

Provided herein is a system, e.g., a living electrode, comprising a biocompatible construct comprising a matrix, and a plurality of auditory neurons. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the system, and methods of using the same for implantation in a subject, for modulating an auditory neuron in the subject, and/or for treating or alleviating a symptom of a hearing loss disorder. Further provided herein are kits comprising the system described herein.

The system of the preferred embodiments is an ear treatment device including: an electrical power supply; an electric heater coupled in electronic communication to the electrical power supply; a spray nozzle coupled to a fluid passageway; a fluid reservoir coupled to the opposite end of the fluid passageway from the spray nozzle; at least one of I) a pump, II) an ultrasonic mist generator, and III) a vapor generator designed to cause the fluid from the reservoir to flow through the fluid passageway and out of the spray nozzle; wherein the electric heater is adapted to heat the fluid in at least one of A) the reservoir, B) the fluid passageway, and C) the spray nozzle; wherein the nozzle is adapted to spray the fluid into the ear canal of a user. Preferably the ear treatment device of the preferred embodiments is designed to treat earaches in a user, and possibly to assist in the promotion of drainage of fluid from a user's middle ear and in some cases to treat ear infections. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be used for any suitable purpose.

A light-emitting diode (LED) therapy device and method of use is provided that increases healing of tissues by targeting damaged tissue at a predetermined wavelength and pulsed at a predetermined frequency. The device includes a housing and a light radiation module enclosed within the housing. The light radiation module includes an LED, a controller unit connected to the LED to control wavelength and pulsed frequency of the LED, and a rechargeable power source. The device also includes a light-diffusing member connected to the housing designed to diffuse light emitted from the LED to damaged tissue in a human cavity. Light in the red or near infrared range and pulsed at a Nogier frequency increases the effectiveness of the LED device to stimulate healing of damaged tissues. Particular devices include incorporation into a pacifier for healing an infant's gums, or nasal, auditory, vaginal, or anal cavities and adults or children.

The disclosure presents a method and a hearing device comprising a first portion adapted for being arranged behind an ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting the signal to an acoustic output, a coupling element coupled to the first portion, and wherein the coupling element is adapted for transmitting at least the signal or the acoustic output. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises an antenna which includes an external antenna part and an internal antenna part, where the internal antenna part includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element where a first end of the second antenna element is arranged at one end of the first antenna element and is connected thereto, and where a second end of the second antenna element is connected to a ground plane, and a third antenna element which is spaced at a distance from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element, a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element, a wireless interface for receiving and/or sending data by means of the antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises the external antenna part, and where the external antenna part is connected to the internal antenna part.

Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Biological effects may include upregulating and downregulating inflammatory immune response molecules within a target tissue. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.

A radio-opaque plastic scintillator detector (PSD) for use in various head and neck radiation applications is described. Bite plates, nose cones and ear cones are provided for use therewith, each having hollow tubes into which PSD cables can be inserted for real time measurement of radiation during treatment.