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.

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.

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.

An implantable vestibular prosthesis system includes an implantable optical array of optical sources configured for engagement with a disordered vestibular system to deliver optical stimulation signals to target stimulation locations within the bony or membranous labyrinth of the disordered vestibular system. An implantable stimulation processor is connected to the optical array and configured to produce the optical stimulation signals with the optical sources so as to generate directional pressure waves within the endolymphatic fluid directed to the target stimulation locations for vestibular perception by residual vestibular functioning.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) possesses array of strategies to evade antibiotics through mutational inactivation, hiding inside host immune cells or concealing inside the biofilm in a sessile form. We report a drug-free approach to eradicate MRSA through blue-light bleaching of staphyloxanthin (STX), an anti-oxidative carotenoid residing inside the cell membrane of S. aureus. The photobleaching process, uncovered through a transient absorption imaging study and quantitated by mass spectrometry, decomposes STX and sensitizes MRSA to reactive oxygen species attack. Consequently, photobleaching using low-level blue light exhibits high-level synergy when combined with low-concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial effectiveness of this synergistic therapy is validated in MRSA culture, MRSA-infected macrophage cells, biofilm, and a mouse wound infection model. Collectively, these findings highlight broad applications of STX photobleaching for MRSA-infected diseases.

Optogenetic signal processing is described for an auditory prosthesis with an intracochlear array of optical stimulation sources implanted in a patient having auditory neurons genetically modified with light sensitive ion channels. Stimulation timing signals are generated for the corresponding auditory neurons for each band pass signal based on characteristic temporal fine structure features of the band pass signals. The stimulation timing signals include: i. one or more channel opening signals adapted to open the ion channels of the corresponding auditory neurons, and ii. one or more channel closing signals adapted to close the ion channels of the corresponding ion channels. Optical stimulation signals are then produced for the optical stimulation sources based on the stimulation timing signals.

A light irradiation system includes an irradiator, a time measurer, and a controller, and alleviates pain of a subject. The irradiator irradiates a predetermined part of the body of the subject with light in a predetermined wavelength band. The time measurer measures an irradiation time of light in one treatment. The controller controls the irradiator so that the irradiation time is less than eight hours.

The present invention provides a synthetic treatment apparatus which comprises: a connection part in which treatment part modules are replaced and are connected to or separated from each other, the treatment part modules performing inhalation, suction, light emitting, and aerosol functions, respectively, which are required for treatment for a respiratory disease and ear disease; a power part for supplying power to the treatment part modules according to an operation of a power switch; and a control part for controlling the power module and functions of the treatment part modules, wherein a grip part is formed on the outside of a body in which the power part and the control part are embedded. The present invention can treat various ear and respiratory diseases by replacing a head of the apparatus.

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.

An ear stimulation device and related systems and methods for operating an ear stimulation device in connection with a computing device are described. Multiple factors are used in controlling the ear stimulation device, including a variety of factors relating to or influencing the state of the user. In various aspects, the system is also responsive to inputs from sensors or computing networks. System features include fault detection, stimulus cycling and sequencing, integration with other devices in a networked system, device control based on playlists, battery charging, and device status display features.