Patent classifications
A61N1/0541
Multiple sound source encoding in hearing prostheses
Presented herein are techniques for enhancing a hearing prosthesis recipient's perception of multiple frequencies present in received sound signals. The hearing prosthesis is configured to extract a plurality of frequencies from the received sound signals and to use the plurality of frequencies to modulate the amplitudes of different stimulation pulse sequences that are to be delivered to the recipient via different stimulation channels. The hearing prosthesis may also adapt a stimulation resolution of the stimulation pulse sequences when delivering the modulated stimulation pulses sequences to the recipient.
Adaptor system for eyewear and cochlear implants
An adaptor system to facilitate use of eyewear with an audio processor for a cochlear hearing implant. The system includes an audio processor adaptor configured to mount to the audio processor and an eyewear adaptor configured to mount to the eyewear. The audio processor adaptor and the eyewear adaptor can be selectively connected to join the eyewear and the audio processor. The audio processor adaptor may include an ear hook portion that allows the audio processor to be worn over a wearer's ear even when separated from the eyewear. The adaptor system may be provided as a kit including a plurality of audio processor adaptors configured to mount to different audio processors and/or a plurality of eyewear adaptors configured to mount to different eyewear. The adaptors may include universal connectors that allow any audio processor adaptor to be interconnected with any eyewear adaptor.
MACHINE LEARNING MODEL BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR A LEAD INSERTION PROCEDURE
An illustrative insertion management system may be configured to provide, as a first input to a machine learning model, geometric model data specific to a recipient of a cochlear implant and representative of a geometrical model of a cochlea of the recipient, provide, as a second input to the machine learning model, procedure data representative of one or more contextual attributes of a lead insertion procedure in which an electrode lead is inserted to the cochlea of the recipient, and generate, based on an output of the machine learning model that takes into account the geometric model data and the procedure data, procedure assistance data configured to assist a user in performing the lead insertion procedure.
LOCALIZED RELEASE OF SYSTEMICALLY CIRCULATING THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES
Presented herein are techniques for localized release of systemically circulating therapeutic substances, which combine many of the advantages of systematic and localized administration, while eliminating many of the associated drawbacks. More specifically, in accordance with the techniques presented herein, an electro-responsive biomaterial is systemically administered to a recipient of an electrically-stimulating implantable medical device. The electro-responsive biomaterial comprises a therapeutic substance that is only activated (e.g., released) in the presence of an electromagnetic field generated by the electrically-stimulating implantable medical device.
Cochlear implant systems and methods
Systems and methods for improved control and performance of cochlear implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the audio environment is sampled, and a neural network determines suggested filter setting for the cochlear implant. The process is repeated such that, as the user moves through various audio environments having differing noise levels, satisfactory performance of the cochlear implant is maintained for the user.
Cochlear implants having detachable fixation elements and associated systems and methods
A cochlear implant includes a cochlear lead, a housing, an antenna, a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna and to the cochlear lead, a first fixation element, a second fixation element with a different configuration than the first fixation element, and a connector configured to simultaneously connect the first and second fixation elements to the housing in such a manner that the first and second fixation elements are independently detachable from the housing.
CAPACITOR TESTING FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATORS
Examples disclosed herein are relevant to testing capacitors to identify potentially faulty DC blocking capacitors in implantable stimulators. In an example, the test includes selecting an active electrode, a return electrode, and a reference electrode. Short duration monophasic stimulation is used to charge up the DC blocking capacitors of the active and return electrodes. The electrodes are subsequently disconnected from all other nodes except a discharge circuit (e.g., a star circuit) and the tissue. The reference electrode is used to measure the voltage of the DC blocking capacitor of the active electrode during the charging phase and the discharging phase (via the discharge circuit). The characteristics of one or more of the capacitors charging or discharging can be sensed and then analyzed to determine whether the one or more capacitors are functioning properly. Faulty capacitors can be identified by comparing actual and expected characteristics.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A RECIPIENT OF AN IMPLANTABLE SENSORY PROSTHESIS
An apparatus includes a housing configured to be implanted in or on a recipient. The apparatus further includes circuitry within the housing, the circuitry including at least one storage device configured to store at least one secret. The circuitry is configured to generate, using the at least one secret, at least one code corresponding to the at least one secret and to transmit at least one stimulation signal to the recipient, the at least one stimulation signal indicative of the at least one code.
BIOLOGICAL ELECTRODE AND CARDIAC PACEMAKER
The present biological electrode includes a conductive fabric (2) formed of base fibers which are filled with a conductor and/or to which the conductor is adhered, a thin metallic wire (3) formed into a spiral shape and covered with the conductive fabric (2) from a side of a distal end in an axis direction, and a filling material (5) with which a gap between the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3) is filled and which supports the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3), and he conductor is electrically connected with the thin metallic wire (3).
Cochlear implant system and method for detecting electrode migration using electrically evoked compound action potentials
A system includes a unit for capturing ECAP signals induced at electrodes of an electrode array in response to stimulation of a cochlea by applying auditory nerve stimulation signals to the electrodes; a memory unit for storing the captured ECAP signals and/or ECAP data derived from the captured ECAP signals; an electrode migration detection unit for detecting electrode migration relative to the cochlea by comparing presently captured ECAP signals and/or ECAP data derived from such presently captured ECAP signals to stored previously captured ECAP signals and/or ECAP data derived from such previously captured ECAP signals; and a unit for outputting an alarm signal in case that electrode migration is detected by the electrode migration detection unit.