An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Vessel sealer and divider

An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder with at least one acoustic sensor (microphone) for picking up an acoustic sensor signal and converting the acoustic sensor signal into corresponding electrical signals, an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification, an electrical power supply unit which supplies individual components of the system with energy, and an output-side actuator stimulation arrangement, the actuator stimulation arrangement has a dual intracochlear arrangement in combination with a stimulator arrangement with at least one stimulator element for at least indirect mechanical stimulation of a damaged inner ear and one electrically acting stimulation electrode arrangement with at least one cochlear implant electrode for electrical stimulation of the inner ear.

At least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder

A totally implantable cochlear prosthesis is presented. Said prosthesis is designed to function for hours or days without any external components. An externally-activated subcutaneous pressure switch enables the user to adjust the perceived volume by pressing against the skin with a finger. A similar second pressure switch provides a safety 'off/on' feature. A pliable bridge connecting two hermetically sealed housing sections, and corrugated conductor lines, provide for future dimensional changes due to head growth. A titanium encapsulated microphone is positioned underneath the skin in the posterior wall of the external auditory canal. A modiolus-hugging electrode array is inserted into one of the cochlea scala. Periodic charging of the implanted battery (contained within one of the housing sections) is required, such charging accomplished via an external mechanically held head-mounted device containing an external coil, said external coil inductively coupling electrical power to an implanted receiving coil. The external and implanted coils can also be used as a communication link to program the implanted electronics.

A totally implantable cochlear prosthesis

The invention relates to a partially or fully implantable hearing system which is provided with a unit ( 14, 30; 460 ) for electromechanical or electroacoustic stimulation of the middle ear or inner ear or direct electrical stimulation of the inner ear. The hearing system furthermore comprises means ( 26, 126, 154, 526 ) for direct linkage of the hearing system to telecommunication networks without using telecommunication terminal devices.

Partially or fully implantable hearing system

An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder with an arrangement for processing and/or generation of signals is provided including an implantable processor arrangement with control logic which operates according to an operating program and an implantable storage arrangement for storage of the operating program and of operating parameters. A wireless telemetry unit is provided for data transmission between the implantable part of the system and an external unit. The system also includes a power supply arrangement which supplies individual components of the system with current and a rewritable implantable storage arrangement assigned to the processor arrangement for holding and reproducing the operating program and the operating parameters. At least a part of the operating program and/or of the operating parameters can be modified and/or replaced by data transmitted from the external unit via the telemetry unit.

Implantable system for the rehabilitation of a hearing disorder

A support for input and output transducers of a hearing aid is implanted in the middle ear. The support, which is attached to the mastoid bone, can be a single component or comprise two adjustable components. In one embodiment, an arm extends from the proximal end of the support towards an access hole created behind the outer ear, where the arm is attached for further stability. In another embodiment, the arm extends outside the access hole, where it is mounted subcutaneously to the mastoid bone with a mechanical fastener. The support provides positional adjustability, stability, and is invisible externally.

Hearing aid transducer support

This invention is an apparatus for improving a frequency response of a piezoelectric input or output transducer (100) in an implantable hearing system. Multiple input or multiple output transducers (140, 145) obtain optimized mechanical to electrical or electrical to mechanical frequency response. Output mechanical coupling is directly to the inner ear (60, 61, 62), or through an ossicular element such as the malleus (40), stapes (50), or incus (45). Input mechanical vibrations are obtained from an auditory element such as the tympanic membrane (30), malleus (40), or incus (45). Substantially nonidentical frequency responses are obtained through use of transducers of different dimensions, different numbers of transducer elements, different material properties, different mounting techniques, or different auditory elements for coupling.

Implantable hearing system having multiple transducers

An electromechanical transducer for an implantable hearing aid, such as a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid system. The invention comprises at least one piezoelectric element proportioned for mechanically coupling to a middle ear only through an auditory element in the middle ear, such as the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, or in the inner ear, such as the oval window, round window, vestibule, or semicircular canals. The invention need not be secured to a temporal bone. Inertial masses and a carrier are optionally provided to assist in sensing or producing mechanical vibrations. The carrier is optionally hermetically sealed. Superpositioned individual frequency responses optimize an overall frequency bandwidth.

Middle ear transducer

A total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) or partial middle ear implantable (PMEI) hearing assistance system provides a transient middle ear mechanical vibration stimulus, and senses emissions from the cochlea. The sensed cochlear emissions include mechanical vibrations (“otovibratory emissions”) and sound pressure waves (“otoacoustic emissions”). Based on the sensed emissions, diagnostic information is provided to the physician at an external programmer, allowing easier positioning and coupling of an electrical-to-mechanical output transducer. Diagnosis of auditory system or hearing assistance system malfunctions is effectively implemented using the data communicated from the implantable hearing assistance device. Signal processing parameters are adjusted based on the sensed cochlear emissions for improved hearing assistance. Otovibratory emission sensing is likely more sensitive than otoacoustic emissions, providing improved audiometric screening data.

Hearing assistance device sensing otovibratory or otoacoustic emissions evoked by middle ear vibrations

A method and apparatus transduces between mechanical and electrical signals within a middle ear to improve hearing. An electromechanical transducer film, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is carried by a mount secured to the middle ear. The film is constrained by the mount, or by the mount and an auditory element. The apparatus includes substantially straight, bow-shaped, hoop-shaped, and bi-element transducer film embodiments. The film transduces between mechanical vibrations of an auditory element, such as the malleus or stapes, and electrical signals for use with an electronics unit of a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid.

Kai Kroll

Papers

Hearing aid transducer support

Implantable hearing system having multiple transducers

Middle ear transducer

Hearing assistance device sensing otovibratory or otoacoustic emissions evoked by middle ear vibrations

Piezoelectric film transducer