公开(公告)号：US06275736B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-14

申请号：US09312158

申请日：1999-05-14

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Lani A. Smith ,  Richard P. Malmgren

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Lani A. Smith ,  Richard P. Malmgren

IPC分类号： A61N136

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  A61N1/36036 ,  Y10S128/903

摘要： A hair clip for use with a cochlear implant system retains a headpiece assembly, including a transmitting coil, in an aligned position relative to an implanted stimulator. In one embodiment, the hair clip provides a retention system that uses a magnet which forms part of the transmitting coil. A comb or plurality of prongs forms part of the retention system. In another embodiment, the comb has central teeth that are made from ferromagnetic material, and typically also has a non-central teeth that are made from non-ferromagnetic material. The comb is placed and secured in the patient's hair over the area where a cochlear implant is implanted. The transmitting coil is then placed next to the comb, and the magnet within the transmitting coil attaches to the ferromagnetic teeth of the comb. In another embodiment, the transmitting coil is housed in a headpiece, and the headpiece and comb or hair clip are fastened together, along an edge of the comb or hair clip where the teeth or prongs are bonded, with a hinge attachment spring. In a further embodiment, the hair clip is formed from a single sheet of stainless steel, and a plurality of prongs engage a lower surface of the headpiece while a retaining band, with an integral spring, securely holds the headpiece in place against the prongs. The hair clip is opened by applying a manual force against the spring and retaining band.

摘要翻译： 与耳蜗植入系统一起使用的发夹将相对于植入的刺激器保持在对准位置的包括发射线圈的头戴组件。 在一个实施例中，发夹提供使用形成发射线圈的一部分的磁体的保持系统。 梳子或多个插脚构成保持系统的一部分。 在另一个实施例中，梳具有由铁磁材料制成的中心齿，并且通常还具有由非铁磁材料制成的非中心齿。 将梳子放置并固定在植入人耳蜗植入物的区域上的患者头发中。 然后将发射线圈放置在梳子附近，并且发射线圈内的磁体附着到梳子的铁磁齿上。 在另一个实施例中，发射线圈被容纳在头盔中，并且头盔和梳子或发夹沿着梳子或发夹的边缘固定在一起，其中齿或尖头被接合在一起，具有铰链附接弹簧。 在另一实施例中，发夹由单片不锈钢形成，并且多个插脚与头戴臂的下表面接合，而具有整体弹簧的保持带牢固地将针头固定在针头上。 通过对弹簧和保持带施加手动力来打开发夹。

公开(公告)号：US20090240258A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12406885

申请日：2009-03-18

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Anne Margaret Pianca ,  Lani A. Smith

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Anne Margaret Pianca ,  Lani A. Smith

IPC分类号： A61B17/00

CPC分类号： A61N1/056 ,  A61B2017/00469

摘要： A detachable handle includes a handle body that is substantially tubular and defines a hollow center region extending at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the handle body. The handle body is configured and arranged to receive a portion of a stylet handle within the hollow center region and removably attach to the stylet handle. The handle body includes an external gripping surface extending at least a portion of an exterior surface of the handle body.

摘要翻译： 可拆卸手柄包括手柄主体，该手柄主体基本上是管状的并且限定了延伸至手柄主体的纵向长度的至少一部分的中空中心区域。 手柄主体被构造和布置成接收在中空中心区域内的探针手柄的一部分并且可移除地附接到探针手柄。 手柄本体包括延伸手柄主体的外表面的至少一部分的外部夹持表面。

公开(公告)号：US06757970B1

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US10000408

申请日：2001-11-02

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Lani A. Smith

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison ,  Lani A. Smith

IPC分类号： H05K302

CPC分类号： A61N1/0529 ,  A61N1/0551 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49155 ,  Y10T29/49156

摘要： A multicontact electrode array suitable for implantation in living tissue includes a distal end having multiple spaced-apart ring contacts or a pattern of spaced-apart electrode contacts carried on a flexible carrier. Each electrode contact is resistance welded to a respective wire that is wound helically inside a silicon tube. The center of the helix defines a lumen wherein a positioning stylet, or other suitable positioning tool, may be removably inserted when the electrode array is implanted. The electrode array is made using a method that includes, as an initial step, winding lead wires around a suitable mandrel forming a helix configuration. Next, a non-conductive silicone tube jacket is placed around the wound wires, exposing the distal lead ends of the wires at a distal end of the tube. A welding process is then used to bond each wire tip to a corresponding metal electrode contact which has been preassembled by resistance welding to a metal foil structural carrier. The electrode array, including the metal foil structural carrier, is then formed into a tube by drawing it through a die. The excess foil material at the distal tip is then trimmed and a heat-shrink tube is placed around the assembled foil tube to prevent leakage of the polymer filler material through the joining longitudinal line of the carrier. Next, the foil tube is injected with a polymer filler material to void any gaps between the lead wires and contacts. To avoid filling the central lumen with the polymer filler material, a central core or stylet is temporarily placed inside the lumen. The heat-shrink tube is then mechanically removed. The fabrication method is finalized by inserting the preassembled electrode array into a hot acid mixture, which etches away the metal foil carrier, exposing the contacts at the surface of a distal end of the electrode array.

摘要翻译： 适于植入生物组织的多电极电极阵列包括具有多个间隔开的环形触点的远端或承载在柔性载体上的间隔开的电极触点的图案。 每个电极接触件被电阻焊接到螺旋形地缠绕在硅管内的相应导线。 螺旋的中心限定了内腔，其中当植入电极阵列时可以可移除地插入定位探针或其它合适的定位工具。 电极阵列使用包括作为初始步骤的方法包围围绕形成螺旋结构的适当心轴的引线。 接下来，将不导电的硅胶管夹套放置在缠绕的线周围，将导线的远端引线末端暴露在管的远端。 然后使用焊接工艺将每个焊丝尖端粘合到已经通过电阻焊接预先组装到金属箔结构载体上的对应的金属电极接触。 包括金属箔结构载体的电极阵列然后通过将其拉伸通过模头而形成管。 然后修剪远侧末端处的多余的箔材料，并且将热收缩管放置在组装的箔管周围，以防止聚合物填充材料通过载体的接合纵向线泄漏。 接下来，箔管注入聚合物填充材料以去除引线和触点之间的任何间隙。 为了避免用聚合物填充材料填充中央内腔，中心芯或探针被临时放置在管腔内。 然后机械地去除热收缩管。 通过将预组装的电极阵列插入热酸混合物来完成制造方法，所述热酸混合物蚀刻掉金属箔载体，暴露电极阵列远端表面处的触点。

公开(公告)号：US08204604B2

公开(公告)日：2012-06-19

申请号：US12371276

申请日：2009-02-13

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Todd K. Whitehurst ,  Lani A. Smith ,  Chuladatta Thenuwara

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Todd K. Whitehurst ,  Lani A. Smith ,  Chuladatta Thenuwara

IPC分类号： A61N1/02

CPC分类号： A61N1/0551 ,  A61N1/0529 ,  A61N1/0553

摘要： An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

摘要翻译： 用于将电极植入患者体内的插入套件可以包括手柄; 插入构件，其在所述插入构件的近端处联接到所述手柄并且被配置和布置成插入到患者体内; 对准构件，其联接到所述手柄并设置在所述插入构件的远端上方; 以及电极，其构造和布置成使用插入构件插入到患者体内。 在一些情况下，插入套件还可以包括与对准构件配合以标记电极在患者皮肤上的位置的标记物中的一个或多个; 与对准构件协作以在患者皮肤上找到标记位置的指针; 以及第二电极和第二插入构件，其构造和布置成可替代所述插入构件可拆卸地联接到所述手柄。

公开(公告)号：US08606367B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-10

申请号：US13536561

申请日：2012-06-28

申请人： Anne M. Pianca ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Chuladatta Thenuwara

发明人： Anne M. Pianca ,  Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Chuladatta Thenuwara

IPC分类号： A61N1/05

CPC分类号： A61N1/0553

摘要： The present disclosure describes various embodiments of an insertion tool that affords steerability of the paddle-style electrode during implantation without causing damage to the insulation and/or the contacts of the paddle-style electrode. One embodiment is described as having a “pin fork” configuration; another a “shovel” configuration; and yet another has tabs or a lumen on the paddle-style electrode for facilitating the insertion of a stylet. The various embodiments for the insertion tool allow for adjustments of the paddle-style electrode in both the medial/lateral and inferior/superior directions allowing the surgeon to steer the paddle-style electrode to the desired stimulation site within the epidural space of the spinal column.

摘要翻译： 本公开描述了插入工具的各种实施例，其在植入期间提供桨式电极的可操纵性，而不会损坏桨式电极的绝缘体和/或触点。 一个实施例被描述为具有“销叉”配置; 另一个“铲”配置; 并且另一个在桨式电极上具有翼片或腔，以便于插入探针。 用于插入工具的各种实施例允许在内侧/外侧和下/上/上方向上调节桨式电极，从而允许外科医生将桨式电极转向脊柱硬膜外空间内的期望的刺激部位 。

公开(公告)号：US07054691B1

公开(公告)日：2006-05-30

申请号：US10346482

申请日：2003-01-17

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Michael A. Faltys

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Michael A. Faltys

IPC分类号： A61N1/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67 ,  H04R2410/00

摘要： An implantable system includes a plurality of implantable devices that are detachably coupled to each other. Each implantable device of the system includes: (1) an hermetically-sealed case housing electronic components; (2) feedthru terminals mounted to a wall of the hermetically-sealed case adapted to allow electrical contact from a location outside the hermetically-sealed case with the electronic components housed inside the hermetically-sealed case; (3) a coil external to the hermetically-sealed case attached to the feedthru terminals; (4) a flexible molding bonded to the hermetically-sealed case, and wherein the coil is embedded within or otherwise attached to the flexible molding; and (5) engagement means for engaging the flexible molding with a flexible molding of another implantable device of the implantable system. Such engagement means also aligns the coils of the implantable devices that are thus engaged with the engaging means to allow electromagnetic coupling to occur between the aligned coils. In one embodiment, the engaging means includes a hole formed in the flexible molding of a first implantable device and a knob portion formed in the flexible molding of a second implantable device, wherein the knob portion is sized to fit within the hole, and wherein when the knob portion is placed within the hole, the coil of the first device is coaxially aligned with the coil of the second implantable device.

摘要翻译： 可植入系统包括可拆卸地彼此联接的多个可植入装置。 系统的每个可植入装置包括：（1）密封的电子元件壳体; （2）安装在密封壳体的壁上的馈通端子，其适于允许从密封的壳体外部的位置与容纳在密封的壳体内的电子部件电接触; （3）安装在馈通端子上的气密密封外壳外部的线圈; （4）柔性模制件，其结合到所述密封的壳体上，并且其中所述线圈嵌入所述柔性模制件中或以其他方式附接到所述柔性模制件; 和（5）接合装置，用于将柔性模制件与可植入系统的另一可植入装置的柔性模制件接合。 这种接合装置还使由此与接合装置接合的可植入装置的线圈对齐，以允许在排列的线圈之间发生电磁耦合。 在一个实施例中，接合装置包括形成在第一可植入装置的柔性模制件中的孔和形成在第二可植入装置的柔性模制件中的把手部分，其中按钮部分的尺寸适于装配在孔内， 旋钮部分放置在孔内，第一装置的线圈与第二可植入装置的线圈同轴对准。

公开(公告)号：US06901296B1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-31

申请号：US10133768

申请日：2002-04-26

申请人： Todd K. Whitehurst ,  James P. McGivern ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Todd K. Whitehurst ,  James P. McGivern ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： A61N1/08 ,  A61N1/10 ,  A61N1/20 ,  A61N1/372

CPC分类号： A61N1/205 ,  A61N1/08 ,  A61N1/37205

摘要： A small implantable stimulator(s) includes at least two electrodes for delivering electrical stimulation to surrounding tissue. The small stimulator provides means of stimulating a neoplasm with direct electrical current, such as relatively low-level direct current, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. The stimulator may be configured to be small enough to be implanted entirely within a neoplasm. Open- and closed-loop systems are disclosed.

摘要翻译： 一个小的植入式刺激器包括至少两个用于向周围组织传递电刺激的电极。 小的刺激器提供了用直接电流刺激肿瘤的手段，例如相对低的直流电流，而不需要在刺激期间的外部器具。 刺激器可以被配置为足够小以完全植入肿瘤内。 公开了开环和闭环系统。

公开(公告)号：US06879695B2

公开(公告)日：2005-04-12

申请号：US10264937

申请日：2002-10-03

申请人： Albert A. Maltan ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

发明人： Albert A. Maltan ,  Janusz A. Kuzma

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： A personal sound link module (60) is inserted into a tunnel (40) made through the soft tissue connecting the retro-auricular space (50) with the ear canal (30). The module contains an acoustic transducer (65), located at the distal part (68) of the module, close to or inside the ear canal, an antenna (64) that receives and also potentially sends signals to a remote source, signal processing circuitry (67), telemetry circuitry (69), a power source (66) that powers the module, and possibly a microphone (63). Signals transmitted from a remote source are received through the antenna and telemetry circuitry, processed, and presented to the acoustic transducer, where they are converted to sound waves broadcast into the user's ear canal. The remote source may be a radio station, radio receiver, CD player, DVD player, tape player, audio system, telephone, TV receiver or station, or other source of audio signals intended to be heard privately by the user.

摘要翻译： 将个人声音连接模块（60）插入到通过将耳环空间（​​50）与耳道（30）连接的软组织制成的隧道（40）中。 该模块包含位于模块的远端部分（68）处的声换能器（65），靠近耳道内或耳道内，接收并且还潜在地向远程源发送信号的天线（64），信号处理电路 （67），遥测电路（69），为模块供电的电源（66）以及可能的麦克风（63）。 从远程源发送的信号通过天线和遥测电路被接收，被处理并呈现给声换能器，在那里它们被转换成广播到用户耳道的声波。 远程源可以是用户私下听到的无线电台，无线电接收机，CD播放器，DVD播放器，磁带机，音频系统，电话机，电视接收机或电台，或者其它的音频信号源。

公开(公告)号：US06487453B1

公开(公告)日：2002-11-26

申请号：US09585848

申请日：2000-06-01

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz ,  Rolf-Dieter Battmer

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas H. R. Lenarz ,  Rolf-Dieter Battmer

IPC分类号： A61N105

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541

摘要： An electrode system is provided for insertion into an ossified cochlea. The electrode system includes a first electrode array and a second electrode array, both of which are electrically connected to a suitable implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS). Each of the two electrode arrays has a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts along one side or surface thereof, e.g., eight to twelve electrode contacts on the first electrode array, and six to ten electrode contacts on the second electrode array. A tunnel is drilled through the ossified portion of the cochlea into which the first electrode array is snugly inserted. The second electrode array is inserted into the cochlea near the second turn thereof. Where the cochlea is fully ossified, a second tunnel is drilled through the ossified portion at the second turn. A positioner may be used with the second electrode array in order to position its electrode contacts against the modiolar wall of the cochlea. The first and second electrodes may be inserted into the scala tympani and/or the scala vestibuli of the cochlea.

摘要翻译： 提供电极系统用于插入骨化的耳蜗。 电极系统包括第一电极阵列和第二电极阵列，它们都电连接到合适的植入式耳蜗刺激器（ICS）。 两个电极阵列中的每一个在其一侧或表面上具有多个间隔开的电极触点，例如第一电极阵列上的八至十二个电极触点，以及第二电极阵列上六至十个电极触点。 通过耳蜗的骨化部分钻出隧道，第一电极阵列紧密插入该耳蜗部分。 第二电极阵列在其第二匝附近插入耳蜗。 在耳蜗完全骨化的情况下，在第二回合处，通过骨化部分钻出第二隧道。 定位器可以与第二电极阵列一起使用，以将其电极接触定位在耳蜗的模块壁上。 第一和第二电极可以插入耳蜗的鼓膜和/或耳蜗前庭中。

公开(公告)号：US06473651B1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-29

申请号：US09514100

申请日：2000-02-28

申请人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas J. Balkany ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison

发明人： Janusz A. Kuzma ,  Thomas J. Balkany ,  William Vanbrooks Harrison

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： An implantable microphone system, usable with a cochlear implant system or other hearing aid prosthesis, detects sound pressure waves (acoustic waves) at a movable member within the middle ear, e.g., the tympanic membrane or the stapes, through a fluid communication channel (20) established between the middle ear movable member and a microphone capsule (10). The microphone capsule (10) includes two compartments (11, 12) separated by a flexible diaphragm (13). One compartment (12) is in fluid communication with a thin-walled balloon, filled with a suitable fluid (30), positioned in contact with the movable member within the middle ear. The other compartment (11) is mechanically coupled through a suitable mechanical linkage (16) to a microphone sensor (14). The microphone sensor, in turn, is electrically connected to the cochlear implant system or other hearing aid prosthesis.

摘要翻译： 可植入麦克风系统，可与耳蜗植入物系统或其他助听器假体一起使用，通过流体连通通道（20）检测中耳内的可移动构件（例如鼓膜或镫骨）上的声压波（声波） ）建立在中耳可移动部件和麦克风胶囊（10）之间。 麦克风胶囊（10）包括由柔性隔膜（13）分开的两个隔间（11,12）。 一个隔室（12）与薄壁气囊流体连通，填充有适当的流体（30），定位成与中耳内的活动件接触。 另一个隔间（11）通过合适的机械联动装置（16）机械耦合到麦克风传感器（14）。 麦克风传感器又电连接到耳蜗植入系统或其他助听器假体。