Granted Patent
B2
US 6,879,693 · App. 10/083,024 · Granted Apr 12, 2005
Method and system for external assessment of hearing aids that include implanted actuators
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Abstract
A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient. As such, by driving the actuator at one or more predetermined frequencies the resultant voltage and current measurements may be utilized to assess whether the implanted transducer is operative and whether a desired interface between the transducer and the middle ear of patient (e.g. the ossicular chain) is present.
Claims (9)
1. A method for assessing the performance of a hearing aid that includes an implanted hearing aid actuator comprising:
positioning a test measurement device external to a patient having an implanted hearing aid that includes a hearing aid actuator;
utilizing the test measurement device to obtain at least one impedance measure of the hearing aid actuator responsive to an electrical signal passing through the hearing aid actuator;
employing the at least one impedance measure to assess an interface between the actuator and a component of an auditory system of the patient; and
providing an electrical input to a positioning system responsive to said assessment of said interface, to selectively position the hearing aid actuator relative to the component of the auditory system.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the electrical input comprises:
providing a wireless signal to the positioning system from a position external to the patient.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the electrical input comprises:
inductively coupling the electrical input to the positioning system.
Assignments (14)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Oct 3, 2012
From: OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.
To: COCHLEAR LIMITED
Reel/Frame 029072/0647 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
Recorded Oct 3, 2012
From: COCHLEAR LIMITED
To: OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 029072/0633 →
ACKGT. OF INEFFECTIVE PAT. ASSMT. AGMT.
Recorded Mar 11, 2010
From: MEDTRONIC, INC.
To: OTOLOGICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 024066/0349 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT
Recorded Jan 22, 2010
From: OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.
To: COCHLEAR LIMITED
Reel/Frame 023832/0387 →
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RELEASE OF SECURITY AGMT
Recorded Mar 16, 2007
From: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.; DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; BR DIRECT MARKETING, INC.; BRANDSNESS, DAVID; BRISTER, MATTHEW; BROWN, RICHARD N.; BRYNGELSON, JOHN AND CARLYN; CARLSON, DAN H. AND LESLIE T.; CLARK, STUART; DACK CATTLE TRUST; FAUST, RONALD F. AND GEORGIANA; FERGUSON, JOHN A., III; GJ GENERAL PARTNERSHIP; HALL, PETER T.; MARGULIS, MARTHA H.; S. ALBERT D. HANSER, TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST; KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST; HIMLE, JOHN AND KAREN; ILLANES, EDUARDO AND DIANE; KASPRICK, LYLE; KASPRICK, KATHLEEN; KENWORTHY, MARIA; KING, JERRY AND MARTHA; KING, JOHN J.; KING, MAUREEN; KING, MARGARET; HAILS, MARK; KING, LAURIE; KING, DAVID G.; JACK J. KORFF TRUST; KRISTO, STEVEN J.; LEAVERTON, KARL V.; LOFTUS, THOMAS T. AND MARGARET A.; LYNCH, PETER S. AND CAROLYN A.; THE LYNCH FOUNDATION; MOSCHETTI, DONALD J.; PIHL, MARJORIE J.; RANDALL, WILLIAM C.; RICE, DANIEL F.; ROGNLIN, WAYNE & MARLENE; SHLOPAK, GREGORY P.; SMITH, PATRICK A. & KAREN D.; STEELE, RICHARD; H.R. SWANSON REVOCABLE TRUST; SWENSON, LESTER J. AND DARLENE K.; R. RANDALL VOSBECK REVOCABLE TRUST; WARDEN, RICHARD H.; O. BURTON WASTCOAT TRUST; RONALD C. WHITE TRUST; WWF & COMPANY; WOOLLER, JOSEPH W., III; YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.; DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST; OLSETH, DALE R.; ERICKSON, RONALD A. AND KRISTINE S.; ERICKSON, DAVID S.; ERICKSON, BRIAN; ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST; FRISWOLD, FRED R.; MEDTRONIC, INC.; ELIZABETH T. JOHNSON AND LEE W. JOHNSON, TRUSTEES OF THE ELIZABETH T. JOHNSON TRUST AGREEMENT
To: OTOLOGIC, LLC
Reel/Frame 019019/0853 →
FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT OF SECURITY
Recorded Aug 30, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: MELROSE, KENDRICK; HANSER, LAURA H.; HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR SALLY DODGE HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; BELBAS, DEAN, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; COBORN, DANIEL G.; COBORN, CHRISTOPHER; LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE; PETER & CAROLYN LYNCH; HANSER, III, ALBERT; SOLON, SR., VLASIE; SHLOPAK, GREGORY P.; KING, JERRY & MARTHA
Reel/Frame 018350/0855 →
1ST AMENDMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
Recorded Jul 13, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: FRISWOLD, FRED R.; DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST; OLSETH, DALE R.; ERICKSON, RONALD A.; ERICKSON, KRISTINE S.; ERICKSON, DAVID S.; ERICKSON, BRIAN; ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST
Reel/Frame 018099/0154 →
2ND AMEND TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH SECURI
Recorded Jul 13, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.; DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; BR DIRECT MARKETING, INC.; BRANDSNESS, DAVID; BRISTER, MATTHEW; BROWN, RICHARD N.; JOHN AND CARLYN BRYNGELSON; DAN H. CARLSON AND LESLIE T. CARLSON; CLARK, STUART; DACK CATTLE TRUST; RONALD F. FAUST AND GEORGIANA FAUST TRUSTEES OF THE FAUST FAMILY TRUST, UA; FERGUSON, JOHN A. III; GJ GENERAL PARTNERSHIP; HALL, PETER T. AND MARGULIS, MARTHA H.; HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST; KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST; JOHN AND KAREN HIMLE; EDUARDO AND DIANE ILLANES; ELIZABETH T. JOHNSON AND LEE W. JOHNSON TRUSTEES OF THE ELIZABETH T. JOHNSON TRUST AGREEMENT; KASPRICK, LYLE; KASPRICK, KATHLEEN; KENWORTHY, MARIA; JERRY AND MARTHA KING; KING, JOHN J.; KING, MAUREEN; MARGARET KING AND MARK HAILS; KING, LAURIE; KING, DAVID G.; JACK J. KORFF TRUST; KRISTO, STEVEN J.; LEAVERTON, KARL V.; THOMAS T. AND MARGARET A. LOFTUS; PETER S. AND CAROLYN A. LYNCH; LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE; MOSCHETTI, DONALD J.; PIHL, MARJORIE J.; RANDALL, WILLIAM C.; RICE, DANIEL F.; WAYNE & MARLENE ROGNLIN; SHLOPAK, GREGORY P.; PATRICK A. & KAREN D. SMITH; STEELE, RICHARD; H.R. SWANSON REVOCABLE TRUST; LESTER J. AND DARLENE K. SWENSON; R. RANDALL VOSBECK REVOCABLE TRUST; WARDEN, RICHARD H.; O. BURTON WASTCOAT TRUST; RONALD C. WHITE TRUST; WWF & COMPANY; WOOLLER, JOSEPH W. III; YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Reel/Frame 018099/0045 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGMT
Recorded Jun 15, 2006
From: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.; INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC; STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN; BELBAS, DEAN, TRUSTEES OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; BLACKEY, BRENT & KAREN; BOEHNEN, DAVID L.; BRYNGELSON, JOHN & CARLYN; RICHARD D. CRAMER REVOCABLE TRUST; DACK CATTLE TRUST; BR DIRECT MARKETING; D&R INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP; ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST; FRISWOLD, FRED R.; GARBUTT, JERRY; GARBUTT, JANE; DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST; GRANAT, KENNETH; GRANAT, NANCY J.; GRANAT, ELIZABETH W.; LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST; KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST; JOSPEY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; KEOUGH, STEVEN J.; KING, JOHN J.; KING, MAUREEN; KRISTO, STEVEN J.; PIPER JAFFREY AS CUSTODIAN FBO DAN L. LASTAVICH IRA; LENZ, WILLIAM; JAMISON-LENZ, PAMELA; LEWIS, HARRY T., JR.; LINDAHL, DENNIS M.; MCFARLAND, RICHARD D.; MESLOW, JOHN A.; MESLOW, KAREN J.; MEYER, GERALD L.; OBERMAN, LAWRENCE A.; OBERMEYER, PETER E. & JUDITH C.; OLSETH, DALE R.; OLSETH FAMILY GRANDCHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TRUST; RAHN, NOEL P.; ROGNLIN, WAYNE; ROGNLIN, MARLENE; SMITH, PATRICK A.; SMITH, KAREN D.; SWENSON, LESTER J.; SWENSON, DARLENE K.; TOWNSEND, GEORGE; TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC.; TSCHETTER, RONALD A.; WARDEN, RICHARD H.; YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.; HANSER, LAURA H., C/O SANIBEL CAPTIVA TRUST COMPANY; S. ALBERT D. HANSER, TRUSTEE FOR SALLY DODGE HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A C/O SANIBEL CAPTIVA TRUST COMPANY; S. ALBERT D. HANSER, TRUSTEE FOR S. ALBERT D. HANSER REVOCABLE TRUST U/A C/O SANIBEL CAPTIVA TRUST COMPANY; COBORN, DANIEL G.; COBORN, CHRISTOPHER; LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE; MELROSE, KENDRICK; ZAWADSKI, STEVEN J. & BARBARA B.; HANSER III, ALBERT; SOLON, SR., VLASIE; SHLOPAK, GREGORY P., C/O ROCKPORT EQUITY MANAGEMENT; KING, JERRY & MARTHA; ILLANES, EDUARDO; ILLANES, DIANE; LYNCH, PETER; LYNCH, CAROLYN
To: OTOLOGICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 017982/0930 →
3RD AMEND TO SECURITY AGMT & SECURITY AGMT
Recorded Jun 9, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.; INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC; STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN; BELBAS, DEAN TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; BLACKEY, BRENT & KAREN; BOEHNEN, DAVID L.; BRYNGELSON, JOHN & CARLYN; CRAMER, RICHARD D., REVOCABLE TRUST; DACK CATTLE TRUST; BR DIRECT MARKETING; D&R INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP; ERICKSON, ALFRED & ROSE TRUST; FRISWOLD, FRED R.; GARBUTT, JERRY & JANE; GARDNER, DORSEY R. 2002 TRUST; GRANAT, KENNETH & NANCY J.; GRANAT, ELIZABETH W.; HARDY, JR., LES LIVING TRUST; HARDY, KAY L. LIVING TRUST; JOSPEY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; KEOUGH, STEVEN J.; KING, JOHN J.; KING, MAUREEN; KRISTO, STEVEN J.; PIPER JAFFREY AS CUSTODIAN; LENZ, WILLIAM & JAMISON-LENZ, PAMELA; LEWIS, JR., HARRY T.; LINDHAL, DENNIS M.; MCFARLAND, RICHARD D.; MESLOW, JOHN A. & KAREN J.; MEYER, GERALD L.; OBERMAN, LAWRENCE A.; OBERMEYER, PETER E. & JUDITH C.; OLSETH, DALE R.; OLSETH FAMILY GRANDCHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TRUST; RAHN, NOEL P.; ROGNLIN, WAYNE & MARLENE; SMITH, PATRICK A. & KAREN D.; SWENSON, LESTER J. & DARLENE K.; TOWNSEND, GEORGE; TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC.; TSCHETTER, RONALD A.; WARDEN, RICHARD H.; YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.; HANSER, LAURA H.; HANSER, S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR HANSER, SALLY DODGE REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; HANSER,S. ALBERT D., TRUSTEE FOR HANSER, ALBERT D. REVOCABLE TRUST U/A; COBORN, DANIEL G.; COBORN, CHRISTOPHER; LYNCH FOUNDATION, THE; MELROSE, KENDRICK; ZAWADSKI, STEVEN J. & BARBARA B.; HANSER III, ALBERT; SOLON, SR., VLASIE; SHLOPAK, GREGORY P.; KING, JERRY & MARTHA; ILLANES, EDUARDO AND DIANE; LYNCH, PETER & CAROLYN
Reel/Frame 017982/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT
Recorded Mar 10, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, L.L.C.
To: MEDTRONIC, INC.; FRISWOLD, FRED R.; R. GARDNER AND JOHN F. O'BRIEN ORIGINAL TRUSTEES, DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST, DATED JANUARY 16, 2003, DORSEY; OLSETH, DALE R.; ERICKSON, RONALD A. AND KRISTINE S.; ERICKSON, DAVID S.; ERICKSON, ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST, FBO DONOVAN A.; ERICKSON, BRIAN
Reel/Frame 017286/0507 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT
Recorded Jan 25, 2006
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST; TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC.; ILLANES, EDUARDO; ILLANES, DIANE
Reel/Frame 017492/0084 →
SECURITY INTEREST
Recorded Jul 8, 2005
From: OTOLOGICS, LLC
To: AFFINITY VENTURES III, L.P.; INSULA PROPERTIES, LLC; STERLING TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN; DEAN BELBAS, TRUSTEE OF THE DEAN BELBAS REVOCABLE TRUST; BRENT & KAREN BLACKEY; BOEHNEN, DAVID L.; JOHN & CARLYN BRYNGELSON; RICHARD D. CRAMER REVOCABLE TRUST; DACK CATTLE TRUST; BR DIRECT MARKETING; D&R INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP; ALFRED & ROSE ERICKSON TRUST; FRISWOLD, FRED R.; JERRY & JANE GARBUTT; DORSEY R. GARDNER 2002 TRUST; KENNETH & NANCY J. GRANAT; GRANAT, ELIZABETH W.; LES HARDY, JR. LIVING TRUST; KAY L. HARDY LIVING TRUST; JOSPEY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; KEOUGH, STEVEN J.; KING, JOHN J.; KING, MAUREEN; KRISTO, STEVEN J.; PIPER JAFFREY AS CUSTODIAN; LENZ, WILLIAM & JAMISON-LENZ, PAMELA; LEWIS, JR., HARRY T.; LINDAHL, DENNIS M.; MCFARLAND, RICHARD D.; JOHN A. & MESLOW, KAREN J.; MEYER, GERALD L.; OBERMAN, LAWRENCE A.; PETER E. & OBERMEYER, JUDITH C.; OLSETH, DALE R.; OLSETH FAMILY GRANDCHIDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TRUST; RAHN, NOEL P.; WAYNE & ROGNLIN, MARLENE; PATRICK A. & SMITH, KAREN D.; LESTER J. & SWENSON, DARLENE K.; TOWNSEND, GEORGE; TRIGRAN INVESTMENTS, INC.; TSCHETTER, RONALD A.; WARDEN, RICHARD H.; YOST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.; STEVEN J. & ZAWADSKI, BARBARA B.
Reel/Frame 016745/0587 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Mar 5, 2002
From: MILLER, DOUGLAS ALAN; MILLER, III., SCOTT ALLAN
To: OTOLOGICS LLC
Reel/Frame 012947/0309 →