Relay interface for connecting an implanted medical device to an external electronics device
First Claim
1. A method for use with an implanted component of a hearing instrument, comprising:
- obtaining access to an external device configured to interface with the implanted component of the hearing instrument, the external device including a wireless transmitter adapted to transcutaneously communicate with a wireless apparatus of the implanted component of the hearing instrument;
establishing data communication between the external device and a consumer electronics device having a network interface connectable to a data network;
utilizing the consumer electronics device, transmitting data parameters via the network interface to a platform in the data network;
receiving parameters via the network interface of the consumer electronics device, wherein the received parameters are sent via the data network in response to the data parameters;
transmitting the received parameters to the implanted component of the hearing instrument; and
utilizing a fitting algorithm at the platform in the data network to generate fitting parameters based on the transmitted data parameters transmitted to the platform, whereina medical professional who is conducting a fitting of the implanted hearing instrument to a recipient thereof is co-located with the recipient.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface relay system for use with a fully implantable medical devices that permits transcutaneous coupling of the implanted medical device to a consumer electronics device. In one embodiment, coupling the implanted medical device to the external electronics device provides a back-up source of power for operating the implanted medical device. In another embodiment, coupling the implanted medical device to the external electronics device allows for providing unidirectional and/or bidirectional data transfer between the devices. In one arrangement, the consumer electronics device may be connectable to a communications/data network to allow for network communication between the implantable medical device and a remote processing platform/server.
70 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for use with an implanted component of a hearing instrument, comprising:
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obtaining access to an external device configured to interface with the implanted component of the hearing instrument, the external device including a wireless transmitter adapted to transcutaneously communicate with a wireless apparatus of the implanted component of the hearing instrument; establishing data communication between the external device and a consumer electronics device having a network interface connectable to a data network; utilizing the consumer electronics device, transmitting data parameters via the network interface to a platform in the data network; receiving parameters via the network interface of the consumer electronics device, wherein the received parameters are sent via the data network in response to the data parameters; transmitting the received parameters to the implanted component of the hearing instrument; and utilizing a fitting algorithm at the platform in the data network to generate fitting parameters based on the transmitted data parameters transmitted to the platform, wherein a medical professional who is conducting a fitting of the implanted hearing instrument to a recipient thereof is co-located with the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An external device for transcutaneously providing power to an implanted medical device, the external device powered by a non-medical electronics device, comprising:
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a housing adapted for external mounting proximate to an implanted medical device; a cable extending from the housing and terminating in a connector adapted for interfacing with a mating port of a non-medical electronics device, wherein a first terminal of the connector is connectable to a power source of the non-medical electronics device; power control circuitry disposed within the housing, the power control circuitry operable to receive power from the first terminal via the cable and adapt the power for transcutaneous transmission; and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the power from the housing for receipt by a receiver of an implanted medical device when the wireless transmitter is proximate the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for use with an implanted component of a hearing instrument, comprising:
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obtaining access to an external device configured to interface with the implanted component of the hearing instrument, the external device including a wireless transmitter adapted to transcutaneously communicate with a wireless apparatus of the implanted component of the hearing instrument; establishing data communication between the external device and a consumer electronics device having a network interface connectable to a data network; utilizing the consumer electronics device, transmitting data parameters via the network interface to a platform in the data network; receiving parameters via the network interface of the consumer electronics device, wherein the received parameters are sent via the data network in response to the data parameters; transmitting the received parameters to the implanted component of the hearing instrument; and storing a plurality of respective user settings on the platform, wherein the received parameters are one of the respective stored user settings, and the method further comprises; determining that another one of the respective user settings are utilitarian for a respective alternate sound scene relative to a prior and/or current sound scene; utilizing the consumer electronics device, transmitting second data parameters via the network interface to the platform in the data network; receiving second parameters via the network interface of the consumer electronics device, wherein the received second parameters are sent via the network in response to the data second parameters; and transmitting the received second parameters to the hearing instrument, wherein the received second parameters are the another one of the respective stored user settings. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A method for use with an implanted component of a hearing instrument, comprising:
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obtaining access to an external device configured to interface with the implanted component of the hearing instrument, the external device including a wireless transmitter adapted to transcutaneously communicate with a wireless apparatus of the implanted component of the hearing instrument; establishing data communication between the external device and a consumer electronics device having a network interface connectable to a data network; utilizing the consumer electronics device, transmitting data parameters via the network interface to a platform in the data network; receiving parameters via the network interface of the consumer electronics device, wherein the received parameters are sent via the data network in response to the data parameters; transmitting the received parameters to the implanted component of the hearing instrument, wherein the wireless transmitter of the external device is a passive device that contains no internal battery and is configured to convert DC power to AC power for transcutaneous transmission. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification