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Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller fame has patented a "Hydro-Therapeutic Stimulator", which uses a hot tub for stimulation.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7292890 | Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials Methods of stimulating a vagus nerve include providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes, configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a vagus nerve, and applying the stimulat... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7277760 | Encoding fine time structure in presence of substantial interaction across an electrode array A method for reducing the effects of decreased resolution in a cochlear implant worn by an individual includes 1) determining the value of the individual's resolution region, 2) analyzing a plurality of dominant components within a sound signal, 3) removing a compon... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7263402 | System and method of rapid, comfortable parameter switching in spinal cord stimulation A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting p... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7242985 | Outer hair cell stimulation model for the use by an intra—cochlear implant Contrast between various frequency components of sound is enhanced through a lateral suppression strategy to provide increased speech perception in the electrically stimulated cochlea. A received audio signal is divided into a plurality of input signals, wherein eac... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7239920 | Neural stimulation system providing auto adjustment of stimulus output as a function of sensed pressure changes A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Auto correction of the stimulus magnitude is linked to the measurement of pressure in the vicinity of the elect... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7203548 | Cavernous nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for cavernous nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., micro... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7177690 | Implantable system having rechargeable battery indicator A system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may ... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7174215 | Method for determining stimulation parameters A method is provided for determining optimal stimulus pulsewidth and stimulus amplitude for stimulating nerves with at least one electrode (17). The method comprises: providing a predetermined calibration curve comprising a set of pulsewidth and amplitude val... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7146223 | Method for optimizing search for spinal cord stimulation parameter settings A method for selecting Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) stimulation parameter sets guides a clinician towards an effective set of stimulation parameters. The clinician first evaluates the effectiveness of a small number of trial stimulation parameter sets from a Measur... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7127298 | Switched-matrix output for multi-channel implantable stimulator The invention is a switched-matrix output for a multi-channel stimulator. The switch-matrix output system uses groups of switches connectively placed between N number of digital-to-analog convertors (DACs) and M electrode contacts to permit fewer, space-consuming DA... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7127078 | Implanted outer ear canal hearing aid A hearing aid system including an implant (60) configured for insertion into a recess (40) formed under the skin of the retro-auricular space (50), which implant does not occlude the ear canal (30). The implant includes electronic circuit... | 10/24/2006 |
| 6889094 | Electrode array for hybrid cochlear stimulator A cochlear electrode array is adapted for implantation within the basal end of the scala tympani duct of a human cochlea. A first embodiment of the cochlear electrode array (10) comprises a skinny, elongate carrier (12) of from 6-8 mm in length. Four t... | 05/03/2005 |
| 6782292 | System and method for treatment of mood and/or anxiety disorders by electrical brain stimulation and/or drug infusion A system and method for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to treat mood and/or anxiety disorders uses an implantable system control unit (SCU), specifically an implantable signal/pulse generator (IPG) or mi... | 08/24/2004 |
| 6754537 | Hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator hearing aid system A hybrid cochlear implant hearing aid sytem (10) provides low frequency acoustic energy boost, if needed, and high frequency direct neural stimulation. Tinnitus suppression may also be provided. The neurons responsible for sensing high frequency sounds are lo... | 06/22/2004 |
| 6748094 | Connector system for BTE hearing devices A connector system for Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing devices provides a means to detachably connect a plurality of earhooks, which earhooks include special earhooks providing auxiliary functions. The connector system includes a coaxial connector mounted on the BTE de... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6745077 | Electronic impedance transformer for inductively-coupled load stabilization A fixed frequency external power source having an external coil is inductively coupled with an implanted coil of an implanted medical device. The implant device has an electronic impedance transformer as part of its load circuit. Such electronic impedance transforme... | 06/01/2004 |
| 6741892 | Movable contact locking mechanism for spinal cord stimulator lead connector A moveable contact connector system provides easy lead insertion, lead retention, and reliable electrical connection for implantable devices. The connector system may be used with in-line leads commonly found in such applications. Moveable contacts are provided in t... | 05/25/2004 |
| 6736771 | Wideband low-noise implantable microphone assembly An implantable microphone assembly for use with a hearing prosthesis, such as a fully implantable cochlear stimulation system, includes a diaphragm mounted to an outside surface of an hermetically sealed case. The mounting is made, in one of various embodiments, by ... | 05/18/2004 |
| 6735475 | Fully implantable miniature neurostimulator for stimulation as a therapy for headache and/or facial pain A small implantable stimulator(s) with at least two electrodes is small enough to have the electrodes located adjacent to a nerve structure at least partially responsible for headache and/or facial pain. The small stimulator provides a means of stimulating a nerve s... | 05/11/2004 |
| 6733485 | Microstimulator-based electrochemotherapy methods and systems A small implantable stimulator(s) includes at least two electrodes for delivering electrical stimulation to surrounding tissue and/or a pump and at least one outlet for delivering a drug or drugs to surrounding tissue. One electrochemotherapy method disclosed includ... | 05/11/2004 |
| 6735474 | Implantable stimulator system and method for treatment of incontinence and pain A method and system for treatment of incontinence and/or pelvic pain includes the injection or laparoscopic implantation of one or more battery- or radio frequency-powered microstimulators (10) beneath the skin of the perineum and/or adjacent the tibial nerve... | 05/11/2004 |
| 6731986 | Magnitude programming for implantable electrical stimulator A neural stimulation system allows the magnitude of electrical stimuli generated by the system to be programmed to a desired level greater than or equal to a minimum perceived threshold and less than or equal to a maximum tolerable perceived threshold. The electrica... | 05/04/2004 |
| 6728578 | Envelope-based amplitude mapping for cochlear implant stimulus An envelope based amplitude mapping achieves the signal compression required to provide a natural sound level without the high processor loading or waveform alteration. In a preferred embodiment, the output of a family of parallel bandpass filters is processed by an... | 04/27/2004 |
| 6725096 | Multiple in-line contact connector A tool-less connector with multiple contacts and a compact design is provided. Therefore, a connector that is normally tunneled through body tissue will now require only a minimally invasive subcutaneous tunnel, which should reduce tissue healing time, patient disco... | 04/20/2004 |
| 6659968 | Activity monitor for pain management efficacy measurement An activity monitoring system measures the effectiveness of pain management using using data from motion or activity sensors attached to the patient's body to compute measures of exertion level of a patient. Increased levels of exertion are an indication ... | 12/09/2003 |
| 6658302 | Insertion needle for use with implantable, expandable, multicontact electrodes An insertion needle facilitates the implantation of an electrode array carried on a flexible, foldable or compressible, subcarrier or substrate. Such subcarrier or substrate folds or compresses during implantation, thereby facilitating its insertion using... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6658124 | Rechargeable hearing aid A rechargeable hearing aid eliminates the requirement for frequent replacement of a disposable hearing aid battery. The rechargeable hearing aid features inductive recharging using a charging reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, a lithium-ion battery is ... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6650943 | Fully implantable neurostimulator for cavernous nerve stimulation as a therapy for erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction An implantable stimulator(s) with at least two electrodes, which is small enough to have the electrodes located adjacent to a cavernous nerve(s) or other nerve(s) innervating the reproductive organs, uses a power source/storage device, such as a rechargea... | 11/18/2003 |
| 6636768 | Implantable mircophone system for use with cochlear implant devices An implantable microphone system senses "sound" by sensing motion of middle ear components using a linear-variable-differential transformer. The transformer has a movable floating core that is affixed to one or more of the movable middle ear components, s... | 10/21/2003 |
| 6631296 | Voltage converter for implantable microstimulator using RF-powering coil A voltage converter for use within small implantable electrical devices, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to provide a voltage step up and step down function. The output voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle ... | 10/07/2003 |
| 6628991 | Minimally-invasive access into the cochlea for electrode insertion and fluid delivery A threaded grommet, having an axial passageway therethrough, and made from a biocompatible material, such as titanium, is screwed into a cochleostomy made in the bony tissue adjacent the round window in order to provide a minimally-invasive access port in... | 09/30/2003 |
| 6622048 | Implantable device programmer A patient and/or a clinician may program an implant device, e.g., an implanted spinal cord stimulator (SCS), through the use of a programming computer, or clinician programmer, linked with the implant device so that the paresthesia resulting from an appli... | 09/16/2003 |
| 6609032 | Fitting process for a neural stimulation system A programming system and method for use with an implantable tissue stimulator allows a clinician or patient to quickly determine a desired electrode stimulation pattern, including which electrodes of a multiplicity of electrodes in an electrode array shou... | 08/19/2003 |
| 6609029 | Clip lock mechanism for retaining lead A straight-forward and tool-less mechanism is provided for securing lead wires to an implantable neurostimulator, or similar medical device. In one embodiment, a clip lock mechanism is pivotally connected to the enclosure of the medical device, which encl... | 08/19/2003 |
| 6604283 | Method of making precurved, modiolar-hugging cochlear electrode A method of manufacturing an electrode array has an elongate flexible carrier that is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal thereto. The elongate flexible carrier is formed with a bias force that causes the array to... | 08/12/2003 |
| 6605094 | Integrated subcutaneous tunneling and carrying tool A subcutaneous tunneling and carrying tool has a handle, a rod, and a carrier. The tool is used in connection with the implantation of electrical stimulators within the body, and more particularly facilitates the surgical procedure in the connection of an... | 08/12/2003 |
| 6591139 | Low-power, high-modulation-index amplifier for use in battery-powered device An external transmitter circuit drives an implantable neural stimulator having an implanted coil from a primary coil driven by a power amplifier. For efficient power consumption, the transmitter output circuit (which includes the primary coil driven by th... | 07/08/2003 |
| 6589205 | Externally-controllable constant-flow medication delivery system A medication infusion system includes an implantable device and an external control device. The implantable device includes a constant flow pump and a flow rate that may be altered by commands received from the external control device. Power to execute th... | 07/08/2003 |
| 6587724 | Magnitude programming for implantable electrical stimulator A neural stimulation system allows the magnitude of electrical stimuli generated by the system to be programmed to a desired level greater than or equal to a minimum perceived threshold and less than or equal to a maximum tolerable perceived threshold. Th... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6582441 | Surgical insertion tool A tool is provided for facilitating determining a proper location for an implantable device or medication, and for then delivering the implant to the precise location determined with the tool. To determine the target location, the tool may include a compo... | 06/24/2003 |
