Johns Hopkins University

Howard W Francis

George L Coles

Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines

David A Kitchin

Ioan Lina

Dawnielle Farrar

Bradford J May

A tinnitus treatment device may include a sound generation unit configured to generate an electrical stimulus, and an open earphone operably coupled to the sound generation unit to produce acoustic vibrations based on the electrical stimulus. The open earphone may include an auditory passage and the open earphone may be insertable into an ear canal of a person such that the auditory passage enables sound to pass substantially unobstructed by the device into the ear canal of the person. The sound generation unit may be configured to be adjustable to tune the electrical stimulus based on a characteristic of tinnitus symptoms experienced by the person.

Device for unobtrusive treatment of tinnitus

A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Middle ear implant sensor

A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Growing community of inventors

Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Howard W Francis