Epley Research LLC

Other

Hearing Evaluation & Acoustic Research, Inc.

Instrumentation & Control Systems, Inc.

Yainax Medical, LLC

Advanced Hearing Technology, Inc.

John M Epley

William McDonough

Austin F Leach

Arnold Frisch

Structure and methodology involving mountable and head-wearable frame structure which is positionally stabilized, during use, relative a human subject's head, and which carries a selection of positionally anchored data sensors, and stimuli deliverers, that are relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders. Special configurations are provided for two types of stimulators, one for sound application and air-pressure modification, and the other for the introduction of fluids to the ear. Stabilization enables tight and accurate correlation of data which is quickly analyzable by a connected, properly algorithmed computer, which can also be used for feedback control in a designed 'expert' system. The invention enables, among other things, practical and significant differentiation between physiological and pathological nystagmus.

Head-stabilized, nystagmus-based repositioning apparatus, system and methodology

Head-stabilized medical apparatus, system and methodology

A system, method, and apparatus for iontophoretically delivering medically-active ions beyond the tympanic membrane, into a middle ear portion of a patient, and to an area or structure of the middle or inner ear that is targeted for treatment. The system and apparatus can include a needle configured partially for insertion through a tympanic membrane and having a longitudinal bore, a flexible lumen coupled with the needle, and typically a fluid source coupled with the lumen such that a fluid in the fluid source can be delivered from the fluid source, through the lumen and the needle, and into the middle ear. A positioning tab can be coupled with the needle to assist determining a proper insertion extent of the needle through the membrane. The system and method can also include a power source having oppositely charged electrodes, electrically-conductive materials coupled with an electrode and disposed within the fluid source, lumen, and/or needle, and electrically-conductive materials coupled with an oppositely-charged electrode and further coupled with the patient's skin. Medically-active ions are iontophoretically delivered by the apparatus, when the fluid is delivered to a patients middle ear and an electrical charge is imparted to the ions by the apparatus.

Iontophoretic intra-tympanic drug delivery system

Spatial manipulator apparatus for a mammalian subject includes a stabilizing base; a hemispheroidal truss frame mounted for rotation on the stabilizing base, the truss frame supporting and stabilizing an outer generally circular rim in relation to a non-concentric hub located at its rotational axis; and a second frame mounted orthogonally within the outer rim on a second rotational axis, the second frame being configured to support a mammalian subject during spatial manipulation thereof by rotation about one or more of the orthogonal rotational axes. Preferably, the truss frame and the second frame are driven for rotation about the orthogonal rotational axes to achieve a desired mammalian-subject spatial orientation within a chair-like structure pivotally adjustably mounted within the second frame. Preferably, the truss frame includes a substantially circular rim member mounting the second frame for rotation therein; three or more struts connecting from circumferential substantially evenly spaced locations along the circular rim member to a point of convergence on the truss frame through which the first axis extends; and a hub at the point of convergence mounting the three or more struts.

Hemispheroidal-truss spatial manipulator system and apparatus

A convenient and preferably wearable system and method for implementing the controlled and sustained delivery of a medical liquid through the tympanic membrane and into the middle ear including port structure that produces a minimal opening in the membrane, a wearable and fixated fluid-conduit structure coupleable to the port structure, a reservoir adapted to contain delivery fluid, and an operationally controllable pump system applied to the fluid conduit structure, and/or an iontophoretic electrode system applied within the fluid conduit structure and to the subject's body, and operable to effect the delivery of reservoir-held fluid or medically active ions through the fluid conduit and port structures to the middle ear.

Minimally invasive, sustained, intra-tympanic drug delivery system

A comprehensive vertigo management system and methodology is provided which employs a spatial maneuvering device, preferably under computer control, to orient a subject selectively differently in space, thus to create vestibular activity which is directly related to spatial motion (including acceleration) and/or orientation. Data is collected relating to such orientation and activity, along with certain subject-introduced reaction data in certain instances and video-camera data, and fed to a computer which cooperates in presenting an intuitive visual and pictorial correlation that enables physician diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation regarding elements of dysfunction of the subject's vestibular system.

Comprehensive vertigo management

A direct contact hearing aid apparatus adapted to be mounted deep within the ear canal is disclosed, including an output electromechanical transducer for converting audio output signals into mechanical movement of an output coupling element without the production of discernible sound waves to prevent acoustic feedback. The coupling element is supported for magnetic engagement with a contact element mounted on the tympanic membrane by a metal clip attached to the malleus bone to provide direct electromechanical coupling to the ossicles through the tympanic membrane. Alternatively, the contact element may be attached to the malleus bone by a clamp whose jaws are lined with bioactive ceramic. A pair of magnetic switches is provided within the hearing aid housing for mechanically switching the connections of the battery and a volume control while the hearing aid is mounted in the ear canal in response to changes in the polarity of a remote external magnetic actuator located outside of the housing. An external magnetic attachment device is used for insertion and removal of the hearing aid, radio or other electronic apparatus into and from the ear canal by magnetic engagement with a magnetic holder member on the electronic apparatus. The magnetic attachment device may be unipolar or bipolar and has a permanent magnet which is rotated between an attraction position and a release position by a selection knob. The output transducer of the hearing aid may be a piezoelectric plastic film transducer in the form of a flexible diaphragm or a folded sheet bender of the bimorph type, or it may be an electromagnetic transducer. The electromagnetic transducer may have an external magnetic coupling element mounted outside the hearing aid housing and spaced from the magnetic core of such transducer but coupled to the contact element. Also, a reverse bias permanent magnet may be provided at the end of such core to repel a movable permanent magnet which is mounted on a resilient coupling member to form the external magnetic coupling element.

Magnetic attachment device for insertion and removal of hearing aid

A direct contact hearing aid apparatus adapted to be mounted deep within the ear canal is disclosed, including an output electromechanical transducer for converting audio output signals into mechanical movement of an output coupling element without the production of discernible sound waves to prevent acoustic feedback. The coupling element is supported in direct contact with a contact element mounted on the tympanic membrane by a metal clip attached to the malleus bone to provide direct electromechanical coupling to the ossicles through the tympanic membrane. The contact element is made of magnetic material, such as a permanent magnet, and is magnetically connected to the coupling element. A pair of magnetic switches are provided within the hearing aid housing for mechanically switching the connections of the battery and a volume control while the hearing aid is mounted in the ear canal in response to changes in the polarity of a remote external magnetic actuator located outside of the housing. An external magnetic insertion probe is used for insertion and removal of the hearing aid into and from the ear canal by magnetic engagement with a magnetic holder member on the housing. The output transducer of the hearing aid may be a piezoelectric plastic film transducer in the form of a flexible diaphragm or a folded sheet bender of the bimorph type, or it may be an electromagnetic transducer. A counterpoise means which may include a weight mounted on a second transducer element that moves in an opposite direction to the output coupling element, is employed to reduce internal vibration of the hearing aid apparatus. A permanent magnet suspension means is employed to support a pivoted motor element of the output transducer connected to the output coupling element for greater resiliency.

Direct contact hearing aid apparatus

A method for rapidly and accurately measuring the acoustical attenuation effectiveness of various personal hearing protection devices as worn, particularly in-the-ear type protectors under conditions of normal fit in a working environment having significant ambient noise. The method comprises presenting an audio signal to an ear both with and without the hearing protector in place and noting the difference in intensity of the applied signal, measured in decibels, required to obtain the same perceived amplitude level in each case. The perceived amplitude level may be either the threshold of the subject's hearing perception or a supra-threshold reference point determined by a comparison of the test ear signal with a reference signal in the contralateral ear to allow for testing in ambient noise levels of high or fluctuating intensity. The test signal is preferably a multi-frequency complex signal having a preweighted power spectrum which emphasizes those frequencies which are particularly hazardous. The preferred supra-threshold test utilizes a reference signal in the non-test ear which is audibly distinguishable from the signals applied to the test ear other than with respect to amplitude.

Method for testing acoustical attenuation of hearing protectors

A portable device primarily for use in determining the effectiveness of various personal hearing protectors in attenuating hazardous noise. The device comprises an electronic circuit for generating audio test signals at varying amplitude levels, and a display for providing numerical indications usable to measure accurately the difference in amplitudes between the respective audio signals. The test signal increases or decreases in loudness in response to a subject-operated hand switch which also triggers display of the appropriate numerical indication at amplitude levels determined subjectively by the individual being tested. The electronic circuit of the device preferably is capable of producing such test signals in complex, multifrequency form with preweighting of the power spectrum of the signal so as to emphasize the most potentially hazardous frequencies. Specially designed earcups having audio transducers resiliently mounted within are provided for the testing of earplug effectiveness in an environment of ambient noise. The device is capable of testing attenuation utilizing amplitude levels either at the threshold of hearing perception or at supra-threshold levels wherein the test ear signal is compared with a reference signal in the contralateral ear to allow for testing in a high or fluctuating ambient noise level. For purposes of the latter test, the device produces a reference signal which is audibly distinguishable from the test signal, other than with respect to amplitude. Numerical indications are produced by a digital display responsive to a digital counter which also controls the attenuation level of the test signal.

Apparatus for testing acoustical attenuation of hearing protectors

Delivery tubes used with air caloric stimulation systems, when measuring vestibular responses. The delivery tubes fit into the patient's ears at the nozzle end thereof. Silastic tubing is provided narrower at the nozzle end for forming a higher velocity narrower stream of air directed at the tympanic membrane to produce more effective and consistent heat exchange with the labyrinth. A shield is provided to prevent the tubing from impinging on the tympanic membrane and to retain the apparatus in place. A handle is also provided to aid in the insertion of the delivery tube into the air canal, and to aid in attaching the delivery nozzle of the delivery head regularly used with the air caloric stimulation system.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

John M Epley