Natus Medical Patent Grants

Audiometer system with light-based communication

Granted: April 16, 2024
Patent Number: 11962348
An audiometer system including an audiometer device that includes an audiometer digital signal processing (DSP) unit, an audiometer baseband processing unit positioned, and an audiometer light-based transceiver. The system further includes a transducer including a transducer light-based transceiver in optical communication with the audiometer light-based transceiver, a transducer baseband processing unit, a transducer processor unit, and an audio speaker.

Eye-imaging apparatus and method employing sequential flashing of illumination light in synchronization with the operation of an image sensor

Granted: January 9, 2024
Patent Number: 11864833
An eye-imaging apparatus and system is described including circular fiber array ends arranged at skewed angles relative to the optical axis of the imaging path, a light intensity distribution converter along the illumination path to convert a bell-shaped distribution into a top-hat distribution, an image sensor, and high frequency response light source(s) operating in flash illumination mode in synchronization with the image sensor. As a result, unnecessary exposure of illumination light…

Wideband acoustic immittance measurement apparatus

Granted: August 3, 2021
Patent Number: 11076780
A new wideband acoustic immittance measurement apparatus is provided for determination of wideband acoustic immittance in the ear of the human, the apparatus comprising an ear probe for insertion in an ear canal of the human and having an acoustic output port for emission of sound into the ear canal of the human, and an acoustic input port for reception of sound from the ear canal of the human, and a loudspeaker that is arranged for acoustical connection with the acoustic output port of…

Vestibular testing apparatus

Granted: July 27, 2021
Patent Number: 11071475
A system for detecting and recording head orientations of a person includes: a first sensor device capable of providing sensor data regarding a head orientation of a person in a three-dimensional space; a data acquisition system configured for storing and outputting the sensor data from the first sensor device; and a processor configured for processing the sensor data from the data acquisition system, outputting a first signal representing the head orientation, and generating an image…

Audiologic test probe with locking mechanism, and a component for the test probe

Granted: November 24, 2020
Patent Number: 10842417
An audiologic test probe with locking mechanism, and a component for the test probe is disclosed. The probe for conducting an audiologic test comprises the locking mechanism, the probe comprising a probe body with a first probe opening to a first probe channel in the probe body, the probe comprising the locking mechanism for connecting a component with a first component opening to a first component channel.

Audiologic test apparatus and method

Granted: October 15, 2019
Patent Number: 10441200
An audiologic test apparatus includes: a pump device configured to apply a first pressure to the ear canal; and a processing module for communicatively coupling to the pump device and to a signal generator, wherein the processing module is configured to obtain first acoustic parameter values indicative of an acoustic parameter at the first pressure based on a first broadband signal generated using the signal generator; wherein the pump device is configured to change the first pressure to…

Vestibular testing apparatus

Granted: October 1, 2019
Patent Number: 10426379
A system for detecting and recording head orientations of a person includes: a first sensor device capable of providing sensor data regarding a head orientation of a person in a three-dimensional space; a medical data acquisition system configured for storing and outputting the sensor data from the first sensor device; and a processor configured for processing the sensor data from the medical data acquisition system, outputting a first signal representing the head orientation, and…

Head mountable device for measuring eye movement

Granted: February 19, 2019
Patent Number: 10206568
A head mountable device for measuring eye movement includes: a camera system comprising a first camera, wherein the camera system is configured to obtain a first set of images of a first eye of a user with a first frame rate and a first resolution; a processing unit configured to process the obtained first set of images and provide a processing unit output based on the first set of images; and an interface connected to the processing unit, for providing a device output based on the…

Audiologic test apparatus, system and related method

Granted: November 27, 2018
Patent Number: 10136843
An audiologic test apparatus includes: a processing unit; a tone generator connected to the processing unit; and a probe interface for connecting the audiologic test apparatus to a test probe; the tone generator configured to provide a first electrical signal representative of a first signal with a first primary frequency component at a first primary frequency; wherein the processing unit is configured to: obtain a first response signal, determine if a first insertion criterion is…

Headgear for observation of eye movements

Granted: November 20, 2018
Patent Number: 10130512
An apparatus for covering a left eye and a right eye of a human, includes: a first eye piece configured for covering a left eye of a human; and a second eye piece configured for covering a right eye of the human; wherein the first eye piece and the second eye piece are configured for preventing transmission of visible light; and wherein at least one of the first eye piece and the second eye piece comprises a region that is transparent for electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range…

Headgear for observation of eye movements

Granted: June 19, 2018
Patent Number: 9999347
An apparatus for covering eyes of a human includes: an eye piece configured for covering one of the eyes of the human; and an eye patch configured for covering the other one of the eyes of the human; wherein the eye piece and the eye patch are configured for preventing transmission of visible light; and wherein the eye piece comprises a region that is transparent for electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range outside a visible range.

Apparatus for testing directionality in hearing instruments

Granted: August 8, 2017
Patent Number: 9729975
An apparatus for testing a directional hearing instrument includes: a first microphone for coupling with an output of the hearing instrument, wherein the first microphone is configured to receive an audio output signal from the hearing instrument; a first speaker for transmission of a first signal having a first frequency component at a first frequency; a second speaker for transmission of a second signal having a second frequency component at a second frequency; and a processing unit…

Filter device and method of manufacturing a filter device

Granted: April 25, 2017
Patent Number: 9629575
A filter device for a hearing test probe and a method of manufacturing a filter device are disclosed. The filter device extends along a center axis in a first direction from a first end to a second end. The filter device comprising: a first part having a first filter structure, a second part having a second filter structure, a first channel extending along the center axis. The first part and second part are joined together, and the first filter structure and the second filter structure…

Simultaneous impedance testing method and apparatus

Granted: March 14, 2017
Patent Number: 9594104
A method and apparatus for determining the impedance of the plurality of channels comprising a plurality of channels having a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels, at least one reference channel, a signal generator electrically connected to the plurality of channels, a reference signal generator connected to the reference channel, at least one amplifier connected to each of the plurality of channels and the reference channel and at least one filter connected to…

Method and system for sleep stage determination

Granted: November 17, 2015
Patent Number: 9186083
A method and system for sleep stage determination is disclosed comprising: acquiring EEG data from two or more EEG electrodes of an electrode arrangement, wherein the EEG data is divided into one or more epochs; detecting graphoelements from the EEG data for each epoch using a graphoelement detector; calculating a differential entropy from the EEG data for each epoch in an entropy module; and assigning a sleep stage to each epoch based on the calculated differential entropy and the…

EEG seizure analysis

Granted: November 3, 2015
Patent Number: 9173610
Automated seizure detection from within an electroencephalogram (EEG) by instrumental means employs novel algorithms within software, using specific measurements of individual waves in trains, rather than any “bulk” process. The acquired signal is filtered, the wave shapes are individually described within a number of parallel runs using a variety of parameters, then criteria (including regularity criteria) are calculated and applied in order to create raw detection results. Finally…

System for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes

Granted: August 4, 2015
Patent Number: 9095268
The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and devices for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes. Certain embodiments relate to a system for sleep stage determination comprising a sensing unit and a processing unit. The sensing unit is positioned over a forehead area of a patient and has first, second and third electrodes for positioning at locations on or adjacent the forehead area for detecting electrical potentials of a human head. The processing unit…

Wireless physiological monitoring

Granted: August 12, 2014
Patent Number: 8805527
Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless physiological monitoring system. The system includes at least one wireless sensor and a monitoring device which are linked to one another of a wireless fashion for measuring physiological signals of a patient. The at least one wireless sensor is located on the patient and may comprise a wireless surface electrode assembly or a wireless needle assembly. The system may also comprise a wireless stimulator synchronized with the wireless…

Method for automatic non-cooperative frequency specific assessment of hearing impairment and fitting of hearing aids

Granted: October 2, 2012
Patent Number: 8277390
A method and device for automatically assessing loss of hearing sensitivity and compression (recruitment) with user defined frequency resolution by means of extrapolated DPOAE I/O functions and ABRs as well as for automatically fitting hearing aids without any cooperation of the subject tested using a device having a display screen attached to a handheld device generating and collecting otoacoustic emission signals and brain stem response signals into a programmed with a clinical…

Method, system and device for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes

Granted: August 14, 2012
Patent Number: 8244340
The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and devices for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes. Certain embodiments relate to a system for sleep stage determination comprising a sensing unit and a processing unit. The sensing unit is positioned over a forehead area of a patient and has first, second and third electrodes for positioning at locations on or adjacent the forehead area for detecting electrical potentials of a human head. The processing unit…