THOMAS J BALKANY, MD
Medical Practice at 14 St, Miami, FL

6754537, Jun 22, 2004

Nov 13, 2001

09/979804

William Vanbrooks Harrison - Valencia CA
Janusz A. Kuzma - Parker CO
Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
Thomas J. Balkany - Coral Gables FL

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

A61N 118

607 57

A hybrid cochlear implant hearing aid sytem ( ) 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 located at the basal end of the cochlea. A short basal electrode ( ) that extends into the cochlea only at the basal region allows direct stimulation of these neurons by an appropriately-controlled cochlear stimulator ( ). The basal electrode array typically has from four to eight electrode contacts ( ). The design of the electrode array allows the surgeon to place the array using minimally invasive surgical techniques and requires no cochleostomy. The electrode array is thin, and can typically be inserted directly through the round window membrane to make contact with, or to be positioned in close proximity to, the modiolus wall in the basal region of the cochlea. The hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator and hearing aid system relies primarily on the cochlear stimulator portion of the system for being able to sense high frequency sounds, and relies primarily on normal hearing processes, or other acoustic boosting devices and systems, for being able to sense lower frequency sounds.

6889094, May 3, 2005

May 12, 2000

09/979800

Janusz A. Kuzma - Parker CO, US
William Vanbrooks Harrison - Valencia CA, US
Thomas J. Balkany - Coral Gables FL, US

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Slymar CA

A61N001/05

607137

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 () comprises a skinny, elongate carrier () of from 6-8 mm in length. Four to eight spaced-apart electrode contacts () reside along one of the flat sides of the carrier, each of which is connected to a respective wire () embedded within the carrier. The wires exit a proximal end of the carrier via a wire bundle. The wire bundle, in turn, is connectable to an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) or equivalent pulse generator. The electrode array () is inserted into the relatively straight portion of the basal end of the scala tympani duct of the cochlea through a small slit () made in the round window membrane that separates the cochlea from the middle ear. The slit is oriented so as to place the electrode contacts facing the modiolar wall (). The proximal end of the carrier may include flexible flaps () or tines that maintain the electrode array in its desired position within the basal end of the cochlea.

7050858, May 23, 2006

Apr 3, 2002

10/116464

Janusz A. Kuzma - Parker CO, US
Thomas J. Balkany - Coral Gables FL, US

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

A61N 1/00

607137, 606129

An insertion tool uses a stylet wire to help guide an electrode system into a cochlea. The insertion tool includes three main elements or parts: a handle, a guide and a slider. The handle is made from light stainless steel tube flattened in front with a machined slot. The guide consists of a plurality of metal tubes, fixed to each other within a holding bracket. In one embodiment, the slider includes a stabilizer wire, a long stylet wire, and a short stylet wire. During the assembly process, the stabilizer and stylet wires are inserted into respective tubes of the guide and the end of the stabilizer wire is bent to form an offset. The electrode system is loaded onto the tool by inserting the short stylet wire into a holder that supports the electrode lead.

7949412, May 24, 2011

Jun 1, 2006

11/421742

William Vanbrooks Harrison - Valencia CA, US
Michael S Colvin - Newbury Park CA, US
Janusz A Kuzma - Parker CO, US
Thomas J Balkany - Coral Gables FL, US

Advanced Bionics, LLC - Valencia CA

A61N 1/372

607137, 607116, 607117, 607136

Implantable electrode leads, e. g. cochlear, spinal cord stimulation, or any type of neurostimulation leads, used in a patient's body to stimulate muscle or nerve tissue, provide enhanced stimulation for treating, e. g. , hearing loss or chronic pain. One such lead includes, an implantable electrode array, adapted for insertion into a cochlea, which lead provides improved stability of electrode contact direction. In-line electrodes are spaced-apart along one side of a flexible carrier having non-conductive bumps coated with a bioresorbable material spaced apart between each electrode contact. Over time the bioresorbable material is absorbed thereby reducing chronic placement pressure caused during the insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea. The bioresorbable material may also serve as a carrier for drugs or other materials that would improve performance of the electrode for any type of lead.

2003012, Jul 3, 2003

Apr 3, 2002

10/116449

Janusz Kuzma - Parker CO, US
Thomas Balkany - Coral Gables FL, US

A61N001/05

607/116000

A disconnection system () for use with a cochlear electrode () and positioner () includes a cuff or band () that is placed and secured, e.g., glued, to the electrode carrier near its distal tip (). A distal tip () of the positioner (), or in one embodiment a flat strip () protruding from the distal tip, is readily slid into the cuff, so as to be engaged thereby. Forward longitudinal (pushing) forces exerted on the positioner during the insertion process maintain the distal tip of the positioner securely engaged by the cuff. Should it subsequently become necessary to remove the positioner (), then a gentle rearward longitudinal (pulling) force may be readily applied to the positioner, causing the distal tip () of the positioner () to pull away from the cuff (), thereby disconnecting the positioner () from the electrode ().

2004023, Nov 18, 2004

Jun 21, 2004

10/872737

William Harrison - Valencia CA, US
Janusz Kuzma - Parker CO, US
Alfred Mann - Beverly Hills CA, US
Thomas Balkany - Coral Gables FL, US

A61N001/18

607/057000

A hybrid cochlear implant hearing aid system 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 located at the basal end of the cochlea. A short basal electrode that extends into the cochlea only at the basal region allows direct stimulation of these neurons by an appropriately-controlled cochlear stimulator. The basal electrode array typically has from four to eight electrode contacts. The hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator and hearing aid system relies primarily on the cochlear stimulator portion of the system for being able to sense high frequency sounds, and relies primarily on normal hearing processes, or other acoustic boosting devices and systems, for being able to sense lower frequency sounds.

6208882, Mar 27, 2001

Jun 1, 1999

9/323594

Thomas H. R. Lenarz - Hannover, DE
Thomas J. Balkany - Coral Gables FL
Janusz A. Kuzma - Englewood CO

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

A61B5/04

600379

A stapedius electrode attaches to or is embedded within the stapedius muscle (20) at a point near where the stapedius muscle is visible as it exits a bony channel (30) within the middle ear. In one embodiment, the electrode is made from a biocompatible metal wire formed into a flat blade (102) having a sharp tip (104) and serrations (103) along one edge. An insulated lead attaches electrically and mechanically to the blade. Such attachment may be made by welding and wrapping the insulated lead at one end of the wire around the body of the electrode and protecting such weld and securing such wrappings with a coating or blob of epoxy. During implantation of the electrode, the electrode blade is inserted through a small slot made in the muscle tissue. Alternatively, the electrode may be inserted alongside the muscle tissue through an opening in the bony wall as it passes through the bony channel, with a tip of the electrode protruding from the bony channel. The protruding tip is then bent over to lie against the bony wall, and hold the electrode in place.