Implantable hearing aid coupler device
Patent 5085628 Issued on February 4, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 12, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 12, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsApplicationNo. 420292 filed on 10/12/1989US Classes:600/25, SURGICALLY IMPLANTED VIBRATORY HEARING AID381/337Having acoustic wave modifying structureExaminersPrimary: Kamm, William E.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassH04R 025/00AbstractThe acoustical coupler has a closed-bottom containment with compliant diaphragm attached to the containment periphery to form an acoustic chamber. A length of tubing is connected through the side or bottom or the containment of the chamber for conveying sound pressure between the chamber and an electroacoustic transducer connected at the other end of the tubing. The transducer may be either a microphone or a hearing aid receiver. The electroacoustic transducer, being too large for direct placement within the middle ear cavity may be located elsewhere in the skull, such as behind the ear adjacent to the surface of the skin. When connected to a microphone, the coupler may be placed within the middle ear cavity behind the tympanic membrane and may be attached to the malleus with a wire hook secured to the coupler diaphragm. When attached to a vibration sending unit the coupler may transfer the generated vibration directly to the incus end of the stapes. In one embodiment, this transfer is effected by means of a hollow tube having a generally hollow member therein and containing a quantity of low loss material. The member defines one end connected to the vibration sending unit and a second end connected directly to the stapes.Other References
Field of SearchSURGICALLY IMPLANTED VIBRATORY HEARING AIDWith impedance matching means Magnetostrictive Moving coil Body contact wave transfer (e.g., bone conduction earphone, larynx microphone) Micromagnetic Dynamic (e.g., magnetic) Combined with resonant structure Acoustic wave type generator or receiver Combined with damping structure With mechanical energy coupling means Acoustic wave type generator or receiver | |
