Method of preparing an otoplasty or adaptive earpiece individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal

Patent 5487012 Issued on January 23, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 12, 2014. 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.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Method of producing hearing aids
Patent #: 5056204
Issued on: 10/15/1991
Inventor: Bartschi

Method and apparatus for manipulating computer-based representations of objects of complex and unique geometry Patent #: 5121333
Issued on: 06/09/1992
Inventor: Riley, et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Topholm & Westermann ApS

Application

No. 322039 filed on 10/12/1994

US Classes:

700/163, 3-D sculpturing using nontracing prototype sensor345/420, Solid modelling700/118, Three-dimensional product forming700/182, Including CAD, CAM, or CIM technique715/700OPERATOR INTERFACE (E.G., GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE)

Examiners

Primary: Ruggiero, Joseph

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak & Seas

International Classes

G06F 019/00
G05B 019/409.7
G06T 017/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1990-12-21 DE

Abstract

A process for making otoplasty or adaptive ear pieces individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal and consists of the following steps: a) direct or indirect tracing is provided of the shape of the auditory canal and conversion of the values obtained into digital form; b) conversion of the digital representation of this shape into a multi-dimensional computer model of the outer shape of otoplasty or adaptive ear piece; c) selection of the various components/functions for the inside of the computer model with simultaneous establishment of the wall thickness and optimization of the positions of the components/functions for best possible operation and minimum bulk; d) computer controlled production of an otoplasty or adaptive ear piece from the data thus obtained from the optimized, three-dimensional computer representation of the otoplasty or adaptive ear piece.