公开(公告)号：US06293903B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-25

申请号：US09583202

申请日：2000-05-30

申请人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  William Howard Slattery, III

发明人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  William Howard Slattery, III

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： An improved apparatus and method is provided for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull. The apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting a hearing aid device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in differing directions. A plurality of apertures are defined through each of the plurality of mounting legs, wherein an attachment device may be selectively inserted through each of one or more of the apertures for attachment of the apparatus to a patients skull. At least two of the apertures provided in each of the mounting legs may be disposed in a radially offset fashion relative to the support member and/or at different lateral distances relative to the support member. The provision of multiple mounting legs and apertures for interconnection provide enhanced mounting position flexibility, stability and overall ease of installation advantages.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种改进的装置和方法，用于将可植入助听器装置可支撑地安装到患者的头骨上。 该装置包括适于支撑助听装置的支撑构件和从支撑构件沿不同方向横向延伸的多个安装腿。 通过多个安装腿中的每一个限定多个孔，其中附接装置可以选择性地插入穿过一个或多个孔中的每一个，用于将装置附接到患者头骨。 设置在每个安装腿中的至少两个孔可以相对于支撑构件以径向偏移的方式和/或相对于支撑构件以不同的横向距离设置。 提供用于互连的多个安装腿和孔提供增强的安装位置灵活性，稳定性和整体易于安装的优点。

公开(公告)号：US06491622B1

公开(公告)日：2002-12-10

申请号：US09583299

申请日：2000-05-30

申请人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  Jose H. Bedoya

发明人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  Jose H. Bedoya

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： A61B17/3403 ,  A61B90/11 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for supportably positioning an implantable hearing aid actuator within a patient's skull. The improved apparatus includes a carry device for carrying an implantable hearing aid actuator at a first end, a swivel device for pivotably supporting the carrier device, and a mounting device for mounting the apparatus to a patient's skull. To facilitate installation, a swivel device may be provided in a unitary manner so as to provide for selective placement and securement as a single unit to the mounting device. To yield enhanced depth positioning, the carrier device may be selectively advancable relative to the swivel device, and the carrier device may comprise two or more members interconnected for selective advancement of one relative to other. In the later regard, the carrier device may include at least a first member which telescopes coaxially relative to a second member.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种用于将可植入助听器致动器可支撑地定位在患者颅骨内的装置和方法。 改进的装置包括用于在第一端处承载可植入助听器致动器的携带装置，用于可枢转地支撑载体装置的旋转装置，以及用于将装置安装到患者头骨上的安装装置。 为了便于安装，可以以一体的方式设置旋转装置，以便提供作为安装装置的单个单元的选择性放置和固定。 为了产生增强的深度定位，载体装置可以相对于旋转装置选择性地增加，并且载体装置可以包括两个或更多个构件，其互连用于相对于另一个的选择性前进。 在后面的观点中，载体装置可以包括至少第一构件，其相对于第二构件同轴地望远镜。

公开(公告)号：US06537201B1

公开(公告)日：2003-03-25

申请号：US09991397

申请日：2001-11-20

申请人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  José H. Bedoya ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  James Roy Easter

发明人： James Frank Kasic, II ,  José H. Bedoya ,  Douglas Alan Miller ,  James Roy Easter

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： A61L27/30 ,  A61L2430/14 ,  A61N1/375

摘要： An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g., via a removal fluid).

摘要翻译： 公开了一种改进的可植入助听器装置及其制造方法。 本发明的装置和方法利用电沉积技术来产生植入组分的增强的密封。 在一个实施例中，本发明的装置包括至少第一和第二可植入助听器部件壳体构件，其具有与壳体构件的相邻部分重叠的至少一个电沉积层，以在其间提供气密密封。 在另一个实施例中，本发明的装置包括通过具有多个电沉积层的电沉积形成的可植入助听器部件壳体部件，其中至少两个相邻的层包括不同的材料（例如以产生增强的功能特征）。 作为主要示例，任何可植入的中耳致动器的中空波纹管可以经由成形心轴上的多个层的顺序电沉积形成，然后可以选择性地去除（例如通过去除流体）。

公开(公告)号：US06620094B2

公开(公告)日：2003-09-16

申请号：US09991735

申请日：2001-11-21

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R25/43 ,  H04R5/04 ,  H04R25/554 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： An interface system for semi-implantable and fully implantable hearing aid devices that provides direct delivery of audio input from external wireline and wireless sources to the speech processor of the hearing aid. The speech processor of the hearing aid processes the audio inputs to produce a processed signal for a transducer portion of the hearing aid that is implanted in a hearing impaired individual. In a semi-implantable hearing aid, the interface system could be included in the external portion of the hearing aid or be included in an audio input device that replaces the external portion of the hearing aid when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired. In a fully implantable hearing aid, an audio input device including the interface system is provided for use when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired.

公开(公告)号：US07447319B2

公开(公告)日：2008-11-04

申请号：US11404506

申请日：2006-04-13

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： H04R29/00 ,  H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/70 ,  H04R25/30 ,  H04R25/505 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the measurement device may comprise a pair of coils for measuring the magnetic field generated by an implanted actuator utilized to simulate the middle ear of a patient. The magnetic field strength is directly related to the amount of current passing through the actuator. In turn, such current is inversely related to the electrical impedance present at the implanted actuator. Such electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the implanted actuator and middle ear of a patient. As such, by driving an implanted actuator at one or more predetermined frequencies the resultant magnetic field measures may be utilized to assess whether the implanted actuator is operative and whether a desired interface between the actuator and the middle ear of patient (e.g. the ossicular chain) is present.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种非侵入性的方法和系统，用于评估半植入式或全植入式助听器系统的植入式致动器的性能。 本发明利用外部定位的测量装置来获得当由预定特性的测试信号驱动时通过植入的致动器的电信号的测试测量。 在一个实施例中，测量装置可以包括一对线圈，用于测量由用于模拟患者的中耳的植入致动器产生的磁场。 磁场强度与通过致动器的电流量直接相关。 反过来，这种电流与存在于植入致动器处的电阻抗成反比。 这种电阻抗与存在于植入的致动器和患者的中耳之间的界面处的机械阻抗直接相关。 因此，通过以一个或多个预定频率驱动植入的致动器，可以使用所得的磁场测量来评估植入的致动器是否可操作以及致动器和患者的中耳之间的期望接口（例如，小耳链） 存在。

公开(公告)号：US07197152B2

公开(公告)日：2007-03-27

申请号：US10082988

申请日：2002-02-26

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/453

摘要： A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.

摘要翻译： 一种用于补偿麦克风频率响应变化引起的系统和方法，该因素是由于干扰麦克风中声音接收的因素引起的。 该系统至少包括麦克风和信号处理器。 信号处理器可操作以处理来自麦克风的至少一个反馈频率响应以产生至少一个测试参数。 信号处理器使用至少一个测试参数来确定麦克风的至少一个操作特性。 响应于声反馈，麦克风产生反馈频率响应。 响应于提供给换能器的至少一个测试信号，通过致动换能器来产生声反馈。 信号处理器使用至少一个测试参数来处理来自麦克风的声频响应，以补偿麦克风的声频响应的变化。

公开(公告)号：US06879693B2

公开(公告)日：2005-04-12

申请号：US10083024

申请日：2002-02-26

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： H04R25/00 ,  A61B5/05 ,  A61B5/12 ,  A61N1/08 ,  H02N2/02

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  H04R25/30 ,  H04R25/505 ,  H04R25/70 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient. As such, by driving the actuator at one or more predetermined frequencies the resultant voltage and current measurements may be utilized to assess whether the implanted transducer is operative and whether a desired interface between the transducer and the middle ear of patient (e.g. the ossicular chain) is present.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种非侵入性的方法和系统，用于评估半植入式或全植入式助听器系统的植入式致动器的性能。 本发明利用外部定位的测试测量装置来获得当由预定特性的测试信号驱动时植入的致动器的电阻抗的测量。 在一个实施例中，测试测量装置可以包括用于产生用于致动器的测试信号的信号发生器，用于从电压和电流测量计算电阻抗的信号处理单元，以及提供可用于评估的输出的用户界面 执行器的性能。 电阻抗可根据通过执行机构的信号的电压和电流进行计算。 电阻抗与存在于患者的致动器和中耳之间的界面处的机械阻抗直接相关。 因此，通过以一个或多个预定频率驱动致动器，可以利用所得到的电压和电流测量来评估植入的换能器是否可操作，以及换能器和患者的中耳之间的期望接口（例如，小梁链） 存在。

公开(公告)号：US06712754B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-30

申请号：US10083181

申请日：2002-02-26

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R25/70 ,  H04R25/30 ,  H04R25/505 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

摘要翻译： 提供了非侵入式方法和系统，用于相对于患者的听觉系统的部件定位半或完全可植入助听器的可植入致动器。 该系统包括固定构件，伸缩构件和驱动器。 固定构件连接到用于将定位系统安装到患者头骨的安装装置。 伸缩构件连接到固定构件和可植入致动器，并且可相对于固定构件移动，以将可植入致动器与听觉系统的构件相接合。 驾驶员响应于电气输入来控制伸缩构件相对于固定构件的移动。 在本发明的一个实施例中，相对于患者在外部定位的用户设备向驾驶员提供电输入。 电输入可以由用户设备使用无线信号或通过电感耦合到驱动器的输入来提供给驾驶员。

公开(公告)号：US06707920B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-16

申请号：US09734964

申请日：2000-12-12

申请人： Douglas Alan Miller

发明人： Douglas Alan Miller

IPC分类号： H04R2500

CPC分类号： H04R1/222 ,  H04R1/2807 ,  H04R25/48 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： An improved implantable hearing aid microphone comprises a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto and a first diaphragm sealably positioned across the aperture. A microphone having a second diaphragm is positioned within the chamber to define an enclosed volume between the first and second diaphragms for mechanically amplifying acoustic signals received by the first diaphragm. A peripheral rim may define the aperture of the housing, wherein the first diaphragm may be recessed between about 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm relative to the peripheral rim across the lateral extent of the first diaphragm. The internal chamber may be defined to include a first portion having a first cross-sectional area adjacent to the first diaphragm, and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area adjacent to the second diaphragm that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second portion may be disposed to extend away from the first portion about an axis that is transverse to the first diaphragm. In turn, the first diaphragm may be provided to have an effective cross-sectional area that is at least about 100 times greater than the effective cross-sectional area of the second diaphragm. In one arrangement, the second internal chamber portion may be of an L-shaped configuration with a first leg being coaxially aligned with a center axis of the first diaphragm and a second leg disposed substantially perpendicular thereto with the second diaphragm disposed therein. The first diaphragm may comprise a biocompatible material, such titanium or a titanium alloy. The first diaphragm may be provided to have a cross-width of between about 8 to 15 millimeters and a thickness of between about 10 and 20 microns.

摘要翻译： 一种改进的可植入助听器麦克风包括一个壳体，该壳体具有一个带孔的内部腔室和一个能够密封地定位在该孔径上的第一隔膜。 具有第二隔膜的麦克风位于腔室内以限定第一和第二隔膜之间的封闭容积，用于机械放大由第一隔膜接收的声信号。 外围边缘可以限定壳体的孔，其中第一隔膜可以相对于围绕第一隔膜的横向范围的周边边缘凹陷在约0.5mm和1.0mm之间。 内室可以被限定为包括具有与第一隔膜相邻的第一横截面积的第一部分，以及具有与第二隔膜相邻的第二横截面积的第二部分，该第二横截面面积小于第一横截面积 。 第二部分可以设置成围绕横向于第一隔膜的轴线延伸离开第一部分。 反过来，第一隔膜可以设置成具有比第二隔膜的有效横截面积大至少约100倍的有效横截面面积。 在一种布置中，第二内室部分可以是L形构造，其中第一腿部与第一隔膜的中心轴同轴对准，第二腿部基本上垂直于第二腿部，第二隔膜设置在第二腿部中。 第一隔膜可以包括生物相容性材料，例如钛或钛合金。 第一隔膜可以设置成具有约8至15毫米之间的横宽和约10至20微米之间的厚度。