公开(公告)号：US07905824B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-15

申请号：US11868842

申请日：2007-10-08

申请人： Robert Edwin Schneider ,  Scott Allan Miller, III ,  James Frank Kasic, II

发明人： Robert Edwin Schneider ,  Scott Allan Miller, III ,  James Frank Kasic, II

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

摘要翻译： 助听器换能器，其包括相对于换能器可前进的致动器以与中耳部件联接。 在本发明的一个方面，致动器是与换能器分离的结构，该结构可插入到限定在换能器的第一和第二端之间的孔中。 这允许致动器与中耳部件和换能器的单独连接，以改善换能器与中耳部件的联接，例如最小化中耳部件上的负荷。

公开(公告)号：US20090240099A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12395307

申请日：2009-02-27

申请人： Brian M. Conn

发明人： Brian M. Conn

IPC分类号： H04R25/00 ,  A61F11/04 ,  A61N1/36

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  A61N1/36036 ,  H04R25/606

摘要： An improved implantable hearing instrument and associated method utilize a transducer to mechanically stimulate a patient's cochlea (e.g. via the round window or oval window) in response to a first electrical drive signal, and a supply electrode to electrically stimulate the patient's cochlea in response to a second drive signal. The first and second drive signals may be provided to affect mechanical stimulation across a first predetermined frequency range and electrical stimulation across a second predetermined frequency range, respectively, wherein the predetermined frequency ranges are at least partially non-overlapping. In one embodiment an electromechanical transducer, having the supply member supportably interconnect thereto, may be selectively positioned via a mounting member fixedly interconnected to a patient's skull. The supply electrode may define a distal tip that is supportably interconnected to a vibratory member of the electromechanical transducer. In another embodiment, an implantable transducer may be employed that includes an external housing and an active transducer element located within an internal chamber of the external housing for receiving the first electrical signal. Further, the supply electrode may be one of electrically connected to and defined by at least an electrically-conductive portion of the external housing of the transducer.

摘要翻译： 改进的可植入式听力仪器和相关方法利用换能器来响应于第一电驱动信号机械地刺激患者的耳蜗（例如通过圆窗或椭圆窗），以及供应电极以响应于电刺激患者的耳蜗 第二驱动信号。 可以提供第一和第二驱动信号以分别影响穿过第一预定频率范围的机械刺激和跨越第二预定频率范围的电刺激，其中预定频率范围至少部分地不重叠。 在一个实施例中，具有与其可支撑地互连的供应构件的机电换能器可以经由固定地互连到患者头骨的安装构件来选择性地定位。 供电电极可以限定可靠地互连到机电换能器的振动构件的远侧末端。 在另一个实施例中，可以采用可植入的换能器，其包括位于外部壳体的内部腔室内的外部壳体和主动换能器元件，用于接收第一电信号。 此外，供电电极可以是与换能器的外壳的至少导电部分电连接并限定的电极。

公开(公告)号：US20090187065A1

公开(公告)日：2009-07-23

申请号：US12357183

申请日：2009-01-21

申请人： DAVID L. BASINGER

发明人： DAVID L. BASINGER

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/505 ,  A61N1/36032 ,  A61N1/36036 ,  G10L25/84 ,  H04R3/04 ,  H04R25/556 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： An implantable hearing instrument is provided that reduces the response to unnaturally high vibrations (e.g., due to a patient's own voice), without necessarily or substantially affecting the response to desired signals. The implantable hearing instrument system is operative to selectively alter/lower the gain of signals that have a magnitude above a predetermined threshold. Signals having unnaturally large amplitudes (e.g., due to a patient's own voice) are amplified less than desired signals, so that a patient may experience a more representative sound.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种植入式听力仪器，其减少对不自然的高振动的响应（例如，由于患者自己的声音），而不必或基本上影响对期望信号的响应。 可植入式听力仪器系统可操作以选择性地改变/降低具有高于预定阈值的量值的信号的增益。 具有非自然大振幅的信号（例如，由于患者自己的声音）被放大得比期望的信号少，使得患者可能经历更具代表性的声音。

公开(公告)号：US07556597B2

公开(公告)日：2009-07-07

申请号：US10982639

申请日：2004-11-05

申请人： Scott Allan Miller, III ,  Bernd Waldmann ,  David L. Basinger

发明人： Scott Allan Miller, III ,  Bernd Waldmann ,  David L. Basinger

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  H04R19/016 ,  H04R2225/67

摘要： The invention is directed to an implanted microphone having reduced sensitivity to vibration. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable vibration by utilizing at least one motion sensor to produce a motion signal when an implanted microphone is in motion. This motion signal is used to yield a microphone output signal that is less vibration sensitive. In a first arrangement, the motion signal may be processed with an output of the implantable microphone transducer to provide an audio signal that is less vibration-sensitive than the microphone output alone. In another arrangement, the motion signal may be utilized to actuate at least one actuator. Such an actuator may be capable of applying a force to move the implantable microphone or an implant capsule so as to reduce movement of a microphone diaphragm relative to the skin of a patient which covers the microphone diaphragm.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及具有降低的对振动的敏感性的植入式麦克风。 在这方面，麦克风通过利用至少一个运动传感器在植入的麦克风运动时产生运动信号来区分期望的和不期望的振动。 该运动信号用于产生较少振动敏感的麦克风输出信号。 在第一布置中，运动信号可以用可植入麦克风换能器的输出进行处理，以提供比单独的麦克风输出更少的振动敏感的音频信号。 在另一种布置中，运动信号可用于致动至少一个致动器。 这种致动器可以能够施加力以移动可植入麦克风或植入物囊，以便减少麦克风隔膜相对于覆盖麦克风隔膜的患者皮肤的运动。

公开(公告)号：US20080004486A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-03

申请号：US11763257

申请日：2007-06-14

申请人： Travis Andrews ,  James Kasic ,  William Simms ,  Jose Bedoya

发明人： Travis Andrews ,  James Kasic ,  William Simms ,  Jose Bedoya

IPC分类号： A61F11/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606 ,  A61F2002/183

摘要： Apparatus and methods are provided for maintaining a desired centered relationship between a vibratory actuator of an implantable hearing aid transducer and an auditory component post-implantation. In certain embodiments, at least two guide members may extend beyond a distal end of a vibratory actuator for positioning on opposing sides of an auditory component. The guide arms may be employed to restrict post-implantation auditory component movement, and additionally or alternatively, to apply a spring-loading force against an auditory component to reposition and thereby center such auditory component in the event of post-implantation auditory component movement. In certain embodiments, a distal end may be provided on a vibratory actuator, wherein the distal end has a plurality of differently-shaped concave surfaces. A selected one of the different concave surfaces may be positioned for contact engagement with an auditory component to optimize surface engagement. In one embodiment, a contact surface may be rotatably and pivotably disposed at the distal end of a vibratory actuator to facilitate positioning of the contact surface at an optimal orientation relative to an auditory component.

摘要翻译： 提供了设备和方法，用于在植入式助听换能器的振动致动器和植入后的听觉部件之间保持期望的中心关系。 在某些实施例中，至少两个引导构件可以延伸超过振动致动器的远端，以定位在听觉部件的相对侧上。 可以使用引导臂来限制植入后听觉部件移动，并且另外地或替代地，在植入后听觉部件移动的情况下，对听觉部件施加弹簧加载力以重新定位并由此使这种听觉部件居中。 在某些实施例中，远端可以设置在振动致动器上，其中远端具有多个不同形状的凹面。 可以将选定的一个不同的凹面定位成与听觉部件接触接合以优化表面​​接合。 在一个实施例中，接触表面可以可旋转地且可枢转地设置在振动致动器的远端处，以便于接触表面相对于听觉部件以最佳取向定位。

公开(公告)号：US07166069B2

公开(公告)日：2007-01-23

申请号：US10821719

申请日：2004-04-09

申请人： Robert Edwin Schneider ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Robert Edwin Schneider ,  Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H02K19/06 ,  H02K33/02

摘要： A variable reluctance motor is provided having a linear relationship between an input current and an output force. According to one aspect of the invention, the motor comprises a stator, an armature, and at least one magnetic member to provide a biasing force on the armature. According to this characterization, the motor also includes a drive coil to generate an electromagnetic field in response to a current input. The electromagnetic field, in turn, moves the armature relative to the stator during motor operation.

摘要翻译： 提供具有输入电流和输出力之间的线性关系的可变磁阻电动机。 根据本发明的一个方面，电动机包括定子，电枢和至少一个磁性构件，以在电枢上提供偏置力。 根据该特性，马达还包括驱动线圈，以响应于电流输入产生电磁场。 在电动机运行期间，电磁场又使电枢相对于定子移动。

公开(公告)号：US20110200222A1

公开(公告)日：2011-08-18

申请号：US13030821

申请日：2011-02-18

申请人： Scott Allan Miller, III ,  Robert Edwin Schneider

发明人： Scott Allan Miller, III ,  Robert Edwin Schneider

IPC分类号： H04R1/02

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： An implantable microphone is disclosed having an external diaphragm and housing that forming chamber capable of being pressurized by deformational movement of the diaphragm induced by pressure waves (e.g., acoustic signals) propagating through overlying tissue. The chamber is shaped such that the volume of the chamber upon deflection of the diaphragm is reduced compared to a static volume of the chamber (i.e., volume of the chamber with no diaphragm deflection). As a result, the change in pressure within the chamber for a given diaphragm displacement is greater than it would be within a chamber having a cylindrical volume, leading to greater microphone sensitivity. In one arrangement, the chamber is shaped such that it is deeper at its center than at its edges, for example, to form a conical or paraboloidal volume.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种可植入式麦克风，其具有外部隔膜和外壳，所述外部隔膜和外壳能够通过由通过覆盖的组织传播的压力波（例如声信号）引起的隔膜的变形运动而被加压。 腔体的形状使得当腔室的静态体积（即，没有膜片偏转的腔室的体积）时，隔膜偏转时室的体积减小。 结果，对于给定的隔膜位移，腔室内的压力变化大于具有圆柱体积的室内的压力变化，导致更大的麦克风灵敏度。 在一种布置中，室被成形为使得其在其中心处比在其边缘处更深，例如以形成圆锥形或抛物面体积。

公开(公告)号：US20100318167A1

公开(公告)日：2010-12-16

申请号：US12762540

申请日：2010-04-19

申请人： Brian M. Conn ,  James R. Easter ,  Farid Moumane ,  Michel Bruhwiler ,  Ira Spool ,  Melissa Rosen

发明人： Brian M. Conn ,  James R. Easter ,  Farid Moumane ,  Michel Bruhwiler ,  Ira Spool ,  Melissa Rosen

IPC分类号： A61N1/05

CPC分类号： A61N1/0541 ,  A61N1/0529 ,  Y10T29/49208

摘要： An implantable neurostimulation electrode array may include a flexible, electrically non-conductive carrier, and a plurality of electrodes supportably interconnected to and spaced along a length of a carrier. In various embodiments, different ones of at least some of the plurality of electrodes may comprise corresponding contact surfaces having different areas. The different surface areas may be achieved by defining a different area per unit length of the carrier and/or by defining a different total length (e.g. as measured along a length of the carrier). In some embodiments, insulator portions having different corresponding lengths may be disposed between different adjacent ones of the electrodes. The insulated portions may be integrally defined with the carrier. Electrical connection lines may be embedded within the carrier. In a manufacturing method, a plurality of electrodes may be supportably interconnected to a first side of a sacrificial substrate and a carrier may be interconnected to the electrodes. In turn, at least a portion of the substrate may be removed from the electrodes to yield at least a partially completed electrode array. The substrate may be configured into a predetermined configuration wherein the carrier material may be formed within an internal volume thereof to define at least a portion of the configuration of the carrier of the electrode array.

摘要翻译： 可植入神经刺激电极阵列可以包括柔性的非导电载体，以及多个电极，其可被支撑地互连到载体的长度上并沿其间隔开。 在各种实施例中，多个电极中的至少一些电极中的不同的电极可以包括具有不同区域的对应的接触表面。 可以通过限定载体的每单位长度的不同面积和/或通过限定不同的总长度（例如沿着载体的长度测量）来实现不同的表面积。 在一些实施例中，具有不同对应长度的绝缘体部分可以设置在不同的相邻电极之间。 绝缘部分可以与载体一体地限定。 电连接线可以嵌入在载体内。 在制造方法中，多个电极可以可支撑地互连到牺牲衬底的第一侧，并且载体可以互连到电极。 反过来，衬底的至少一部分可以从电极去除以产生至少部分完成的电极阵列。 衬底可以被配置成预定的构造，其中载体材料可以形成在其内部体积内以限定电极阵列的载体的构造的至少一部分。

公开(公告)号：US07722525B2

公开(公告)日：2010-05-25

申请号：US11753512

申请日：2007-05-24

申请人： Travis Rian Andrews

发明人： Travis Rian Andrews

IPC分类号： H04R25/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： An apparatus and method is provided for lateral contact loading of an implantable transducer relative to an auditory component. The apparatus may include a contact tip for directly contacting a lateral aspect of an auditory component, and a vibratory actuator adapted for axial displacement in response to the operation of an interconnected implantable hearing aid transducer. At least a portion of the vibratory actuator may be deflectable, wherein the contact tip is laterally displaceable upon lateral deflection of the vibratory actuator to apply a lateral loading force to an auditory component. In operation, the contact tip may be positioned to apply the lateral loading force upon initial placement and then automatically moved to maintain contact with the auditory component by virtue of deflection of the vibratory actuator, (e.g., responsive) post-implantation auditory component movement.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于相对于听觉部件的可植入换能器的侧向接触负载的装置和方法。 该装置可以包括用于直接接触听觉部件的侧面的接触尖端和响应于互连的可植入助听器换能器的操作而适于轴向位移的振动致动器。 所述振动致动器的至少一部分可以是可偏转的，其中所述接触尖端在所述振动致动器的横向偏转时可横向移位，以向听觉部件施加横向加载力。 在操作中，接触尖端可以定位成在初始放置时施加横向加载力，然后由于振动致动器的偏转（例如，响应的）植入后听觉部件运动而自动移动以保持与听觉部件的接触。

公开(公告)号：US20100076520A1

公开(公告)日：2010-03-25

申请号：US12565622

申请日：2009-09-23

申请人： Scott Allan Miller, III

发明人： Scott Allan Miller, III

IPC分类号： A61N1/00

CPC分类号： H04R25/606

摘要： An implantable device such as a microphone that may be subcutaneously positioned in surrounding soft tissue. The implantable device may include a hermetically-sealed housing and a diaphragm that forms a portion of an outside surface of the housing. The microphone has a density that is no more than 110% of a density of the surrounding soft tissue. In one arrangement, the device may move in at least substantial unison with the surrounding soft tissue in response to a pressure or compression wave propagating through the soft tissue and being received at the device. In another arrangement, the device may include a filler that may be operable to alter the density of the device.

摘要翻译： 可植入装置，例如麦克风，其可以皮下地定位在周围的软组织中。 可植入装置可以包括形成壳体的外表面的一部分的气密密封的外壳和隔膜。 麦克风具有不超过周围软组织密度的110％的密度。 在一种布置中，响应于通过软组织传播并在装置处接收的压力或压缩波，装置可以至少与周围的软组织基本一致地移动。 在另一种布置中，装置可以包括可以可操作地改变装置的密度的填料。