Microphone optimized for implant use
First Claim
1. A implantable microphone, comprising:
- a plurality of diaphragms operative to transcutaneously receive acoustic signals and output of a corresponding plurality of acoustic signals; and
at least one electroacoustic transducer operative to receive said plurality of acoustic signals and generate an audio output signal in response thereto, said audio output signal being operative to actuate an actuator of a hearing instrument.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable microphone for use with an implantable hearing instrument that has a reduced vibration sensitivity in comparison with its acoustic sensitivity. The microphone utilizes a plurality of small diaphragms as opposed to a single large diaphragm in order to reduce vibration sensitivity caused by mass loading of the diaphragms by overlying skin and tissue. The acoustic outputs of the plurality of small diaphragms are summed (e.g., acoustically or electronically), which allows the microphone to maintain adequate acoustic sensitivity for hearing augmentation purposes while having a reduced vibration sensitivity. In one aspect, the plurality of diaphragms is formed from a single membrane and a multi-apertured support structure in contact with the membrane. Each aperture in combination with the membrane defines a single diaphragm.
53 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A implantable microphone, comprising:
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a plurality of diaphragms operative to transcutaneously receive acoustic signals and output of a corresponding plurality of acoustic signals; and
at least one electroacoustic transducer operative to receive said plurality of acoustic signals and generate an audio output signal in response thereto, said audio output signal being operative to actuate an actuator of a hearing instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An implantable microphone, comprising:
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a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto;
a structure sealably positioned across said aperture, wherein said structure further includes a plurality of diaphragms operative to transcutaeously receive acoustic signals and output a corresponding plurality of acoustic signals into said chamber;
an electroacoustic transducer operatively interconnected to said chamber for receiving said plurality of acoustic signals and generating an audio output signal, said audio output signal being operative to actuate an actuator of a hearing instrument. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An implantable microphone comprising:
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a structure having a curved portion with at least two apertures extending through said curved portion;
a membrane disposed over an outside surface of said curved portion of said structure, wherein each said aperture and said membrane collectively define a diaphragm;
at least one electroacoustic transducer operative to receive acoustic signals from at least one said diaphragm and generate an audio output signal in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for use in an implantable hearing instrument, comprising the steps of:
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receiving first and second acoustic signals from first and second implanted microphone diaphragms, respectively;
summing outputs associated with said first and second diaphragms that are indicative of said first and second acoustic signals, respectively, to generate a composite output signal; and
using said composite output signal, generating a stimulation signal for stimulating an auditory component of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An implantable hearing instrument, comprising:
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a microphone, including;
a plurality of diaphragms operative to transcutaneously receive acoustic signals and output of a corresponding plurality of acoustic signals; and
at least one electro-acoustic transducer operative to receive said plurality of acoustic signals and generate an audio output signal in response thereto;
an actuator operative to receive said audio output signal and generate a stimulation signal for stimulating an auditory component of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification