At least partially implantable hearing system
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Accused Products
Abstract
An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising at least one electromechanical output transducer; a micromanipulator for positioning the transducer and for fixing the transducer in a position set by the micromanipulator, the micromanipulator being adapted to be fixedly attached by fixing means to a skull cap; and a releasable coupling unit disposed between the transducer and the micromanipulator, said coupling unit, in an assembled state, fixing the transducer with respect to the micromanipulator, and, in a released state, permitting removal of the transducer from the micromanipulator.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising:
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an electromechanical transducer;
a micromanipulator configured to position said transducer; and
a coupling unit configured to securely couple said transducer to said micromanipulator comprising;
a first coupling element, connected to said micromanipulator, configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture;
a second coupling element connected to said transducer; and
a locking mechanism configured to mechanically lock said second coupling element to said first coupling element when said second coupling element extends at least partially through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of implanting at least one electromechanical transducer in a recipient, said transducer having a second coupling element attached thereto, the method comprising:
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attaching a micromanipulator to a cranial vault of the recipient, said micromanipulator having attached thereto a first coupling element configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture;
opening said second coupling element;
at least partially inserting said first coupling element into said open second coupling element;
closing said second coupling element; and
mechanically locking said first coupling element to said second coupling element when said first coupling element at least partially extends through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising:
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means for providing electromechanical stimulation to a recipient;
means for positioning said stimulation means; and
a coupling means for securely coupling said stimulation means to said positioning means, comprising;
a first coupling means connected to said positioning means, configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture;
a second coupling means connected to said stimulation means; and
means for mechanically locking said second coupling means to said first coupling means when said second coupling means extends at least partially through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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Specification