BODY-WORN WIRELESS TRANSDUCER MODULE

• US 20100272299A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3WIN N V.
• Original Assignee: 3WIN N V.
• Inventors: Van Schuylenbergh, Koenraad, Van Immerseel, Luc, Van Ruiten, Nicolaas
• Application Number:
  US12/734,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20100272299A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/67 Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders

Abstract

The present invention relates to an externally worn transducer module (1) for use with an implant (101), which module (1) comprises: —a transducer (5) for converting energy into electrical signals, —a wireless interface (19), configured to transfer data signals to and/or from the implant (101), and receive electrical power from the implant (101), —circuitry (8) operably connected to the transducer (5) and interface (19) configured to: —receive electrical power from the interface (19), —convert electrical signals generated by the transducer into data signals responsive to the electrical signals, and —provide data signals to the interface (19), and —housing (2) that forms a protective body of the module (1), which housing (1) is configured for external attachment to the body of the wearer. It particularly relates to a microphone module for use with a hearing aid implant. It also relates to a kit comprising the module and optionally comprising the implant, and tools for user insertion and maintenance.

Claims

1-57. -57. (canceled)

58. An externally worn transducer module (1) for use with an implant (101), which module (1) comprises:

a transducer (5) for converting energy into electrical signals,

a wireless interface (19), configured to transfer data signals to and/or from the implant (101), and receive electrical power from the implant (101),

circuitry (8) operably connected to the transducer (5) and interface (19) configured to;

receive electrical power from the interface (19),

convert electrical signals generated by the transducer into data signals responsive to the electrical signals, and

provide data signals to the interface (19), and

a housing (2) having a longitudinal axis (25) that forms a protective body of the module (1), which housing (1) is configured for external attachment to the body of the wearer.

59. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the wireless interface (19) comprises at least one coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) for inductive coupling with the implant (101) orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

60. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

61. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

62. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the transducer is a microphone transducer (5), and the implant is a hearing implant (101).

63. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the housing (1) is configured for insertion into the outer ear canal (12).

64. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the housing (1) is configured for attachment to the pinna (10).

65. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) comprises a rectifier configured to convert AC voltage received by the wireless interface (19) to DC voltage, to provide said electrical power.

66. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) is configured to modulate the electric power consumption of the circuitry (8) responsive to the data signals, thereby transferring data signals via the interface (19) to the implant (101).

67. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) is configured to modulate the tuning frequency of the interface (19) responsive to the data signals, thereby transferring data signals via the interface (19) to the implant (101).

68. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) is further configured to detect variations in voltage of electrical power received by the interface (19) from the implant (101), which variations correspond to data signals sent by the implant (101).

69. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) is further configured to detect variations in frequency of electrical power received by the interface (19) from the implant (101), which variations correspond to data signals sent by the implant (101).

70. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein the circuitry (8) is further configured to detect variations in phase of electrical power received by the interface (19) from the implant (101), which variations correspond to data signals sent by the implant (101).

71. The module (1) of claim 58, whereby the data signals are amplitude modulated signals, frequency modulated signals, phase modulated signals, pulse width modulated signals, pulse sequences, pulse sequences with an SPL (sound pressure level)-depending frequency, pulse sequences with an SPL-depending pulse width, pulse sequences with an SPL-depending pulse phase, or a digitally encoded pulse sequences.

72. The module (1) of claim 62, whereby the circuitry (8) is configured to process the audio signal generated by the microphone transducer (5) prior to conversion into data signals.

73. The module (1) of claim 72, wherein said processing is dynamic compression or expansion.

74. The module (1) of claim 62, whereby the circuitry is configured to filter the audio signal generated by the microphone transducer (5) prior to conversion into data signals.

75. The module (1) of claim 74, whereby said filtering is low-pass, high-pass, or band-pass filtering.

76. The module (1) of claim 62, whereby the circuitry is configured to process the audio signal generated by the microphone transducer (5) to provide noise cancellation, frequency shifts, or suppression of Larsen feedback prior to conversion into data signals.

77. The module (1) of claim 58, further comprising a telecoil, operably connected to the circuitry (8).

78. The module (1) of claim 58, further comprising a light sensor, preferably an infrared sensor, operably connected to the circuitry (8).

79. The module (1) of claim 58, further comprising a radio receiver operably connected to the circuitry (8).

80. The module (1) of claim 62, where the housing comprises a sound port (4) configured to channel sound energy to the microphone transducer (5).

81. The module (1) of claim 80, where the sound port (4) comprises a means to receive a protective membrane.

82. The module (1) of claim 80, where the sound port (4) is covered by a protective membrane.

83. The module (1) of claim 81, wherein said protective membrane is replaceable.

84. The module (1) of claim 81, wherein said protective membrane is liquid impermeable, and gas or vapour permeable.

85. The module (1) of claim 81, wherein said protective membrane comprises Gore-tex.

86. The module (1) of claim 81, wherein said protective membrane comprises Gore-Tex XCR, event breathable fabric or Entrant breathable fabric.

87. The module (1) of claim 58, further comprising a withdrawal cord or pin.

88. The module (1) of claim 58, wherein at least part of the outer surface of the housing (2) is radially extended with one or more buffering structures (3, 3′

), configured to bridge a gap between the inner wall of the outer ear canal (12) and the outer surface of the housing (2) in situ.

89. The module (1) of claim 88, wherein a buffering structure (3, 3′

) is an annular ring, attached to the housing (2) towards a tympanic membrane end (7), and circumferentially extending outwards and backwards towards of the pinna end (6) of the housing (2), so creating a conical flap.

90. The module (1) of claim 89, wherein the extremity (28) of the buffering structure (3, 3′

) describes a circle.

91. The module (1) of claim 89, wherein the extremity (28) of the buffering structure (3, 3′

) describes an oval.

92. The module (1) of claim 88, wherein a buffering structure (3, 3′

) is provided with one or more perforations (20) configured to allow the passage of sound waves therethrough.

93. The module (1) of claim 88, wherein a buffering structure (3, 3′

) is provided with one or more notches (18) disposed towards the extremity (28) of the buffering structure (3, 3′

).

94. The module (1) of claim 88, wherein the number of buffering structures (3, 3′

) is between 1 and 4.

95. The module (1) of claim 88, wherein the buffering structure (3, 3′

), is made of medical-grade silicone or rubber.

96. A kit comprising the transducer module (1) of claim 58.

97. The kit of claim 96, wherein the transducer is a microphone module.

98. The kit of claim 96, further comprising an implant having a control unit (15), and adapted to transfer data signals to and/or from the module (1), and to provide electrical power to the module (1) via an implant wireless interface (16) comprising at least one induction coil (30, 41, 42), which implant wireless interface (16) is operably connected to the control unit (15).

99. The kit of claim 98, wherein the implant wireless interface (16) comprises at least two induction coils (41, 42—

FIGS. 12-13B) configured for implanting such that their respective axes of winding are essentially orthogonal to each other when the induction coil (36—

FIG. 11) of the module (1); and

wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

100. The kit of claim 99, wherein the at least two induction coils (41, 42) are configured to generate a rotating field at the implant interface (16).

101. The kit of claim 98, wherein the implant wireless interface (16), comprises at least one induction coil (30) configured for implanting such that its axis of winding is essentially in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis (25) of the module (1);

wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

102. The kit of claim 96, further comprising one or more replaceable protective membranes suitable for attachment to a sound port (4) of the module (1).

103. The kit of claim 102, where said protective membrane is replaceable;

liquid impermeable and gas or vapour permeable; and

/or comprises Gore-tex.

104. The kit of claim 103, wherein said replaceable protective membrane is a C-barrier.

105. The kit of claim 96, further comprising a protective membrane placement tool configured to allow attachment and/or removal a replaceable protective membrane from the module (1).

106. The kit of claim 96, further comprising a microphone module (1) placement tool, configured to allow a user to insert and/or remove the microphone module (1) from the outer ear canal (12).

107. An implant having a control unit (15), and adapted to transfer data signals to and/or from a module (1) of claim 58, and to provide electrical power to the module (1) via an implant wireless interface (16) comprising at least one induction coil (30, 41, 42), which implant wireless interface (16) implant wireless is operably connected to the control unit (15).

108. The implant of claim 107, wherein the implant wireless interface (16) comprises at least two induction coils (41, 42—

FIGS. 12-13B) configured for implanting such that their axis of winding are essentially orthogonal to each other; and

wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).

109. The implant of claim 108, wherein the at least two induction coils (41, 42) are configured to generate a rotating field at the implant interface (16).

110. The implant of claim 107, wherein the induction coil (30) is configured for implanting such that its axis of winding is essentially in parallel alignment parallel with the longitudinal axis (25) of the module (1);

wherein the wireless interface (19) coil (31, 36—

FIGS. 10, 11) is orientated such that the axis of winding of the coil is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (25) of the housing (2).