Optically Coupled Active Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis
First Claim
1. An active ossicular replacement device, the device comprising:
- a first end configured to connect with at least one of an eardrum or a malleus of the ear;
a second end configured to connect with a stapes of the ear, the first end opposite the second end; and
at least one transducer configured to vibrate at least the second end in response to electromagnetic energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An active ossicular replacement device is configured to couple the malleus to the stapes, and conduct sound through the vibratory structures of the ear in response to the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic energy may comprise light so as to decrease interference from sources of noise external to the user. The prosthetic device may comprise an assembly that can be implanted in the middle ear in a manner that simplifies surgery. The assembly may comprise a narrow cross-sectional profile such that the assembly can be positioned in the middle ear through an incision in the eardrum, for example without cutting bone that defines the shape of the ear canal or the shape of the middle ear. The prosthetic device can be sized to the user based on a measurement of the ear.
128 Citations
51 Claims
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1. An active ossicular replacement device, the device comprising:
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a first end configured to connect with at least one of an eardrum or a malleus of the ear; a second end configured to connect with a stapes of the ear, the first end opposite the second end; and at least one transducer configured to vibrate at least the second end in response to electromagnetic energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An active ossicular replacement device to transmit a sound to a user, the device comprising:
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at least one photodetector configured to receive a light signal; a first component configured to connect with at least one of an eardrum or a malleus of the ear, the first component comprising a first end configure to orient toward the eardrum; a second component configured to connect with a stapes of the ear, the second component comprising a second end configured to orient toward the stapes opposite the first end, the first end separated from the second end by a distance; and a transducer coupled to the at least one photodetector, the first component, and the second component, the transducer configured to change the distance from the first end to the second end in response to the light signal to vibrate the ear and transmit the sound to the user. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A method of transmitting sound to an ear of a user, the method comprising:
transmitting electromagnetic energy through the eardrum of the user to an active ossicular replacement device, wherein the active ossicular replacement device is coupled to at least a stapes of the ear and vibrates in response to the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the eardrum. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of providing an active ossicular placement device to an ear of a user, the ear having an eardrum, the method comprising:
placing the active ossicular replacement device in a middle ear with a first end connected to at least one of a malleus or the eardrum of the user and a second end connected to a stapes of the user, wherein the active ossicular replacement device is configured to vibrate in response to electromagnetic energy transmitted through eardrum. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the device comprising:
means for transmitting the sound to the ear of the user.
Specification