Inductive Signal and Energy Transfer through the External Auditory Canal

• US 20110130622A1
• Filed: 12/01/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Ilberg, Christoph von
• Granted Patent: US 9,802,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• 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

Abstract

An inductive coil arrangement is described for an ear canal of a recipient patient. An inner transmitter coil inserts into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal. The transmitter coil includes transmission wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal. An outer receiver coil is implantable under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. The receiver coil includes receiver wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal substantially parallel to the transmitter coil.

Claims

1. An inductive coil arrangement for an ear canal of a recipient patient, the ear canal having an outer wall defining a generally cylindrical shape around a central axis, the inductive coil arrangement comprising:

an inner transmitter coil for insertion into the ear canal, the transmitter coil having a plurality of transmission wire loops lying substantially in a common plane that curves around the central axis conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal; and

an outer receiver coil for implantation under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal, the receiver coil having a plurality of receiver wire loops lying substantially in a common plane that curves around the central axis substantially parallel to the transmitter coil for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil.

2. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the coils curve in a C-shape partially around the circumference of the ear canal.

3. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the coils curve substantially completely around the circumference of the ear canal.

4. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an innermost end of the transmitter coil nearest the tympanic membrane includes a sealing edge that folds back when the transmitter coil is inserted into the ear canal.

5. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter coil includes a helical ridge for promoting a screwing insertion movement when the transmitter coil is inserted into the ear canal.

6. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the coils are air coils without magnetic cores.

7. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

an encapsulation layer of biocompatible material covering at least one of the coils.

8. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter coil includes an encapsulation layer that inhibits production of cerumen.

9. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter coil includes an encapsulation layer having a plurality of ventilation openings.

10. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the ventilation openings have a uniform size and shape.

11. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the ventilation openings have different sizes.

12. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transmission wire loops are concentrated at one or more radii from a central axis of the transmitter coil.

13. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

an ear canal microphone attached to the inner transmitter coil for sensing sound present in the ear canal.

14. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a secondary external transmitter coil for positioning over the skin behind the ear of the patient to transmit a communication signal through the skin; and

a secondary receiver coil for implantation under the skin behind the ear of the patient to receive the communication signal from the secondary external transmitter coil.

15. An implantable medical system including an inductive coil arrangement according to any of claims 1-14.

16. An inductive coil arrangement for a recipient patient comprising:

an external transmitter coil for fitting into the outer ear of the patient and transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer ear; and

an implantable receiver coil for implantation under the skin of the outer ear between the pinna cartilage and the underlying skull bone for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil.

17. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the receiver coil lies in a plane under the pinna cartilage and atop and parallel to the underlying skull bone.

18. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising:

an implantable connecting lead for connecting the receiver coil to an implanted stimulator to couple the communication signal to the implanted stimulator.

19. An inductive coil arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising:

an external processor connected to the transmitter coil for generating the communication signal.