Optimal Pre-Load for Floating Mass Transducers
First Claim
1. A middle ear implant arrangement comprising:
- an implantable electromechanical transducer having an inner end and an outer end, for converting an input electrical stimulation signal into a corresponding output mechanical stimulation signal;
a cochlear engagement member at the inner end of the transducer having a cochlear engagement surface for coupling the mechanical stimulation signal to an outer cochlear surface of a recipient patient; and
a transducer loading structure having;
i. an inner end adapted to releasably engage the transducer,ii. an outer end elongated along a central end axis for engaging a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient; and
iii. a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A middle ear implant arrangement is described which includes an implantable electromechanical transducer with an inner end and an outer end, for converting an input electrical stimulation signal into a corresponding output mechanical stimulation signal. A cochlear engagement member at the inner end of the transducer has a cochlear engagement surface for coupling the mechanical stimulation signal to an outer cochlear surface of a recipient patient. A transducer loading structure has: i. an inner end adapted to releasably engage the transducer, ii. an outer end elongated along a central end axis for engaging a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient, and iii. a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer.
4 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A middle ear implant arrangement comprising:
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an implantable electromechanical transducer having an inner end and an outer end, for converting an input electrical stimulation signal into a corresponding output mechanical stimulation signal; a cochlear engagement member at the inner end of the transducer having a cochlear engagement surface for coupling the mechanical stimulation signal to an outer cochlear surface of a recipient patient; and a transducer loading structure having; i. an inner end adapted to releasably engage the transducer, ii. an outer end elongated along a central end axis for engaging a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient; and iii. a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A transducer loading structure for a middle ear implant comprising:
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an inner end adapted to releasably engage an outer end of an implanted electromagnetic transducer, an outer end elongated along a central end axis for engaging a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient; and a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification