Method and apparatus for endodontically augmenting hearing
First Claim
1. Apparatus for aiding hearing by imparting vibrations to bones in a jaw of a subject, said apparatus comprising:
- transducer means adapted to be embedded in a root canal of a tooth of the subject and responsive to application of electrical audio driver signals thereto for imparting corresponding vibratory signals to said bones via said tooth, said transducer means having a plurality of electrical transducer terminals;
a dental crown disposed on said tooth covering said transducer means and said transducer terminals; and
first and second connectors, said first connector being secured to said crown and including a plurality of crown contacts in electrical connection with said plurality of transducer terminals, respectively, said second connector including contact means for delivering said audio driver signals to said plurality of crown contacts when said connectors are engaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An audiodontic device includes a transducer implanted in a dental post hole drilled into a root canal of a tooth, preferably a maxillary molar. The transducer imparts vibratory signals to the tooth in response to applied audio signals. A precision attachment device includes a female connector embedded in a dental crown of electrically non-conductive material covering a built-up core and through which electrical leads, or the like, extend to transducer terminals located at the core periphery. Audio signals are delivered to the transducer from a radio receiver or induction loop embedded in an insulative housing contoured for buccal or lingual vestibular mounting adjacent the tooth, or disposed in a denture or retainer. In either case, a male connector for the precision attachment conducts the received audio signal from the receiver to the tooth. The female connector includes a channel contoured to slidably receive the male connector to thereby firmly hold the receiver housing in place while maintaining the necessary electrical contact to pass the received audio signal to the transducer.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus for aiding hearing by imparting vibrations to bones in a jaw of a subject, said apparatus comprising:
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transducer means adapted to be embedded in a root canal of a tooth of the subject and responsive to application of electrical audio driver signals thereto for imparting corresponding vibratory signals to said bones via said tooth, said transducer means having a plurality of electrical transducer terminals; a dental crown disposed on said tooth covering said transducer means and said transducer terminals; and first and second connectors, said first connector being secured to said crown and including a plurality of crown contacts in electrical connection with said plurality of transducer terminals, respectively, said second connector including contact means for delivering said audio driver signals to said plurality of crown contacts when said connectors are engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of enhancing conduction of sound to an ear of a subject via bone tissue in a jaw of the subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) converting audible ambient sound to corresponding acoustic signals; (b) transmitting said acoustic signals through a non-conductive crown and core of a maxillary tooth of said subject to the root canal of said tooth; (c) transducing the audio signal in said root canal to a corresponding vibratory signal; and (d) applying said vibratory signal from the root canal to bones in the maxilla or mandible of said subject to permit transmission of the vibratory signal to the subject'"'"'s cochlea.
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18. The method of implanting a hearing enhancement device in a tooth comprising the steps of:
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(a) implanting in the root canal of said tooth a transducer dental post for converting electrical audio signals to corresponding mechanical vibrations; (b) building a non-conductive dental core around and attached to said transducer post; (c) disposing first and second electrical conductors within said core extending from respective first and second terminals of said transducer to predetermined respective first and second spaced locations at the exterior of said core; (d) securing a first electrical connector, having first and second electrically-isolated crown contacts, to an artificial electrically non-conductive crown for said tooth; (e) seating said crown on said core and transducer post in a position such that said first and second crown contacts electrically connect to said first and second conductors, respectively, at said first and second locations; and (f) mating said first connector in a precision fit with a second connector at the exterior of said crown to permit electrical audio signals to be applied via said connectors to said first and second crown contacts of said first connector. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for aiding hearing by imparting vibrations to bones in a jaw of a person, said apparatus comprising:
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microphone/transmitter means adapted to be worn or carried by said person and responsive to ambient sound for transmitting a radio signal modulated as a function of said ambient sound; a palatal orthodontic retainer adapted to be secured in the person'"'"'s mouth adjacent the person'"'"'s palate, said retainer housing a receiver for receiving and demodulating said radio signal to recover an electrical signal corresponding to said ambient sound; and transducer means responsive to said electrical signal for imparting vibrations corresponding to said ambient sound to said bones via a tooth in said person'"'"'s mouth.
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Specification