Non-occludable transducers for in-the-ear applications
First Claim
1. An electroacoustic transducer comprising, in combination,a casing having a wall of hollow tubular shape and diaphragm means substantially closing and sealing the casing near one end thereof, the casing being shaped for insertion in the ear to define a space generally bounded by the ear canal, the tympanic membrane and the diaphragm means, the diaphragm means comprising a central portion with its peripheral edge spaced from said wall and a thin, flexible film extending from said edge toward said wall to form a surround, the surround being formed inwardly of the casing interior to provide elastic stability to the surround under external pressure, andan electromechanical motor supported within the casing and having a vibratory member connected to said central portion,the transducer further having stop means adapted to limit the movement of said central portion inwardly of the casing to a substantially predetermined extent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-the-ear electroacoustic transducer is constructed to limit the effect of accretion of cerumen on acoustically active surfaces: to prevent cerumen from plugging passages for acoustical energy to the tympanic membrane and to facilitate the removal of cerumen from the transducer by the user. A casing has a hollow tubular wall, and diaphragm means is mounted to the casing near one end thereof, the casing being shaped for insertion in the ear to define a space generally bounded by the ear canal, the tympanic membrane and the diaphragm means. The diaphragm means has a flexible film surround, and stop means are provided to limit its movement inwardly of the casing. The transducer can be incorporated in or utilized as various hearing aids respectively adapted for different depths of insertion within the ear canal.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electroacoustic transducer comprising, in combination,
a casing having a wall of hollow tubular shape and diaphragm means substantially closing and sealing the casing near one end thereof, the casing being shaped for insertion in the ear to define a space generally bounded by the ear canal, the tympanic membrane and the diaphragm means, the diaphragm means comprising a central portion with its peripheral edge spaced from said wall and a thin, flexible film extending from said edge toward said wall to form a surround, the surround being formed inwardly of the casing interior to provide elastic stability to the surround under external pressure, and an electromechanical motor supported within the casing and having a vibratory member connected to said central portion, the transducer further having stop means adapted to limit the movement of said central portion inwardly of the casing to a substantially predetermined extent.
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17. A hearing aid comprising, in combination,
a shell formed to fit in the ear with an aperture on one end directed toward the tympanic membrane, a microphone mounted to the shell and an electrical amplifier electrically connected to the microphone, a casing having a wall of hollow tubular shape secured within and substantially sealed to said aperture, and diaphragm means substantially closing and sealing the casing near one end thereof, the shell and casing being shaped for insertion in the ear to define a space generally bounded by the ear canal, the tympanic membrane and the diaphragm means, the diaphragm means comprising a central portion with its peripheral edge spaced from said wall and a thin, flexible film extending from said edge toward said wall to form a surround, and an electromechanical motor electrically connected to the amplifier, supported within the casing and having a vibratory member connected to said central portion, the hearing aid further having stop means adapted to limit the movement of said central portion inwardly of the casing to a substantially predetermined extent.
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28. A hearing aid comprising, in combination,
a shell formed to fit in the ear with an aperture on one end directed toward the tympanic membrane, a microphone mounted to the shell and an electrical amplifier electrically connected to the microphone, a diaphragm means substantially closing and sealing the aperture near said one end of the shell, the shell being shaped for insertion in the ear to define a space generally bounded by the ear canal, the tympanic membrane and the diaphragm means, the diaphragm means comprising a central portion with its peripheral edge spaced from said aperture and a thin, flexible film extending from said edge toward said shell to form a surround, the surround being formed inwardly of the shell interior, and an electromechanical motor electrically connected to the amplifier, supported within the shell and having a vibratory member connected to said central portion, the hearing aid further having stop means adapted to limit the movement of said central portion inwardly of the shell to a substantially predetermined extent.
Specification