Hearing aid having gel or paste transmission means communcative with the cochlea and method of use thereof
First Claim
1. An acoustical transmission means for transmission of acoustical energy to the cochlea, comprising:
- gel or paste conduction means for conducting acoustical energy therealong, andimpedance matching means, terminating said gel or paste conduction means and adapted to be disposed in direct operative association with a window or aperture in the cochlea for introducing said acoustical energy therthrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing aid (100) is provided for surgically implanting in the ear of a subject. A gel or paste filled tube (142) is positioned between an orifice of the cochlea and a subcutaneous amplifier (200). A microphone (122) converts sound waves outside the subject into electrical signals which are amplified by the amplifier and are converted back into amplified mechanical motion by a transducer means (124). The amplified mechanical motion is transmitted through the tube by the gel or paste to the cochlea bypassing the outer and middle ears. The gel or paste and dimensions of the tube are selected to substantially match the acoustic impedance of the cochlea at the distal end of the tube.
34 Citations
48 Claims
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1. An acoustical transmission means for transmission of acoustical energy to the cochlea, comprising:
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gel or paste conduction means for conducting acoustical energy therealong, and impedance matching means, terminating said gel or paste conduction means and adapted to be disposed in direct operative association with a window or aperture in the cochlea for introducing said acoustical energy therthrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A hearing aid, comprising:
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electro-mechanical means for converting acoustical energy to mechanical motion characteristic thereof; gel or paste transmission means coupled to said electro-mechanical means for conducting said mechanical motion therefrom; and impedance matching means, terminating said gel or paste transmission means and adapted to be disposed in direct operative association with a window or aperture in the cochlea for introducing said mechanical motion therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for improving the hearing of a hearing impaired subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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surgically interposing a gel or paste transmission means from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof in operative association with a window or aperture in the cochlea of the subject; converting acoustical energy external to the subject into mechanical motion characteristic thereof; and applying the mechanical motion to the proximal end of the gel or paste transmission means. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification