Cochlear implant
First Claim
1. An implant adapted to produce an auditory response in the auditory nerves of a person'"'"'s ear in response to sound vibrations conducted along the scala tympani of the ear, comprising:
- an elongate flexible strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned to be inserted into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path of the scala tympani, the strip having a pair of opposing faces; and
,a coating of electrically-conductive material formed over one of the faces of the strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implant produces an auditory response in the auditory nerve of a person'"'"'s ear. The implant is a flexible, coiled strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned for insertion into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path that the scala tympani follows. The length of the strip corresponds substantially to the full length of the scala tympani. The implant relies on the natural hearing mechanism of the ear. Sound vibration are transmitted along the normal pathways of the ear and are ultimately transmitted along the scala tympani. The vibrations induce a piezoelectric response in the material proximate to the basilar membrane, stimulating fibres of the auditory nerve along substantially the full spiral path of the cochlea. Perceived sound intensity can be adjusted with a hearing aid or other audio amplifier. Amplified sounds simply increase the intensity of the piezoelectric response of the implant and the intensity of the stimulus applied to auditory nerve fibres.
45 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An implant adapted to produce an auditory response in the auditory nerves of a person'"'"'s ear in response to sound vibrations conducted along the scala tympani of the ear, comprising:
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an elongate flexible strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned to be inserted into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path of the scala tympani, the strip having a pair of opposing faces; and
,a coating of electrically-conductive material formed over one of the faces of the strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for producing an auditory response in the auditory nerves of a person'"'"'s ear, comprising:
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a microphone adapted to produce an electronic signal corresponding to sounds impinging on the microphone; an amplifier connected to the microphone for amplifying the electronic signal; a speaker connected to the amplifier for transforming the amplified electronic signal into amplified sounds, the speaker comprising a housing adapted to be inserted into the ear to direct the amplified sounds into the external auditory canal of the ear; and
,an implant comprising an elongate flexible strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned to be inserted into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path of the scala tympani; whereby, in use, the amplified sounds cause vibrations to be conducted along the scala tympani thereby inducing a piezoelectric response in the material and stimulation of auditory nerve fibres. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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- 10. A method of producing an auditory response in the auditory nerves of a person'"'"'s ear, comprising inserting a strip of piezoelectric material into the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path of the scala tympani, whereby sound vibrations conducted along the scala tympani produce a piezoelectric effect in the strip thereby stimulating the auditory nerves.
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13. Apparatus for producing an auditory response in the auditory nerves of a person'"'"'s ear in response to sound received by the ear, comprising:
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an elongate flexible strip of piezoelectric material dimensioned for location within the scala tympani of the ear in general alignment with the spiral path of the scala tympani; an elongate flexible support for locating the strip within the scala tympani, the support being dimensioned for displacement lengthwise along the scala tympani and being sufficiently rigid that the support can be pushed along the scala tympani; and
,securing means securing the strip to the support for displacement together and operable to release the strip from the support. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification