Implantable hearing aid
First Claim
1. Implantable hearing aid for stimulation of the inner ear, comprising means for converting incoming sound waves into electrical signals, an electromechanical convertor for receiving said electrical signals and converting them into mechanical vibrations, and a hydromechanical coupling element which has an input side connected to the electromechanical converter and an output side which is connected to the inner ear as a means for transmitting mechanical vibrations generated by the converter directly to fluid-filled spaces of the inner ear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Implantable hearing aid for stimulation of the inner ear with a hydromechanical coupling element having an input side connected to an electromechanical converter for transmission to the inner ear of the mechanical vibrations generated by the converter.
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Citations
28 Claims
- 1. Implantable hearing aid for stimulation of the inner ear, comprising means for converting incoming sound waves into electrical signals, an electromechanical convertor for receiving said electrical signals and converting them into mechanical vibrations, and a hydromechanical coupling element which has an input side connected to the electromechanical converter and an output side which is connected to the inner ear as a means for transmitting mechanical vibrations generated by the converter directly to fluid-filled spaces of the inner ear.
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28. A totally implantable hearing device for bypassing the ossicular chain of the human ear comprising electromechanical means for responding to sonic vibrations occurring as a result of sound waves entering the outer ear and for convening said sonic vibrations into electrical signals, signal processing and amplifying means for processing and amplifying said electrical signals, energy supply means for supplying energy to said signal processing and amplifying means, and an electromechanical convertor having an input means for receiving electrical output signals from said signal processing and amplifying means, conversion means for converting said electrical output signals into mechanical vibrations and output means for transmitting said mechanical vibrations generated by the conversion means to fluid-filled spaces of the inner ear in a manner avoiding the need to interrupt the ossicular chain.
Specification