Contactless transducer stimulation and sensing of ossicular chain
First Claim
1. A method for assisting hearing, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) affixing a first permanent magnet to a transducer;
(b) affixing a second permanent magnet to a first auditory element in a middle ear,(c) magnetically engaging the first and second permanent magnets;
(d) affixing a third permanent magnet to a second transducer;
(e) affixing a fourth permanent magnet to a second auditory element in the middle ear; and
(f) magnetically engaging the third and fourth permanent magnets.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable hearing aid system for the middle ear utilizes pairs of permanent magnets to engage transducers with auditory elements in a middle ear. At least one transducer is supported within the middle ear cavity by a support. A transducer is magnetically-engaged with a malleus in one embodiment and another transducer is magnetically-engaged with a stapes in other embodiments. When using two contactless transducers, a permanent magnet is attached to each transducer. A permanent magnet is also attached to the malleus and to the stapes. The permanent magnet on each transducer is situated such that its polarity acts in repulsion to the permanent magnet on the adjacent auditory element.
168 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for assisting hearing, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) affixing a first permanent magnet to a transducer; (b) affixing a second permanent magnet to a first auditory element in a middle ear, (c) magnetically engaging the first and second permanent magnets; (d) affixing a third permanent magnet to a second transducer; (e) affixing a fourth permanent magnet to a second auditory element in the middle ear; and (f) magnetically engaging the third and fourth permanent magnets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A transducer system for an at least partially implantable hearing device, the transducer system comprising:
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a first transducer; a first permanent magnet affixed to the first transducer; and a second permanent magnet, adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first permanent magnet and also adapted to be affixed to a first auditory element in a middle ear wherein the auditory element is a malleus and said first transducer comprises a sensing transducer.
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7. An at least partially implantable hearing assistance system comprising:
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an electronics unit; a first transducer, electrically coupled to the electronics unit; a first permanent magnet affixed to the first transducer; a second permanent magnet, adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first permanent magnet and also adapted to be affixed to a first auditory element in a middle ear; a second transducer, electrically coupled to the electronics unit; a third permanent magnet affixed to the second transducer; and a fourth permanent magnet, adapted to be magnetically coupled to the third permanent magnet and also adapted to be affixed to a second auditory element in the middle ear. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification