Method and apparatus for improving signal quality in implantable hearing systems
First Claim
1. An implantable hearing assistance system capable of maximizing high frequency audio performance and minimizing electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising:
- a high impedance sensor transducer;
an impedance transformation device located at a minimal distance from and electrically connected to the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the impedance transformation device that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation;
a high impedance electronics unit electrically connected to the impedance transformation device; and
a driver transducer electrically connected to the electronics unit.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable hearing assistance system includes a sensor transducer and an electronics unit. The sensor transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer, is operatively coupled to an auditory element of the middle ear (e.g., malleus), and electrically connected to the electronics unit. The transducer and the electronics unit are arranged together to minimize the driving impedance and lead capacitance therebetween, thereby minimizing susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and minimizing high audio frequency signal attenuation.
In one example, the transducer and the electronics unit are disposed immediately adjacent each other or physically joined together to virtually eliminate (or at least significantly shorten) the length of the electrical connection between the transducer and the electronics unit. In another example, the electronics unit is located remotely from the transducer, and a preamplifier (or other impedance transforming electronics) is placed in close physical proximity to the transducer in the middle ear between the transducer and the remaining electronics unit.
77 Citations
83 Claims
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1. An implantable hearing assistance system capable of maximizing high frequency audio performance and minimizing electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising:
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a high impedance sensor transducer;
an impedance transformation device located at a minimal distance from and electrically connected to the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the impedance transformation device that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation;
a high impedance electronics unit electrically connected to the impedance transformation device; and
a driver transducer electrically connected to the electronics unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An implantable hearing assistance system capable of maximizing high frequency audio performance and minimizing electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising:
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a high impedance sensor transducer;
a high impedance electronics unit disposed at a minimal distance from and electrically connected to the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the high impedance electronics unit that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An implantable hearing assistance system capable of maximizing high frequency audio performance and minimizing electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising:
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an electronics unit housing one or more electronic components; and
a sensor transducer mechanically connected to the electronics unit and electrically connected to the electronic components by two or fewer lead wires having a minimal length and configured for eliminating the need to use a longer lead wire that is more susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A mounting support for an implantable hearing system device for mounting components of the hearing system at a minimal distance from each other, thereby minimizing electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, the mounting support comprising:
a bracket adapted to support a transducer and one or more auditory components of the implantable hearing assistance system directly adjacent from each other and be mounted to an auditory element of the middle ear. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of positioning an implantable hearing assistance system inside of an ear so as to maximize high frequency audio performance and minimize electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a high impedance sensor transducer in contact with an auditory element of the middle ear;
positioning an impedance transformation device at a minimal distance from the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the impedance transformation device that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation providing a short length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the impedance transformation device. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A method of positioning an implantable hearing assistance system inside of an ear so as to maximize high frequency audio performance and minimize electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a high impedance sensor transducer in contact with an auditory element of the middle ear;
positioning a high impedance electronics unit at a minimal distance from the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the impedance transformation device that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation; and
providing a short length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the electronics unit. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. A method of positioning an implantable hearing assistance system inside of an ear so as to maximize high frequency audio performance and minimize electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation, comprising the steps of:
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mounting a high impedance sensor transducer on a bracket;
mounting one or more components of the hearing system on the bracket at a minimal distance from the sensor transducer, the minimal distance designed to eliminate the possibility of having a greater length of electrical connection between the sensor transducer and the one or more components of the hearing system that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference and high frequency audio attenuation;
mounting the bracket to an auditory element of the middle ear; and
electrically connecting the sensor transducer to the one or more components of the hearing system so that the length in electrical connection is minimal. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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Specification