Flexible transducer supports

• US 6,730,015 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation (Envoy Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: St Croix Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Schugt, Mike, Madsen, Clair W., Glasscock, Michael E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US09/872,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 600/25, 606/130, 623/10
• US Class Current: 600/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window

Abstract

A flexible support device for use in positioning and supporting a device, such as a transducer, in contact with a structure of the ear. The support device positions the device for securing of the device with an adhesive.

Claims

1. A support assembly for use with a hearing assistance device comprising:

a device configured for mounting to a structure of the ear;

a flexible adjusting portion having two ends, a first end attachable to the device for mounting and a second end fixable to a base, the flexible adjusting portion being configured for removal after the device has been mounted to the structure of the ear;

a connection between the first end of the flexible adjusting portion and the device for mounting.

2. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible adjusting portion is manufactured of a malleable medical grade alloy.

3. The support assembly of claim 2 wherein the alloy is platinum.

4. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the device is a transducer.

5. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the base is the mastoid.

6. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection further comprises a quick disconnect.

7. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection further comprises an electromagnetic connector.

8. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection further comprises a pin and socket assembly.

9. The support assembly of claim 1 further including a mounting plate connected to the second end of the adjusting portion.

10. The support assembly of claim 9 wherein the mounting plate is adapted for receiving one or more fasteners.

11. The support assembly of claim 10 wherein the one or more fasteners are bone screws.

12. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the device for mounting is further supported by one or more legs for contact with a second base.

13. The support assembly of claim 12 wherein the second base is the mastoid floor.

14. The support assembly of claim 1 further including a hardenable fluent for securing the device to the ear structure.

15. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible adjusting portion is configured for removal.

16. A method of positioning and supporting a device to contact a structure of the ear comprising the steps of:

providing a support assembly having a flexible adjusting portion having two ends, a first end attached to the device and a second end fixable to a base and a connection between the first end of the flexible adjusting portion and the device, the flexible adjusting portion being configured for removal after the device has been mounted to the structure of the ear;

fixing the second end of the flexible adjusting portion to the base;

manipulating the flexible adjusting portion such that the device is in suitable contact with the structure of the ear;

setting the device in contact with the structure of the ear with an adhesive;

severing the connection between the first end of the flexible adjusting portion and the device; and

unfixing the second end of the flexible adjusting portion from the base.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the steps of unfixing the second end of the flexible adjusting portion from the base and severing the connection between the first end of the flexible adjusting portion and the device.