Vibrator for bone conducted hearing aids

• US 6,985,599 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Osseofon AB
• Original Assignee: P&B Research AB
• Inventors: Åsnes, Kristian
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US10/296,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20040057588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,685 Days
• Field of Search: 381/326, 381/380, 381/322, 381412-415, 381/401, 381/396, 381/400, 381/406, 381/407, 381/417, 381/418, 381/420, 381/152, 600/25, 607/55, 607/56, 607/57
• US Class Current: 381/326
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• 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 vibrator for a bone conduction-type hearing aid device by which sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person with impaired hearing. The vibrator includes a coil that is directly into two coil halves for generating a dynamic magnetic field and a permanent magnet for generating a static magnetic field. The permanent magnet is radially magnetized and arranged in such a way that the static and dynamic magnetic fields coincide in air gaps formed between the coil and magnet arrangement and the casing, whereby the vibrator provides an axial force.

Claims

1. A vibrator for bone conduction type hearing aid devices in which sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person with impaired hearing, the vibrator comprising:

a two-piece coil operative to generate a dynamic magnetic field;

an intermediate central wall between the two coil pieces; and

an annular permanent magnet operative to generate a static magnetic field in a magnetic circuit, the permanent magnet being located on the central wall between the two coil pieces, such that the static magnetic field and dynamic magnetic field cooperate in the magnetic circuit, while the dynamic field does not pass through the permanent magnet, in order to provide the vibrator with an axial force generation.

2. The vibrator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a casing operative to enclose the two-piece coil, central wall and permanent magnet, the casing forming a part of the magnetic circuit, protecting the vibrator and reducing magnetic leakage.

3. The vibrator according to claim 2, further comprising:

air gaps between the two-piece coil and the permanent magnet and the casing, the static magnetic field and dynamic magnetic field coinciding in the air gaps.

4. The vibrator according to claim 3, further comprising:

inner spring means arranged between the two-piece coil and the permanent magnet and the casing such that the two-piece coil and permanent magnet in a rest position are centered in the casing between two air gaps of the same size.

5. The vibrator according to claim 3, further comprising:

repellent magnets arranged in the opposite parts of the casing such that the two-piece coil and permanent magnet in a rest position are centered in the casing between two air gaps of the same size.

6. The vibrator according to claim 3, further comprising:

a liquid filling the air gaps and being operative to damp vibratory movements of the two-piece coil and permanent magnet.

7. The vibrator according to claim 2, further comprising:

a bobbin base around which the two coil pieces are wound, wherein the bobbin protrudes through the casing, wherein the two-piece coil and the permanent magnet are attached to the casing, and wherein an axial force from the vibrator is obtained through the coil bobbin.

8. The vibrator according to claim 3, further comprising:

a bobbin base around which the two coil pieces are wound, the bobbin base comprising a core, the intermediate wall and two side walls, wherein the permanent magnet is arranged on an end surface of the intermediate wall.

9. The vibrator according to claim 8, wherein the permanent magnet is axially magnetized.

10. The vibrator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic circuit is arranged such that the dynamic magnetic field does not pass through the permanent magnet.

11. A bone conduction hearing aid device, comprising:

an external part comprising a microphone and electronic circuitry;

an internal, implantable part to be anchored subcutaneously into the skull bone; and

a vibrator arranged in the implantable part, the vibrator comprising a two-piece coil operative to generate a dynamic magnetic field, an intermediate central wall between the two coil pieces, and an annular permanent magnet operative to generate a static magnetic field in a magnetic circuit, wherein the permanent magnet is located on the central wall between the two coil pieces, such that the static magnetic field and dynamic magnetic field cooperate in the magnetic circuit, while the dynamic field does not pass through the permanent magnet, in order to provide the vibrator with an axial force generation.

12. The bone conduction hearing aid device according to claim 11, wherein energy required for the vibrator is provided by induction.

13. The bone conduction hearing aid device according to claim 11, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery arranged in the implantable part of the vibrator and providing energy required for the vibrator.

14. The bone conduction hearing aid device according to claim 11, further comprising:

an osseointegrating part included in the implantable part, wherein the vibrator is directly connected to the osseointegrating part.