At least partially implantable hearing system
First Claim
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1. An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising:
- an electromechanical transducer;
a micromanipulator configured to position said transducer; and
a coupling unit configured to securely couple said transducer to said micromanipulator comprising;
a first coupling element, connected to said micromanipulator, comprising moveable opposing extension arms having first ends connected to each other and juxtaposed second ends, wherein the extension arms are configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture;
a second coupling element connected to said transducer; and
a locking mechanism configured to mechanically lock said second coupling element to said first coupling element when said second coupling element extends at least partially through said aperture.
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Abstract
An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising at least one electromechanical output transducer; a micromanipulator for positioning the transducer and for fixing the transducer in a position set by the micromanipulator, the micromanipulator being adapted to be fixedly attached by fixing means to a skull cap; and a releasable coupling unit disposed between the transducer and the micromanipulator, said coupling unit, in an assembled state, fixing the transducer with respect to the micromanipulator, and, in a released state, permitting removal of the transducer from the micromanipulator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising:
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an electromechanical transducer; a micromanipulator configured to position said transducer; and a coupling unit configured to securely couple said transducer to said micromanipulator comprising; a first coupling element, connected to said micromanipulator, comprising moveable opposing extension arms having first ends connected to each other and juxtaposed second ends, wherein the extension arms are configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture; a second coupling element connected to said transducer; and a locking mechanism configured to mechanically lock said second coupling element to said first coupling element when said second coupling element extends at least partially through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of implanting at least one electromechanical transducer in a recipient, said transducer having a second coupling element attached thereto, the method comprising:
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attaching a micromanipulator to a cranial vault of the recipient, said micromanipulator having attached thereto a first coupling element comprising moveable opposing extension arms having first ends connected to each other and juxtaposed second ends, wherein the extension arms are configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture; moving said extension arms away from each other to open said first coupling element; at least partially inserting said second coupling element into said aperture of said open first coupling element; moving said extension arms toward each other to close said first coupling element; and mechanically locking said first coupling element to said second coupling element when said second coupling element at least partially extends through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising:
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means for providing electromechanical stimulation to a recipient; means for positioning said stimulation means; and a coupling means for securely coupling said stimulation means to said positioning means, comprising; a first coupling means, connected to said positioning means, comprising moveable opposing extension arms having first ends connected to each other and juxtaposed second ends, wherein the extension arms are configured to form an at least partially enclosed aperture; a second coupling means connected to said stimulation means; and means for mechanically locking said second coupling means to said first coupling means when said second coupling means extends at least partially through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification