Actuator systems for oral-based appliances
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An oral appliance, comprising:
- a first housing configured to engage one or more teeth, wherein the first housing is positioned below an occlusal surface of the one or more teeth; and
at least one transducer coupled to the first housing such that the transducer is in vibratory contact with the one or more teeth, wherein said appliance produces an interference fit between the appliance and at least two surfaces of the one or more teeth.
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Abstract
Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.
208 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An oral appliance, comprising:
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a first housing configured to engage one or more teeth, wherein the first housing is positioned below an occlusal surface of the one or more teeth; and at least one transducer coupled to the first housing such that the transducer is in vibratory contact with the one or more teeth, wherein said appliance produces an interference fit between the appliance and at least two surfaces of the one or more teeth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for conducting vibrations via at least one tooth, comprising:
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a first and a second housing configured to be secured along opposite surfaces of the at least one tooth via first and second arm members, respectively, wherein the first and second housings are securely pressed against the opposite surfaces of the at least one tooth; a transducer disposed within or upon the first housing and configured to be in vibratory communication with the at least one tooth such that a force generated by the transducer is transmittable through the at least one tooth; and
,an electronic assembly disposed within the second housing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of conducting vibrations via at least one tooth, comprising:
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providing an apparatus having a first housing, a second housing, a transducer disposed within or upon the first housing, and an electronics assembly disposed within or upon the second housing; securing the first and the second housings along opposite surfaces of the at least one tooth via first and second arm members, respectively, wherein the first and second housings are securely pressed against the opposite surfaces of the at least one tooth; actuating the transducer such that the transducer is vibrated relative to the first housing; and transmitting the vibrations from the transducer to at least one surface of the at least one tooth. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification