Modular speech processor headpiece
First Claim
1. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
- an electrode array implanted within a cochlea;
an internal processor in communication with said electrode array;
an implanted antenna, said implanted antenna being electrically coupled to said internal processor; and
a modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted unit which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system, said modular external headpiece being removably positioned over said implanted antenna by magnetic attraction with said implanted antenna such that a portion of skin is sandwiched between said implanted antenna and said modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece includinga core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to said implanted antenna, and including a top surface and a bottom surface, anda detachable modular component configured to releasably engage said core such that at least a portion of the bottom surface is not covered by the modular component and to supply electrical power to said core.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cochlear implant system includes: an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with the electrode array; an implanted antenna which is electrically coupled to the internal processor; and a modular external headpiece which is removably positioned over the implanted antenna, the modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to the implanted antenna; and a modular component configured to releasably engage the core and supply electrical power to the core. A modular speech processor headpiece includes a core comprising a microphone and sound processor for producing a signal representing ambient sound to be transmitted to a cochlear implant, the core further comprising a number of electrical contacts; and a modular component containing a number of electrical contacts corresponding to the electrical contacts of the core; wherein the core is configured to engage with the modular component such that electrical communication is made between the core and the modular component.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with said electrode array; an implanted antenna, said implanted antenna being electrically coupled to said internal processor; and a modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted unit which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system, said modular external headpiece being removably positioned over said implanted antenna by magnetic attraction with said implanted antenna such that a portion of skin is sandwiched between said implanted antenna and said modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to said implanted antenna, and including a top surface and a bottom surface, and a detachable modular component configured to releasably engage said core such that at least a portion of the bottom surface is not covered by the modular component and to supply electrical power to said core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A cochlear implant system, comprising:
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an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with said electrode array; an implanted antenna, said implanted antenna being electrically coupled to said internal processor; and a modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted unit which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system, said modular external headpiece being removably positioned over said implanted antenna by magnetic attraction with said implanted antenna such that a portion of skin is sandwiched between said implanted antenna and said modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to said implanted antenna, and including a top surface and a bottom surface, and a modular ring configured to releasably engage said core such that at least a portion of the bottom surface is not covered by the modular ring, to supply electrical power to said core, and to entirely circumscribe said core when said modular ring is attached to said core. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A cochlear implant system comprising:
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a core including a single common housing, a microphone, sound processor circuity that produces a signal representing ambient sound to be transmitted to a cochlear implant, and a transmitter that transmits said signal to the cochlear implant, wherein said microphone, said sound processor circuitry and said transmitter are located within said single common housing, and a first plurality of electrical contacts; and a plurality of modular components in a set, each of said modular components in said set including a second plurality of electrical contacts; wherein each of said modular components is configured to individually engage said core such that electrical communication is made between a portion of said first plurality of electrical contacts and at least a portion of said second plurality of electrical contacts; and wherein the modular components each have a different functionality. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A cochlear implant system comprising:
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a cylindrically shaped core, defining a top and a bottom, including a microphone and sound processor for producing a signal representing ambient sound to be transmitted to a cochlear implant, and a first plurality of electrical contacts; and a plurality of modular components in a set, each of said modular components in said set having a second plurality of electrical contacts; wherein each of said modular components has an annular shape configured to individually receive said cylindrical core in a center thereof, while allowing access to said top and said bottom of said core, and to engage said core such that electrical communication is made between a portion of said first plurality of electrical contacts and at least a portion of said second plurality of electrical contacts.
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25. A cochlear implant system comprising:
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a core including a microphone and sound processor for producing a signal representing ambient sound to be transmitted to a cochlear implant, and a first plurality of electrical contacts; and a plurality of modular components in a set, wherein each of said modular components in said set includes a second plurality of electrical contacts; wherein each of said modular components is configured to individually engage said core such that electrical communication is made between a portion of said first plurality of electrical contacts and at least a portion of said second plurality of electrical contact; and wherein at least one of said plurality of modular components within said set includes a waterproof seal between said core and modular component when engaged.
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Specification