Modular speech processor headpiece
First Claim
1. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
- a core, having a top surface and a bottom surface, in which a sound processor and a transmitter that transmits signals to the cochlear implant are located, and including a magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant; and
a detachable modular component configured to releasably engage the core and to supply electrical power to the core;
wherein the core and the detachable modular component are respectively configured such that, when the detachable modular component engages the core, the modular headpiece defines a bottom surface that faces the cochlear implant to which the magnet is attracted and a top surface that faces away from the cochlear implant to which the magnet is attracted, the bottom surface of the core defines at least a portion of the bottom surface of the modular headpiece, and the detachable modular component defines at least a portion of the top surface of the modular headpiece.
2 Assignments
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
23 Claims
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1. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core, having a top surface and a bottom surface, in which a sound processor and a transmitter that transmits signals to the cochlear implant are located, and including a magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant; and a detachable modular component configured to releasably engage the core and to supply electrical power to the core; wherein the core and the detachable modular component are respectively configured such that, when the detachable modular component engages the core, the modular headpiece defines a bottom surface that faces the cochlear implant to which the magnet is attracted and a top surface that faces away from the cochlear implant to which the magnet is attracted, the bottom surface of the core defines at least a portion of the bottom surface of the modular headpiece, and the detachable modular component defines at least a portion of the top surface of the modular headpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core including a single common housing, a microphone, a sound processor that processes signals from the microphone, and a transmitter that transmits processed signals to the cochlear implant, wherein the microphone, the sound processor and the transmitter are located within the single common housing, a core electrical connector, and a magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant; and a detachable modular component including a component electrical connector and configured to engage the core such that an electrical connection is made between the core electrical connector and the component electrical connector when the detachable modular component engages the core. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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9. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core, having a top surface and a bottom surface, in which a sound processor and a transmitter that transmits signals to the cochlear implant are located; and a detachable modular ring configured to releasably engage the core, such that at least a portion of the core bottom surface is not covered by the modular component, and to supply electrical power to the core, and that, when attached to the core, circumscribes the core.
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14. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a cylindrically shaped core including a single common housing, a microphone, a sound processor that processes signals from the microphone, and a transmitter that transmits processed signals to the cochlear implant, wherein the microphone, the sound processor and the transmitter are located within the single common housing, and a core electrical connector; and an annularly shaped detachable modular component including a component electrical connector and configured to receive and engage the cylindrically shaped core such that an electrical connection is made between the core electrical connector and the component electrical connector when the detachable modular component engages the core. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core including a single common housing, a microphone, a sound processor that processes signals from the microphone, and a transmitter that transmits processed signals to the cochlear implant, wherein the microphone, the sound processor and the transmitter are located within the single common housing, and a core electrical connector; and a detachable modular component including a component electrical connector and configured to engage the core such that an electrical connection is made between the core electrical connector and the component electrical connector when the detachable modular component engages the core, the detachable modular component further including a waterproof seal positioned such that it will be located between the core and detachable modular component when the detachable modular component engages the core.
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17. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core including a core housing with a perimeter, an upper surface defined by the perimeter, and lower surface defined by the perimeter, a microphone, a sound processor that processes signals from the microphone, and a transmitter that transmits processed signals to the cochlear implant, wherein the microphone, the sound processor and the transmitter are located within the core housing, a magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant through the lower surface of the core housing, and a core electrical connector; a detachable power supply component, including a power storage device and a component electrical connector, and configured to engage the core such that an electrical connection is made between the core electrical connector and the component electrical connector when the detachable power supply component engages the core; wherein the respective configurations of the core and the detachable power supply component are such that, when engaged with one another, the core and the detachable power supply component together define a head-wearable device having a lower surface that faces the cochlear implant, the lower surface of the core housing defines at least a portion of the lower surface of the head-wearable device, and the detachable power supply component covers a portion of the upper surface of the core housing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A modular headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, the modular headpiece comprising:
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a core, including a single common housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, in which a microphone, a sound processor and a transmitter that transmits signals to the cochlear implant are located; and a detachable modular component that is rotatable relative to the core between a locked position, where the detachable modular component is locked to the core, and an unlocked position, where the detachable modular component is removable from the core; wherein the core and the detachable modular component are respectively configured such that, when the detachable modular component is locked to the core, no portion of the core housing bottom surface is covered by the detachable modular component. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification