Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations
First Claim
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1. A system for transmitting vibrations via bone or tissue to facilitate hearing in a patient, comprising:
- an implant having an implant head and a threaded portion adapted to be positioned below a gum line;
a housing which is sized for placement within a mouth of the patient;
an actuatable transducer disposed within or upon the housing, wherein the transducer is removably coupled to the implant head such that when connected the transducer is in vibratory communication with the implant head and when removed the transducer is not in communication with the implant head; and
at least one microphone external to the mouth of the patient and in communication with the transducer.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.
206 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting vibrations via bone or tissue to facilitate hearing in a patient, comprising:
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an implant having an implant head and a threaded portion adapted to be positioned below a gum line; a housing which is sized for placement within a mouth of the patient; an actuatable transducer disposed within or upon the housing, wherein the transducer is removably coupled to the implant head such that when connected the transducer is in vibratory communication with the implant head and when removed the transducer is not in communication with the implant head; and at least one microphone external to the mouth of the patient and in communication with the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification