Optically coupled cochlear actuator systems and methods
First Claim
1. A device to transmit a sound to a user having a middle ear and a cochlea comprising a cochlear fluid, the device comprising:
- an input assembly configured to receive a sound input; and
an output assembly comprising a support and a transducer,wherein the support is configured to extend through a fenestration in the cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue to couple to the endostium, the support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration, andwherein the transducer is configured to be positioned at or over the upper portion of the support and over the fenestration to vibrate the support coupled to the endosteum to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer is configured to couple to the cochlear fluid so as to transmit sound with low amounts of energy, such that feed back to a microphone positioned in the ear canal is inhibited substantially. The cochlear fluid coupled hearing device can allow a user to determine from which side a sound originates with vibration of the cochlea and the user can also receive sound localization cues from the device, as feedback can be substantially inhibited. The transducer may be coupled to the cochlear fluid with a thin membrane disposed between the transducer and the cochlear fluid, for example with a fenestration in the cochlea. In some embodiments, a support coupled to the transducer directly contacts the fluid of the cochlea so as to couple the transducer to the cochlear fluid.
339 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A device to transmit a sound to a user having a middle ear and a cochlea comprising a cochlear fluid, the device comprising:
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an input assembly configured to receive a sound input; and an output assembly comprising a support and a transducer, wherein the support is configured to extend through a fenestration in the cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue to couple to the endostium, the support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration, and wherein the transducer is configured to be positioned at or over the upper portion of the support and over the fenestration to vibrate the support coupled to the endosteum to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of transmitting a sound to a user having a middle ear and a cochlea comprising a cochlear fluid, the method comprising:
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receiving a sound input with an input assembly; and vibrating the cochlear fluid with a support to transmit the sound to the user in response to the received sound input, wherein the support is coupled to a transducer for vibrating the support, wherein the support is configured to extend through a fenestration in the cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue to couple to the endosteum, the support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration, and wherein the transducer is configured to be positioned at or over the upper portion of the support and over the fenestration to vibrate the support to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user.
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18. A device for implantation in a middle ear of a user, the middle ear having a stapes, the device comprising:
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a housing; a transducer configured to vibrate the stapes, the transducer contained at least partially within the housing; and an expandable structure disposed on a portion of the housing, the expandable structure and the housing sized for placement at least partially between crura of the stapes to couple the transducer to the stapes, wherein the housing comprises a support coupled to the transducer and configured to extend through a fenestration in the cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue to couple to the endosteum, the support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration, and wherein the transducer is configured to be positioned at or over the upper portion of the support and over the fenestration to vibrate the support to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of implanting a device in a middle ear of a user, the middle ear having a stapes and a fenestration in a cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue, the method comprising:
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providing an assembly comprising an expandable structure, a housing and a transducer contained at least partially within the housing, wherein the housing comprises a support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration for coupling with the transducer and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration; and placing the assembly at least partially within crura of the stapes such that the expandable structure contacts the stapes to couple the transducer to the stapes and the support extends from the upper surface of the cochlear bone tissue to the lower surface of the cochlear bone tissue to couple the support to an endostium, and vibrating the transducer to vibrate the support coupled to the endosteum to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user.
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28. A device to transmit a sound to a user having a middle ear and a cochlea comprising a cochlear fluid, the device comprising:
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input assembly means for receiving a sound input; and output assembly means for coupling to the input assembly means and for transmitting the sound to the user, wherein the output assembly means comprises a support coupled to a transducer and configured to extend through a fenestration in the cochlear bone tissue from an upper surface of the tissue to a lower surface of the tissue to couple to the endosteum, the support comprising an upper portion sized larger than the fenestration and a lower portion sized for placement in the fenestration, and wherein the transducer is configured to be positioned at or over the upper portion of the support and over the fenestration to vibrate the support to vibrate the cochlear fluid to transmit sound to the user.
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Specification