Optically coupled acoustic middle ear implant systems and methods
First Claim
1. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the ear comprising a middle ear and an eardrum, the device comprising:
- an output transducer assembly configured to couple to a tissue of a middle ear of a user, the assembly comprising,at least one receiving transducer configured to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted through the eardrum; and
a sound transducer coupled to the at least one receiving transducer and configured to transmit the sound to the user in response to the electromagnetic energy when the output transducer assembly is supported with the tissue of the middle ear of the user,wherein a portion of the output transducer assembly comprises an extension sized to couple with a round window with air extending between the sound transducer and the round window, the extension comprising a channel having an opening,wherein the opening of the channel of the extension of the sound transducer is oriented toward the round window to transmit a majority of low frequency sound having frequencies below about 4 kHz to the user via the eardrum and to transmit a majority of high frequency sound having frequencies above about 5 kHz to the user via the round window, andwherein the output transducer assembly further comprises a sound processor configured to provide variable gains among the low and high frequency sounds based on a combined transfer function of a frequency response of an eardrum component and a frequency response of a round window component, wherein the frequency response of the eardrum component corresponds to a stimulation of the eardrum by the output transducer assembly and wherein the frequency response of the round window corresponds to a stimulation of the round window by the output transducer assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly comprising a sound transducer can be implanted in the middle ear in a manner that simplifies surgery. The assembly may comprise a narrow cross-sectional profile such that the assembly can be positioned in the middle ear through an incision in the eardrum, for example without cutting bone. The incision can be closed and electromagnetic energy transmitted through the closed incision to a transducer configured to vibrate the ear in response to the electromagnetic energy. In many embodiments, the sound transducer comprises a speaker positioned in the middle ear, and the sound transducer can couple to vibratory structure of the ear with air so as to simplify surgery. The assembly may be affixed to a substantially fixed structure of the ear, for example the promontory, so as to inhibit user perceivable occlusion and inhibit motion of the assembly, such that the user can perceive clear sound with little occlusion.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the ear comprising a middle ear and an eardrum, the device comprising:
an output transducer assembly configured to couple to a tissue of a middle ear of a user, the assembly comprising, at least one receiving transducer configured to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted through the eardrum; and a sound transducer coupled to the at least one receiving transducer and configured to transmit the sound to the user in response to the electromagnetic energy when the output transducer assembly is supported with the tissue of the middle ear of the user, wherein a portion of the output transducer assembly comprises an extension sized to couple with a round window with air extending between the sound transducer and the round window, the extension comprising a channel having an opening, wherein the opening of the channel of the extension of the sound transducer is oriented toward the round window to transmit a majority of low frequency sound having frequencies below about 4 kHz to the user via the eardrum and to transmit a majority of high frequency sound having frequencies above about 5 kHz to the user via the round window, and wherein the output transducer assembly further comprises a sound processor configured to provide variable gains among the low and high frequency sounds based on a combined transfer function of a frequency response of an eardrum component and a frequency response of a round window component, wherein the frequency response of the eardrum component corresponds to a stimulation of the eardrum by the output transducer assembly and wherein the frequency response of the round window corresponds to a stimulation of the round window by the output transducer assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the ear comprising a middle ear, the device comprising:
an output transducer assembly configured for placement in the middle ear of the user, the output transducer assembly comprising, at least one photo detector; a structure to affix the assembly to a substantially fixed tissue of the middle ear; a speaker coupled to the at least one photodetector and configured to transmit the sound to the user when the assembly is affixed to the substantially fixed tissue of the middle ear; an extension coupled to the speaker and sized to couple to the round window with air extending between the sound transducer and the round window, the extension comprising a channel to concentrate sound pressure toward the round window such that feedback is reduced, wherein an opening of the channel of the extension is oriented toward the round window to transmit a majority of low frequency sound having frequencies below about 4 kHz to the user via the eardrum and to transmit a majority of high frequency sound having frequencies above about 5 kHz to the user via the round window; and a sound processor configured to provide variable gains among the low and high frequency sounds based on a combined transfer function of a frequency response of an eardrum component and a frequency response of a round window component, wherein the frequency response of the eardrum component corresponds to a stimulation of the eardrum by the output transducer assembly and wherein the frequency response of the round window corresponds to a stimulation of the round window by the output transducer assembly.
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33. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the device comprising:
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means for transmitting the sound to the ear of the user comprising an extension sized to couple to a round window with air extending between the extension and the round window, the extension comprising a channel having a maximum cross sectional diameter of no more than about 3 mm to concentrate sound pressure near an opening of the channel such that feedback is reduced, wherein the opening of the channel of the extension is oriented toward the round window to transmit a majority of low frequency sound having frequencies below about 4 kHz to the user via the eardrum and to transmit a majority of high frequency sound having frequencies above about 5 kHz to the user via the round window; and means for providing variable gains among the low and high frequency sounds based on a combined transfer function of a frequency response of an eardrum component and a frequency response of a round window component, wherein the frequency response of the eardrum component corresponds to a stimulation of the eardrum by the means for transmitting sound and wherein the frequency response of the round window corresponds to a stimulation of the round window by the means for transmitting sound.
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Specification