Actuator systems for oral-based appliances
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a housing that is configured to engage at least one tooth without requiring anatomical modification of the at least one tooth or bonding to the at least one tooth;
a transducer disposed within or upon the housing and configured to transmit vibrations to a surface of the at least one tooth, wherein said apparatus produces an interference fit between the apparatus and at least two surfaces of the at least one tooth;
an electronics assembly in communication with the transducer; and
a mass element coupled to the transducer and movable relative to the housing whereby movement of the mass element generates a force transmittable through the surface of the at least one tooth.
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Abstract
Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing that is configured to engage at least one tooth without requiring anatomical modification of the at least one tooth or bonding to the at least one tooth; a transducer disposed within or upon the housing and configured to transmit vibrations to a surface of the at least one tooth, wherein said apparatus produces an interference fit between the apparatus and at least two surfaces of the at least one tooth; an electronics assembly in communication with the transducer; and a mass element coupled to the transducer and movable relative to the housing whereby movement of the mass element generates a force transmittable through the surface of the at least one tooth. - 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)
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Specification