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.
219 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