Inductive signal and energy transfer through the external auditory canal
First Claim
1. An inductive coil arrangement for an ear canal of a recipient patient, the ear canal having an outer wall defining a generally cylindrical shape around a central ear canal axis, the inductive coil arrangement comprising:
- an inner transmitter coil for insertion into the ear canal, the transmitter coil having a plurality of transmission wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the transmission wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal; and
an outer receiver coil for implantation under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal, the receiver coil having a plurality of receiver wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the receiver wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis substantially parallel to the transmitter coil for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inductive coil arrangement is described for an ear canal of a recipient patient. An inner transmitter coil inserts into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal. The transmitter coil includes transmission wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal. An outer receiver coil is implantable under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. The receiver coil includes receiver wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal substantially parallel to the transmitter coil.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An inductive coil arrangement for an ear canal of a recipient patient, the ear canal having an outer wall defining a generally cylindrical shape around a central ear canal axis, the inductive coil arrangement comprising:
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an inner transmitter coil for insertion into the ear canal, the transmitter coil having a plurality of transmission wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the transmission wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal; and an outer receiver coil for implantation under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal, the receiver coil having a plurality of receiver wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the receiver wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis substantially parallel to the transmitter coil for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification