CONTAMINATION RESISTANT PORTS FOR HEARING DEVICES

• US 20100322452A1
• Filed: 06/18/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Wagner, Paul, Stock, Leland, Wenzel, Stuart, Mauze, Ganapati, Ladabaum, Igal, Day, Ian Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer

Abstract

An in-canal hearing device includes a receiver, battery, and microphone assembly with a housing. The housing has an air and sound opening which is covered with a structure to inhibit the entry of cerumen and moisture. The structure may be in the form of an end cap having passages with walls which are both hydrophobic and oleophobic to prevent the entry of water, cerumen and other liquids. The structure may also include a flexible tube or a rigid perforated shell surrounding the passages that inhibit the deposition of solid cerumen and other debris onto the passages.

Claims

1. A hearing device adapted to be worn entirely within an ear canal of a patient, said device comprising:

a housing having an exterior, an interior, and an opening defining an air exchange path between the exterior and the interior; and

at least one of a receiver, a battery assembly, and a microphone assembly positioned within the housing; and

structures disposed along or across the air exchange path to inhibit the passage of liquid water or oil from the exterior to the interior of the housing.

2. A hearing device as in claim 1, wherein at least a microphone is in the housing and the opening permits sound transmission.

3. A hearing device as in claim 1, wherein at least a metal air battery is in the housing and the opening permits sufficient air to enter to operate the battery.

4. A hearing device as in claim 1, wherein at least a microphone and a battery are in the housing and the opening permits both sound transmission and sufficient air to enter to operate the battery.

5. A hearing device as in claim 1, wherein the structures comprises opposed wall surfaces disposed along the air exchange path wherein at least a portion of the wall surfaces are hydrophobic and at least a portion are oleophobic.

6. A hearing device as in claim 5, wherein the surfaces are angled to converge in a direction toward the opening.

7. A hearing device as in claim 5, wherein the wall surfaces have surface features which provide a capillary barrier to the entrance of water and oil.

8. A hearing device as in claim 7, wherein the surface features comprise micropillars.

9. A hearing device as in claim 7 wherein the side walls diverge in a direction away from the opening.

10. A hearing device as in claim 7, wherein the surface features comprise ridges having exposed rounded surfaces.

11. A hearing device as in claim 7, wherein the surface features comprise holes.

12. A hearing device as in claim 5, wherein the opposed wall surfaces are coated with a material which is both hydrophobic and oleophobic.

13. A hearing device as in claim 12, wherein the material is a fluoropolymer.

14. A hearing device as in claim 12, wherein the opposed walls are chemically or plasma treated.

15. A hearing device as in claim 5, wherein the opposed walls are present in the opening in the housing.

16. A hearing device as in claim 2, wherein the opposed walls are present in a separate cap which is disposed over the opening in the housing.

17. A hearing device as in claim 1, further comprising a cap which is disposed over the opening in the housing, said cap having a capillary barrier which allows air exchange and inhibits water and cerumen intrusion into the opening in the housing.

18. A hearing device as in claim 17, wherein the capillary barrier comprises a screen with a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface.

19. A hearing device as in claim 18, wherein the screen has a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating.

20. A hearing device as in claim 19, wherein the coating comprises a fluoropolymer.

21. A hearing device as in claim 18, wherein the screen has opening with a width in the range from 50 microns to 200 microns.

22. A hearing device as in claim 16, wherein the cap comprises a base having a central opening, wherein the capillary barrier extends across the central opening.

23. A hearing device as in claim 1, further comprising a tubular structure surrounding the opening to block the entry of solid cerumen and other debris.

24. A hearing device as in claim 23, wherein the tubular structure is elastomeric.

25. A hearing device as in claim 1, further comprising a rigid barrier having a plurality of holes to block the entry of solid cerumen and other debris.

26. An improved method of fabricating a hearing device of the type having a housing and at least one opening in a wall of the housing, which opening defines an air exchange path between an exterior and an interior of the housing, wherein the improvement comprises providing a barrier along the path, wherein the barrier inhibits the intrusion of water and cerumen from the exterior into the interior.

27. An improved method as in claim 26, wherein providing comprises forming micropillars or ridges on a pair of opposed walls on opposite sides of the air exchange path.

28. An improved method as in claim 26, when providing comprises positioning a cap over the opening, wherein the cap provides a capillary barrier.

29. An improved method as in claim 26, wherein providing comprises placing a screen across the air exchange path.

30. A method of improving a patient'"'"'s hearing, said method comprising:

positioning a hearing device within an ear canal of the patient, wherein at least a portion of the device resides beyond the bony junction and wherein the device has at least one opening in a wall of a housing that is susceptible to water and cerumen contamination; and

providing a barrier which inhibits the intrusion of water and cerumen into said opening while permitting air exchange through said opening.

31. A method as in claim 30, wherein the hearing device is left in the ear canal for at least 15 days before removing said device from the ear canal.

32. A method as in claim 30, wherein sufficient air can enter through said opening to allow functioning of an air-metal battery.

33. A method as in claim 30, wherein the air exchange through the barrier is sufficient to allow sound waves to enter an interior of the housing which includes a receiver.

34. A method as in claims 30, wherein providing comprises forming micropillars or ridges on a pair of surfaces on opposite sides of the air exchange path.

35. A method as in claim 30, wherein providing comprises positioning a cap over the opening, wherein the cap provides a capillary barrier.

36. A method as in claim 30, wherein providing comprises placing a screen across the air exchange path.