Integrated cochlear implant headpiece

• US 8,811,643 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Crawford, Scott A., Lynch, Douglas P., Woods, Carla Mann
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins, Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRITCHARD, JASMINE L
• Application Number:
  US12/398,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20100046778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,994 Days
• Field of Search: 381/328, 381/330, 381/322, 381/315, 600/25, 600/55, 600/56, 600/57, 607 55- 57
• US Class Current: 381/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/604 of acoustic or vibrational transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659

Abstract

An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions.

Claims

1. An integrated headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, comprising:

a microphone for outputting an audio signal;

a headpiece magnet for attracting said headpiece to said cochlear implant;

signal processing electronics for processing said audio signal into a processed audio signal;

a transmitter for transmitting said processed audio signal received from said electronics to said cochlear implant; and

an assistive listening device cap that provides additional functionality to said headpiece, said headpiece and said assistive listening device cap being respectively configured such that said assistive listening device cap can be magnetically secured to and communicate with said headpiece when said headpiece is magnetically secured to said cochlear implant;

wherein all of said microphone, headpiece magnet, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common rigid housing of said integrated headpiece, said integrated headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted external component which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system.

2. The headpiece of claim 1, wherein said integrated headpiece further comprises a power source, said power source supplying electrical power to said microphone, signal processing electronics and transmitter.

3. The headpiece of claim 2, wherein said power source comprises a battery.

4. An integrated headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, comprising:

a common housing that includes a top outer surface and a bottom outer surface and is not a behind-the-ear sound processor housing;

a headpiece magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant;

a microphone that outputs an audio signal;

signal processing electronics that process the audio signal into a processed audio signal; and

means for transmitting the processed audio signal to the cochlear implant;

wherein all of the microphone, headpiece magnet, signal processing electronics, and means for transmitting are disposed within the common housing; and

wherein the common housing includes a main portion and a loop that is connected to the main portion at only two locations such that an open space that extends through the top and bottom outer surfaces is defined between, and bordered on all sides by, the main portion and the loop.

5. The integrated headpiece of claim 4, further comprising:

a power source disposed within the common housing.

6. The integrated headpiece of claim 4, wherein the common housing is substantially disc-shaped.

7. An integrated headpiece for use with a cochlear implant, comprising:

a substantially egg-shaped common housing that includes a top outer surface and a bottom outer surface and is not a behind-the-ear sound processor housing;

a headpiece magnet that is attracted to the cochlear implant;

a microphone that outputs an audio signal;

signal processing electronics that process the audio signal into a processed audio signal; and

means for transmitting the processed audio signal to the cochlear implant;

wherein all of the microphone, headpiece magnet, signal processing electronics, and means for transmitting are disposed within the common housing; and

wherein the common housing includes a main portion and a loop that is connected to the main portion at only two locations such that an open space that extends through the top and bottom outer surfaces is defined between, and bordered on all sides by, the main portion and the loop.