Method and apparatus for mathematically characterizing ear canal geometry
First Claim
1. A method for mathematically characterizing a person'"'"'s ear canal, the method comprising:
- positioning a pre-formed expandable balloon in the ear canal, the balloon including a transducer system including a hollow central channel, a flexible catheter extending through the central channel, the flexible catheter including a flexible track, a platform movably coupled to the track, an ultrasonic transducer probe coupled top the platform, and a sensor coupled to the platform;
expanding the balloon to fit the person'"'"'s ear canal snugly to mechanically couple the transducer system to the ear canal;
scanning the ear canal using the ultrasonic transducer probe by moving the platform along the track within the channel and within the balloon, wherein moving the platform includes translating and rotating the platform;
sensing motion and position of the transducer probe using the sensor; and
using information from the ultrasonic transducer probe and sensor to compute a mathematical representation of the ear canal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for physically fitting a hearing assistance device, including mathematically characterizing a person'"'"'s ear canal. The apparatus includes an expandable balloon for positioning in the ear canal, the balloon including a hollow interior channel. A flexible catheter extends through the interior portion of the balloon, and the flexible catheter includes a track. A platform is movably coupled to the track. An ultrasonic transducer and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor are coupled to the platform. The ultrasonic transducer scans the ear canal and the MEMS sensor senses motion and position of the transducer. According to various embodiments, a mathematical representation of the ear canal is adapted to be computed using information from the transducer and sensor.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for mathematically characterizing a person'"'"'s ear canal, the method comprising:
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positioning a pre-formed expandable balloon in the ear canal, the balloon including a transducer system including a hollow central channel, a flexible catheter extending through the central channel, the flexible catheter including a flexible track, a platform movably coupled to the track, an ultrasonic transducer probe coupled top the platform, and a sensor coupled to the platform; expanding the balloon to fit the person'"'"'s ear canal snugly to mechanically couple the transducer system to the ear canal; scanning the ear canal using the ultrasonic transducer probe by moving the platform along the track within the channel and within the balloon, wherein moving the platform includes translating and rotating the platform; sensing motion and position of the transducer probe using the sensor; and using information from the ultrasonic transducer probe and sensor to compute a mathematical representation of the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for mathematically characterizing a person'"'"'s ear canal, the method comprising:
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inserting a catheter system in the ear canal, the catheter system including a balloon and a flexible track, a platform movably coupled to the track, an ultrasonic transducer probe coupled top the platform, and a sensor coupled to the platform; after expanding the balloon to fit the canal and mechanically couple the catheter system to the canal, scanning the ear canal using the ultrasonic transducer probe by translating and rotating the platform along the track within the channel and within the balloon; sensing motion and position of the transducer probe using the sensor; and using information from the ultrasonic transducer probe and sensor to compute a mathematical representation of the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification