Surgery – Surgically implanted vibratory hearing aid
Patent
1995-01-03
1997-04-29
Sykes, Angela D.
Surgery
Surgically implanted vibratory hearing aid
607 55, H04R 2500
Patent
active
056243766
ABSTRACT:
A floating mass transducer for improving hearing in a hearing impaired person is provided. The floating mass transducer (100) may be implanted or mounted externally for producing vibrations in a vibratory structure of an ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is fixed to an ossicle of a middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The vibrations of the housing are conducted to the oval window of the ear via the ossicles. In alternate embodiments, the floating mass transducer produces vibrations using piezoelectric materials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3594514 (1971-07-01), Wingrove
patent: 3712962 (1973-01-01), Epley
patent: 3752939 (1973-08-01), Bartz
patent: 3764748 (1973-10-01), Branch et al.
patent: 3870832 (1975-03-01), Fredrickson
patent: 3882285 (1975-05-01), Nunley et al.
patent: 4063048 (1977-12-01), Kissiah, Jr.
patent: 4063049 (1977-12-01), Pipitone et al.
patent: 4352960 (1982-10-01), Dormer et al.
patent: 4357497 (1982-11-01), Hochmair et al.
patent: 4606329 (1986-08-01), Hough
patent: 4611598 (1986-09-01), Hortmann et al.
patent: 4612915 (1986-09-01), Hough et al.
patent: 4628907 (1986-12-01), Epley
patent: 4696287 (1987-09-01), Hortmann et al.
patent: 4728327 (1988-03-01), Gersdorff
patent: 4756312 (1988-07-01), Epley
patent: 4776322 (1988-10-01), Hough et al.
patent: 4800884 (1989-01-01), Heide et al.
patent: 4817607 (1989-04-01), Tatge
patent: 4817609 (1989-04-01), Perkins et al.
patent: 4832051 (1989-05-01), Jarvik et al.
patent: 4840178 (1989-06-01), Heide et al.
patent: 4918745 (1990-04-01), Hutchison
patent: 4936305 (1990-06-01), Ashtiani et al.
patent: 4957478 (1990-09-01), Maniglia
patent: 4969900 (1990-11-01), Fleischer
patent: 4988333 (1991-01-01), Engebretson et al.
patent: 5015224 (1991-05-01), Maniglia
patent: 5015225 (1991-05-01), Hough et al.
patent: 5047994 (1991-09-01), Lenhardt et al.
patent: 5085628 (1992-02-01), Engebretson et al.
patent: 5163957 (1992-11-01), Sade' et al.
patent: 5220918 (1993-06-01), Heide et al.
patent: 5257623 (1993-11-01), Karasev et al.
patent: 5259032 (1993-11-01), Perkins et al.
patent: 5259033 (1993-11-01), Goodings et al.
patent: 5277694 (1994-01-01), Leysieffer et al.
patent: 5282858 (1994-02-01), Bisch et al.
patent: 5295193 (1994-03-01), Ono
patent: 5338287 (1994-08-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5356430 (1994-10-01), Nadol, Jr.
patent: 5531787 (1996-07-01), Lesinski et al.
J. Hough et al., "A Middle Ear Implantable Hearing Device for Controlled Amplification of Sound in the Human: A Preliminary Report," Laryngoscope, 97:141-51 (1987).
N. Yanagihara et al., "Development of an Implantable Hearing Aid Using a Piezoelectric Vibrator of Bimorph Design: State of the Art," Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 92:706 (1984).
J. Heide et al., "Development of a Semi-Implantable Hearing Device," Adv Audiol, 4:32-43 (1988).
A.J. Maniglia et al., "Design, Development, and Analysis of a Newer Electro-Magnetic Semi-Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device," Transplants and Implants in Otology II, pp. 365-369 (1992).
E. Lenkauskas, "Otally Implantable Hearing Aid Device," Transplants and Implants in Otology II, pp. 371-375 (1992).
J-l Suzuki et al., "Further Clinical Experiences with Middle-Ear Implantable Hearing Aids: Indications and Sound Quality Evaluation," ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 51:229-234 (1989).
R.L. Goode, "Current Status of Electromagnetic Implantable Hearing Aids," Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 22:201-09.
S.C. Parisier et al., "Cochlear Implants: Indications and Technology," Medical Clinics of North America, 75:1267-76 (1991).
R.L. Goode, "Implantable Hearing Devices," Medical Clinics of North America, 75:1261-66 (1991).
B.A. Weber et al., "Application of an Implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Device to Patients with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearin" Layngoscope, 102:538-42 (1992).
E. Buchman et al., "On the Transmission of Sound Generated by an Electromagnetic Device from the Mastoid Process to the Petrou" J Acoust Soc Am. 90:895-903 (1991).
B. Hakansson et al., "Percutaneous vs. Transcutaneous Transducers for Hearing by Direct Bone Conduction," Otolaryngol Head Nec 102:339 (1990).
T. M. McGee et al., "Electromagnetic Semi-Implantable Hearing Device: Phase I. Clinical Trials," Laryngoscope, 101:355 (1991).
J. M. Kartush et al., "Electromagnetic Semi-Implantable Hearing Device: An Update," Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 104:150 (1991).
A. Baumfield et al., "Performance of Assitive Listening Devices Using Insertion Gain Measures," Scand Audiol, 22:43-46 (1993).
Ball Geoffrey R.
Culp James M.
Dietz Tim
Mar Craig
Salisbury John D.
Lacyk J. P.
Sykes Angela D.
Symphonix Devices, Inc.
LandOfFree
Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-702169