Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Ear or nose prosthesis
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-31
2001-05-22
Prebilic, Paul B. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Ear or nose prosthesis
C607S056000, C607S057000, C600S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06235056
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an at least partially implantable hearing assistance system or cochlear implant.
BACKGROUND
In some types of partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing assistance systems, sounds produce mechanical vibrations which are transduced by an electromechanical input transducer into electrical signals. These electrical signals are in turn provided to an electronics unit which amplifies the signal and provides it to an electromechanical output transducer. The electromechanical output transducer typically vibrates an ossicular bone in response to the applied amplified electrical signals, thus improving hearing.
Such systems, as well as other hearing assistance systems, typically face limitations on processing capability and longevity due to the limited energy capacity of implanted batteries. This is particularly true for conventional P-MEI hearing assistance systems having a battery disposed in the electronics unit, which is implanted in the mastoid region of the temporal bone behind the ear. There is a need in the art for a hearing assistance system that provides increased battery capacity, which would ease the limitations on processing capability and longevity. There is further need in the art for a hearing assistance system that allows convenient battery replacement.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a hearing assistance system having an electronics unit that is remotely situated from the ear, thereby realizing several advantages. The hearing assistance system of the present invention includes an electromechanical input transducer, which is proportioned for disposition within a middle ear region of a first ear, for converting a mechanical sound vibration into an input electrical signal. An output stimulator is proportioned for disposition within the middle ear region or an inner ear region of a second ear. An electronics unit is proportioned for subcutaneous subcranial implantation. The electronics unit provides an output electrical signal in response to the input electrical signal. An input link communicates the input electrical signal between the input transducer and the subcranially implanted electronics unit. An output link communicates the output electrical signal between the output stimulator and the subcranially implanted electronics unit.
The first and second ears may be the same ear, or different ears. In one embodiment, the output stimulator is an electromechanical transducer for converting an electrical signal into a mechanical sound vibration In another embodiment, the output stimulator is a cochlear implant for delivering electrical stimuli to the inner ear. The electronics unit is, in one embodiment, proportioned for pectoral implantation.
The hearing assistance system operates according to a method that includes receiving a mechanical sound vibration from an electromechanical input transducer that is proportioned for disposition within a middle ear region of a first ear, and providing an input electrical signal in response thereto. The input electrical signal is communicated to a subcranially implanted electronics unit that provides an output electrical signal in response thereto. The output electrical signal is communicated to an output stimulator that is proportioned for disposition within the middle ear region or an inner ear region of a second ear. The output stimulator provides output stimuli to the middle or inner ear in response to the output electrical signal.
By providing a hearing assistance system having an electronics unit that is remotely situated from the ear, a larger volume is available than if implanted in the mastoid region of the temporal bone behind the ear. The larger electronics unit, in turn, carries therein a larger volume power source having increased energy capacity. This provides several advantages, including: increased longevity of the implantable hearing assistance system before battery replacement is required; more convenient battery replacement, such as when the electronics unit is pectorally implanted; and allowing for higher power consumption signal processing capabilities.
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Fredrikson & Byron , P.A.
Prebilic Paul B.
St. Croix Medical, Inc.
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