Surgery – Surgically implanted vibratory hearing aid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-07-17
Layno, Carl H. (Department: 3762)
Surgery
Surgically implanted vibratory hearing aid
C607S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261224
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electromechanical transducer for use in a hearing system implantable in a middle ear.
BACKGROUND
In some types of partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid systems, sounds produce mechanical vibrations which are transduced by an electromechanical input transducer into electrical signals. These electrical signals are in turn amplified and applied to an electromechanical output transducer. The electromechanical output transducer vibrates an ossicular bone in response to the applied amplified electrical signals, thereby improving hearing.
Such electromechanical input and output transducers should be proportioned to provide convenient implantation in the middle ear. Low power consumption transducers are also desired for use with a limited longevity implanted battery as a power source. The electromechanical input transducer should have high sensitivity, gain, linearity, and a wide dynamic range in producing electrical signals from a sensed mechanical vibration. The electromechanical output transducer should have low power consumption in producing mechanical vibrations from an applied electrical input signal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a piezoelectric transducer film disposed within the middle ear and a method of use, such as with a middle ear implantable (MEI) hearing system including a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) hearing aid system or a total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid system.
In one embodiment, the invention is used as an electromechanical output transducer. A mount carrying a piezoelectric transducer film is secured to the middle ear. An electrical input signal is applied to the film to dynamically vary the film length. The film is constrained such that variations in the film length produce positional film variations which are mechanically coupled to vibrate an auditory element.
In one embodiment, as an electromechanical output transducer, the film is mechanically coupled to first and second constraint points, such as on the mount, or on the mount and on the auditory element. The film is optionally bowed away from the mount. A variation in film length between the first and second constraint points is transformed into a positional variation of a driving point of the film. The driving point of the film couples mechanical vibrations to an auditory element such as the stapes.
In another embodiment, a hoop-shaped piezoelectric electromechanical output transducer film (hoop) is mechanically coupled to the mount at a coupling point. The hoop is coupled to first and second constraint points on first and second arms extending radially outward from the mount. An applied electrical input signal causes variations in a circumferential length of the hoop. The variations in the circumferential length of the hoop are transformed into positional variations that are typically approximately orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the mount as a result of constraining by the first and second arms. The positional variations couple mechanical vibrations to an auditory element such as the stapes.
In another embodiment, the invention is used as an electromechanical input transducer. A mount carrying a piezoelectric transducer film is secured to the middle ear. The film is coupled to an auditory element, such as the malleus, for receiving mechanical vibrations resulting from sound waves. The film transducer produces an output voltage in response to the mechanical vibrations. The film is mechanically coupled to first and second constraint points, such as on the mount, or on the mount and on the auditory element.
In one embodiment, as an electromechanical input transducer, the film is mechanically coupled to the mount at first and second constraint points. The film is optionally bowed away from the mount. The film is coupled to an auditory element, such as the malleus, at a vibrated point between the first and second constraint points. Received vibrations constrain the length of the film, producing an electrical output signal in response.
In another embodiment, as an electromechanical input transducer, a hoop-shaped film is mechanically coupled to the mount at a coupling point. The film is coupled to first and second constraint points on first and second arms extending radially outward from the mount. A vibrated point on the film is coupled to an auditory element, such as the malleus. Received vibrations constrain the circumferential length of the film, producing a resulting electrical output signal in response.
Thus, the invention includes an electromechanical input transducer film receiving mechanical vibrations from an auditory element and providing a resulting electrical signal to an electronics unit of an implantable hearing system. The invention also includes an electromechanical output transducer film receiving electrical signals from the electronics unit of an implantable hearing system and vibrating an auditory element in response. The invention also provides an electronics unit and a programmer.
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Adams Theodore P.
Brillhart Bruce A.
Bushek Donald J.
Kroll Kai
Fredrikson & Byron , P.A.
Layno Carl H.
St. Croix Medical, Inc.
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