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Hearing implant

A hearing aid and actuator technology, applied in ear implants, hearing aids, medical science, etc., can solve problems such as discomfort, complexity, and insufficient sound quality

Active Publication Date: 2008-02-20
MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Traditional hearing aids have several problems: acoustic feedback (due to the microphone being too close to the speaker), insufficient sound quality, and discomfort due to blocking the ear canal
The supporting structures of these prior art devices are fixed to the skull, which requires complex surgical procedures
Both devices have potential problems with feedback due to skull vibrations and the required vibration stimulation of the ossicular chain

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0073] 1. Actuator based on d31 multilayer

[0074] A brief description will now be given of the multi-layer based compact actuator 30 shown in FIG. 4 . For the sake of clarity, the fixation means for connecting the actuator to the ossicles and the means for providing the acoustic information signal and electrical energy are not shown.

[0075]Figure 4a shows an actuator 30 which amplifies the displacement produced by a piezoelectric member 37 having two multilayer piezoelectric stacks 34, 36 forming a piezoelectric array. The frame member 35 includes dual flextensional amplifiers 38, 40 having integral first and second end portions 42, 44 that are positioned relative to the flextensional Amplifiers 38 , 40 are arranged substantially at right angles and are located at first and second end faces 41 , 43 of piezoelectric member 37 , respectively.

[0076] The frame member 35 is preferably made of medical grade titanium (ASTMF67), a material widely used in the hearing implant i...

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Abstract

The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to devices for assisting the hearing impaired. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing electromechanical actuators that can be mounted directly to the ossicles of the middle ear for amplifying vibrations generated by sound signals. Background technique [0002] Sensorineural deafness is by far the most common type of hearing loss. Deafness affects nine million people in the UK, 80% of these people have sensorineural deafness (from Defeating Deafness, UK). Causes include congenital, bacterial, high-intensity noise, especially the aging process, and a high proportion of those affected are over the age of 60. Hearing impairment is the third most common chronic condition affecting the elderly population and is the least diagnosed. Incidence increases in some age groups in younger age groups due to exposure to loud noises. [0003] Currently, there are no effective measures to repair the cochlea or the...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): A61F11/04A61F2/18
CPCA61F2002/183H04R25/606H04R17/02
Inventor 埃里克·威廉·艾贝尔王志钢
Owner MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH
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