Transcutaneous magnetic bone conduction device

Abstract

A bone conduction device for enhancing the hearing of a recipient, comprising: a sound input element configured to receive an acoustic sound signal; an electronics module configured generate an electrical signal representing the acoustic sound signal; a transducer configured to generate mechanical forces representing the electrical signal for deliver to the recipient's skull; one or more external components mechanically coupled to the transducer and configured to transfer the mechanical forces; and one or more implanted components magnetically coupled to the one or more external components and configured to receive the mechanical forces from the external components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 041,185; filed Mar. 31, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is generally directed to a bone conduction device, and more particularly, to a transcutaneous magnetic bone conduction device[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types, conductive or sensorineural. In many people who are profoundly deaf, the reason for their deafness is sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is due to absence, destruction, or damage to the hairs that transduce acoustic signals into nerve impulses in the cochlea. Various prosthetic hearing implants have been developed to provide individuals who suffer from sensorineural hearing loss with the ability to perceive sound. One type of prosthetic implant, referred to as ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a bone conduction device for improving the hearing of a recipient. The device has an external component and an implanted component that work together to transfer mechanical forces to the recipient's skull. The device receives an electrical signal from an acoustic sound signal and generates mechanical forces to vibrate the skull. The device is magnetically coupled to the skull using a magnetic coupling, which allows for efficient transfer of the mechanical forces. The technical effects of the invention include improved bone conduction and enhanced hearing for recipients with conductive hearing disorders.

Problems solved by technology

This type of hearing loss is due to absence, destruction, or damage to the hairs that transduce acoustic signals into nerve impulses in the cochlea.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways, which conduct sound to hairs in the cochlea, are impeded.

This problem may arise from damage to the ossicular chain to ear canal.

However, individuals who suffer from conductive hearing loss frequently still have some form of residual hearing because the hairs in the cochlea are often undamaged.

For this reason, individuals who suffer from conductive hearing loss are typically not candidates for a cochlear implant, because insertion of the electrode array into a cochlea may result in the severe damage or destruction of the most of the hair cells within the cochlea.

These devices are uncomfortable to wear and for some recipients are incapable of producing sufficient gain.

Unfortunately, hearing aids do not benefit all individuals who suffer from conductive hearing loss.

Hearing aids are also typically unsuitable for individuals who suffer from single-sided deafness (i.e., total hearing loss only in one ear) or individuals who suffer from mixed hearing losses (i.e., combinations of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss).

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