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Implantable actuator for hearing aid application

a technology of actuators and hearing aids, applied in the field of hearing loss treatment, can solve the problems of stigmatization of patients with hearing loss, feedback at high amplification levels, occlusion of auditory canals, etc., and achieve the effect of reducing the reluctance of said second magnetic circui

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-06-12
BERNHARD HANS +9
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that generates a magnetic field to make an unbalanced force on a moving part, which causes it to move. The device uses a special part called a magnetically permeable armature, which has a motor that can be controlled to move. The device also has a small gap between the parts that helps reduce the resistance to the magnetic field. The technical effect of this device is that it can create a more precise and responsive control of magnetically driven parts, which could be useful in various applications such as motors or sensors.

Problems solved by technology

Today state-of-the-art conventional hearing aids are able to treat hearing loss, in particular sensorineural hearing loss, very efficiently but still have some major disadvantages such as occlusion of the auditory canal, feedback at high amplification levels and stigmatization of the patients with hearing loss.
Further they are rather ineffective in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss.

Method used

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  • Implantable actuator for hearing aid application
  • Implantable actuator for hearing aid application
  • Implantable actuator for hearing aid application

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Embodiment Construction

[0045]Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective and composite views depicting the components of an implantable hearing aid device 100 incorporating an electromechanical actuator 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hearing aid device 100 includes a housing 1 formed from titanium tubing that is substantially cylindrical and of circular cross section. Hearing aid device 100 further comprises a titanium diaphragm 6, a titanium ring 21 and a multi-pin feedthrough 9 which are joined by hermetic laser welds. Coupling rod 7, which is part of the moving mechanical output structure of electromechanical actuator 50, is placed in ring 21 and is hermetically welded to it. This assembly provides a hermetically closed housing 1 that is suitable for implantation in the human body.

[0046]Lead 11 which provides the input signal to electromechanical actuator 50 is connected to feedthrough 9. To protect the connection site of the lead 11, electromechanical actu...

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Abstract

An electromechanical actuator for an implantable hearing aid device including a mechanical output structure that has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is a mechanical attachment structure to attach a stapes prosthesis, and wherein the second portion is a wire-like member coupling the mechanical attachment structure to a magnetically permeable armature shaft assembly.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 631,512 entitled “Implantable Fixation System for Anchorage of Medical Devices,” filed 30 Nov. 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to treatments for hearing loss. In a particular form, the present invention relates to an implantable actuator capable of direct stimulation of the middle and inner ear auditory systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Today state-of-the-art conventional hearing aids are able to treat hearing loss, in particular sensorineural hearing loss, very efficiently but still have some major disadvantages such as occlusion of the auditory canal, feedback at high amplification levels and stigmatization of the patients with hearing loss. Further they are rather ineffective in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss. Whilst the present invention is described i...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04R25/00
CPCA61F2002/183H04R25/60H04R25/606H04R2225/41H04R25/609H04R2225/57A61F2/18
Inventor BERNHARD, HANSFONTANNAZ, JOELPECLAT, CHRISTIANHALLER, MARKUSCAUWELS, KARENKLOECK, BENHUYBRECHTS, KARELSTIEGER, CHRISTOFHAUSLER, RUDOLPHKAISER, THOMAS
Owner BERNHARD HANS
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