Percutaneous bone anchor hearing aid device

Abstract

The present application discloses a percutaneous bone anchor hearing aid device comprising: a receiver coil for percutaneously receiving an externally generated communication signal; a signal processor configured to convert an externally generated communication signal into an electrical stimulation signal; an electromagnetic vibrator configured to receive the electrical stimulation signal, the electromagnetic vibrator including a housing. The housing encloses: a coil unit configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on an electrical stimulation signal; a permanent magnet configured to generate a static magnetic flux; a block unit connected to the permanent magnet; a bobbin unit configured to engage with the coil unit, the permanent magnet, and the block unit; a spring unit configured to retain an air gap below the movable block, where the movable block includes a coil unit, a permanent magnet, a block unit, and a bobbin unit, and where the movable block and the spring unit are configured to generate acoustic vibrations; and a vibrator sheet configured to receive acoustic vibrations, wherein the air gap is between the vibrator sheet and a portion of the movable block.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application 202010819340.2, filed on August 14, 2020, with the invention name “Percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid with improved packaging”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic vibrator for a transcutaneous bone conduction hearing aid, which is configured to produce an auditory perception to a user by transmitting sound vibrations through the bones of the user's head. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electromagnetic vibrator (transducer) comprising an improved packaging of functional components within the electromagnetic vibrator, wherein a block unit of the electromagnetic vibrator comprises an embedded structure for receiving at least one of a permanent magnet, a coil unit, a vibrator sheet and / or a spring unit of the electromagnetic vibrator. Background Art

[0003] It is known that hearing is achieved through bone conduction, that is, sound is conducted to the inner ear through the skull bone. Electromagnetic vibrators combine properties such as small size, wide frequency range and efficient energy conversion, and therefore, electromagnetic vibrators are widely used in hearing aid applications. Such a vibrator includes a coil unit, a permanent magnet, a block unit, a coil frame / bobbin unit, a spring unit and a vibrator sheet. By superimposing the signal magnetic flux generated by the coil unit wound around the coil frame unit (center part), a force is generated in the air gap between the vibrator sheet and the coil frame unit.

[0004] The percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device comprises at least an electromagnetic vibrator implanted under the skin and fixed to the user's skull, and in most cases, the electromagnetic vibrator is connected to another housing comprising at least a receiver coil, which is also implanted under the skin and fixed to the user's skull. The receiver coil can receive externally generated communication signals from an external device fixed to the user's skin, and there is a magnetic force between a first magnet in the external device and a second magnet in the other housing.

[0005] In most cases, a groove is formed on the user's skull and the electromagnetic vibrator is arranged in the groove to reduce the height from the top surface of the skull to the top surface of the electromagnetic vibrator. The reduced height is required to achieve a good cortical adaptation to the electromagnetic vibrator and to produce an aesthetic implantation of the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device.

[0006] However, the bone work required to create the groove in the skull is very time-consuming and costly, and it necessarily involves the risk of the patient suffering from various side effects.

[0007] Different methods have been proposed for minimizing the thickness of the vibrator in the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device, for example, one method is to replace the electromagnetic vibrator with a piezoelectric vibrator, which makes it easier to make the vibrator more compact. However, compared with the conventional electromagnetic vibrator, the piezoelectric vibrator requires a relatively high voltage at a lower frequency in the audible frequency range, but the piezoelectric vibrator is more efficient at a higher frequency in the audible frequency range. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention does not use a piezoelectric vibrator, but rather achieves a thinner electromagnetic vibrator by proposing a new and inventive method of packaging the components of a conventional electromagnetic vibrator, thereby resulting in no bone work required when implanting a complete percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device comprising an electromagnetic vibrator, wherein the electromagnetic vibrator is thinner than the electromagnetic vibrator of the known state of the art. By making the electromagnetic vibrator thinner, it is possible to arrange the electromagnetic vibrator below the cortex and onto the user's skull without the need to form a groove for the electromagnetic vibrator in the skull. Another advantage is that implantation of the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device will be easier, cheaper and less time consuming.

[0010] According to one aspect, a percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device for receiving a patient includes a receiver coil for transcutaneously receiving an externally generated communication signal, a signal processor configured to convert the externally generated communication signal into an electrical stimulation signal, and an electromagnetic vibrator configured to receive the electrical stimulation signal. The externally generated communication signal can be transmitted by an external device, which is arranged near the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device and on the user's skin. The receiver coil can be disposed in a first housing and the electromagnetic vibrator can be disposed in a second housing, wherein the first housing is connected to the second housing via a connecting element. The connecting element may include one or more wires configured to transmit control, audio, and power signals between the receiver coil and the electromagnetic vibrator. The control, audio, and / or power signals can be modulated into the externally generated communication signal by the external device.

[0011] The external device may include one or more microphones configured to receive the acoustic signal and convert it into an audio signal. The audio signal is then modulated into an externally generated communication signal by a processor in the external device and transmitted to the receiver coil of the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device.

[0012] The signal processor may be disposed in the first housing or the second housing. The signal processor may be divided into a plurality of signal sub-processors disposed in the first housing and / or the second housing. These sub-processors may include different functional components configured to perform different audio processing, such as fitting, improving audio quality, converting externally generated communication signals into electrical stimulation signals, controlling or processing command and control signals from external devices.

[0013] The electromagnetic vibrator includes a coil unit configured to generate dynamic magnetic flux based on an electrical stimulation signal, a permanent magnet configured to generate static magnetic flux, a block unit connected to the permanent magnet, and a coil skeleton unit configured to engage with the coil unit, the permanent magnet and the block unit.

[0014] The electromagnetic vibrator includes a spring unit configured to retain an air gap below a movable block, wherein the movable block includes a coil unit, a permanent magnet, a block unit, and a coil bobbin unit, and wherein the movable block and the spring unit are configured to generate acoustic vibrations.

[0015] The electromagnetic vibrator includes a vibrator plate configured to receive acoustic vibration, wherein the air gap is between the vibrator plate and a portion of the movable mass, such as a coil bobbin unit.

[0016] The vibrator plate is arranged such that an air gap extending across the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator is provided between the vibrator plate and at least a portion of the at least one permanent magnet. This means that the air gap has a longitudinal gap axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0017] The block unit has at least one embedding structure configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of a group of components including a permanent magnet, a coil unit, a vibrator sheet, and / or a spring unit.

[0018] The block unit may further include a plurality of embedding structures for receiving at least a portion of at least one of a group of components including a permanent magnet, a coil unit, a vibrator sheet, and / or a spring unit.

[0019] Typically, the spring unit and / or the vibrator sheet are disposed below the block unit and the coil skeleton unit, resulting in the total height of the electromagnetic vibrator including at least the height of the spring unit, the vibrator sheet and the block unit. However, by applying one or more embedded structures in the block unit, it is possible to dispose at least a portion of the spring unit and the vibrator sheet within the block unit, resulting in the total height of the electromagnetic vibrator including at least the height of the block unit but excluding the height of the spring unit and / or the vibrator sheet. The reduction in height makes it possible to avoid bone work when implanting a percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device.

[0020] Furthermore, the permanent magnet and the coil unit are arranged so that the block unit surrounds the permanent magnet and the coil unit. By arranging at least a portion of the permanent magnet and / or the coil unit in the embedded structure of the block unit, it is possible to reduce the width of the block unit, thereby also reducing the width of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0021] The block unit may be circular in shape, square in shape, or any type of shape including holes or apertures of any type of shape. The holes may be configured to receive permanent magnets, bobbin units, and / or coil units.

[0022] The block unit may have an outer surface that is radially or partially radially away from the permanent magnet and the coil unit and along the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator. The block unit may have an inner surface that faces the permanent magnet, the coil skeleton unit and the coil unit. An embedded structure or one or more embedded structures may be provided in the inner surface of the block unit so that the opening of the embedded structure faces the permanent magnet, the coil skeleton unit and the coil unit. The embedded structure may receive at least a portion of at least one of a group of components including a permanent magnet, a coil unit, a vibrator sheet and / or a spring unit, so that the permanent magnet, the coil unit, the vibrator sheet and / or the spring unit are arranged in the hole of the block unit.

[0023] The role of the embedded structure or one or more embedded structures is to make the electromagnetic vibrator more compact.

[0024] The block unit may surround the coil frame unit, the permanent magnet and the coil unit, and the permanent magnet may surround the coil unit and a portion of the coil frame unit. Thus, stacking of the permanent magnet, the coil unit and the block unit is avoided, and the electromagnetic vibrator becomes more compact.

[0025] The electromagnetic vibrator may include a spring coil arranged below the spring unit, wherein the spring coil is part of a group of components including the permanent magnet, the coil unit, the vibrator sheet and / or the spring unit. The spring coil is a reinforcement of the spring unit. The spring unit may be arranged so that at least a circumferential portion of the spring unit is covered by the spring coil.

[0026] The electromagnetic vibrator may have a transverse axis along a first length of the electromagnetic vibrator and a longitudinal axis along a second length of the electromagnetic vibrator. The second length may be longer than the first length, and the transverse axis may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The block unit may have a block height along the transverse axis. The coil unit may have a coil height along the transverse axis. The permanent magnet may have a magnet height along the transverse axis. The coil skeleton unit may have a coil skeleton height along the transverse axis. The coil height, the coil skeleton height, and the magnet height are all less than the height of the block unit. Constraining the height of the above-mentioned elements of the electromagnetic vibrator causes the electromagnetic vibrator to be more compact in width and thickness.

[0027] The permanent magnets may be arranged radially relative to the block unit, wherein the coil units may be arranged radially relative to the permanent magnets.

[0028] The electromagnetic vibrator may have a bottom surface and an upper surface, wherein the upper surface may be partially parallel to or completely parallel to the bottom surface, and wherein a distance between the upper surface and the bottom surface is less than a second length along the longitudinal axis. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device includes an interface unit configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal, wherein the interface unit is completely disposed between the upper surface and the bottom surface.

[0029] Disposing the interface unit between the upper surface and the bottom surface will result in a constant thickness of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0030] The interface unit may be applied on the electromagnetic vibrator between the bottom surface and the upper surface.

[0031] The interface unit may be disposed within the electromagnetic vibrator to fit into a cavity of the coil bobbin unit or the block unit, or in an air gap between the upper surface and the coil bobbin unit.

[0032] The interface unit may include a demodulator unit configured to receive and demodulate the electrical stimulation signal and transmit the demodulated electrical stimulation signal to the coil unit, wherein the coil unit may be configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on the demodulated electrical stimulation signal. By arranging the demodulator unit in the interface unit, the thickness of the electromagnetic vibrator will not increase.

[0033] The electromagnetic vibrator may include a demodulator unit configured to receive and demodulate the electrical stimulation signal and transmit the demodulated electrical stimulation signal to the coil unit, wherein the coil unit may be configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on the demodulated electrical stimulation signal, wherein the demodulator unit may be arranged to be installed in a cavity of the coil skeleton unit or the block unit, or the demodulator unit may be arranged in an air gap between the coil skeleton unit and the upper surface. By arranging the demodulator unit in the cavity or in the air gap between the coil skeleton unit and the upper surface, the thickness of the electromagnetic vibrator will not be changed.

[0034] The demodulator unit can be wired to the interface unit, wherein the wired connection is guided by a guide path in the block unit. The guide path is either a groove or a hole in the block unit, so that no additional space is required in the electromagnetic vibrator for wiring.

[0035] The guide portion may be a guide hole penetrating the block unit or a guide groove applied to a surface of the block unit.

[0036] The guide channel in the form of a guide groove or groove may have a greater depth along a transverse axis extending from the bottom surface to the upper surface than the embedded structure in the block unit. This is because the thickness of the wire forming part of the wired connection is greater than the thickness of the vibrator plate and / or the spring unit.

[0037] The shape of the embedded structure in the block unit is circular in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0038] The shape of the guide groove or guide path is not circular in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0039] The vibrator sheet may include a first sheet embedding structure configured to receive the spring coil. The compactness of the electromagnetic vibrator is further improved because the spring coil may be arranged in the embedding structure of the block unit, and in another example, the spring may be arranged in the embedding structure of the block unit and in the first sheet embedding structure of the vibrator sheet. Thus, the arrangement of the block unit, the spring unit, the spring coil and the vibrator sheet can be more compressed.

[0040] The electromagnetic vibrator may include a vibrator plate ring between the spring unit and the vibrator plate, wherein the vibrator plate includes a second plate embedded structure configured to receive at least a portion of the vibrator plate ring and / or the spring ring. The second plate embedded structure may be arranged on a circumferential portion of the vibrator plate, or the second plate embedded structure may be arranged on a circumferential portion of the first plate embedded structure, wherein the first plate embedded structure may be arranged on a circumferential portion of the vibrator plate.

[0041] The first sheet embedding structure and the second sheet embedding structure may be formed at a circumferential edge of the vibrator sheet. The first sheet embedding structure and the second sheet embedding structure may be arranged such that the circumferential edge of the vibrator sheet has one or more steps.

[0042] The block unit includes a second embedding structure configured to receive at least a portion of the permanent magnet, the coil unit, and / or the bobbin unit.

[0043] The coil skeleton unit and the vibrator plate may be made of soft magnetic material.

[0044] According to another aspect, an electromagnetic vibrator is provided. The electromagnetic vibrator comprises:

[0045] a magnet structure comprising a central portion, a coil wound around the central portion and configured to generate a dynamic magnetic field, and at least one permanent magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field;

[0046] a vibrator plate arranged to provide a gap extending across the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator between the vibrator plate and at least one of the central portion and the at least one permanent magnet; and

[0047] A shell enclosing at least a portion of a magnet structure, wherein the magnet structure includes a coil frame unit, and the shell includes a gap adjustment mechanism, the gap adjustment mechanism being configured to move the coil frame unit relative to the shell to adjust the gap between the vibrator plate and at least one of the center portion and at least one permanent magnet and / or between the upper surface of the electromagnetic vibrator and the coil frame unit.

[0048] Thereby, it is possible to provide a very precise gap adjustment. Furthermore, the gap can be increased or decreased in a simple manner. The gap can be referred to as an air gap.

[0049] The magnet structure comprises a central part and a coil wound around the central part. Thus, the coil is arranged and configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux. In addition, the magnet structure comprises at least one permanent magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field.

[0050] The electromagnetic vibrator further comprises a vibrator plate. The vibrator plate is arranged so that a gap extending across the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator is provided between the vibrator plate and at least one of the central part and the at least one permanent magnet. This means that the gap has a longitudinal gap axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0051] The longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator may be defined as an axis extending a distance from one end of the coil bobbin unit toward a connection with a bone of a user wearing the hearing aid device.

[0052] The longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator may also be defined as the axis along which the counterweight vibrates or moves.

[0053] The longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator may also be defined as an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal length of the center portion around which the coil is wound, wherein the longitudinal length of the center portion determines a length greater than a lateral length of the center portion.

[0054] The longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator may also be defined as the axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the user's skin when the electromagnetic vibrator is worn by the user.

[0055] The electromagnetic vibrator further includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the magnet structure, wherein the magnet structure includes a coil bobbin unit movably arranged relative to the housing using a gap adjustment mechanism.

[0056] The magnet structure comprises a coil bobbin unit including a central portion, a coil and at least one permanent magnet.

[0057] In the embodiment where the coil and the permanent magnet are connected to the bobbin unit, it is obvious that the bobbin unit and the coil and the permanent magnet are moved when the gap increases or decreases.

[0058] In one embodiment, the coil bobbin unit includes a first adjustment portion, and the housing includes a second adjustment portion, wherein the first adjustment portion and the second adjustment portion are configured to cooperate with each other to adjust the gap.

[0059] According to another aspect of the present invention, the housing is a balancing assembly, and the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the balancing assembly and the coil skeleton unit relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0060] In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged in meshing relation to each other, wherein the configuration of the first part and the second part relative to each other determines the size of the gap. Thus, by changing the configuration of the first part and the second part relative to each other, the size of the gap can be determined.

[0061] In an embodiment according to the invention, the first part comprises a first threaded portion, and the second part comprises a second correspondingly meshing threaded portion. Thereby, it is possible to accurately adjust the gap by rotating the first part relative to the second part. The rotation can be achieved by applying a torque in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0062] In an embodiment according to the invention, the housing comprises a protruding portion, and the coil skeleton unit comprises a corresponding receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding portion in an engaging manner. The protruding portion may be formed as an elongated body (e.g., a pin) configured to be received by a corresponding (e.g., an L-shaped slit) female receptacle, wherein the protruding portion and the female receptacle together form a bayonet-type connection.

[0063] In an embodiment according to the invention, the coil skeleton unit and the housing are movably connected to each other by means of one or more connections using the bayonet principle.

[0064] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the coil bobbin unit comprises a protruding portion, and the housing comprises a corresponding receiving portion adapted to engagingly receive the protruding portion.

[0065] In an embodiment according to the invention, the housing and the vibrator plate are connected directly or indirectly using a mechanical spring, thereby maintaining an air gap between the magnet structure and the vibrator plate.

[0066] In an embodiment according to the invention, the coil bobbin unit and the housing are movably connected to each other by means of a plurality of corresponding female parts and movably arranged male parts provided in the coil bobbin unit and the housing, respectively.

[0067] In an embodiment according to the invention, the coil bobbin unit comprises an annular groove surrounding a central portion, wherein the coil is arranged in the groove.

[0068] In an embodiment according to the present invention, at least one permanent magnet is formed as an annular disk, wherein the permanent magnet extends along an end portion of the coil bobbin unit. Thus, it is possible to facilitate the assembly of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the permanent magnet comprises a plurality of separate segments put together to form a ring-shaped magnet. By this, it is possible to reduce the magnetic resistance of the vibrator by providing a magnet that is thinner than magnets that can be used in the prior art. Prior art magnets for electromagnetic vibrators are difficult to make thinner without the risk of the magnet becoming very fragile. Therefore, a ring-shaped magnet comprising a plurality of separate segments put together enables the manufacture of a thinner magnet, thereby reducing the magnetic resistance in the magnetic circuit, without compromising the strength of the ring-shaped magnet.

[0070] Preferably, the plurality of separate segments have the same geometric shape.

[0071] In an embodiment, the permanent magnet comprises at least two segments which are put together to form a ring-shaped magnet.

[0072] In prior art electromagnetic vibrators, the dynamic magnetic field generated by the coil and the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet pass through the same magnetic circuit. To achieve the highest possible efficiency of the magnetic circuit (highest force output for a given power input), the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit must be minimized. The magnetic resistance is given by the following formula:

[0073] (1)

[0074] Where L is the length of the magnetic circuit, A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the magnetic circuit, μ0 is the magnetic permeability of vacuum, and μ r is the relative magnetic permeability of the material.

[0075] In magnetically permeable materials, μ r Usually in the range of 10000-20000H / m. In air and in magnets, μ r 1. Magnets are usually quite thick (about 1 mm) compared to the inner and outer air gaps (about 60-150 μm). The total reluctance is given by the sum of the reluctances of the components that make up the entire magnetic circuit, and the magnet is a large contributor to the total reluctance. Therefore, to reduce the reluctance of the vibrator, it is desirable to make the magnet thin. However, thin magnets will become brittle and prone to cracking.

[0076] In an embodiment according to the invention, the permanent magnet comprises at least three segments. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the permanent magnet comprises four segments.

[0077] In an embodiment according to the invention, the coil frame unit is rotatably connected to the housing. It may be advantageous if the coil frame unit is rotatably connected to the housing by means of a connection mechanism which, when rotated, causes the coil frame unit to be axially displaced relative to the housing. Thereby, it is possible to provide a very precise gap adjustment in a simple manner.

[0078] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the coil skeleton unit includes a first adjustment portion formed as an outer periphery, which has a threaded portion provided at the outer periphery of the coil skeleton unit, wherein the coil skeleton unit includes a second adjustment portion formed as a corresponding threaded portion provided at the inner side of the outer shell, and the threaded portion provided at the outer periphery of the coil skeleton unit is engaged with the threaded portion provided at the inner side of the outer shell.

[0079] In an embodiment, the gap adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment portion provided at the periphery of the coil skeleton unit, the first adjustment portion including at least one protrusion or one of a plurality of receiving portions. The gap adjustment mechanism also includes a second adjustment portion provided at the inner side of the housing, the second adjustment portion including another receiving portion of a plurality of corresponding receiving portions, which is configured to cooperate with at least one protrusion of the first adjustment portion, or includes at least one corresponding protrusion configured to cooperate with a plurality of receiving portions of the first adjustment portion.

[0080] Thereby, it is possible to rotate the bobbin unit to increase or decrease the gap between the central portion of the bobbin unit and the vibrator piece.

[0081] In an embodiment according to the invention, the number of the plurality of separated segments is inversely related to the height (thickness) of the permanent magnet. This means that the number of segments is greater when the height of the permanent magnet is smaller than when the height of the permanent magnet is greater.

[0082] In an embodiment according to the invention, an inverse relationship between the number of segments and the height of the plurality of separated segments is defined such that when the height is reduced by a factor of two, the number of segments is increased by a factor of four.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the permanent magnet comprises four separate segments put together to form a ring magnet, wherein the height of the segments is 0.2-0.8 mm, preferably 0.4-0.6 mm, such as 0.5 mm.

[0084] In an embodiment according to the invention, an inverse relationship between the number of segments and the height of the plurality of separated segments is defined such that when the height is reduced by a factor of two, the number of segments is increased by a factor of three.

[0085] In an embodiment according to the invention, an inverse relationship between the number of segments and the height of the plurality of separated segments is defined such that when the height decreases by a factor of two, the number of segments increases by a factor of five.

[0086] In an embodiment according to the invention, the number of segments of the plurality of separated segments depends on the mechanical strength of the plurality of segments. Preferably, when the mechanical strength is low, a larger number of segments is applied, and when the mechanical strength is high, a smaller number of segments is applied. Mechanical strength means the ability to withstand the load applied to the residence without failure or plastic deformation. In an embodiment according to the invention, the mechanical strength is the yield strength of the segments. In another embodiment according to the invention, the mechanical strength is the compressive strength of the segments. In yet another embodiment according to the invention, the mechanical strength is the tensile strength of the segments.

[0087] In an embodiment according to the invention, the gap between the central part of the magnet structure and the vibrator plate is smaller than the gap between the at least one permanent magnet and the vibrator plate. Preferably, the gap between the central part of the magnet structure and the vibrator plate is in the range of 20-100 μm, such as 40-80 μm, preferably about 60 μm, wherein the gap between the at least one permanent magnet and the vibrator plate is in the range of 100-200 μm, such as 120-180 μm, preferably about 150 μm.

[0088] In an embodiment according to the invention, a gap is provided between the at least one permanent magnet and the housing, whereby it is possible to rotate the coil bobbin unit relative to the housing.

[0089] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the electromagnetic vibrator is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic vibrator.

[0090] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the gap adjustment mechanism comprises a first adjustment portion, which comprises at least one of the following:

[0091] - at least one projection; or

[0092] - multiple receiving sections;

[0093] The gap adjustment mechanism includes a second adjustment part, which includes:

[0094] - at least one corresponding projection; or

[0095] - a plurality of corresponding receiving parts.

[0096] The first adjustment portion may include one or more protruding portions, and the second adjustment portion may include a plurality of corresponding receiving portions.

[0097] The first adjustment portion may include a plurality of receiving portions, and the second adjustment portion may include one or more corresponding protruding portions.

[0098] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the first adjustment part and / or the second adjustment part form an adjustment mechanism using the bayonet fixing principle. This means that the first adjustment part and / or the second adjustment part constitute a bayonet fixing structure. Preferably, the first adjustment part and the second adjustment part both constitute a bayonet fixing structure.

[0099] In an embodiment according to the invention, the first adjustment part and / or the second adjustment part form an adjustment mechanism using the ratchet principle. This means that the first adjustment part and / or the second adjustment part constitute a ratchet mounting structure (a mechanical device that allows continuous linear or rotational movement in only one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction). Preferably, both the first adjustment part and the second adjustment part constitute a ratchet structure.

[0100] In an embodiment according to the present invention, a) at least one threaded portion is provided at the periphery of the coil skeleton unit and a threaded portion is provided at the inner side of the housing; b) at least one threaded portion is provided at the receiving portion of the bayonet fixing; c) the pitch of at least one threaded portion provided at the receiving portion of the ratchet mounting structure is selected to achieve a predetermined rotation-specific change in the gap between the vibrator plate and the center portion.

[0101] The pitch is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent surfaces in the same axial plane measured parallel to their axes.

[0102] In an embodiment according to the invention, the shape of the thread is such that the gap between the vibrator plate and the central portion changes by about 50 μm per revolution.

[0103] In another embodiment according to the invention, the shape of the thread is such that the gap between the vibrator plate and the central portion changes by a predetermined distance in μm per revolution.

[0104] In one aspect of the invention, a bone conduction hearing aid comprises an electromagnetic vibrator according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, and only the details necessary for understanding the present invention are given, while other details are omitted. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and / or technical effects will be apparent from and illustrated in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0106] Figures 1A-1E Different examples of electromagnetic vibrators are shown;

[0107] Figure 2 shows a top view of an electromagnetic vibrator;

[0108] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic vibrator;

[0109] Figures 4A-4D Different examples of electromagnetic vibrators are shown;

[0110] Figure 5 An electromagnetic vibrator is shown; and

[0111] Fig. 6A and 6B A percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device is shown implanted into the skull of a recipient patient. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] The detailed description given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is used as a description of a variety of different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of a plurality of different concepts. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and method are described by a plurality of different blocks, functional units, modules, components, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design limitations or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using other equivalent elements.

[0113] The hearing aid is adapted to improve or enhance the hearing ability of a user by receiving acoustic signals from the user's environment, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal, and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one ear of the user. The audible signal may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal that is transmitted as mechanical vibrations through the bone structure of the user's head to the inner ear of the user.

[0114] The hearing aid is adapted to be worn in any known manner. This may include arranging the unit of the hearing aid to be connected to a fixation device implanted in the skull, as in a bone anchored hearing aid, or at least a part of the hearing aid may be an implanted part.

[0115] "Hearing system" refers to a system comprising one or two hearing aids. "Binaural hearing system" refers to a system comprising two hearing aids, wherein the hearing aids are adapted to provide audible signals to both ears of a user in a coordinated manner, or the bone conduction hearing aid may be part of a bimodal system comprising a cochlear implant and a bone conduction hearing aid. The system may also include an auxiliary device in communication with at least one hearing aid, which affects the operation of the hearing aid and / or benefits from the function of the hearing aid. A wired or wireless communication link is established between at least one hearing aid and the auxiliary device so that information (such as control and status signals, possibly audio signals) can be exchanged therebetween. The auxiliary device may include at least one of the following: a remote control, a remote microphone, an audio gateway device, a mobile phone, a broadcast system, a car audio system, a music player, or a combination thereof. The audio gateway device is adapted to receive a plurality of audio signals, such as from an entertainment device such as a TV or a music player, from a telephone device such as a mobile phone, or from a computer such as a PC. The audio gateway device is also adapted to select and / or combine appropriate signals from the received audio signals (or signal combinations) for transmission to at least one hearing aid. The remote control is adapted to control the functions and operation of the at least one hearing aid. The functions of the remote control may be implemented in a smartphone or another electronic device, which smartphone / electronic device may run an application for controlling the functions of the at least one hearing aid.

[0116] Generally, a hearing aid comprises i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving acoustic signals from the user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal; and / or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving the input audio signal. The hearing aid also comprises a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user based on the processed audio signal.

[0117] The input unit may include multiple input microphones, for example, for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. The aforementioned directional microphone system is suitable for enhancing a target sound source among multiple sound sources in the user's environment. On the one hand, the directional system is suitable for detecting (such as adaptively detecting) from which direction a specific part of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may include an amplifier suitable for applying a frequency-dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may also be suitable for providing other suitable functions such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output transducer for providing mechanical vibrations to the skull percutaneously or transcutaneously.

[0118] Reference now Figures 1A-1E, different examples of electromagnetic vibrators 10 can be seen. These figures show cross-sectional views of the electromagnetic vibrator 10, wherein the electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes a coil unit 2 and a permanent magnet 3. The coil unit 2 and the permanent magnet 3 may be glued together. Furthermore, the electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes a block unit 4. The permanent magnet 3 may be glued together with the block unit 4. The electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes a coil skeleton unit 5 disposed in the block unit 4. The block unit 4 may be of any shape including a hole 13 configured to receive at least the coil skeleton unit 5, the permanent magnet 3 and the coil unit 2. The electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes a spring unit 7 disposed between a vibrator sheet 6 and the coil skeleton unit 5. The spring unit 7 retains an air gap between the vibrator sheet 6 and the coil skeleton unit 5. Additionally, the spring unit 7 is received by an embedded structure 8 provided within the block unit 4. In Figure 1A In the embodiment, at least a portion of the spring unit 7 and at least a portion of the vibrator sheet are disposed within the embedding structure 8. Figure 1B In the example, the block unit 4 includes a second embedded structure 9, which is configured to receive at least a portion of the permanent magnet 3. In another example, the second embedded structure 9 can receive the entire permanent magnet 3 and at least a portion of the coil unit 2. In yet another example, the coil skeleton unit can be received by the second embedded structure 9 or a third embedded structure (not shown) in the block unit 4. Figure 1C In the embodiment, the vibrator plate 6 comprises a first plate embedding structure 18 configured to receive the spring unit 7. In this example, the first plate embedding structure 18 is arranged on a circumferential portion of the vibrator plate. Figure 1D In the embodiment, the spring coil 11 is arranged below the spring unit 7, and at least a portion of the spring coil 11 is arranged in the embedded structure 8. Figure 1E In the embodiment, the vibrator plate 6 includes a second plate embedding structure 19 provided on a circumferential portion of the vibrator plate 6 or on a first plate embedding structure 18. In addition, the electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes a vibrator plate ring 12 provided in the second plate embedding structure 19.

[0119] Figure 2 A top view of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 is shown. In the figure, the block unit 4 includes a hole 13 configured to receive the permanent magnet 3, the coil frame unit 5 and the coil unit 2. The block unit 4 surrounds the coil frame unit 5, the permanent magnet 3 and the coil unit 2. The permanent magnet 3 surrounds the coil unit 2 and a part of the coil frame unit 5.

[0120] The permanent magnets 3 are radially arranged relative to the block unit 4, and the coil units 2 are radially arranged relative to the permanent magnets 3. In this example, the block unit 4, the permanent magnets 3, the coil bobbin unit 5 and the coil unit 2 are all circular in shape, however, other shapes are also suitable.

[0121] also, Figure 2A top view of an electromagnetic vibrator 10 is shown having a horizontal axis 21 and a vertical axis 20 .

[0122] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic vibrator 10 is shown, which has a horizontal axis 21 along a first length direction of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 and a vertical axis 20 along a second length direction of the electromagnetic vibrator 10, wherein the second length is longer than the first length, and the horizontal axis 21 is orthogonal to the vertical axis 20. In addition, the figure shows that the block unit has a block height along the horizontal axis 21, and the coil unit 2 has a coil height 24 along the horizontal axis 21. In addition, the figure shows that the permanent magnet 3 has a magnet height 23 along the horizontal axis 21, and the coil frame unit 5 has a coil frame height 25 along the horizontal axis 21. In this example, the coil height, the coil frame height, and the magnet height are smaller than the block height.

[0123] Figures 4A-4D 10. These figures show cross-sectional views of the electromagnetic vibrator 10. Figures 4A-4B In, the electromagnetic vibrator 10 has a bottom surface 30 and an upper surface 31, wherein the upper surface 31 is partially or completely parallel to the bottom surface 30, and wherein the distance between the upper surface 31 and the bottom surface 30 is less than a second length, and wherein the electromagnetic vibrator 10 includes an interface unit 32 configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal, and wherein the interface unit 32 is completely arranged between the upper surface and the bottom surface. The interface unit 32 includes a connector configured to be connected to a wire, and the wire is connected to a receiver coil 40, wherein the receiver coil 40 is configured to transcutaneously and inductively receive an externally generated communication signal from an external device. Optionally, the interface unit 32 may include a demodulator unit 34, which is configured to receive and demodulate the electrical stimulation signal and transmit the demodulated electrical stimulation signal to the coil unit 2, wherein the coil unit 2 is configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on the demodulated electrical stimulation signal. In Figure 4A In the embodiment, the interface unit 32 is completely or partially arranged outside the housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10. In this example, the interface unit 32 is connected to the outer surface of the housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 and is connected between the upper surface 31 and the bottom surface 30. Figure 4B In the embodiment, the interface unit 32 is disposed within the housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 and between the upper surface 31 and the bottom surface 30 .

[0124] Figure 4C and 4D 1 shows different examples of how to arrange the demodulator unit 34 in the housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10. The demodulator unit 34 is configured to receive and demodulate the electrical stimulation signal and transmit the demodulated electrical stimulation signal to the coil unit 2. Figure 4CIn the figure, two different examples of how to arrange the demodulator unit 34 can be seen. In one example, the demodulator unit 34 is arranged in the housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 so that it is mounted in the cavity 35 of the coil skeleton unit 5. The demodulator unit 34 is connected to the upper surface 31 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10, and when the coil skeleton unit 5 starts to vibrate, there will be no collision between the coil skeleton unit 5 and the demodulator unit 34. In another example, the demodulator unit 34 is arranged so that it is mounted in the cavity 35 of the block unit 4. Figure 4D In the embodiment, the demodulator unit 34 is arranged in the air gap 36 between the coil skeleton unit 5 and the upper surface 31 .

[0125] Figure 5 An electromagnetic vibrator 10 is shown, wherein a demodulator unit 34 is disposed within a housing 33 of the electromagnetic vibrator 10. The demodulator unit 34 is wired (37) to the interface unit 32, wherein the wired connection 37 is guided by a guide passage 38 in the block unit 4. The guide portion 38 may be a guide hole passing through the block unit or a guide groove applied to the surface of the block unit 4. The wired connection 37 may include a flexible printed circuit board (PCB).

[0126] Fig. 6A and 6B The percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device 1 is shown implanted into a skull 60 of a recipient patient. In these examples, the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device 1 includes a receiver coil 40 disposed within a first housing 50. The first housing 50 includes a magnet 51 configured to align with a second magnet of an external device so that a transmitter coil of the external device is optimally aligned with the receiver coil 40. In one example, the magnet 51 may be contained by a titanium shell disposed within the first housing 50. The receiver coil 40 is connected to the interface unit 32 via a connecting element 52 including a plurality of wires 53. In Fig. 6A In the present invention, the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device 1 includes a second housing 100 including a conventional electromagnetic vibrator, and further, the interface unit 32 is not disposed between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the second housing 100. Thus, bone work is required to form a groove in which the conventional electromagnetic vibrator 110 is to be embedded and fixed to the skull 60. Figure 6B In the example, the percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device 1 comprises the electromagnetic vibrator 10 described in conjunction with the previous figures. In this example, it can be seen that since the thickness of the electromagnetic vibrator 10 is reduced compared to the conventional electromagnetic vibrator 110, no bone work is required.

[0127] The first housing and / or the second housing may be made of silicone.

[0128] Unless expressly stated, the singular forms "one", "the" used herein include the plural form (i.e., have the meaning of "at least one"). It should be further understood that the terms "having", "including" and / or "comprising" used in the specification indicate the presence of the described features, elements, components and / or steps, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or steps. It should be understood that, unless expressly stated, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate intervening element. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more listed related items. Unless expressly stated, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed.

[0129] It should be appreciated that reference to "an embodiment" or "embodiment" or "aspect" or features that "may" be included in this specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the various aspects described herein. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0130] The scope of the present invention should be judged based on the claims.

Claims

1. A percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device for use in a recipient patient, comprising: a receiver coil for transcutaneously receiving externally generated communication signals; a signal processor configured to convert an externally generated communication signal into an electrical stimulation signal; An electromagnetic vibrator configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal, the electromagnetic vibrator comprising a housing enclosing: - a coil unit configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on an electrical stimulation signal; - a permanent magnet configured to generate a static magnetic flux; - a block unit connected to a permanent magnet; - a bobbin unit configured to engage with the coil unit, the permanent magnet and the block unit; - a spring unit configured to retain an air gap below the movable block, wherein the movable block includes a coil unit, a permanent magnet, a block unit and a coil skeleton unit, and wherein the movable block and the spring unit are configured to generate acoustic vibration; and - a vibrator plate configured to receive acoustic vibrations, wherein the air gap is between the vibrator plate and a portion of the movable mass. 2 . The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device of claim 1 , wherein the block unit comprises a hole configured to receive the permanent magnet, the coil bobbin unit, and the coil unit.

3. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic vibrator comprises a spring coil disposed below the spring unit.

4. The percutaneous bone anchored hearing aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electromagnetic vibrator has a horizontal axis along a first length of the electromagnetic vibrator and a longitudinal axis along a second length of the electromagnetic vibrator, wherein the second length is longer than the first length, and the horizontal axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein - a block unit has a block height along a horizontal axis; - the coil unit has a coil height along the transverse axis; - the permanent magnet has a magnet height along the horizontal axis; - the coil bobbin unit has a coil bobbin height along the transverse axis; and The coil height, coil frame height and magnet height are all smaller than the block height.

5. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the block unit surrounds the coil frame unit, the permanent magnet and the coil unit, and the permanent magnet surrounds the coil unit and a portion of the coil frame unit.

6. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is radially arranged relative to the block unit, and wherein the coil unit is radially arranged relative to the permanent magnet.

7. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device according to claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic vibrator has a bottom surface and an upper surface, the upper surface is partially or completely parallel to the bottom surface, and a distance between the upper surface and the bottom surface is less than a second length, and wherein the electromagnetic vibrator comprises: - an interface unit configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal, wherein the interface unit is disposed entirely between the upper surface and the bottom surface.

8. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device according to claim 7, wherein the interface unit comprises a demodulator unit configured to receive and demodulate the electrical stimulation signal and transmit the demodulated electrical stimulation signal to the coil unit, wherein the coil unit is configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux based on the demodulated electrical stimulation signal.

9. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator plate comprises a first plate embedding structure configured to receive at least a portion of the spring unit and / or a vibrator plate ring disposed between the spring unit and the vibrator plate.

10. The percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid device of claim 1, wherein the block unit comprises a second embedding structure configured to receive at least a portion of the permanent magnet and / or at least a portion of the coil bobbin unit.

Images