Device for patient-friendly coupling to hearing aids

Abstract

Device for coupling to hearing aids (9) for transmitting vibrations generated by their electromechanical transducers to a skull bone (K) of a user, with a. a plate (1) as an implant with its underside for connection with the skull bone (K), b. on whose side (1a) arms (2) are formed as osteosynthesis arms, wherein c. the arms (2) have openings (3) for screws as osteosynthesis screws, d. a base plate (B) for attachment against a scalp (H) of the user has a central area (5b) and a peripheral area (5) extending around the central area (5b), e. the base plate (B) and / or the plate (1) contain a magnetic material, f. an upper surface of the central area (5b) and / or the edge area (5) of the base plate (B) facing away from the underside of the central area (5b) is suitable for coupling to a hearing aid, characterized in that g. a pin (6a) is formed on the top of the plate (1) for connection with the base plate (B) and is suitable for engaging in a recess (5a) of the base plate (B) in a form-fit, friction-fit and / or force-fit manner, h. the plate (1) comprises a plate ring (6b), a first plate disk (6d) made of magnetic material which can be inserted into the plate ring (6b) and a second plate disk (6c) which can be placed on the first plate disk (6d) with the pin (6a) and the base plate (B) comprises a first base ring (21), a base disk (22) made of magnetic material which can be inserted into the space bounded by an inner collar (21a) and a second base ring (23) whose upper surface is drawn inwards to form a marginal chamfer (23a) extending around the central longitudinal axis (X), which is attached to the first base ring (21) by friction, force and / or form locking.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for transmitting vibrations generated by hearing aids to a skull bone of a user and the use of the device for detachable, patient-friendly coupling to hearing aids for transmitting vibrations generated by hearing aids to a skull bone of a user.

[0002] Electrical hearing aids are known in the art. These transmit the sound signal intended for the hearing-impaired person as acoustic vibrations to the skull bone. The electrical signals corresponding to the sound signals generated by a receiver, e.g., an electromagnetic one, are amplified by an amplifier, preferably comprising a signal processing unit, according to predetermined parameters into amplifier signals and forwarded to an output transducer. The output transducer can be designed as an electroacoustic transducer or as an electromechanical transducer, such as a bone conduction transmitter, e.g., for generating output signals, such as vibrations, for the provision of conventional, e.g., implantable or non-implantable, such as vibrotactile, bone conduction hearing aids.

[0003] US 2014 / 0 121 450 A1 discloses systems, devices, components, and methods for magnetically coupling ferrous or magnetic spacers of bone conduction hearing aids to ferrous or magnetic bone screws or implants attached to a patient's skull. In one embodiment, a spacer is provided that is configured to magnetically connect the hearing aid to a bearing and a corresponding bone screw or to an implanted ferrous or magnetic element attached to the patient's skull.

[0004] US 2014 / 0 233 765 A1 discloses a cushion for insertion between a recipient's head and a pressure plate of a transcutaneous bone conduction device, the cushion comprising a material that provides a controllable, variable balance between pressure equalization and vibration transmission. The material comprises at least one of the following: a non-Newtonian material capable of slowly conforming to the contour of the recipient's head, a non-Newtonian material capable of transmitting audio-frequency vibrations, a dilatant material, a rheopectic material, a slow-recovery memory foam, a low-density pressure-sensitive foam, a high-density heat-sensitive foam, a viscoelastic material, and a thermally softening plastic.

[0005] WO 2015 / 020 753 A2 discloses a bone conduction hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid device with a vibrator arranged in a hearing aid housing, wherein the hearing aid device has a first connecting portion and a wiring unit with a contact plate portion, wherein the contact plate portion has a first side with a second connecting portion and a second side which is at least partially provided with an adhesive component, wherein the adhesive component has a first adhesive side and a second adhesive side, wherein the first adhesive side is attached to the second side of the contact plate portion and the second adhesive side is adhesively bonded to the skin of a user, wherein the first connecting portion is removably connectable to the second connecting portion, wherein the second connecting portion of the wiring unit is integral with the contact plate portion,wherein one of the first and second connecting portions is a socket connecting portion and the other of the first and second connecting portions is a plug-in connecting portion, wherein the plug-in connecting portion is at least partially insertable into the socket connecting portion, wherein one of the socket and plug-in connecting portions is flexible with a snap-in elevation and the other of the first and second connecting portions has a circular, rigid coupling elevation, and wherein the second side of the contact plate portion is concave or planar without convex areas and without a component protruding from the second side of the contact plate portion of the interconnection unit, and wherein the contact plate portion has a flexible peripheral frame around at least part of the periphery of the contact plate portion.

[0006] The device to be provided should, in conjunction with the preferably vibrotactile hearing aid, utilize the natural sound processing in the human ear as unadulterated as possible and help to avoid the occurrence of vibrations and disturbing couplings, in contrast to the state of the art.

[0007] In addition, the device to be provided, in conjunction with the hearing aid, preferably a vibrotactile one, should ensure the highest level of acoustic correction and naturalness of the hearing sensation.

[0008] With conventional bone conduction hearing aids, such as implantable or vibrotactile, the sound signal is transmitted to the skull in the form of vibrations. With so-called mobile, non-implantable bone conduction hearing aids, these devices, with their electromechanical transducers, are pressed firmly against the head using, for example, elastic headbands or headbands, so that the vibrations generated by the electromechanical transducers are transmitted through the skin to the user's skull.

[0009] In conventional implantable, such as bone-anchored bone conduction hearing aids, the transducer, also called the output transducer, can be fixed in place using a permanent magnet, for example in a transcutaneous arrangement. The field of this permanent magnet acts through the scalp onto an implant, such as a magnet or ferromagnetic material, anchored subcutaneously in the skull bone. The force caused by the magnetic field between the transducer and the implant can enable the vibration to be transmitted to the skull bone. In a percutaneous arrangement, for example, a screw can be screwed into the skull bone, whereby the screw head or a spacer sleeve cannot be covered by the scalp and the electromagnetic transducer sets this screw into mechanical vibrations, which are transmitted from the screw to the skull bone. Bone conduction hearing aids are held in place using permanent magnets or couplings.

[0010] This prior art is also characterized by the disadvantage that pressing the earpieces with the aid of earpieces or headbands significantly limits the user's wearing comfort, and the appearance of the user created by the earpiece or headband can be perceived by the user as at least aesthetically restrictive. Therefore, the object of the invention is also to provide a device for coupling to a preferably vibrotactile, non-implantable bone conduction hearing aid, which does not limit the user's wearing comfort and is not able to significantly restrict the user's appearance to third parties.

[0011] Furthermore, the device to be provided for coupling to a preferably vibrotactile, non-implantable bone conduction hearing aid should be designed in such a way that it is self-locating, thus facilitating the coupling and alignment of the bone conduction hearing aid to the device.

[0012] Furthermore, despite the coupling of the device to be provided to the bone conduction hearing aid, the force generated by the coupling should be directed onto as large an area of ​​the user's skin as possible in order to avoid skin irritations caused by the pressure.

[0013] The individually adjustable shape should also allow the force distribution to be adapted to the anatomy and physiology of the skin surface.

[0014] In addition, the device should be suitable both for resting on the user's skull bone and for inserting into a milled area of ​​the user's skull bone, so that the surgeon can decide on site, i.e. during the operation, on the type of connection of the device to the skull bone depending on the thickness of the skull bone.

[0015] Furthermore, the device to be provided should be suitable for connection to the skull bone of both infants and adults without requiring any redesign or adaptation of the device. Furthermore, the compression of the skull bone caused by the device's attachment should be as minimal as possible.

[0016] Likewise, the device should only apply a sufficiently low force to the scalp so that no significant reduction in blood circulation to the scalp is observed.

[0017] It should also be possible to prevent the occurrence of impedance jumps observed in the state of the art, e.g. in direct (percutaneous) sound transmission.

[0018] The device should also offer the user the possibility of changing the distance of the bone conduction hearing aid from his scalp.

[0019] Finally, the device should also be usable on a user's scalp that is characterized by easily damaged connective tissue, such as granulation tissue.

[0020] The device should also offer the possibility of treating emerging granulation tissue through pressure therapy by individualizing the distances and pressure settings of the outer parts.

[0021] In patients with severe middle ear disorders, air conduction hearing aids are often not suitable. Alternatively, sound can be transmitted directly to the inner ear via bone conduction, bypassing the conductive hearing system of the outer ear and middle ear. The solid-state sound can be coupled to the bone using vibrators pressed against the scalp by external pressure or magnetically, or via open implants. Both methods have different disadvantages. These include, on the one hand, the fundamental problems of open implants (see above), on the other hand, the sometimes uncomfortable pressure applied to the head by the headband or headband, the aesthetically disturbing headband, and, in both procedures, the necessity of surgery.

[0022] In contrast, they have different advantages, such as direct (percutaneous) sound transmission, the closed skin layer (transcutaneous) or avoiding surgery.

[0023] To avoid fixation with a bracket, transcutaneous magnetic fixation is a viable option. This involves implanting one or two magnets on or in the skull bone, thinning the skin according to individual needs, and securing the external hearing aid with one or two magnets. This technique requires surgery. Various principles exist: 1. The bone is milled to fit the shape of the magnets, and the magnets are embedded into the bone. This largely eliminates any potentially disruptive elevation, but requires a certain amount of bone reduction, which entails the associated effort and risk. 2. A thin magnet is positioned on the bone and secured with small screws. Bone reaming is not required, but the implant will add some bulk due to its thickness. A smooth surface is beneficial for better force distribution and thus pressure reduction. This can be achieved by adding another implant, e.g., made of Silastic, to cover the shape of the magnets. 3. A relatively thick screw is inserted into the bone, to which a magnet is anchored. This also requires bone reduction, and the magnet is placed above the bone level. The method chosen depends on the individual situation, such as the patient's age, bone thickness, malformation, etc. Whether and how deep reaming is possible with methods 1 and 2 is often only determined intraoperatively based on bone thickness and any exposed dura.

[0024] Therefore, it is also the object of the invention to provide an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for coupling to hearing aids for transmitting vibrations generated by their electromechanical transducers to a skull bone of a user, which the disadvantages of open and closed implants, How latent inflammation, which avoids the unpleasant pressure on the head caused by the headband or headband while maintaining the largely natural hearing experience, the cosmetic benefits, the undisturbed transmission of vibrations corresponding to the sound to the skull bone, the feedback-free, largely unadulterated transmission of vibrations to the user's skull bones as well as the creation of only a minimal foreign body sensation.

[0025] The objects are achieved by the main claim and the subsidiary claim, the subclaims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0026] The subject of the invention relates to an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for coupling to hearing aids, for example, preferably vibrotactile, bone conduction hearing aids, for transmitting, for example, their output transducers, such as electro-mechanical transducers, generated output signals, such as vibrations, to a skull bone of a user, which is characterized by a plate as an implant with its underside for connection to the skull bone, on the side of which arms, also called osteosynthesis arms, are formed, the arms have openings for screws, also called osteosynthesis screws, preferably an underside of the arms forms an angle with the underside of the plate, e.g. angle α, less than or equal to 180°, a base plate for application from the outside against the scalp of the user, which has a central region and an edge region adjoining the central region, preferably extending circumferentially around the central region, the base plate and / or the plate contain a magnetic material, preferably an underside of the edge region of the base plate and an underside of the central region of the base plate adjoining the underside of the edge region enclose an angle which corresponds to the angle enclosed by the underside of the arms and the underside of the plate, e.g. angle , an upper side of the central region and / or the edge region of the base plate facing away from the underside of the central region is suitable for positive, frictional and / or force-fitting coupling to hearing aids.

[0027] The invention is also directed to an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for transmitting output signals, such as vibrations, preferably generated by electro-mechanical transducers, to a skull bone of a user, which is characterized by a preferably elastic, such as a thermoplastic or thermoelastic, film, one side of which is at least partially coated with an adhesive layer for application against the scalp of a user, the film contains a magnetic material or the other side of which is provided with a magnetic material, preferably against the other side of which a disc containing a magnetic material is releasably attached as a magnetic disc, to which the hearing aid can be connected. the magnetic material is designed as a permanent magnet material, preferably containing a neodymium-iron-boron alloy.

[0028] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, this foil contains a non-magnetic material into which one or two magnets are embedded, to which the component(s) of the hearing aid are coupled. Thus, the invention is also directed to an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for transmitting output signals, such as vibrations, preferably generated by output transducers such as electromechanical transducers, to a skull bone of a user. which is characterized by a film, preferably elastic, such as a thermoplastic or thermoelastic, one side of which is coated with an adhesive layer for application against the scalp of a user, the film contains a non-magnetic material, into or on which one or two magnets are arranged, welded or glued, to which the component or components of the hearing aid can be coupled, preferably the magnets contain a permanent magnet material, e.g. a neodymium-iron-boron alloy.

[0029] The invention also relates to a use of the device for detachable coupling to a hearing aid with an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer, from which the input transducer transmits the sound signals received by it as electrical signals corresponding to the sound signals to an amplifier, from which the amplifier signals generated by it and corresponding to the electrical signals are transmitted to the output transducer, from which the output transducer generates the output signals corresponding to the amplifier signals, such as vibrations, the output signals, such as vibrations, are transmitted to the device, which comprises a plate as an implant with its underside for connection to the skull bone, on the side of which arms are formed as osteosynthesis arms, the arms have openings for screws, also referred to as osteosynthesis screws,Preferably, an underside of the arms forms an angle α with the underside of the plate that is less than or equal to 180°. A base plate for external application against the user's scalp has a central region and an edge region extending circumferentially around the central region. The base plate and / or the plate contain a magnetic material. Preferably, an underside of the edge region of the base plate forms an angle, such as γ, with an underside of the central region of the base plate that adjoins the underside of the edge region, which angle corresponds to the angle α. An upper side of the central region and / or the edge region of the base plate facing away from the underside of the central region is suitable for positive and / or frictional and / or force-fitting coupling to hearing aids.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method for transmitting output signals corresponding to sound signals, such as vibrations, wherein a device is coupled to a hearing aid, which comprises an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer, The input transducer converts the sound signals it receives into corresponding electrical signals and forwards them to an amplifier and the amplifier generates the amplifier signals corresponding to the electrical signals and transmits them to the output transducer, the output signals corresponding to the amplifier signals, such as vibrations, are generated by the output transducer and transmitted to the device, which device includes a plate as an implant with its underside for connection to the skull bone, on the side of which arms are formed as osteosynthesis arms, the arms have openings for screws as osteosynthesis screws, preferably an underside of the arms with the underside of the plate forms an angle α less than or equal to 180°, a base plate for attachment from the outside against a scalp of the user, a central area and a circumferentially extending around the central area

[0031] edge area, the base plate and / or the plate contain a magnetic material, preferably an underside of the edge region of the base plate and an underside of the central region of the base plate adjoining the underside of the edge region enclose an angle γ which corresponds to the angle α, an upper side of the central region and / or the edge region of the base plate facing away from the underside of the central region is suitable for positive and / or frictional and / or force-fitting coupling to hearing aids. Finally, the invention is also directed to an easy-to-use, universally applicable device for coupling to hearing aids, for example, preferably vibrotactile, bone conduction hearing aids, for transmitting output signals, such as vibrations, generated by their electromechanical transducers, to the bones of a user, which is characterized by a plate as an implant with its underside for connection to the bone, on the side of which arms, also called osteosynthesis arms, are formed, the arms have openings for screws, also called osteosynthesis screws, preferably an underside of the arms forms an angle with the underside of the plate, e.g. angle α, less than or equal to 180°, a base plate for external application against the skin of the user covering the bone, which base plate has a central region and an edge region extending around the central region, the base plate and / or the plate contain a magnetic material, preferably an underside of the edge region of the base plate and an underside of the central region of the base plate adjoining the underside of the edge region enclose an angle, in particular which corresponds to the angle enclosed by the underside of the arms and the underside of the plate, e.g. angle , an upper side of the central region and / or the edge region of the base plate facing away from the underside of the central region is suitable for positive and / or frictional and / or force-fitting coupling to hearing aids.

[0032] The plate and base plate are made of a magnetic material. When the base plate is placed against the user's scalp adjacent to the plate in the coupling position, the base plate will remain in the coupling position due to the magnetic attraction, as if by force-locking, between the base plate and the plate. Nevertheless, despite the base plate resting with its large underside on the scalp and the resulting force applied over a large area, the user does not perceive the base plate in the coupling position as uncomfortable. This enables sufficient wearing comfort for the user for the first time—unlike the state of the art.

[0033] The plate and base plate designed as magnetic discs or having such magnetic discs can be designed with permanent magnets or permanent magnets as the magnetic material or contain such discs, so that due to the hard magnetic properties of the magnetic material or the magnetic discs, the coupling, also called magnetic coupling, of the base plate to the plate in the coupling position, even if they are spaced from each other by the user's scalp arranged between them, is fatigue-free and remains securely in position and does not expose the user to the risk of losing the base plate with the hearing aid coupled to it.For the purposes of the invention, a magnetic material is also understood to mean a material with a hard magnetic material, for example, alloys with iron, cobalt, nickel, and / or ferrites. Thus, alloys with samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron alloys are materials with strong permanent magnetic fields for providing strong permanent magnets or permanent magnet discs for the plate, base plate, and / or part of the hearing aid. Furthermore, magnetic materials that can exhibit a high coercive field strength as permanent magnets are also known to those skilled in the art, and which can offer a high resistance to remagnetization from external magnetic fields.The plate and the base plate, which, for example, comprise a neodymium-iron-boron alloy as the magnetic material, advantageously form such a strong permanent magnetic field that the two adjacent magnetic discs of the plate and base plate can remain permanently attracted in the coupling position even in the event of vibrations such as footsteps or sudden head movements. In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, this device can also be coupled to the hearing aid in a magnetic coupling position, since the underside of the conventional hearing aid facing the base plate also contains the magnetic material, such as the neodymium-iron-boron alloy, to increase the coupling reliability of the hearing aid in the coupling position. By coupling the hearing aid to the base plate in this way, the user is also preferably not exposed to the risk of losing the hearing aid coupled to the base plate.

[0034] Advantageously, the base plate can be designed with magnets or magnetic discs of different sizes, as well as with different diameters and / or thicknesses, and / or magnetic materials with different magnetic force effects, depending on the desired force applied to the scalp.

[0035] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one pin is formed on the upper side, preferably on the upper side of the central region, of the base plate for coupling to the hearing aid; advantageously, the pin is conical and blunt-ended for positive engagement with the hearing aid, so that a secure, albeit user-removable, holder is provided between the device according to the invention and the hearing aid or an aligned fastening of the hearing aid with or to the base plate.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one pin is formed on the upper side, preferably on the upper side of the central region, of the plate in order to be able to engage with the base plate in a form-fitting manner. In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate is connected to the base plate and the hearing aid via its pin, so that due to magnetic attraction both the base plate is held in the region of the plate and the hearing aid is coupled to the base plate. Thus, depending on the on-site requirements and depending on its design and that of the base plate and the underside of the hearing aid, the pin can advantageously support the magnetic coupling position of base plate to plate and / or magnetic coupling position of hearing aid to base plate and / or magnetic coupling position of hearing aid via base plate to plate.

[0037] In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the base plate has such a recess that can positively accommodate the pin of the plate and / or the auxiliary plate; the depth of the recess can determine the extent of insertion of the pin and thus the spacing of the base plate from the scalp.

[0038] In addition, the pin can preferably support both the self-discovery of the base plate against the scalp and the alignment of the hearing aid that can be coupled to the base plate.

[0039] Therefore, the device according to the invention is also suitable for users with limited mobility or for people with disabilities in general, since both the particularly advantageous self-determination of the base plate against the scalp, which has been realized for the first time, and the self-determination of the alignment of the hearing aid that can be coupled to the base plate, eliminates the need for third-party support measures or at least the presence of third parties for possible intervention, thus increasing the user's self-esteem without the need for third-party assistance. Alignment can therefore be effectively supported both by the special design of the pin and the recess that accommodates it, as well as by the alignment of the magnetic fields induced by the plate and base plate and / or the hearing aid.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, an auxiliary plate is provided for transcutaneous insertion in a region of the skull bone in order to advantageously support the magnetic coupling of base plate to plate; for example, the pin for connection to the base plate or engagement in the same can be formed just as well on an upper side facing away from the plate of an auxiliary plate which can be connected to the plate and is preferably arranged transcutaneously; this pin leads through the scalp of the user to the outside for external positive, frictional and / or force-fitting connection to the base plate or engagement in the base plate; in this preferred embodiment, the pin is arranged percutaneously.

[0041] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate comprises a plate ring, preferably having an outer edge collar running in the direction of rotation around the central longitudinal axis X or A, a first disk inserted into the plate ring, and a second disk placed on the first disk with the pin formed thereon; in another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate comprises a plate ring, preferably having an outer edge collar running in the direction of rotation around the central longitudinal axis X or A, a first disk inserted into the plate ring, and optionally a second disk without a pin placed on the first disk. The plate ring, the first disk, and / or the second disk can contain magnetic material; the first disk and / or the second disk can also be designed as magnetic disks.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the base plate can also comprise a first base ring, preferably having an inner collar running in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis and arranged on the inside, a base disc inserted into the space delimited by the inner collar, and a second base ring, preferably having an outer collar running in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis and arranged on the outside, wherein, for example, the upper side of the second base ring is drawn in to form a bevel at the edge running around the central longitudinal axis and is placed in a form-fitting manner against the first base ring; the first base ring, the base disc and / or the second base ring can contain magnetic material; the base disc can also be designed as a magnetic disc.

[0043] For the purposes of the invention, coupling or connection is also understood to mean a force-locking connection, such as that caused by magnetic attraction, and / or a frictional and / or positive-locking fixation, and / or a frictional and / or positive-locking engagement, and / or a frictional and / or positive-locking attachment. For the purposes of the invention, magnetic fixation is also understood to mean a connection or coupling caused by magnetic attraction.

[0044] In the sense of the invention, the connection of the plate of the device according to the invention with the skull bone is understood to mean, for example, its placement on the skull bone of the user, its at least partial insertion into a milled cavity or area of ​​the skull bone of the user, etc.

[0045] In the sense of the invention, the person skilled in the art will also understand osteosynthesis screws to include those which contribute to the rapid and problem-free connection of the plate to bones, such as skull bones, and which can thereby also support the functionality of the hearing organ.

[0046] For the purposes of the invention, a plastic-like material is understood to mean any plastic that is applied to the scalp by means of an adhesive layer and remains there for a certain period of time. For the purposes of the invention, a plastic-like material is understood to mean any plastic that is applied to the scalp by means of an adhesive layer and remains securely in place for a predetermined period of time, and which, as a result of remaining in place, does not cause any irritation to the user's scalp. For the purposes of the invention, a film is also understood to mean an elastic, e.g., a thermoelastic, or a plastic, such as a thermoplastic, film, or one whose areas have parts of varying degrees of elasticity and / or plasticity.

[0047] For the purposes of the invention, hearing aids also include bone conduction hearing aids.

[0048] The device according to the invention for transmitting vibrations, advantageously generated by electro-mechanical transducers of hearing aids, to a skull bone of a user can also be designed as a, for example, elastic or thermoelastic, film, one side of which is coated with an adhesive layer for attachment to the scalp of a user, the other side of which contains a magnetic material as an elastic coating, against the other side of which a disc containing a magnetic material is detachably attached as a magnetic disc, to which the hearing aid can be coupled, wherein the elastic coating contains a permanent magnet material, preferably a neodymium-iron-boron alloy, as the magnetic material.

[0049] Alternatively, this film can contain a non-magnetic material into which one or two magnets are embedded, to which the component(s) of the hearing system, such as the hearing aid, can be or are coupled.

[0050] Based on studies, it has been shown that sound energy is transmitted transcutaneously, even without pressure, but simply by adhering the vibrator as the output transducer to the skin, to a degree sufficient for many patients. Therefore, the device according to the invention for coupling to hearing aids, the uses according to the invention, and the methods according to the invention for transmitting vibrations generated by their electromechanical transducers, with all the aforementioned configurations and the exemplary embodiments disclosed below, are also suitable for transmitting vibrations generated by their electromechanical transducers to other bones of a user, which is characterized, for example, by a plate as an implant with its underside for connection to the bone, on the side of which arms are formed as osteosynthesis arms, the arms having openings for screws as osteosynthesis screws.a base plate for attachment to a user's skin overlapping or covering the bone, comprising a central region and an edge region extending circumferentially around the central region, the base plate and / or the plate containing a magnetic material, an upper side of the central region and / or the edge region of the base plate facing away from the underside of the central region is suitable for coupling to a hearing aid. Advantages of the invention

[0051] The device according to the invention is characterized, among other things, by - high wearing comfort, - the absence of heat build-up in the ear canal, which the user finds particularly unpleasant, - the lack of impairment of the user's existing hearing capacity in its naturalness, - the largely unadulterated natural sound processing in the human ear, - ensuring the highest level of acoustic correction and natural hearing, - no pressing of temples or headbands, - maintaining the user's external appearance, which is not restricted by the headband or strap, to third parties, - avoiding open implants, - the avoidance of latent inflammations induced by open implants as a result of infections, - the undisturbed transmission of vibrations corresponding to the sound to the skull bone, - avoiding the unaffected, undistorted transmission of vibrations to the user's skull bone, - the generation of only a minimal foreign body sensation, if any, in the user, - the self-discovery of the hearing aid to the base plate and the alignment of the hearing aid that can be coupled to the base plate, - the elimination of assistance from third parties for attaching the hearing aid to the device according to the invention as a result of self-discovery and - increasing the user's self-esteem without the need for third-party assistance.

[0052] The clever interaction of the plate with the base plate and the hearing aid coupled to the base plate, as well as the device according to the invention which can be adapted to the shape, thickness and other properties of the skull bone and the status of the scalp, reveal further advantages of the same, such as - the self-locating coupling of the base plate to the plate and the facilitated alignment of the bone conduction hearing aid to the device, - the distribution of the force generated by the coupling of the base plate to the plate over a large area of ​​the user's scalp without causing skin irritation due to the pressure, - the possibility for the surgeon to decide on the connection of the plate to the skull bone on-site, depending on the thickness and shape, such as curvature, of the skull bone, - the use of the device with the plate according to the invention for connection to the skull bone of both infants and adults, without redesigning or adapting the device, - the connection of the device according to the invention with the plate to the skull bone without compression of the same, - the prevention of circulatory disorders of the scalp due to low force applied to it, - no occurrence of impedance jumps, - the desired setting of the distance of the bone conduction hearing aid from the scalp of the user and - the safe application of the device according to the invention with base plate against a user's pre-stressed scalp even in the presence of easily damaged connective tissue, such as granulation tissue. Examples of implementation

[0053] Due to the simplification of the drawings, they show in a schematic, greatly enlarged manner, without claiming to a true-to-scale reproduction, embodiments and further developments without limiting the invention to these in Fig. 1 a plan view of the plate of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a cross-section through the plate of the device according to the invention with skull bones, Fig. 3 a cross-section through the device according to the invention with plate, skull bone, scalp and base plate, Fig. 4 a cross-section through the device according to the invention with plate, pin, skull bone, auxiliary plate, scalp and base plate, Fig. 5 an oblique view of the device according to the invention with plate and pin, Fig. 6 a side view of the plate with pin of the device according to the invention, Fig. 7 an exploded view of the plate and its parts, Fig. 8 a plan view of the device according to the invention with a pin, Fig. 9 an oblique view of the plate and pin, Fig. 10 an exploded view of the base plate and its parts, Fig. 11 a side view of the base plate of the device according to the invention, Fig. 12 an oblique view of the base plate of the device according to the invention, Fig. 13 a cross-section through the upper ring of the base plate of the device according to the invention with an internally extending bevel, Fig. 14 a top view of elastic films with adhesive layer areas for holding the hearing aid, Fig. 15 a top view of elastic films with adhesive layer areas for holding the hearing aid and areas without adhesive layer, Fig. 16 a top view of elastic films with adhesive layer areas and magnetic discs for holding the hearing aid, Fig. 17 a cross-section through an elastic film with disc, hearing aid, skull bone, scalp, Fig. 18 is a plan view of the plate of the device according to the invention with a pin, Fig. 19 a cross-section through the device according to the invention with the plate, pin, skull bone, scalp and base plate partially inserted in the skull bone, Fig. 20 an enlargement of the internal chamfer of the upper ring of the base plate of the device according to the invention and Fig. 21 a longitudinal section through the auxiliary plate 6 as an additional implant.

[0054] To avoid the disadvantages of the aforementioned methods, one embodiment of the device according to the invention proposes a flat, approximately round or oval magnet shape for plate 1 as implant and base plate B, which does not need to be sunk, or only minimally, into the bone K, such as the skull. The north-south polarity of the magnet is either linear or circular. At the edge of the magnet are multiple small osteosynthesis arms 2, which are pressed against the surrounding bone K and at least partially fixed in the bone K with small osteosynthesis screws. These osteosynthesis arms 2 can comprise different numbers. With seven evenly distributed arms 2, three screws are sufficient to securely fix the plate 1 in the bone K. However, they can also be arranged in a grid-like manner or be so close together that they feel like a smooth surface under the covering skin H and taper off into the bone surface as an inclined plane.To further reduce the possibility of steps forming, the holes or openings 3 for receiving the osteosynthesis screws are not located at the ends of the arms 2, but a few millimeters away from them. The webs extending beyond the holes are flattened so that they lie even more smoothly against the bone K. Since there are various osteosynthesis screws with different diameters and shapes, the holes also have different diameters and shapes so that many different screw types can be used to fix the plates 1. In addition to the diameters of the screws or holes 3, the shape of the undersides of the screw heads also plays a role in ensuring optimal adaptation, so the holes are also tapered or spherical to match the screw heads.

[0055] To allow the plate 1 as an implant to be easily moved until its final positioning, and to allow the angles of the osteosynthesis arms 2 or the grid to be easily adjusted until the screws are finally fixed, one embodiment of the device according to the invention has partially oval holes 3. To accommodate screws of different diameters, it is proposed to design the holes 3 in a droplet shape.In order to be able to fully or partially sink or insert the plate as an implant, depending on the individual situation, into the milled cavity KI of the skull bone, which is limited by the area 4 of the bone K, the osteosynthesis arms 2 are attached asymmetrically with regard to the height of the implant, so that when the bone K is milled out in the magnetic area, the implant lies flat in or minimally on the bone. In the case of very thin bone K, in particular in children, the implant is positioned on the bone K, if necessary after slightly smoothing the bone surface, so that it protrudes slightly in accordance with the plate thickness.

[0056] In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the externally worn base plates, to which the active part of the hearing system is attached, have one or two congruent magnets for plate 1, the strength of which can be individually selected according to skin thickness, scalp thickness, and patient preferences. In addition to the different magnet strengths, the following is proposed specifically for the universal implant described here: The external base plates B are available with different surface areas, typically from approximately 2 to 7 cm². They also have curvatures of varying degrees, also to adapt to the individual curvature of the scalp H.Since the bending is not caused by the magnet itself, but by the osteosynthesis arms 2 pressed against the bone K, it is proposed that the bending should not be designed uniformly in the sense of a spherical segment, but rather be chamfered to varying degrees outside the radius of the magnet.

[0057] In my opinion, percutaneous and transcutaneous couplings have different indications, which can change over the course of life due to increasing hearing loss. Therefore, in a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, an auxiliary plate 6 is proposed as an auxiliary implant 6, which can be inserted as an implant in addition to the described plate 1. It is magnetically fixed to the first plate and has a pin 6a that perforates the scalp H and to which a specially designed base plate B is fixed. Via this pin 6a, the solid-state sound generated by the output transducer, such as the external vibrator, of the hearing aid is guided directly into the plate 1 and further into the bone K. This auxiliary plate 6 as an additional implant consists of a magnetic disk whose magnetization direction is congruent with that of the plate 1, i.e., either radial or linear.During an operation, after the skin flap has been lifted, it is positioned as an implant on the plate 1 and magnetically fixed to it. The pin 6a is located centrally on this additional implant; its length is selected according to the skin thickness so that it projects a few millimeters beyond the scalp H or the soft tissue above the plate 1. The scalp H is punctured at this point, i.e. centrally above the plate 1 as the implant, and the pin 6a is guided through this opening. This embodiment of the device according to the invention thus becomes a percutaneous implant system, or this embodiment of the device according to the invention relates to a device according to the invention that can be used percutaneously. In an additional embodiment of the device according to the invention, the external base plate B has a central recess 5a, for example in the form of a milled hole, for receiving the pin 6a.It also has a magnet congruent with the implant to magnetically fix the external hearing aid and / or plate 1. The recess 5a is not continuous, but has a specific depth. The height of the base plate B above the skin H, or its maximum contact pressure, is determined by the depth of the recess 5a, a milled hole 5a in the base plate B, in relation to the length of the pin.

[0058] A further modification for fixing the base plate B in a further embodiment of the device according to the invention consists in that the pin 6a and the recess 5a in the base plate B are congruently conical in shape to one another.

[0059] As an alternative to the auxiliary plate 6, in a completely different embodiment of the device according to the invention it is proposed that the pin 6a is formed directly on the plate 1, i.e. is located on the implant, so that no auxiliary plate 6 is required.

[0060] When switching from transcutaneous to percutaneous coupling, the skin H only needs to be perforated or punched out in the area of ​​the pin 6a, and vice versa, the small skin opening needs to be sutured over. In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the implants have central pins of different lengths that can be adapted to the individual skin thickness. If the skin swells significantly postoperatively, the pin could be shortened with a diamond bur without another operation. Should - for whatever reason - significant skin swelling occur postoperatively and the pin is therefore too short, the skin can be compressed to its original thickness using appropriately thick base pads. Replacing the implant with another one with a different pin length is possible with a minor operation, but is rarely clinically necessary.When replacing implants, either transcutaneously for percutaneously, vice versa, or percutaneously for percutaneously with a different pin length, no new bone bed needs to be created, as the baseplates and osteosynthesis arms of all implants are identical. The existing screws and drill holes can be reused. If the screws do not secure sufficiently, they can be replaced with so-called safety screws with a slightly larger thread diameter. Alternatively, the implant can be rotated slightly and the drill holes re-drilled. Baseplate B corresponds to the previously described baseplate for the percutaneous additional implant (see DBGM 20 2016 004 945.4).

[0061] The wearing comfort of bone conduction hearing aids without surgical intervention has so far been limited, among other things, by external pressure and the necessary accessories such as headbands, temples, or thick glasses frames. To eliminate the disadvantages leading to limited wearing comfort and to create a sense of well-being for the user when using the bone conduction hearing aid, another embodiment of the device according to the invention proposes giving a flexible magnetic film 7 the shape of the hairless area behind the auricle, separately for the right and left ears. This film is preferably affixed with a thin, double-sided adhesive film approved for application to the skin or with liquid glue, and can be left in place for some time—based on previous experience, several days.

[0062] For patients with a very deep or far anterior hairline, as well as patients with a shallow retroauricular fold, an additional exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention proposes that the film 7 with the magnetic coating be designed to be larger in the dorsal direction than the hair-free area. The part 8 of the film 7 that projects into the hairy area does not have an adhesive film, so that the underside of the film has an adhesive layer as the adhesive area 7a and a non-adhesive area 8; depending on the requirements and the nature of the user's scalp, the area 7a, e.g. the part of the film 7 adjacent to the ear, can be designed to be non-adhesive, and the area 9, e.g. the part 8 spaced apart from the ear, can be designed to be adhesive.

[0063] As an alternative to the flexible magnetic film, the following embodiments of the device according to the invention are disclosed: In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the film 7 is made of a thermoplastic material that is individually adapted to the shape of the head. The advantage of this embodiment of the device according to the invention is that the film fits snugly against the scalp.

[0064] In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the film 7 does not contain any magnetic material. Instead, one or two magnets 10, such as magnetic discs 10, are embedded in the film 7 at the locations where the hearing aids or their components are worn. The advantage of this embodiment of the device according to the invention is that the position of the hearing aids is fixed and they cannot slip.

[0065] While the film 7 is left on the skin for an extended period in an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the bone conduction hearing aid 9 can be worn temporarily as needed and magnetically fixed to the film 7. This is achieved either via the ferromagnetic disc 10 on the hearing aid - which is already present for the partially implantable variant - or an additional, thin ferromagnetic plate to be fixed to the device, which is connected to the hearing system depending on its design. While the pull-off force perpendicular to the film 7 results from the magnetic forces and / or the iron content of the disc 10, the lateral displacement force, which is crucial for fixating the device in an upright posture, also depends on the frictional forces when the disc moves on the film 7. To increase this friction, the top side of the film 7 and the underside of the disc 10 must be roughened.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the shape of the film 7 as a magnetic film is adapted to the hair-free area behind the auricle, wherein its underside facing the scalp H is designed with an area provided with an adhesive layer and a non-adhesive area 8, and its upper side and the underside of the magnetic disc 10 are designed to be rough.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate 1 has a flat, rounded to oval shape and multiple arms 2, also called osteosynthesis arms 2, at the edge; the north-south polarity of the magnet has a linear geometry or a circular geometry. The plate 1 can have a grid as an implant instead of the multiple, individual osteosynthesis arms; the holes or openings 3 have different diameters in the grid or bars to accommodate screws and can be chamfered to different degrees to accommodate screws with a conical or spherical underside of the screw head. The holes 3 are elongated or teardrop-shaped so that the screws can slide slightly therein until final fixation. The bars protrude beyond the holes in the osteosynthesis plates; likewise, the bars or grid ends that protrude beyond the holes can be flattened.The osteosynthesis arms 2 are mounted asymmetrically with respect to the height of the implant. In one embodiment, the underside of the base plate B facing the plate 1 is curved; for example, the underside of the edge region 5 of the base plate B is angled toward the plate 1; the underside of the base plate B can also be flat in the center and inclined peripherally.

[0067] An auxiliary plate 6 as an additional implant for the device according to the invention for the magnetic fixation of bone conduction hearing aids 9 consists, in an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, of a magnetic disk congruent with the plate 1 or base plate B, which centrally has a pin 6a for perforating the scalp H lying above it; the base plate B has a central recess 5a as a hole congruent with the pin 6a of the auxiliary plate 6 as an additional implant, wherein the recess e aligned centrally in the base plate b has a depth limitation for the pin 6a. In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pin 6a and the central hole are designed as a recess 5a in the base plate congruent to one another in a conical shape.

[0068] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pin 6a is angular with sides of unequal width, so that the pin 6a engages in a form-fitting manner in the recess 5a of the base plate B with its inner sides adapted to the outer shape of the pin 6a for the predetermined alignment of the pin 6a to the base plate B.

[0069] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pin 6a is angular with unequal widths, so that the pin 6a engages in the recesses 5a of the base plate B and the hearing aid 9 with their inner sides matching the outer shape of the pin 6a in a form-fitting manner and without intermediate play - i.e. a precise fit - for the predetermined alignment of the pin 6a to the base plate B and to the hearing aid 9.

[0070] In patients with severe middle ear diseases, it is often not possible to fit a hearing aid via air conduction. In these cases, the sound can be transmitted directly to the inner ear via bone conduction, bypassing the conductive hearing apparatus of the outer ear and the middle ear. The solid-state sound can be coupled to the bone using vibrators that are pressed against the scalp by external pressure or magnetically, or using open implants. Both methods have different advantages and disadvantages. The optimal fitting must be determined on a case-by-case basis. For various medical reasons, it may be advisable to switch from one solution to another over time. These include, on the one hand, the fundamental problems of open implants and, on the other hand, the sometimes uncomfortable pressure on the head, the aesthetically disturbing headband, and, with both procedures, the necessity of surgery.

[0071] In order to optimize the handling of the adhesive, its duration on the skin, its acceptance and acoustic transmission properties, the following tools are disclosed: A small, flat magnet is connected to an elastic film 7 as a magnetic disc 10 for adhesive fixation of bone conduction hearing aids using the film 7. The magnetic disc 10 can be axially or diametrically magnetized, depending on the device to be fixed. With axial magnetization, rotational stabilization of the connected devices can be achieved through small elevations and congruent depressions. As an alternative to the magnet, the disc can also be made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0072] In a further embodiment of the easy-to-handle, universally applicable device according to the invention, the film 7 surrounds the magnetic disk 10, wherein the magnetic disk 10 is adhered to, in, or on the film 7 or is individually adhered after adaptation to the adhesive surface. The underside of the film 7 facing the scalp is provided with a skin-compatible adhesive. The shape of the film 7 is adapted to the region behind the auricle on each side and can be customized. The hearing aid 9 itself is then held on the magnet or the ferromagnetic disk 10 by a further magnet in the base plate B that is congruent with the adhered magnet. The elastic film for the adhesive fixation of bone conduction hearing aids is customized depending on the shape and size of the area of ​​the scalp to be covered with the film, on or on which a magnetic layer or a ferromagnetic disk is arranged, as fixed.The magnet or ferromagnetic material has raised or recessed areas into which congruent raised or recessed areas of the hearing aid base plate lock.

[0073] In a further exemplary embodiment, the easy-to-handle, universally applicable device according to the invention for coupling to hearing aids 9 for transmitting vibrations generated by output transducers as electro-mechanical transducers to a skull bone of a user comprises a plate 1 as an implant with its underside for connection to the skull bone K, on ​​the side of which arms 1a are formed, called osteosynthesis arms, the arms 2 having openings 3 for screws as so-called osteosynthesis screws. In another exemplary embodiment, a cavity KI is milled out of the skull bone, which at least partially receives the plate 1 in a form-fitting manner, so that the arms 2 of the plate 1 rest on the region of the skull bone K delimiting the cavity KI, or part of the plate 1 protrudes from the top side of the skull bone K.An underside of the arms 2 encloses an angle α of less than 180° with the underside of the plate 1, a base plate B for application against a scalp of the user has a central region 5b and an adjoining edge region 5, preferably extending circumferentially around the central region 5b, wherein the base plate B and the plate 1 contain a magnetic material, an underside of the edge region 5 of the base plate B encloses an angle γ with the underside of the central region 5b of the base plate B, which angle α corresponds to the angle α.

[0074] An upper side of the central region 5b and the edge region 5 of the base plate B facing away from the underside of the central region 5b is suitable for magnetic coupling or for positive and / or frictional and / or force-fitting coupling to a hearing aid 9.

[0075] In one embodiment, a pin 6a for coupling to the hearing aid is formed on the upper side of the central region of the base plate B; in another embodiment, the plate 1 is connected to the base plate B and / or the hearing aid (9) via a pin 6a which is formed on an upper side of the plate 1. On an upper side facing away from the plate 1 of an auxiliary plate 6 which can be connected to the plate 1, the pin 6a for connection to the base plate B is formed, so that the plate 1 is advantageously suitable for transcutaneous connection to the skull bone K, the pin 6a for percutaneous arrangement, and the auxiliary plate 6 for transcutaneous insertion in a region of the skull bone K.

[0076] It is shown in an additional embodiment of the easy-to-handle, universally applicable device according to the invention that for the percutaneous arrangement of the easy-to-handle, universally applicable device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if, in longitudinal section, the outer side of the pin 6a forms an angle β of 95° with the upper side of the auxiliary plate 6, to which the pin 6a is integrally formed.

[0077] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate 1 comprises a plate ring 6b having an outer edge collar 6e extending in the direction of rotation around the central longitudinal axis A of the plate ring 6b or the pin 6a, a first plate disc 6d, also called the first disc 6d, which can be inserted into the plate ring 6b, and a second plate disc 6c, also called the second disc 6c, with a pin 6a, which can be placed on the first plate disc 6d; the base plate B comprises a first base ring 21 having an inner collar 21a extending in the direction of rotation around the central longitudinal axis A of the plate ring 6b, a base disc 22 insertable into the space delimited by the inner collar 21a, and a second base ring 23, preferably having an outer collar extending in the direction of rotation around the central longitudinal axis X of the first base ring 21 or second base ring 23.In particular, its upper side is indented to form a peripheral bevel 23a extending around the central longitudinal axis X, which is positively engaged against the first base ring 21. In the advantageously magnetic coupling position of the base plate B, the base plate B can be positioned against the user's scalp in such a way that the bevel 23a can bear protectively against the edge of the scalp protrusion created by the plate 1, which protrudes at least partially from the skull bone K and protrudes from the rest of the scalp.

[0078] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first plate disc 6d or the second plate disc 6c of the plate 1 are designed as magnetic discs; in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first plate disc 6d and the second plate disc 6c of the plate 1 are jointly designed as magnetic discs in an arrangement wherein the adjacent polarities are different. In a completely different embodiment of the device according to the invention, the plate ring 6b, the first base ring 21, the base disc 22 or the second base ring 23 of the base plate B is made of magnetic material; in another embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least two representatives of the group comprising the plate ring 6b, the first base ring 21, the base disc 22 or the second base ring 23 of the base plate B are made of magnetic material.Within the meaning of the invention, the term “coupling position” also means the connection of two parts of the device according to the invention, such as the pin of the plate with the base plate, the plate with the base plate or the hearing aid with the base plate, or the engagement of one part with the further part of the device according to the invention, such as the pin in the base plate, or the application of one part, such as the base plates, against the scalp or skin, so that the central longitudinal axis A of the pin 6a can advantageously coincide with the central longitudinal axis X of the base plate B; within the meaning of the invention, the term “magnetic coupling position” means the connection, engagement or application by means of the magnetic attraction of the parts generated as a result of the magnetic material.

[0079] In a completely different embodiment of the device according to the invention, this comprises an elastic film 7, one side of which is coated with an adhesive layer for attachment to the scalp of a user, the other side of which contains a magnetic material, against the other side of which a disc 10 containing a magnetic material is detachably attached as a magnetic disc, to which the hearing aid can be coupled, wherein the magnetic material is designed as a permanent magnet material, preferably containing a neodymium-iron-boron alloy. List of reference symbols 1 plate 2nd arm of the plate 3 Breakthrough or hole in an arm 4 Cavity-limiting area of ​​the skull bone 5 Edge area of ​​the base plate 5 a Recess for the pin 5b central area of ​​the base plate 6 Auxiliary plate 6a pen 6b Plate ring of the plate 6c second plate disc or first disc of the plate 6d first plate disc or second disc of the plate 7 Slide 7a Area of ​​the film, preferably adhesive, 8 Area of ​​the film, preferably non-adhesive 9 Hearing aid 10 disc with magnetic material, 21 first base ring of base plate 21a Inner collar of the first base ring 23 second base ring of base plate 23a chamfer A Center longitudinal axis of plate, plate ring and / or plate discs B Base plate H scalp K skull bones KI Hollowing out the skull bone to accommodate the plate X Center longitudinal axis of base plate and / or base rings

Claims

[1] Device for coupling to hearing aids (9) for transmitting vibrations generated by their electro-mechanical transducers to a skull bone (K) of a user, with a plate (1) as an implant with its underside for connection to the skull bone (K), b. on the side (1a) of which arms (2) are formed as osteosynthesis arms, whereby c. the arms (2) have openings (3) for screws as osteosynthesis screws, d. a base plate (B) for application against a scalp (H) of the user has a central region (5b) and an edge region (5) extending circumferentially around the central region (5b), e. the base plate (B) and / or the plate (1) contain a magnetic material, f. an upper side of the central region (5b) and / or the edge region (5) of the base plate (B) facing away from the underside of the central region (5b) is suitable for coupling to a hearing aid,characterized by , that g. a pin (6a) is formed on the upper side of the plate (1) for connection to the base plate (B) and is suitable for engagement in a recess (5a) of the base plate (B) in a form-fitting, frictional and / or force-fitting manner, h. the plate (1) comprises a plate ring (6b), a first plate disc (6d) with magnetic material that can be inserted into the plate ring (6b) and a second plate disc (6c) with the pin (6a) that can be placed on the first plate disc (6d), and the base plate (B) comprises a first base ring (21), a base disc (22) with magnetic material that can be inserted into the space delimited by an inner collar (21a), and a second base ring (23), the upper side of which is drawn in to form a bevel (23a) on the edge that runs around the central longitudinal axis (X), which is placed against the first base ring (21) in a frictional, force-fitting and / or positive-fitting manner. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the plate (1) comprises the plate ring (6b) having an outer edge collar (6e) running in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis (A). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the base plate (B) comprises the first base ring (21) having an inner collar (21a) arranged on the inside and extending in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis (A). [4] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base plate (B) comprises the second base ring (23) having an externally arranged outer collar extending in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis (X). [5] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that on an upper side facing away from the plate (1) of an auxiliary plate (6) connectable to the plate (1) a pin (6a) is formed for positive, frictional and / or force-locking engagement in a recess (5a) of the base plate (B). [6] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plate (1) and / or the auxiliary plate (6) are intended for transcutaneous connection to the skull bone (K). [7] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pin (6a) connected to the plate (1) or the auxiliary plate (6) is provided for percutaneous connection to the hearing aid (9) or the base plate (B). [8] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an underside of the arms (2) encloses an angle (α) less than or equal to 180° with the underside of the plate (1), an underside of the edge region (5) of the base plate (B) and an underside of the central region (5b) of the base plate (B) adjoining the underside of the edge region (5) enclose an angle (γ) which corresponds to the angle (α). [9] Use of the device according to one of the preceding claims for detachable, patient-friendly coupling to hearing aids for transmitting vibrations generated by the electromechanical transducers thereof.

Images