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US 10,257,624 B2Granted
Hearing aid wireless antenna molded into the device shell
AssigneeStarkey Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsJay Rabel, Thomas Spaulding, Thomas Blaise Bergner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing or shell. The hearing aid shell may constructed by forming an inner shell portion, disposing an antenna on an outer surface of the inner shell portion, and forming an outer shell portion around the inner shell portion. In various embodiments, the hearing aid shell may be constructed using an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.
Claims12
A hearing aid, comprising:
- a hearing aid shell, wherein the hearing aid shell contains components that include a microphone for converting an audio input into an input signal, a digital processing circuitry for processing the input signal, an output stage to produce an output signal in a manner that compensates for the patient's hearing deficit, and a wireless transceiver connected to the digital processing circuitry;
- an antenna having a feedpoint connected to the wireless transceiver, wherein the antenna is embedded in a wall of the hearing aid shell;
- wherein the hearing aid shell is constructed by a two-shot molding process where an inner shell portion is first molded, the antenna is disposed on the outside of the shell inner portion, and an outer shell portion is then molded around the inner shell portion leaving the antenna embedded within a wall of the completed hearing aid shell, wherein an electrical connection from the antenna is exposed during the two-shot molding process to provide the feedpoint for the wireless transceiver;
- and,
- wherein, in at least one cross-section of the hearing aid shell, the antenna is disposed in the shell wall between the outer shell portion and inner shell portion throughout the cross-section to provide additional structural support.
2 more elements
A method for constructing a hearing aid, comprising:
- constructing a hearing aid shell with a two-shot molding process by:
- molding an inner shell portion;
- disposing an antenna on the outside of the shell inner portion;
- molding an outer shell portion around the inner shell portion leaving the antenna embedded within a wall of the completed hearing aid shell;
- exposing an electrical connection from the antenna to provide a feedpoint for the wireless transceiver during the two-shot molding process;
- and,
- disposing the antenna such that, in at least one cross-section of the hearing aid shell, the antenna is disposed in the shell wall between the outer shell portion and inner shell portion throughout the cross-section to provide additional structural support.
4 more elements
The method of 6 wherein the antenna is made of copper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.