# US 2014/0194673 A1 · Piezoelectric-based, self-sustaining artificial cochlea

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- Number: US 2014/0194673 A1
- Document ID: US20140194673A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/142,064
- Filed: 2013-12-27
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Assignees: Wright State University
- Applicants: Wright State University
- Inventors: Robert A. Goldenberg; Yan Zhuang; Jared Allen Evans
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194673A1

## CPC

- A61N 1/0541: {Cochlear electrodes}
- A61N 1/36038: {Cochlear stimulation}
- H04R 25/60: {Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles (ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654)}
- H04R 2225/67: Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
- Y10T 29/42: Piezoelectric device making
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Piezoelectric transducer arrays and methods of making the same are discussed. Such an array can include a piezoelectric film comprising a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments can be separated by trenches of a plurality of trenches in the piezoelectric film. Additionally, such an array can include a plurality of electrodes attached to the plurality of segments.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device, comprising:
a piezoelectric film comprising a plurality of segments, wherein adjacent segments are separated by a trench of a plurality of trenches in the piezoelectric film; and
a plurality of electrodes attached to the plurality of segments.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the lengths of the plurality of segments monotonically increases along the length of the piezoelectric film.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprises at least nine segments.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein resonant frequencies of each of the plurality of segments are in a range from 300 Hz to 3500 Hz.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric film comprises a piezoelectric polymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a substrate or a holder, wherein the piezoelectric film is secured to the at least one of the substrate or the holder.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of trenches have widths of 10 microns or less.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments have thicknesses of 40 microns or less.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of segments have a thickness of 20 microns or less.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier that amplifies outputs from the plurality of segments.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, further comprising a thermal power source that provides power to the amplifier.

### Claim 12

A method, comprising:
obtaining a piezoelectric film;
etching a plurality of trenches in the piezoelectric film, wherein the plurality of trenches defines a plurality of segments of the piezoelectric film; and
attaching a plurality of electrodes to the plurality of segments.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the lengths of the plurality of segments monotonically increases along the length of the piezoelectric film.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of segments comprises at least nine segments.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein resonant frequencies of each of the plurality of segments are in a range from 300 Hz to 3500 Hz.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric film comprises a piezoelectric polymer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the piezoelectric film to at least one of a holder or a substrate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of trenches have widths of 10 microns or less.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of segments have thicknesses of 40 microns or less.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of segments have a thickness of 20 microns or less.