Control button configurations for auditory prostheses
AssigneeCochlear Limited
InventorsMartin Evert Gustaf Hillbratt, Kristian Gunnar Asnes, Johan Gustafsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A button on an auditory prosthesis is aligned with a shaft and a bone anchor of the prosthesis. Forces resulting from pressing of the button are evenly distributed towards the anchor, which prevents damage to the prosthesis. The button can be connected to the prosthesis housing with a flexible element or seal, which acts as a soft mute function when the button is pressed, further reducing the risk of feedback. Dampers can be incorporated into the button structure to further dampen feedback that can be transmitted to other components of the auditory prosthesis.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a vibration actuator disposed in the housing;
- an actuator shaft, wherein the vibration actuator is disposed around the actuator shaft;
- and
- a control button disposed on the housing, wherein the vibration actuator, the actuator shaft, and the control button are axially aligned.
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- an actuator shaft;
- a vibration actuator substantially surrounding the actuator shaft;
- and
- a control button disposed on the housing, wherein the button is configured to apply a force to at least one of the actuator shaft and the vibration actuator, when a load is exerted on the control button.
An auditory prosthesis comprising:
- a housing;
- an actuator shaft for connecting the auditory prosthesis to a recipient;
- and
- a control button disposed on the housing, wherein the control button exerts a force on the actuator shaft, when an axial load is exerted on the control button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.