Devices and methods for hearing
AssigneeEarlens Corporation
InventorsSunil PURIA, Micha ROSEN, Jonathan P. FAY, Paul RUCKER, James STONE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.
Claims32
A device to inductively transmit an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum, the device comprising:
- a support configured for placement at least partially against the eardrum;
- a transducer coupled to the support at a first location and a second location, the first location being spaced apart from the second location the transducer comprising a movable structure configured to drive the eardrum at a third location;
- a first coil electrically coupled to the transducer;
- an extension structure extending from the movable structure;
- wherein the movable structure comprises at least one of a reed or an armature and wherein moveable structure is configured to move in response to a magnetic field;
- wherein the movable structure extends along a first elongate dimension and the extension structure extends along a second elongate dimension which is transverse or angled relative to the first elongate dimension.
A device to inductively transmit an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum, the device comprising:
- a support configured for placement at least partially against an eardrum;
- a transducer coupled to the support at a first location;
- a coil electrically coupled to the transducer;
- wherein the transducer is coupled to the support at the first location and comprises a moveable structure configured to drive the eardrum at a second location;
- wherein the movable structure extends along a first elongate dimension and comprises at least one of a reed or an armature, the moveable structure being configured to move in response to a magnetic field;
- wherein an extension structure extends from the movable structure along a second elongate dimension which is transverse or angled relative to the first elongate dimension;
- wherein the transducer is coupled to the support through at least one compression structure, the compression structure configured to urge the transducer toward the eardrum when the device is positioned on the eardrum.
A device to transmit an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum, the device comprising:
- a support configured for placement at least partially against an eardrum;
- a transducer coupled to the support at a first location;
- wherein the transducer is coupled to the support at the first location and comprises a moveable structure configured to drive the eardrum at a second location;
- and
- wherein the movable structure extends along a first elongate dimension and comprises at least one of a reed or an armature, the moveable structure being configured to move in response to a magnetic field;
- wherein an extension structure extends from the movable structure along a second elongate dimension which is transverse or angled relative to the first elongate dimension;
- wherein the transducer is coupled to the support with a conformable material comprising a resilient spring material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.