Device for recharging the storage battery of an intra-auricular prosthesis, and method for manufacturing same
AssigneeAudiologie Prothese Innovation A.P.I.
InventorJean-Etienne Grosfilley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for recharging the storage battery of an intra-auricular auditory prosthesis has a recess capable of receiving the prosthesis. The recess corresponds to the external shape of the prosthesis and has two conducting terminals that project from the wall of the support delimiting the recess and are connected to an electric current source. The auditory prosthesis includes a storage battery and two conducting surfaces connected to the terminals of the storage battery, each surface being capable of contacting one of the conducting terminals of the support when the auditory prosthesis is engaged in the recess.
Claims17
A device for recharging the storage battery of an intra-auricular auditory prosthesis, comprising a support having at least one recess capable of receiving the prosthesis, wherein the recess corresponds exactly to the external shape of the prosthesis, into which recess the latter can be introduced, and two conducting terminals which are connected to an electric current source and project from the wall of the support delimiting said recess.
An intra-auricular prosthesis for use with a device for recharging a storage battery of the prosthesis, the device including a support having a recess capable of receiving the prosthesis, wherein the recess has a shape corresponding to an external shape of the prosthesis, and the recess has at least one conducting terminal connected to an electric current source and located on a wall of the support defining said recess,
- wherein the prosthesis further comprises at least one conducting surface connected to a corresponding terminal of the storage battery, and
- wherein said at least one conducting surface is capable of contacting said at least one conducting terminal of the support when the prosthesis engages the recess for receiving said prosthesis.
An auditory prosthesis recharging system comprising:
- an intra-auricular prosthesis including a storage battery and at least one conducting surface connected to terminals of the storage battery;
- the prosthesis having an external surface shaped to conform to an inner ear of a human;
- a support having a recess that corresponds to the external surface of the prosthesis;
- and
- the support including at least one conducting terminal connected to an electric current source and located on an inner surface of the recess,
- wherein the shape of the support and the prosthesis correspond so that the at least one conducting terminal and the at least one conducting surface will be in contact with each other when the prosthesis is placed into the recess of the support.
A method for making a device for recharging a storage battery of an intra-auricular auditory prosthesis, comprising:
- casting a material around the prosthesis to form a support with a recess formed by the prosthesis itself;
- providing at least one conducting terminal on an inner wall of the recess;
- and
- connecting the at least one conducting terminal to an electric current source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.