Stapes vibrator
AssigneeSt. Croix Medical, Inc.
InventorsTheodore P. Adams, Bruce A. Brillhart, Kai Kroll, Donald J. Bushek
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for vibrating an auditory element, such as a stapes, within an ear to improve hearing. A piezoelectric transducer is interposed within an inner circumference of the stapes, such as between the neck and footplate. An electrical input signal is applied to the transducer to vibrate an oval window or perilymph of the cochlea, either directly or through the stapes. The vibrator has small size and low power consumption, which are particularly advantageous for partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid systems.
Claims54
A vibrator for disposing within a middle ear, the vibrator comprising an electromechanical transducer proportioned for vibrating an auditory element in response to an electrical input signal, in which the transducer is adapted to be mechanically coupled to at least a first and a second portion of the stapes.
A method of improving hearing comprising:
- coupling an electromechanical transducer to at least first and second portions of a stapes in a middle ear;
- and
- applying an electrical input signal to the transducer to vary a physical dimension of the transducer and thereby vibrate an auditory element.
An implantable hearing system comprising a vibrator adapted to be disposed within the middle ear, in which the vibrator includes an electromechanical transducer proportioned for vibrating an auditory element in response to an electrical input signal, and the transducer is adapted to be mechanically coupled to first and second portions of a stapes;
- and
- an electronics unit coupled to the transducer for providing an electrical input signal to the transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.