Capacitive input transducer for middle ear sensing
AssigneeSt. Croix Medical, Inc.
InventorJoel A. Kennedy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hearing assistance system senses sound vibrations of an auditory element in the middle ear and provides a stimulus to an auditory sensory element. The vibrations are received through the tympanic membrane, and sensed at the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, or other auditory element. A capacitive sensor is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a vibrating auditory element, such as the malleus, and time-varying capacitance values resulting from the vibrations are detected. One embodiment allows pivotable mechanical coupling of the capacitive sensor to at least one of the auditory element and a carrier secured within the middle ear. A resulting electrical output signal is provided to the output stimulator for assisting hearing.
Claims30
An at least partially implantable hearing assistance system, comprising:
- a capacitive sensor pivotably coupled to an auditory element for receiving vibrations therefrom and varying a capacitance value in response thereto;
- an electronics unit, operatively interfaced with said capacitive sensor for processing a signal resulting from the varying capacitance value;
- and an output stimulator, receiving a processed signal based on said varying capacitance value, and providing a resultant stimulus to an auditory element.
A method of transducing a mechanical vibration of an auditory element in a human ear into at least one electrical signal, the method comprising:
- pivotably coupling a capacitive sensor to the auditory element for receiving vibrations thereby creating capacitance variations;
- sensing the capacitance variations with an electronics unit, the electronics unit being disposed proximate a patient's middle ear;
- processing a resulting capacitance variation related electrical signal;
- and sending the electrical signal to an electrical to vibrational transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.