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US 6,629,922 B1Granted
Flextensional output actuators for surgically implantable hearing aids
AssigneeSoundport Corporation
InventorsSunil Puria, Rodney C. Perkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This relates to devices and methods for improving hearing, particularly in the field of hearing aids. The described output actuator is a component of a class of hearing devices known as surgically implantable hearing aids. This relates to both fully implanted and partially implanted hearing aids. More particularly, methods and devices disclosed herein provide an actuator for directly driving the inner-ear fluid, or the middle-ear bones referred to as the ossicular chain, resulting in the sensation of hearing.
Claims61
An implantable hearing aid for placement substantially proximate to a middle ear or an inner ear comprising:
- a) at least one output actuator comprising a substrate having a first and second opposing surfaces, a thickness, and a transverse size, said substrate being comprised of a material which changes in said thickness and said transverse size upon application of a voltage;
- b) a first end cap having a first actuating surface, said first end cap fixedly attached to a portion of a first planar surface where a change in said transverse size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said first actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said planar surface;
- and
- c) a biocompatible material isolating at least a portion of said output actuator.
1 more element
An implantable hearing aid for placement substantially proximate to a middle ear or an inner ear comprising:
- a) at least one output actuator comprising a substrate having a first and second opposing surfaces, a thickness, and a transverse size, said substrate being comprised of a material which changes in said thickness and said transverse size upon application of a voltage;
- b) a first end cap having a first actuating surface, said first end cap fixedly attached to a portion of a first planar surface where a change in said transverse size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said first actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said planar surface;
- c) a biocompatible material isolating at least a portion of said output actuator, wherein said output actuator is adapted to be in mechanical communication with an auditory component of a middle ear, and said output actuator is configured for attachment to a stapes;
- and
- d) a spacer adapted to be positioned between said stapes and said output actuator;
- said spacer comprising a flexible portion, where said flexible portion expands in size from a natural state and maintains an expanded state upon reaching body temperature, wherein said output actuator is secured within said middle ear when said spacer is in said expanded state.
3 more elements
An implantable hearing aid for placement substantially proximate to a middle ear or an inner ear comprising:
- a) at least one output actuator comprising a substrate having a first and second opposing surfaces, a thickness, and a transverse size, said substrate being comprised of a material which changes in said thickness and said transverse size upon application of a voltage;
- b) a first end cap having a first actuating surface, said first end cap fixedly attached to a portion of a first planar surface where a change in said transverse size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said first actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said planar surface;
- c) a biocompatible material isolating at least a portion of said output actuator, wherein said output actuator is adapted to be in mechanical communication with an auditory component of said middle ear, and is configured for attachment to a stapes;
- d) an axis along a long side of said stapes, a hole in a footplate of said stapes along said axis;
- e) a portion of said output actuator located in said hole;
- and
- f) a spacer adapted to be positioned between said stapes and said output actuator, said spacer comprising a flexible portion where said flexible portion expands in size from a natural state and maintains an expanded state upon reaching body temperature, and said output actuator is securable within said middle ear when said spacer is in said expanded state.
4 more elements
An inner ear implant configured for direct mechanical stimulation of fluid in said inner ear comprising:
- a) at least one output actuator adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid, each said output actuator comprises a substrate having a first and second substantially planar surfaces, and a transverse size, said substrate being comprised of a material which changes in said transverse size upon application of a voltage;
- b) a first end cap having a first actuating surface, said first end cap fixedly attached to a portion of said first planar surface where a change in said radial size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said fist actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said first planar surface;
- c) a second end cap having a second actuating surface, said second end cap fixedly attached to a portion of said second planar surface where said change in said transverse size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said second actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said second planar surface;
- and
- d) a biocompatible material encasing said output actuator.
2 more elements
A method of improving hearing comprising:
- a) providing at least one output actuator comprising
- i) a substrate having a substantially planar surfaces, and a transverse size, said substrate being comprised of a piezo material, and
- ii) at least one end cap having an actuating surface, said end cap fixedly attached to a portion of said planar surface where a change in said transverse size of said substrate produces a proportional movement in said actuating surface in a direction orthogonal to said first planar surface;
- b) providing a voltage to said substrate to change said traverse size of said substrate and produce said proportional movement of said first actuating surface;
- c) positioning said actuator in communication with a portion of an ear to directly transmit said proportional movement of said actuating surface to said portion of said ear.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.