# US 8,787,609 B2 · Eardrum implantable devices for hearing systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,787,609 B2 - Document ID: US8787609B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/770,106 - Filed: 2013-02-19 - Published: 2013-11-28 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-18 - Assignees: Earlens Corporation - Applicants: EarLens Corporation - Inventors: Rodney C. Perkins; Sunil Puria - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8787609B2 ## CPC - H04R 25/606: {acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window} - H04R 1/10: Earpieces; Attachments therefor {; Earphones; Monophonic headphones (H04R1/28 takes precedence; stereophonic headphones H04R5/033)} - H04R 25/60: {Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles (ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654)} - A61F 11/202: {Surgical middle-ear ventilation or drainage, e.g. permanent; Implants therefor} - H04R 2460/13: Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An implantable device is configured for placement in the eardrum to transmit an audio signal to a user. The device may be configured to improve transmission of an electromagnetic signal from an input assembly on a lateral side of eardrum to an output assembly positioned on a medial side of the eardrum, for example at least partially in the middle ear of the user. The output assembly may comprise a transducer or at least two electrodes configured to stimulate the cochlea, for example. The device may include an opening to transmit the light signal or an optic to transmit the light signal. Alternatively the device may be configured to support a transducer of the output assembly with the eardrum when the device is implanted in the eardrum, such that the eardrum vibrates in response to the signal electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal may include light energy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device to transmit a sound to a user having an eardrum and a malleus, the device comprising: a retention structure to connect to the malleus; a structure configured for placement in the eardrum; and a transducer supported with the structure and configured to vibrate the eardrum, wherein the retention structure is sized to extend from the malleus to the structure in order to inhibit migration of the structure when placed in the eardrum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the transducer comprises at least one of a magnet, a coil, a coil and magnet transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a balanced armature transducer, a photostrictive transducer or a magnetostrictive transducer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the transducer comprises the magnet and wherein the magnet is configured to vibrate the eardrum in response to a coil positioned in an ear canal of the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a coil or at least one photodetector supported with the structure and coupled to the transducer, the at least one photodetector configured to receive electromagnetic energy and vibrate the transducer in response to the audio signal such that the user perceives the sound. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4 wherein the transducer comprises a pair of opposing magnets disposed within the coil so as to vibrate the eardrum in response to the audio signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising an anchor configured to anchor the structure to the eardrum. ### Claim 7 A method of providing a hearing to a user having an eardrum and a malleus, the method comprising: providing a hearing device comprising a structure configured for placement in the eardrum; and placing the hearing device in the eardrum; and attaching a retention structure to the malleus of the user, wherein the retention structure extends from the malleus to the structure in order to inhibit migration the structure in the eardrum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising positioning at least one photodetector in a middle ear of the user and wherein the structure is configured to transmit light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the structure is configured to support a transducer configured to vibrate the eardrum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the retention structure comprises an anchor shaped to attach to the malleus of the user to anchor the structure in the eardrum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the anchor is coupled to the structure on a medial side of the structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the eardrum is cut to form a flap on a medial side of the eardrum and wherein the flap is positioned at least partially over the anchor when the anchor is attached to the malleus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the structure is positioned in an at least partially inferior and at least partially anterior portion of the eardrum.