Stapes vibrator
US5707338A · kind A · utility
105Cited by
20References
54Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R25/606
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.