Contactless transducer stimulation and sensing of ossicular chain
US5842967A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 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
An implantable hearing aid system for the middle ear utilizes pairs of permanent magnets to engage transducers with auditory elements in a middle ear. At least one transducer is supported within the middle ear cavity by a support. A transducer is magnetically-engaged with a malleus in one embodiment and another transducer is magnetically-engaged with a stapes in other embodiments. When using two contactless transducers, a permanent magnet is attached to each transducer. A permanent magnet is also attached to the malleus and to the stapes. The permanent magnet on each transducer is situated such that its polarity acts in repulsion to the permanent magnet on the adjacent auditory element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.