Method for coupling an electromechanical transducer of an implantable hearing aid or tinnitus masker to a middle ear ossicle
US6077215A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R25/75
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for coupling an electromechanical transducer of a partially or totally implantable hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker to a middle ear ossicle of a hearing impaired person which is to be stimulated. The hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker includes the electromechanical transducer, a transducer positioning and fixing device, and an elongated coupling rod driven by the transducer, the elongated coupling rod having a tip. The method of the present invention includes performing a mastoidectomy to provide a mastoid cavity adapted for receiving the hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker transducer, passing the coupling rod through the natural passage of the aditus ad antrum, positioning and fixing the hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker transducer within the mastoid cavity with the elongated coupling rod passing through the aditus ad antrum, and contacting the tip of the elongated coupling rod with the ossicle to be stimulated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.