Implantable hearing aid with improved sealing
US6537201B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/14
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g., via a removal fluid).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.