At least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder
US6575894B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0541
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An at least partially implantable system for rehabilitation of a hearing disorder with at least one sensor for picking up an acoustic signal and converting the acoustic signal into corresponding electrical signals, an electronic signal processing unit for audio signal processing and amplification, an electrical power supply unit which supplies energy to individual components of the system, and an output-side electromechanical transducer arrangement which consists of at least two independent and spatially separate transducers for stimulation of the inner ear. In conformity with the invention, the output-side electromechanical transducers are designed for stimulation of the fluid-filled inner ear spaces of the damaged inner ear and the signal processing unit comprises driving signal processing electronics which electrically controls each of the transducers such that a traveling wave configuration is formed on the basilar membrane of the damaged inner ear. The traveling wave configuration approximates the formation of a traveling wave of a healthy, undamaged inner ear.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.