Direct tympanic drive via a floating filament assembly
US6940989B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/67
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A canal hearing device has a subminiature filament assembly which vibrates and directly drives the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and imparts audible mechanical vibrations thereto. The filament assembly is partially supported by the tympanic membrane via capillary adhesion thereto and is dynamically coupled to a stationary vibration force element position at a distance from the tympanic membrane within the ear canal. The elongated filament assembly is freely movable within an operable range and is essentially floating with respect to the vibration force element. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrational filament assembly comprises a magnetic section which is insertable into the air-core of an electromagnetic coil. The filament assembly is coupled to the tympanic membrane via an articulated tympanic contact coupler.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.