Artificial inner ear and thermoelectric generator therefor
US7532937B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/03
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An artificial inner ear includes a speech processor that operates based on electricity generated by a thermoelectric transducer module, in which numerous thermoelectric elements join between oppositely arranged upper and lower substrates each having numerous electrodes. A heat absorption layer composed of a heat conductive material such as a resin, rubber, and metal is attached to the upper substrate of the thermoelectric transducer module. The heat absorption layer has deformability in shape in conformity with a prescribed part of the human body and is heated using human body temperature so as to cause a temperature difference between the upper and lower substrates, thus generating electricity in the thermoelectric transducer module. A heat-dissipation member composed of aluminum can be attached to the lower substrate so as to increase the temperature difference.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.