Implantable interferometer microphone
US8014871B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/67
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A prosthetic hearing device comprising a biocompatible housing having a surface that vibrates in response to sound waves traveling through tissue; and an interferometer mounted in the housing, the interferometer is constructed and arranged to generate a light beam that impinges on a reflective interior surface of the vibrating surface, and to receive light reflected from the reflective interior surface. The device detects ambient sound by impinging a light beam on a portion of the vibrating surface; receiving light reflected from the reflective portion; measuring the movement of the vibrating surface based on an interference pattern of the impinging and reflected light; and determining at least a frequency of the incident sound wave based on the interference pattern.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.