Implantable acoustic sensor

US8412342B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hearworks Pty, Limited · AU

Inventors

• Andy L. Zhang · Melbourne, AU
• Peter Seligman · Melbourne, AU
• Anthony Klein · Melbourne, AU
• Robert Cowan · Matthews, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 25, 2009
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/42
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An implantable sound pickup system. The system comprises an intracochlear acoustic sensor implantable in a recipient's cochlea comprising: an elongate core conductor, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the surface of the core conductor configured to detect pressure waves in the perilymph of the cochlea when the acoustic sensor is at least partially implanted in the cochlea, and to produce electrical signals corresponding to the detected pressure waves.