Anatomically customized ear canal hearing apparatus
US9392377B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/023
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus suitable for use with hearing devices. A vapor deposition process can be used to make a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to a tissue surface, such as a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to one or more of an eardrum, the eardrum annulus, or a skin of the ear canal. The retention structure can be resilient and may comprise an anatomically accurate shape profile corresponding to a portion of the ear, such that the resilient retention structure provides mechanical stability for an output transducer assembly placed in the ear for an extended time. The output transducer may couple to the eardrum with direct mechanical coupling or acoustic coupling when retained in the ear canal with the retention structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.