Center for Innovative Technology

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.

Other

Staton Techiya, LLC

Personics Holdings, Inc.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

John G Casali

John Patrick Keady

Gary Hoshizaki

Daniel W Mauney

Lawrence K Baker

Kichol Lee

Devices and methods to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid systems, and feedback reduction systems are provided. A conformal hearing aid includes a hearing aid body, where the hearing aid body houses a microphone and a receiver, where the microphone is positioned within the hearing aid body to measure acoustic signals from an ambient environment, and where the receiver is positioned within the hearing aid body to emit acoustic signals toward a tympanic membrane of a user; an expandable element, where the expandable element is operatively connected to the hearing aid body, and where the expandable element is configured to encompass a circumferential portion of the hearing aid body when expanded; and an inflation management system, where the inflation management system is configured to expand the expandable element when actuated.

Device and method to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid sealing sytem, and feedback reduction system

Device and method to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid sealing system, and feedback reduction system

The present invention relates hearing protection devices for the human ear. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provide hearing protection devices capable of tunable acoustic attenuation. The invention relates further to ear plugs comprising a fluid-containing balloon for occlusion of the ear canal, which are capable of being adjusted for example by modifying fluid composition and/or fluid pressure within the balloon to vary attenuation at different frequencies of the audible sound spectrum. Other embodiments provide an earplug with fixed attenuation comprising: a body of compressible/expandable-recovery material shaped and sized to fit in an ear canal; and at least one chamber disposed within the body and comprising a filler material chosen from at least one of water, aphrons, water with solid or gelatinous particles suspended, and oil with particles suspended.

Method and structure for achieving spectrum-tunable and uniform attenuation

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an in-the-ear-canal device comprising: an insertion element; and at least one non-circumferential protrusion, where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion is operatively connected to a surface of the insertion element and provides a stabilizing force for maintaining the position of the insertion element in an ear canal.

Cartilage displacing bead, ridge, or key projection

A power drive/steer attachment for a wheelchair having a framework supporting a plurality of front and rear wheels and a seat for accommodating an operator, is adapted for use with a motive source and includes a frame for attachment to and detachment from the framework of the wheelchair, a ground engaging mechanism, coupled to an end of a column, for driving the wheelchair by frictionally contacting a ground surface, a mechanism for driving the ground engaging means, and a mechanism, coupled to the second end of the frame, for controlling the driving mechanism and for steering the ground engaging mechanism to thereby steer the wheelchair.

Universal-fit, quick-connect power drive/steer attachment for wheelchair

A custom-molded earplug (18) for swimming protection, hearing protection, and the like, is fabricated in situ by depositing a foaming material (14 or 24) within a person's ear (10 or 42) and allowing the foaming material to form foam (16 or 44). Acoustic and electronic equipment such as a Helmholtz resonator or other tuned device capable of modifying sound waves, a communications transmitter, a communications receiver, a communications transceiver, a hearing aid, an ear microphone, a personal earphone, and a hearing test transducer or probe tube can be fabricated in the ear in a similar fashion. Temperature sensing elements may also be incorporated within or positioned by the foaming material to provide an in the ear thermometer.

Earplug and hearing devices formed in-situ

A custom-fitting earplug (18) for hearing protection or other ear applications, or in-ear communications device mounting (40) is fabricated in situ by depositing a foaming material (14 or 24) within the person's ear (10 or 42, respectively) and allowing the foaming material (14 or 24) to expand therein to form foam (16 or 44, respectively). By applying slight pressure from outside the person's ear (10 or 42) through the stem (13) and/or keeper (11) during expansion, the foam (16 or 44, respectively) will be tightly packed in and conform to the ear canal. An optional sheath (15 or 36) positioned over the foaming material (14 or 24, respectively) serves to provide a smooth outer surface for the earplug (18) or communications device (40) produced and can aid in defining and limiting the expansion of the foam (14 or 24, respectively).

Growing community of inventors

Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

John G Casali