Otologics, LLC

Jos&eacute; H Bedoya

James Frank Kasic, Ii

James Roy Easter

Douglas Alan Miller

The invention is directed to a fixation apparatus and method for interfacing an implantable hearing aid actuator with the ossicular chain of a patient. The fixation apparatus may include one or more surface discontinuities to enhance tissue fixation and thereby yield enhanced mechanical coupling and vibratory response. Surface discontinuities may be in the form of surface pores, surface asperities and complex surface shapes such as grooves, slots, lips or openings formed in the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus may also and/or alternatively include a portion or component that is deflectable or that comprises a conditioned shape memory material that is activatable at bodily temperatures to yield a degree of lateral loading when the fixation apparatus is positioned within an opening defined within a bone of the ossicular chain of a patient, thereby yielding enhanced mechanical coupling.

Apparatus and method for ossicular fixation of implantable hearing aid actuator

An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g., via a removal fluid).

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

José H Bedoya

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

Jos&eacute; H Bedoya

José H Bedoya