The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1998
Adnan Shennib, Fremont, CA (US);
Richard C. Urso, Redwood City, CA (US);
Insonus Medical, Inc., Newark, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an extremely space efficient battery enclosure and battery replacement methods for miniature hearing devices that are deeply and entirely positioned within the ear canal of an individual. The battery enclosure is a thin encapsulation that is formed or fitted directly over the battery thus substantially assuming the shape of the encapsulated battery. The battery enclosure, containing mostly the battery, is fitted concentrically within the narrow cavity of the ear canal with the long axis of the enclosure and the battery therein positioned along the long axis of the oval ear canal. In one embodiment of the invention, the enclosure is disposable and is elastically expandable to fit over the battery during its replacement. In another embodiment, the battery enclosure is coated over the battery with protruding contacts forming a battery assembly ready for electrical connection to a miniature canal hearing device.