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:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1997
Donald J. Bushek, Plymouth, MN (US);
Kai Kroll, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Scott C. Meyerson, Mounds View, MN (US);
St. Croix Medical, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An improved partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing assistance system includes a device and method of providing between a vibrating auditory element and a transducer that senses or provides such mechanical vibrations adjustably positionable contact at a controllable, adjustable, or calibrated force. A screw adjusts a spacing between first and second members of the transducer mount to position the transducer and obtain the desired coupling force between the transducer and the auditory element. A spring provides an adjustable coupling force. A spacer limits further compression of the spring, providing additional force. A calibrated coupling force is obtained by compressing the spring by a known amount, such as by observing visual demarcations, or by reducing the spacing between the first and second members until the spacing is almost limited by the length of the spacer. Optimal ranges of forces for sensing malleus vibrations are disclosed.