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. 21, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 26, 2000
Saumil N. Merchant, Acton, MA (US);
Joseph B. Nadol, Jr., Needham, MA (US);
Saumil N. Merchant, Acton, MA (US);
Joseph B. Nadol, Jr., Needham, MA (US);
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to surgical methods and prosthetic devices for ameliorating hearing loss in patients having ailments of the middle ear. The implant of the invention includes a gas-filled balloon having a pliant membrane of biocompatible material. The balloon is made such that the acoustic impedance presented by the balloon to the eardrum is low enough to permit the eardrum to vibrate freely in response to sound waves. Because the balloon membrane is substantially impermeable to gases and water, the implant can function effectively within the middle-ear chamber for an extended period.