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:
Aug. 25, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2006
Richard Carl Urso, Dublin, CA (US);
Adnan Shennib, Fremont, CA (US);
Greg Anderson, Fremont, CA (US);
Sunder Ram, San Jose, CA (US);
Robert Schindler, San Francisco, CA (US);
Ian Day, Fremont, CA (US);
James Buckley, San Jose, CA (US);
John Sadler, Belmont, CA (US);
Alex Tilson, Burlingame, CA (US);
Richard Carl Urso, Dublin, CA (US);
Adnan Shennib, Fremont, CA (US);
Greg Anderson, Fremont, CA (US);
Sunder Ram, San Jose, CA (US);
Robert Schindler, San Francisco, CA (US);
Ian Day, Fremont, CA (US);
James Buckley, San Jose, CA (US);
John Sadler, Belmont, CA (US);
Alex Tilson, Burlingame, CA (US);
InSound Medical, Inc., Newark, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide seals for retaining hearing devices in the ear canal. An embodiment provides a seal for a hearing device comprising a curved shell having a wall and an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell defines a cavity for retention of a device component. The shell wall has a shape configured to distribute compressive forces applied to the shell perimeter such that when the shell is positioned in the canal, the shell wall dynamically conforms to changes in the shape of the canal to maintain an acoustical seal between a shell exterior surface and the canal walls. The shell can include an anti-microbial coating to produce a reduction in bacteria contacting the coating. Also, the shell wall can have a water vapor transmission rate to reduce moisture accumulation in the canal during periods of extended wear to reduce the incidence of infection and otitis.