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:
Dec. 10, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2005
Hans Bernhard, Köniz, CH;
Joel Fontannaz, Bulle, CH;
Christian Peclat, Neuchatel, CH;
Markus Haller, Yens, CH;
Karen Cauwels, Kessel-Lo, BE;
Ben Kloeck, Edegem, BE;
Karel Huybrechts, Kapeele op den Bos, BE;
Christof Stieger, Bern, CH;
Rudolph Hausler, Celigny, CH;
Thomas Kaiser, Borgerhoot, BE;
Hans Bernhard, Köniz, CH;
Joel Fontannaz, Bulle, CH;
Christian Peclat, Neuchatel, CH;
Markus Haller, Yens, CH;
Karen Cauwels, Kessel-Lo, BE;
Ben Kloeck, Edegem, BE;
Karel Huybrechts, Kapeele op den Bos, BE;
Christof Stieger, Bern, CH;
Rudolph Hausler, Celigny, CH;
Thomas Kaiser, Borgerhoot, BE;
Cochlear Limited, Macquarie University, AU;
Abstract
An electromechanical actuator () suitable, for example, in hearing aid applications is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the actuator comprise a hermetic titanium housing (), a mechanical output structure () emulating the long process of incus (), and means for efficiently generating movement in the audible frequency range. The electromechanical actuator () may be configured to be coupled to the inner ear fluids via a conventional stapes prosthesis. The implantable actuator (), which may be considered to be operably equivalent to a loudspeaker of a conventional hearing aid, may bypass the outer and the middle ear in order to directly drive the inner ear fluids. As such, embodiments of the electromechanical actuator of the present invention may be used to remedy any source of conductive hearing loss. Additionally, certain embodiments of the electromechanical actuator may be configured to provide sufficiently high output levels to treat severe sensorineural hearing loss while being sufficiently small to completely fit into a human mastoid.