EP0410034A1 - Method and device for manufacturing a housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid, and a housing shell produced according to this method - Google Patents

Method and device for manufacturing a housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid, and a housing shell produced according to this method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0410034A1
EP0410034A1 EP89113792A EP89113792A EP0410034A1 EP 0410034 A1 EP0410034 A1 EP 0410034A1 EP 89113792 A EP89113792 A EP 89113792A EP 89113792 A EP89113792 A EP 89113792A EP 0410034 A1 EP0410034 A1 EP 0410034A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing shell
strand
negative mold
channel
ear
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89113792A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0410034B1 (en
Inventor
Dietmar Hermann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos GmbH
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG, Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH filed Critical Siemens AG
Priority to AT89113792T priority Critical patent/ATE120065T1/en
Priority to DE58909119T priority patent/DE58909119D1/en
Priority to EP89113792A priority patent/EP0410034B1/en
Priority to US07/552,525 priority patent/US5146051A/en
Priority to CA002021879A priority patent/CA2021879A1/en
Publication of EP0410034A1 publication Critical patent/EP0410034A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0410034B1 publication Critical patent/EP0410034B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S264/00—Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
    • Y10S264/30—Use of anatomy in making a mold or using said mold

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for producing a housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing device. It also relates to a device for carrying out such a method and to a housing shell which is produced by the specially adapted method.
  • in-the-ear hearing aids a distinction is made between customer-specific devices (custom made), which are either worn as concha devices predominantly in the pinna and only protrude into the ear canal with an ear adapter (Siemens information on making ear adapters for in-ear SIRETTINA PA 3801 devices, order no.MH 170/1418, issued in 1980) or, as ear canal devices, sit largely in the ear canal (DE-GM 84 36 783; EP-A0 248 955).
  • module-in-the-ear devices are known (EP-A-0 206 213; DE-C-36 16 648), which consist of series-produced module hearing aids, which are made into shells or otoplastics made according to the patient's individual impression to be built in.
  • in-ear hearing aids are provided with a further opening and a channel which enables ventilation of the auditory canal closed off by the device itself.
  • this additional channel also referred to as a vent, can serve not only to equalize pressure but also to influence the frequency response of the hearing aid and to be adapted to the hearing damage of the hearing aid wearer.
  • an in-the-ear device with a vent channel e.g. a positive impression of the hearing-impaired person's ear is made by the hearing aid acoustician.
  • This impression is in particular on the side facing away from the eardrum, its distal end of the impression cut flat, provided with a release agent - the ear impression is expediently dipped entirely in wax - and a negative mold of the ear impression is cast using a suitable shell.
  • plastic material e.g. polymethyl methacrylate, known under the trade name Acryl PMMA
  • excess plastic material is poured out of the negative mold.
  • the negative mold with the housing shell located therein is e.g. placed in a pressure pot and the plastic cured (polymerized) over a period of about 10 minutes. Then the housing shell is removed from the negative mold.
  • the hardened blank of the housing shell, taken from the negative mold, is exposed proximally and distally of excess plastic material, as indicated by the lines c-c and e-e in FIG.
  • the exposure is carried out by grinding or sawing or milling and polishing.
  • an opening is exposed (drilled, milled) at the proximal end of the housing shell blank.
  • the shell is then polished.
  • a groove is worked into the inner wall of the housing shell from the distal or proximal end using the milling tool over the entire length of the shell in a time-consuming and with great care.
  • a silicone tube that encases a core of solder is placed in this groove and twisted on the shell from the outside.
  • a mixture of the Shell plastic material mixed and applied with a tool (spatula) over the jacket of the silicone hose, such that the hose inside the housing shell is covered with shell material and embedded throughout.
  • the blank of the housing shell is again placed in a pressure pot for a certain period of time, for example.
  • the excess covering material is then milled off and ground off in order to create installation space in the housing shell for the components of the hearing aid. It is important to note and check that the duct created after the silicone hose is pulled out has a closed jacket.
  • the blank of the housing shell is subsequently ground back to the intended size of the housing shell in the concha area (distal end) and in the auditory canal area (proximal end). Finally, a faceplate or the like at the distal end and an end plate or wax cap at the proximal end. be attached. If necessary, the inlet and outlet openings of the ventilation duct (vent) must be drilled. If the vent ends in front of the wax cap in the area of the proximal end, an opening must be drilled in the wall of the housing shell.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method and a device and to design the housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing device in such a way that an in-the-ear hearing device can be produced and technically improved with less effort.
  • the channel for the ventilation or the venting channel can already be produced in one operation during the casting or injection molding of the blank of the housing shell.
  • This channel or several such channels can be laid and aligned as intended in the negative form according to the space available for the hearing aid.
  • the space, the venting size (channel length, channel profile and channel diameter) can be taken into account and varied in the negative form, i.e. the channel position, channel size, channel shape etc. can already be predetermined in the negative form. It is also possible to achieve a uniform wall thickness of the venting channel with respect to the housing shell, since the strand, tube or hose jacket which is cast or injected into the housing shell enables the same distance to the shell material or to the shell.
  • FIG. 1 shows a positive ear impression 1, which is obtained from a blank by cutting off a protruding material section 2 in the area of its distal end, along the section line a-a, or a sprue 3 in the area of its proximal end, along the section line b-b.
  • FIG. 2 shows the ear impression 1 according to FIG. 1, which is equipped with a core 4 on the region of the ear canal (proximal end) and is arranged in a container 6 for casting a negative mold 5.
  • a vessel 7 in which there is a plastic material, a casting compound 8 or the like. is located, the negative form of the earprint 1 cast.
  • the ear impression 1 is expediently made entirely of wax or the like first. dipped to achieve a separation or separation layer. The wax layer also makes it possible to compensate for any subsequent material loss.
  • FIG. 3 shows the negative mold 5 after the ear impression 1 has been removed and after the core 4 has been removed, an opening 9 left by the core being provided in the bottom of the mold in the shape which is now tilted upward with the negative of the ear impression.
  • a flexible strand 11, a tube, a hose or the like relocated or drawn in such a way that it runs on the inner wall of the negative mold in the manner in which the course of a channel is intended for ventilation or as a vent in the housing shell to be produced.
  • a flexible strand 11 consisting of a core 12 made of bendable material, for example a metal thread, is used to manufacture the channel, in particular a jacket 13 surrounding the metal thread - in particular a jacket, the material of which does not form a connection with the shell material when the housing shell is cast or sprayed - And on the hose jacket 13 lined up beads 14, beads or the like, which preferably consist of the same or the same plastic material as the material used to produce the housing shell.
  • the metal thread eg solder, should not be resilient, but should be easily and permanently deformable.
  • the flexibility of the strand 11 niches 15 between The spheres 14 are filled with shell material when casting or spraying the housing shell, so that a uniformly thick wall is created for the channel to be formed. While the diameter of the core 4 used to produce the opening 9 in the negative mold 1 corresponds approximately to the outside diameter D of the strand 11 or, according to the exemplary embodiment, the outside diameter d of the tube 13, the diameter d is formed by the thickness of the metal thread 12 or by Diameter of the silicone jacket 13 or from the bore diameter of the beads 14, the clear cross section of the channel determines.
  • the flexible strand 11 carries the beads 14 made of polymethyl methacrylate on the section which is guided through the negative mold and which is used to form a channel in the housing shell and is attached or twisted with its ends 16, 17 to the outside of the negative mold. Care is taken to ensure that the beads 14 rest against the inner wall of the negative mold along the intended course, then the negative mold is poured or injected with polymethyl methacrylate to produce a housing shell 18. After a short polymerization time, excess plastic material is emptied from the negative mold and then the negative mold e.g. placed in a pressure pot for curing the housing shell 18.
  • the shell casting or injection molding compound connects to the balls 14 of the strand 11.
  • the strand insert in the exemplary embodiment the metal thread 12 with a silicone jacket 13
  • the housing shell 18 shown in FIG. 5 is removed from the negative mold and the excess casting residues 20, 21 are milled or removed along the cutting lines cc and ee. If provided, the channel 19 can still be milled and the housing shell polished.
  • the housing shell 18 can in can be closed in a manner known per se by a cover plate to be placed on the proximal end 22 and a faceplate to be placed on the distal end 23.
  • the channel 19 runs completely through the housing shell in the longitudinal direction, the through openings must still be drilled.
  • one or the other passage opening of the channel 19 is provided on a side wall of the housing shell.
  • a perspective opening according to FIG. 6 shows a passage opening 24 of the channel 19 located at the distal end of the housing shell 18, the channel wall with the pearl or bead structure also being recognizable.
  • the passage opening of the channel provided at the proximal end is designated by 25.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Abstract

A positive ear impression (1) is machined to the intended size, fitted in the proximal region with a core (4), immersed in wax and fitted into a receptacle, which is then filled with the casting compound (8) for the negative mould. After taking out the ear impression (1) and removing the core (4), a flexible strand (11) is drawn into the negative mould (5). The strand (11) is laid along the inside wall of the negative mould and then the housing shell material is filled into the negative mould. After a short polymerisation time, excess material is drained and, after curing, the housing shell (18) is taken out of the negative mould (5). By drawing a strand insert (12, 13) out of the channel (19) moulded into the housing shell (18) and after removing protruding sprue pieces, the housing shell with a venting channel moulded in it is obtained. <IMAGE>

Description

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung einer Gehäuseschale eines In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerätes sowie nach dem Verfahren herge­stellte GehäuseschaleMethod and device for producing a housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing aid, and housing shell produced by the method

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Gehäuseschale eines In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerätes. Sie bezieht sich ebenfalls auf eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens sowie auf eine Gehäuseschale, die nach dem besonders angepaßten Verfahren hergestellt ist.The invention relates to a method for producing a housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing device. It also relates to a device for carrying out such a method and to a housing shell which is produced by the specially adapted method.

Bei In-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräten unterscheidet man kundenspezifische Geräte (Custom Made), die entweder als Concha-Geräte überwie­gend in der Ohrmuschel getragen werden und lediglich mit einem Ohranpaßstück in den Gehörgang ragen (Siemens Hinweise zur An­fertigung von Ohrpaßstücken für Im-Ohr-Geräte SIRETTINA PA 3801, Bestell-Nr. MH 170/1418, ausgegeben 1980) oder als Gehörgang­geräte weitgehend im Gehörgang sitzen (DE-GM 84 36 783; EP-A­0 248 955). Außerdem sind noch Modul-Im-Ohr-Geräte bekannt (EP-A-0 206 213; DE-C-36 16 648), die aus serienmäßig gefertig­ten Modul-Hörgeräten bestehen, die in nach dem individuellen Abdruck des Patienten gefertigte Schalen oder Otoplastiken ein­gebaut werden.In the case of in-the-ear hearing aids, a distinction is made between customer-specific devices (custom made), which are either worn as concha devices predominantly in the pinna and only protrude into the ear canal with an ear adapter (Siemens information on making ear adapters for in-ear SIRETTINA PA 3801 devices, order no.MH 170/1418, issued in 1980) or, as ear canal devices, sit largely in the ear canal (DE-GM 84 36 783; EP-A0 248 955). In addition, module-in-the-ear devices are known (EP-A-0 206 213; DE-C-36 16 648), which consist of series-produced module hearing aids, which are made into shells or otoplastics made according to the patient's individual impression to be built in.

Neben einer Schalleintrittsöffnung zum Mikrofon und einem Schallkanal vom Hörer durch einen Schallausgang zum Trommel­fell des Hörgeräteträgers werden Im-Ohr-Hörgeräte mit einer weiteren Öffnung und einem Kanal versehen, der eine Belüftung des durch das Gerät an sich abgeschlossenen Gehörgangs ermög­licht. Dieser zusätzliche, auch als Vent bezeichnete Kanal kann je nach Auslegung (Verlauf, Durchmesserbohrung) neben dem Druckausgleich auch zur Beeinflussung des Frequenzganges des Hörgerätes dienen und an den Gehörschaden des Hörgeräteträgers angepaßt sein.In addition to a sound inlet opening to the microphone and a sound channel from the listener through a sound output to the eardrum of the hearing aid wearer, in-ear hearing aids are provided with a further opening and a channel which enables ventilation of the auditory canal closed off by the device itself. Depending on the design (course, diameter bore), this additional channel, also referred to as a vent, can serve not only to equalize pressure but also to influence the frequency response of the hearing aid and to be adapted to the hearing damage of the hearing aid wearer.

Zur Herstellung eines Im-Ohr-Gerätes mit Ventkanal wird nach einem herkömmlichen Verfahren z.B. durch den Hörgeräte-Akusti ker ein positiver Abdruck vom Ohr des Hörgeschädigten herge­stellt. Dieser Abdruck wird insbesondere auf der dem Trommel­fell abgewandten Seite, seinem distalen Abdruckende plan be­schnitten, mit einem Trennmittel versehen - zweckmäßigerweise wird der Ohrabdruck ganz in Wachs getaucht - und unter Verwen­dung einer passenden Schale wird eine Negativform des Ohrab­druckes gegossen. Nach der Abnahme des Ohrabdruckes aus der Negativform wird diese zur Herstellung einer Gehäuseschale für das Hörgerät mit Kunststoffmaterial (z.B. Polymethylmetacry­lat, bekannt unter der Handelsbezeichnung Acryl PMMA) gefüllt. Nach kurzer Polymerisationszeit wird überschüssiges Kunststoff­material aus der Negativform ausgegossen. Nach dem Gießen oder Spritzen wird die Negativform mit der darin befindlichen Ge­häuseschale z.B. in einen Drucktopf gesetzt und über eine Zeit­dauer von etwa 10 min der Kunststoff ausgehärtet (polymeri­siert). Danach wird die Gehäuseschale aus der Negativform ge­nommen.To produce an in-the-ear device with a vent channel, e.g. a positive impression of the hearing-impaired person's ear is made by the hearing aid acoustician. This impression is in particular on the side facing away from the eardrum, its distal end of the impression cut flat, provided with a release agent - the ear impression is expediently dipped entirely in wax - and a negative mold of the ear impression is cast using a suitable shell. After taking the ear impression from the negative mold, it is filled with plastic material (e.g. polymethyl methacrylate, known under the trade name Acryl PMMA) to produce a housing shell for the hearing aid. After a short polymerization time, excess plastic material is poured out of the negative mold. After casting or spraying, the negative mold with the housing shell located therein is e.g. placed in a pressure pot and the plastic cured (polymerized) over a period of about 10 minutes. Then the housing shell is removed from the negative mold.

Der aus der Negativform genommene, ausgehärtere Rohling der Ge­häuseschale wird, wie in Figur 5 durch die Linien c-c und e-e angedeutet, proximal und distal von überschüssigem Kunststoff-­Material freigelegt. Das Freilegen erfolgt durch Schleifen oder Absägen oder Fräsen und Polieren. Außerdem wird am proximalen Ende des Gehäuseschalen-Rohlings eine Öffnung freigelegt (ge­bohrt, aufgefräst). Anschließend wird die Schale poliert.The hardened blank of the housing shell, taken from the negative mold, is exposed proximally and distally of excess plastic material, as indicated by the lines c-c and e-e in FIG. The exposure is carried out by grinding or sawing or milling and polishing. In addition, an opening is exposed (drilled, milled) at the proximal end of the housing shell blank. The shell is then polished.

Zur Herstellung eines Belüftungskanals bzw. Vent wird in zeit­aufwendiger und mit großer Sorgfalt auszuführender Arbeit vom distalen oder proximalen Ende her mittels eines Fräswerkzeuges über die ganze Schalenlänge in die Innenwand der Gehäuseschale eine Rille eingearbeitet. In diese Rille wird ein Silikon­schlauch, der eine Seele aus Lötzinn ummantelt, gelegt und an der Schale von außen verdrillt. Nunmehr wird eine Mischung des Schalen-Kunststoffmaterials angerührt und mit einem Werkzeug (Spatel) über den Mantel des Silikonschlauches aufgebracht, derart, daß der Schlauch im Inneren der Gehäuseschale mit Scha­lenmaterial durchgehend abgedeckt und eingebettet wird. Zum Aushärten des Abdeckmaterials für den Silikonschlauch wird der Rohling der Gehäuseschale nochmals für eine gewisse Zeitdauer z.B. in einen Drucktopf gesetzt. Anschließend wird das über­schüssige Abdeckmaterial abgefräst und abgeschliffen, um Ein­bauraum in der Gehäuseschale für die Bauteile des Hörgerätes zu schaffen. Dabei ist zu beachten und zu überprüfen, daß der nach dem Herausziehen des Silikonschlauches entstehende Kanal einen geschlossenen Mantel aufweist.In order to produce a ventilation channel or vent, a groove is worked into the inner wall of the housing shell from the distal or proximal end using the milling tool over the entire length of the shell in a time-consuming and with great care. A silicone tube that encases a core of solder is placed in this groove and twisted on the shell from the outside. Now a mixture of the Shell plastic material mixed and applied with a tool (spatula) over the jacket of the silicone hose, such that the hose inside the housing shell is covered with shell material and embedded throughout. To harden the covering material for the silicone hose, the blank of the housing shell is again placed in a pressure pot for a certain period of time, for example. The excess covering material is then milled off and ground off in order to create installation space in the housing shell for the components of the hearing aid. It is important to note and check that the duct created after the silicone hose is pulled out has a closed jacket.

Der Rohling der Gehäuseschale wird im folgenden im Concha-Be­reich (distales Ende) und im Gehörgang-Bereich (proximales Ende) auf die vorgesehene Größe der Gehäuseschale zurückgeschliffen. Abschließend kann am distalen Ende eine Faceplate und am proxi­malen Ende eine Abschlußplatte bzw. Cerumenkappe od.dgl. ange­bracht werden. Dabei sind gegebenenfalls die Ein- und Austritts­öffnungen des Belüftungskanals (Vent) zu bohren. Endet der Vent vor der Cerumenkappe im Bereich des proximalen Endes, so ist eine Öffnung in die Wand der Gehäuseschale zu bohren.The blank of the housing shell is subsequently ground back to the intended size of the housing shell in the concha area (distal end) and in the auditory canal area (proximal end). Finally, a faceplate or the like at the distal end and an end plate or wax cap at the proximal end. be attached. If necessary, the inlet and outlet openings of the ventilation duct (vent) must be drilled. If the vent ends in front of the wax cap in the area of the proximal end, an opening must be drilled in the wall of the housing shell.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrich­tung anzugeben sowie die Gehäuseschale eines Im-Ohr-Hörgerätes so auszubilden, daß sich ein Im-Ohr-Hörgerät mit weniger Auf­wand herstellen und technisch verbessern läßt.The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device and to design the housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing device in such a way that an in-the-ear hearing device can be produced and technically improved with less effort.

Diese Aufgabe wird mit den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Ver­fahrens des Anspruches 1 gelöst. Sie wird ebenfalls gelöst durch eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 zur Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens. Eine besonders vorteilhafte, unter Anwen­dung des Verfahrens nach Anspruch 1 herstellbare Gehäuseschale gibt Anspruch 8 an.This object is achieved with the characterizing features of the method of claim 1. It is also solved by a device according to claim 3 for performing such a method. A particularly advantageous housing shell which can be produced using the method according to claim 1 is stated in claim 8.

Nach der Erfindung kann der Kanal für die Belüftung bzw. der Venting-Kanal bereits beim Gießen oder Spritzen des Rohlings der Gehäuseschale in einem Arbeitsgang mit hergestellt werden. Dabei kann dieser Kanal oder können mehrere solcher Kanäle entsprechend den Platzverhältnissen für das Hörgerät in der Negativform wie vorgesehen verlegt und ausgerichtet werden. Die Platzverhältnisse, die Ventinggröße (Kanallänge, Kanalverlauf und Kanaldurchmesser) sind bereits in der Negativform berück­sichtigbar und variierbar, d.h. die Kanallage, Kanalgröße, Ka­nalform usw. sind bereits in der Negativform vorbestimmbar. Es läßt sich ferner eine gleichmäßige Wandstärke des Ventingkanals gegenüber der Gehäuseschale erreichen, da der in die Gehäuse­schale gleich mit eingegossene oder eingespritzte Strang-, Rohr- oder Schlauchmantel einen gleichen Abstand zum Schalen­material bzw. zur Schale ermöglicht. Durch Wegfall des Fräs­vorganges für eine Rille, durch den Wegfall des Einbettens und des Materialauftrages auf den eingelegten Schlauch, durch den Wegfall einer zweiten Aushärt-und Wärmebehandlung und da Nacharbeiten weitgehend entfallen, wird die Herstellung der Gehäuseschale wesentlich vereinfacht und ist weniger zeitauf­wendig.According to the invention, the channel for the ventilation or the venting channel can already be produced in one operation during the casting or injection molding of the blank of the housing shell. This channel or several such channels can be laid and aligned as intended in the negative form according to the space available for the hearing aid. The space, the venting size (channel length, channel profile and channel diameter) can be taken into account and varied in the negative form, i.e. the channel position, channel size, channel shape etc. can already be predetermined in the negative form. It is also possible to achieve a uniform wall thickness of the venting channel with respect to the housing shell, since the strand, tube or hose jacket which is cast or injected into the housing shell enables the same distance to the shell material or to the shell. By eliminating the milling process for a groove, by dispensing with the embedding and the material application on the inserted hose, by dispensing with a second curing and heat treatment and since reworking is largely eliminated, the manufacture of the housing shell is considerably simplified and is less time-consuming.

Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispie­les anhand der Zeichnung und in Verbindung mit den Merkmalen der Unteransprüche.Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing and in conjunction with the features of the subclaims.

Figur 1 zeigt einen positiven Ohrabdruck 1, der durch Abtren­nen eines überstehenden Materialabschnittes 2 im Bereich seines distalen Endes, längs der Schnittlinie a-a, bzw. eines Anguß­stückes 3 im Bereich seines proximalen Endes, längs der Schnitt­linie b-b, aus einem Rohling gewonnen wird.FIG. 1 shows a positive ear impression 1, which is obtained from a blank by cutting off a protruding material section 2 in the area of its distal end, along the section line a-a, or a sprue 3 in the area of its proximal end, along the section line b-b.

Figur 2 zeigt den Ohrabdruck 1 gemäß Figur 1, der am gehörgang­seitigen Bereich (proximalen Ende) mit einem Kern 4 bestückt und zum Gießen einer Negativform 5 in einem Behälter 6 angeord­net ist. Im Ausführungsbeispiel wird mittels eines Gefäßes 7, in dem sich ein Kunststoffmaterial, eine Gießmasse 8 od.dgl. befindet, die Negativform des Ohrabdruckes 1 gegossen. Vor dem Gießen oder Spritzen der Negativform wird der Ohrabdruck 1 zweckmäßigerweise zuerst ganz in Wachs od.dgl. getaucht, um eine Trenn- bzw. Separierschicht zu erzielen. Durch die Wachs­schicht ist auch ein Ausgleich für einen eventuellen späteren Materialschwund erzielbar.FIG. 2 shows the ear impression 1 according to FIG. 1, which is equipped with a core 4 on the region of the ear canal (proximal end) and is arranged in a container 6 for casting a negative mold 5. In the exemplary embodiment, by means of a vessel 7 in which there is a plastic material, a casting compound 8 or the like. is located, the negative form of the earprint 1 cast. Before casting or spraying the negative mold, the ear impression 1 is expediently made entirely of wax or the like first. dipped to achieve a separation or separation layer. The wax layer also makes it possible to compensate for any subsequent material loss.

In Figur 3 ist die Negativform 5 nach Herausnahme des Ohrab­druckes 1 und nach Abnahme des Kerns 4 dargestellt, wobei in der nunmehr mit dem Negativ des Ohrabdruckes nach oben ge­kippten Form im Boden der Form eine durch den Kern hinterlas­sene Öffnung 9 vorgesehen ist. Wie in dieser Abbildung ver­größert gezeichnet ist, wird durch die Höhlung 10 der Nega­tivform und durch die Öffnung 9 ein flexibler Strang 11, ein Rohr, ein Schlauch od.dgl. verlegt bzw. eingezogen, derart, daß er an der Innenwand der Negativform in der Weise verläuft, wie der Verlauf eines Kanals zur Belüftung oder als Vent in der herzustellenden Gehäuseschale beabsichtigt ist.FIG. 3 shows the negative mold 5 after the ear impression 1 has been removed and after the core 4 has been removed, an opening 9 left by the core being provided in the bottom of the mold in the shape which is now tilted upward with the negative of the ear impression. As shown enlarged in this figure, through the cavity 10 of the negative mold and through the opening 9, a flexible strand 11, a tube, a hose or the like. relocated or drawn in such a way that it runs on the inner wall of the negative mold in the manner in which the course of a channel is intended for ventilation or as a vent in the housing shell to be produced.

Ein vergrößert dargestellter Abschnitt eines flexiblen Stran­ges 11 ist in einer Ausführung in Figur 4 dargestellt. Gemäß diesem Ausführungsbeispiel dient zur Herstellung des Kanals ein flexibler Strang, bestehend aus einer Seele 12 aus biegbarem Material, z.B. einem Metallfaden, einem den Metallfaden umge­benden Schlauchmantel 13 - insbesondere einem Mantel, dessen Material beim Gießen oder Spritzen der Gehäuseschale keine Ver­bindung mit dem Schalenmaterial eingeht - und auf dem Schlauch­mantel 13 aufgereihten Kügelchen 14, Perlen od.dgl., die vor­zugsweise aus ähnlichem oder demselben Kunststoffmaterial be­stehen wie das Material, das zum Herstellen der Gehäuseschale verwendet wird. Der Metallfaden, z.B. Lötzinn, soll nicht feder­elastisch, sondern leicht und dauerhaft verformbar sein. Die die Flexibilität des Stranges 11 ermöglichenden Nischen 15 zwi­ schen den Kügelchen 14 werden beim Gießen oder Spritzen der Gehäuseschale vom Schalenmaterial ausgefüllt, so daß eine gleichmäßig starke Wandstärke für den auszubildenden Kanal entsteht. Während der Durchmesser des zur Herstellung der Öff­nung 9 in der Negativform 1 verwendeten Kerns 4 etwa dem Aus­sendurchmesser D des Stranges 11 bzw. nach Ausführungsbeispiel dem Außendurchmesser d des Schlauches 13 entspricht, wird mit dem Durchmesser d, gebildet von der Stärke des Metallfadens 12 oder vom Durchmesser des Silikonmantels 13 oder vom Bohrungs­durchmesser der Kügelchen 14, der lichte Querschnitt des Kanals bestimmt.An enlarged section of a flexible strand 11 is shown in one embodiment in FIG. According to this exemplary embodiment, a flexible strand, consisting of a core 12 made of bendable material, for example a metal thread, is used to manufacture the channel, in particular a jacket 13 surrounding the metal thread - in particular a jacket, the material of which does not form a connection with the shell material when the housing shell is cast or sprayed - And on the hose jacket 13 lined up beads 14, beads or the like, which preferably consist of the same or the same plastic material as the material used to produce the housing shell. The metal thread, eg solder, should not be resilient, but should be easily and permanently deformable. The flexibility of the strand 11 niches 15 between The spheres 14 are filled with shell material when casting or spraying the housing shell, so that a uniformly thick wall is created for the channel to be formed. While the diameter of the core 4 used to produce the opening 9 in the negative mold 1 corresponds approximately to the outside diameter D of the strand 11 or, according to the exemplary embodiment, the outside diameter d of the tube 13, the diameter d is formed by the thickness of the metal thread 12 or by Diameter of the silicone jacket 13 or from the bore diameter of the beads 14, the clear cross section of the channel determines.

Der flexible Strang 11 trägt auf dem Abschnitt, der durch die Negativform geführt ist und der zur Bildung für einen Kanal in der Gehäuseschale dient, die Kügelchen 14 aus Polymethylmeta­crylat und wird mit seinen Enden 16, 17 außen an der Negativ­form befestigt oder verdrillt. Es wird darauf geachtet, daß die Kügelchen 14 am vorgesehenen Verlauf an der Innenwand der Nega­tivform anliegen, dann wird die Negativform zum Herstellen ei­ner Gehäuseschale 18 mit Polymethylmetacrylat ausgegossen oder ausgespritzt. Dabei wird nach einer kurzen Polymerisationszeit überschüssiges Kunststoffmaterial aus der Negativform entleert und dann die Negativform z.B. in einen Drucktopf zum Aushärten der Gehäuseschale 18 gestellt.The flexible strand 11 carries the beads 14 made of polymethyl methacrylate on the section which is guided through the negative mold and which is used to form a channel in the housing shell and is attached or twisted with its ends 16, 17 to the outside of the negative mold. Care is taken to ensure that the beads 14 rest against the inner wall of the negative mold along the intended course, then the negative mold is poured or injected with polymethyl methacrylate to produce a housing shell 18. After a short polymerization time, excess plastic material is emptied from the negative mold and then the negative mold e.g. placed in a pressure pot for curing the housing shell 18.

Beim Herstellen der Gehäuseschale 18 verbindet sich die Scha­len-Guß- bzw. Spritzmasse mit den Kügelchen 14 des Stranges 11. Nach dem Aushärten der Gehäuseschale kann die Strangeinlage, im Ausführungsbeispiel der Metallfaden 12 mit Silikonmantel 13, aus dem aus Kügelchen und Schalenmasse verschmolzenen Mantel des gebildeten Kanals 19 der Gehäuseschale gezogen werden. Die in Figur 5 gezeichnete Gehäuseschale 18 wird aus der Negativ­form herausgenommen und es werden längs der Schnittlinien c-c bzw. e-e die überstehenden Gußreste 20, 21 abgefräst bzw. ent­fernt. Falls vorgesehen, kann der Kanal 19 noch aufgefräst und die Gehäuseschale poliert werden. Die Gehäuseschale 18 kann in an sich bekannter Weise noch durch eine am proximalen Ende 22 aufzusetzende Abdeckplatte und eine am distalen Ende 23 aufzu­setzende Faceplate verschlossen werden. In der nicht gezeichne­ten Abdeckplatte wie auch in der Faceplate sind dann - falls der Kanal 19 in Längsrichtung völlig durch die Gehäuseschale verläuft - noch die Durchtrittsöffnungen zu bohren. Es ist aber auch möglich, daß die eine oder andere Durchtrittsöffnung des Kanals 19 (Vent) an einer Seitenwand der Gehäuseschale vorge­sehen ist.When the housing shell 18 is produced, the shell casting or injection molding compound connects to the balls 14 of the strand 11. After the housing shell has hardened, the strand insert, in the exemplary embodiment the metal thread 12 with a silicone jacket 13, can be made from the jacket of the shell and shell material fused together formed channel 19 of the housing shell are pulled. The housing shell 18 shown in FIG. 5 is removed from the negative mold and the excess casting residues 20, 21 are milled or removed along the cutting lines cc and ee. If provided, the channel 19 can still be milled and the housing shell polished. The housing shell 18 can in can be closed in a manner known per se by a cover plate to be placed on the proximal end 22 and a faceplate to be placed on the distal end 23. In the cover plate (not shown) and in the faceplate, if the channel 19 runs completely through the housing shell in the longitudinal direction, the through openings must still be drilled. However, it is also possible that one or the other passage opening of the channel 19 (vent) is provided on a side wall of the housing shell.

Aus der perspektivischen Darstellung nach Figur 6 ist eine, am distalen Ende der Gehäuseschale 18 befindliche Durchtrittsöff­nung 24 des Kanals 19 ersichtlich, wobei die Kanalwand mit der Perlen- oder Kügelchen-Struktur ebenfalls erkennbar ist. Die am proximalen Ende vorgesehene Durchtrittsöffnung des Kanals ist mit 25 bezeichnet.A perspective opening according to FIG. 6 shows a passage opening 24 of the channel 19 located at the distal end of the housing shell 18, the channel wall with the pearl or bead structure also being recognizable. The passage opening of the channel provided at the proximal end is designated by 25.

Claims (9)

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Gehäuseschale eines In-dem­Ohr-Hörgerätes, gekennzeichnet durch die folgenden Verfahrensschritte:
- Herstellung eines positiven Ohrabdruckes (1) vom Ohr des Hör­geschädigten,
- Bearbeiten des Ohrabdruckes (1) auf die vorgesehene Größe der zu fertigenden Gehäuseschale (18),
- Ansetzen eines Kerns (4) an den Ohrabdruck (1) im gehörgang­seitigen, proximalen Bereich,
- Versehen der Außenseite des Ohrabdruckes (1) mit einer Sepa­rierschicht, wie Wachs od.dgl.,
- Herstellung einer Negativform (5) des Ohrabdruckes (1),
- Herausnahme des Ohrabdruckes (1) aus der Negativform (5) und Entfernen des Kerns (4),
- Einziehen eines flexiblen Stranges (11), Rohres, Schlauches od.dgl. in die Negativform (5),
- Verlegung des Stranges (11) längs der Innenwand der Negativ­form (5),
- Eingießen von Kunststoff in die Negativform (5),
- Ausgießen des für die herzustellende Gehäuseschale (18) nicht erforderlichen, überschüssigen Materials aus der Negativform (5) nach kurzer Polymerisationszeit,
- Aushärten (Polymerisieren) der Gehäuseschale (18) in der Negativform (5),
- Herausnahme der Gehäuseschale (18) aus der Negativform (5) und - Herausziehen einer Strang-, Rohr- bzw. Schlaucheinlage (12, 13) aus dem in die Gehäuseschale (18) eingeformten Kanal (19).1. Method for producing a housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing device, characterized by the following method steps:
- making a positive ear impression (1) of the hearing impaired ear,
- Editing the ear impression (1) to the intended size of the housing shell (18) to be manufactured,
- Attaching a core (4) to the ear impression (1) in the proximal area on the ear canal,
- Providing the outside of the ear impression (1) with a separating layer, such as wax or the like.
- Production of a negative form (5) of the ear impression (1),
Removal of the ear impression (1) from the negative mold (5) and removal of the core (4),
- Pulling in a flexible strand (11), pipe, hose or the like. into the negative form (5),
- laying the strand (11) along the inner wall of the negative mold (5),
- pouring plastic into the negative mold (5),
Pouring out the excess material which is not required for the housing shell (18) to be produced from the negative mold (5) after a short polymerization time,
- curing (polymerizing) the housing shell (18) in the negative mold (5),
- Removing the housing shell (18) from the negative mold (5) and - Pulling out a strand, tube or hose insert (12, 13) from the channel (19) molded into the housing shell (18). 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekenn­zeichnet, daß der flexible Strang (11), das Rohr, der Schlauch od.dgl. durch die Höhlung (10) der Negativform (5) und die vom Kern (4) gebildete Öffnung (9) in der Negativform gezo­gen sowie in der Höhlung der Negativform im vorgesehenen Ver­ lauf an der Innenwand der Negativform verlegt wird und die Strangenden (16, 17) an der Außenseite der Negativform fixiert werden.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible strand (11), the tube, the hose or the like. through the cavity (10) of the negative mold (5) and the opening (9) formed by the core (4) in the negative mold and in the cavity of the negative mold in the intended Ver is run on the inner wall of the negative mold and the strand ends (16, 17) are fixed on the outside of the negative mold. 3. Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, gekennzeichnet durch - eine Ohrabdruckmasse für den positiven Ohrabdruck (1),
- eine Schneid-, Fräs-, Schleifeinrichtung od.dgl. zum Bear­beiten des Ohrabdruckes (1) auf die vorgesehene Größe bzw. Form,
- einen an den Ohrabdruck (1) ansteckbaren Kern (4),
- eine Auftrageinrichtung für eine Separierschicht, ein Wachs­bad od.dgl.,
ine Form, einen Behälter (6) od dgl. zur Aufnahme des Ohr­abdruckes (1) und zum Einfüllen einer Gießmasse (8) für die Negativform (5),
- einen flexiblen Strang (11), ein Rohr, einen Schlauch od.dgl. zur Einlage in die Negativform (5), der sich durch den Hohl­raum (10) der Negativform und deren vom Kern (4) gebildete Öffnung (9) erstreckt,
- ein gieß- oder spritzbares Gehäuseschalen-Material,
- eine Einrichtung zum Aushärten (Polymerisieren) der Gehäuse­schale (18) und
- eine Entnahme für eine Strang-, Rohr- oder Schlaucheinlage (12, 13) aus dem in der Gehäuseschale gebildeten Kanal (19).3. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by - an ear impression material for the positive ear impression (1),
- A cutting, milling, grinding device or the like. for processing the ear impression (1) to the intended size or shape,
- a core (4) which can be attached to the ear impression (1),
an application device for a separating layer, a wax bath or the like,
ine form, a container (6) or the like. For receiving the ear impression (1) and for filling a casting compound (8) for the negative mold (5),
- A flexible strand (11), a tube, a hose or the like. for insertion into the negative mold (5), which extends through the cavity (10) of the negative mold and its opening (9) formed by the core (4),
- a castable or sprayable housing shell material,
- A device for curing (polymerizing) the housing shell (18) and
- A removal for a strand, tube or hose insert (12, 13) from the channel (19) formed in the housing shell. 4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekenn­zeichnet, daß der Durchmesser des Kerns (4) etwa dem Strang-, Rohr- bzw. Schlauchdurchmesser (D bzw. d) entspricht und durch den Durchmesser (d) der Strang-, Rohr- bzw. Schlauch­einlage (12 bzw. 13) der lichte Kanaldurchmesser bestimmbar ist.4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the diameter of the core (4) corresponds approximately to the strand, tube or hose diameter (D or d) and by the diameter (d) of the strand, tube or Hose insert (12 or 13) the clear channel diameter can be determined. 5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekenn­zeichnet, daß der flexible Strang (11) aus einer bieg­ baren Seele (12) besteht, auf der insbesondere Perlen, Kügel­chen, Walzen, Röllchen (14) od.dgl. insbesondere aus Kunststoff aufgereiht sind, deren Bohrung den Kanaldurchmesser bestimmt und deren Außenkontur beim Gießen der Gehäuseschale vom Schalenmaterial umschlossen wird und die Kanalwandung bildet.5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the flexible strand (11) from a bend baren soul (12), on which in particular pearls, beads, rollers, rolls (14) or the like. are lined up in particular from plastic, the bore determines the channel diameter and the outer contour is enclosed by the shell material when casting the housing shell and forms the channel wall. 6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 und 5, dadurch ge­kennzeichnet, daß die Seele des Stranges (11) aus einem aus dem gegossenen Kanal (19) herausziehbaren, sich nicht mit dem Gehäueschalenmaterial verbindenden Material besteht.6. Apparatus according to claim 3 and 5, characterized in that the core of the strand (11) consists of a material which can be pulled out of the cast channel (19) and does not connect to the shell material. 7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet daß der flexible Strang (11) aus einem mit einem Mantel (13) versehenen Metallfaden (12) be­steht, auf dem Kügelchen, Perlen (14) od.dgl. aus einem dem Material der Gehäuseschale (18) entsprechenden Kunststoff auf­gereiht sind.7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the flexible strand (11) consists of a metal thread (12) provided with a jacket (13), on the beads, beads (14) or the like. are lined up from a plastic corresponding to the material of the housing shell (18). 8. Gehäuseschale eines In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerätes nach Anspruch 1, in die ein Kanal (19 eingeformt ist, dessen Wandung aus dem Material eines eingegossenen oder eingespritzten Stranges (11), Rohres, Schlauches od.dgl. besteht und wobei der Strang-, Rohr-­bzw. Schlauchmantel im Material der Gehäuseschale eingebettet ist.8. housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing aid according to claim 1, in which a channel (19) is formed, the wall of which consists of the material of a cast or injected strand (11), tube, hose or the like, and wherein the strand -, Pipe or hose jacket is embedded in the material of the housing shell. 9. Gehäuseschale nach Anspruch 8, in die ein Kanal (19) einge­formt ist, dessen Wandung aus in einer Reihe aneinander ange­ordneten Kunststoff-Kügelchen, -Perlen (14) od.dgl. besteht, die für den Kanal eine durchgehende Bohrung aufweisen und deren kugel- bzw. perlenförmige Mantelabschnitte (14, 15) vom Mate­rial der Gehäuseschale zu einer durchgehenden Kanalwand ausge­füllt und mit der Gehäuseschale selbst materialeinheitlich ver­bunden sind.9. Housing shell according to claim 8, in which a channel (19) is formed, the wall of which are arranged in a row of plastic balls, beads (14) or the like. consists of a continuous bore for the channel and whose spherical or pearl-shaped jacket sections (14, 15) are filled by the material of the housing shell to form a continuous channel wall and are connected to the housing shell itself using the same material.
EP89113792A 1989-07-26 1989-07-26 Method and device for manufacturing a housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid, and a housing shell produced according to this method Expired - Lifetime EP0410034B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89113792T ATE120065T1 (en) 1989-07-26 1989-07-26 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A HOUSING SHELL OF AN IN-THE-EAR HEARING AID AND HOUSING SHELL PRODUCED BY THE METHOD.
DE58909119T DE58909119D1 (en) 1989-07-26 1989-07-26 Method and device for producing a housing shell of an in-the-ear hearing aid, and housing shell produced by the method.
EP89113792A EP0410034B1 (en) 1989-07-26 1989-07-26 Method and device for manufacturing a housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid, and a housing shell produced according to this method
US07/552,525 US5146051A (en) 1989-07-26 1990-07-16 Housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid
CA002021879A CA2021879A1 (en) 1989-07-26 1990-07-24 Housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same

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EP89113792A EP0410034B1 (en) 1989-07-26 1989-07-26 Method and device for manufacturing a housing shell for an in-the-ear hearing aid, and a housing shell produced according to this method

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EP0410034A1 true EP0410034A1 (en) 1991-01-30
EP0410034B1 EP0410034B1 (en) 1995-03-15

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US (1) US5146051A (en)
EP (1) EP0410034B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE120065T1 (en)
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US4569812A (en) * 1984-06-22 1986-02-11 Beltone Electronics Corporation Process for making a hearing aid vent
EP0248955A1 (en) * 1985-02-04 1987-12-16 Gaspare Bellafiore Hearing aid and method of manufacture thereof
DE8613336U1 (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-10-29 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Device for making an ear impression for subsequent production of an earmold
EP0245742A1 (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-19 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Method and device for making an ear mould

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1287721B2 (en) † 2000-06-06 2009-08-05 Phonak Ag Method for producing a hearing aid placed in the ear
EP1427251A3 (en) * 2000-06-30 2006-08-16 Phonak Ag Method for the production of otoplastics and corresponding otoplastic
WO2016059029A1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2016-04-21 Dentona Ag Milling blank for production of medical moulded parts
US10623874B2 (en) 2014-10-14 2020-04-14 Pro3dure Medical GmbH Milling blank for the production of medical-technical molded parts
US11591431B2 (en) 2014-10-14 2023-02-28 Pr03Dure Medical Gmbh Milling blank for the production of medical-technical molded parts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2021879A1 (en) 1991-01-27
ATE120065T1 (en) 1995-04-15
DE58909119D1 (en) 1995-04-20
EP0410034B1 (en) 1995-03-15
US5146051A (en) 1992-09-08

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