EP0984663B1 - Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte - Google Patents

Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0984663B1
EP0984663B1 EP98121495A EP98121495A EP0984663B1 EP 0984663 B1 EP0984663 B1 EP 0984663B1 EP 98121495 A EP98121495 A EP 98121495A EP 98121495 A EP98121495 A EP 98121495A EP 0984663 B1 EP0984663 B1 EP 0984663B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
transducer arrangement
oscillatable
membrane
coupling element
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98121495A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0984663A2 (de
EP0984663A3 (de
Inventor
Hans Dr.-Ing. Leysieffer
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.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Phonak AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Phonak AG filed Critical Phonak AG
Publication of EP0984663A2 publication Critical patent/EP0984663A2/de
Publication of EP0984663A3 publication Critical patent/EP0984663A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0984663B1 publication Critical patent/EP0984663B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/67—Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/55—Electric hearing aids using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/558—Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a transducer assembly for partially or fully implantable hearing for direct mechanical excitation of the middle or inner ear, provided with a fixable at the implantation with respect to the skull housing and a movable with respect to the housing, mechanically rigid coupling element, wherein in the Housing an electromechanical transducer is housed, with which the coupling element can vibrate, which are transmitted after implantation of the transducer assembly to a middle ear ossicle or directly to the inner ear.
  • Such a transducer arrangement is made EP 0 499 940 known.
  • a wall of the housing as a vibratable membrane, which constitutes an electromechanically active heteromorph composite element with a piezoelectric ceramic disk applied on the inside.
  • the coupling element driven via the piezoelectric ceramic disc causes deflections at low frequencies to be transmitted to the middle ear ossicle or directly to the inner ear that may be inadequate for adequate volume levels for moderate and severe hearing losses. This applies in particular to the low electrical voltages prescribed for an implant.
  • an implantable middle ear transducer which is an electromagnetic motor housed in a hermetically sealed stainless steel housing which drives a biocompatible probe tip.
  • the probe tip engages in a laser beam formed opening of the incus. It is not clear how the electromagnetic motor is built, nor how vibrations are transmitted from the electromagnetic motor to the probe tip.
  • the electromechanical transducer is designed as an electromagnet assembly having a component fixed with respect to the housing and a vibratable component, which is in communication with the coupling element, that Vibrations of the oscillatory component are transmitted to the coupling element.
  • a wall of the housing is designed as a vibratable membrane, on the inside of the oscillatory component is attached and the outside of the coupling element is connected to the inside of the diaphragm and the oscillatory component forming permanent magnet is connected, and fixed an electromagnetic coil in the housing is mounted to enable the permanent magnet to vibrate, wherein the permanent magnet is formed as a magnetic pin and the coil is a toroidal coil having a central opening, in which the magnetic pin is immersed.
  • the solution according to the invention has the advantage that the transducer assembly according to simple and easy as the piezoelectric transducer according to EP 0 499 940 can be implanted because the transducer housing with respect fix on the bone structure of the skull.
  • a frequency response of the transducer which is particularly favorable even for low frequencies of the audible range can be achieved, so that an adequate hearing impression is made possible with sufficient loudness level with the necessarily low electrical voltages for an implant.
  • a particularly small moving mass transducer assembly is obtained which can rapidly and faithfully follow changes in the electrical signal applied to the solenoid.
  • the housing is expediently designed as a hermetically sealed and biocompatible housing. It is advantageously cylindrical, and has a peripheral wall and two substantially mutually parallel, circular end walls, one of which forms the oscillatable membrane, while the other may be integrally connected to the peripheral wall of the housing.
  • both the oscillatory component and the coupling element are fastened substantially in the center of the housing end surface forming the oscillatable diaphragm.
  • the invention further provides a fully or partially implantable hearing aid which is provided with a transducer assembly of the type disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 1 an implantable transducer assembly 10 of a hearing aid for direct mechanical excitation of the middle or inner ear is shown.
  • a trained as a microphone 58 transducer which is preferably also implanted.
  • the transducer assembly 10 is provided with a hermetically sealed, biocompatible, cylindrical housing 14, preferably made of Metal, such as titanium, niobium, tantalum, iridium or their alloys provided.
  • the housing 14 is filled with inert gas 16.
  • the housing 14 has a peripheral wall 11 and two circular end walls 12 and 18 extending perpendicular to the peripheral wall 11.
  • the one end wall of the housing 14 is formed as a thin, oscillatable membrane 18, attached to the outside, preferably in the center of the outside, a mechanically rigid coupling element 20 for mechanical vibration coupling to a middle ear ossicle or directly to the inner ear, for example, welded or glued , is.
  • the other end face 12 is integrally connected to the peripheral wall 11 of the housing
  • a pin-shaped permanent magnet 30 is fixed, which dips into a central opening of the toroidal coil 32 and is displaceable therein.
  • the coil 32 is fixedly connected in a manner not shown with the housing 14, for example glued to this.
  • an electrically insulating, hermetically sealed passage 26 is used in the end wall 12. Connecting wires 34 of the coil 32 are connected to outwardly led out of the housing 14 electrical terminals 36.
  • the coupling element 20 may in particular be designed as a coupling rod and be connected to the ossicle chain, for example via a thin wire or hollow wire bow or a bracket made of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material. Suitable arrangements of this type are in the older DE patent application 197 38 587.7 explained in more detail.
  • Fig. 2 shows an implanted hearing aid, generally designated 51, which is equipped with a transducer assembly 10 of the type described above.
  • the hearing device 51 also has an accumulator unit 53, a charge receiving coil 54 and an electronic module 55.
  • the components 53, 54 and 55 are housed in a hermetically sealed housing 56 which is implanted in the mastoid 57 and fixed with respect to the skull.
  • the transducer assembly 10 and the microphone 58 via lines 59 and 60 are connected to the electronic module 55.
  • the coupling element 20 is coupled to the ossicular chain 62.
  • To a portable charging unit 63 includes a charging coil 64, the transcutaneous charging of the accumulator unit 53 with the charge receiving coil 54 can be inductively coupled.
  • a remote control unit is indicated at 65.
  • Such a hearing aid is for example off U.S. Patent 5,277,694 known and therefore needs no further description.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
EP98121495A 1998-09-03 1998-11-12 Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte Expired - Lifetime EP0984663B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19840212 1998-09-03
DE19840212A DE19840212C2 (de) 1998-09-03 1998-09-03 Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0984663A2 EP0984663A2 (de) 2000-03-08
EP0984663A3 EP0984663A3 (de) 2006-05-17
EP0984663B1 true EP0984663B1 (de) 2010-10-27

Family

ID=7879710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98121495A Expired - Lifetime EP0984663B1 (de) 1998-09-03 1998-11-12 Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6162169A (da)
EP (1) EP0984663B1 (da)
AU (1) AU760815B2 (da)
CA (1) CA2274211C (da)
DE (2) DE19840212C2 (da)
DK (1) DK0984663T3 (da)

Families Citing this family (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6364825B1 (en) 1998-09-24 2002-04-02 St. Croix Medical, Inc. Method and apparatus for improving signal quality in implantable hearing systems
DE19858399C2 (de) * 1998-12-17 2003-02-20 Phonak Ag Staefa Elektroakustischer Wandler für Hörgeräte zur Luftschallabstrahlung in den äußeren Gehörgang
DE19859171C2 (de) * 1998-12-21 2000-11-09 Implex Hear Tech Ag Implantierbares Hörgerät mit Tinnitusmaskierer oder Noiser
DE19931788C1 (de) 1999-07-08 2000-11-30 Implex Hear Tech Ag Anordnung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines Treibers an eine Ankoppelstelle der Ossikelkette
DE19935029C2 (de) 1999-07-26 2003-02-13 Phonak Ag Staefa Implantierbare Anordnung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines Treiberteils an eine Ankoppelstelle
DE10015421C2 (de) 2000-03-28 2002-07-04 Implex Ag Hearing Technology I Teil- oder vollimplantierbares Hörsystem
DE10018334C1 (de) * 2000-04-13 2002-02-28 Implex Hear Tech Ag Mindestens teilimplantierbares System zur Rehabilitation einer Hörstörung
DE10031832C2 (de) 2000-06-30 2003-04-30 Cochlear Ltd Hörgerät zur Rehabilitation einer Hörstörung
DE10039401C2 (de) 2000-08-11 2002-06-13 Implex Ag Hearing Technology I Mindestens teilweise implantierbares Hörsystem
DE10041726C1 (de) 2000-08-25 2002-05-23 Implex Ag Hearing Technology I Implantierbares Hörsystem mit Mitteln zur Messung der Ankopplungsqualität
DE10047388C1 (de) * 2000-09-25 2002-01-10 Implex Hear Tech Ag Mindestens teilweise implantierbares Hörsystem
DE10114838A1 (de) * 2001-03-26 2002-10-10 Implex Ag Hearing Technology I Vollständig implantierbares Hörsystem
US6875166B2 (en) * 2001-09-06 2005-04-05 St. Croix Medical, Inc. Method for creating a coupling between a device and an ear structure in an implantable hearing assistance device
US7278963B2 (en) * 2003-01-27 2007-10-09 Otologics, Llc Implantable hearing aid transducer with advanceable actuator to facilitate coupling with the auditory system
EP1422971B1 (de) * 2002-11-20 2012-11-07 Phonak Ag Implantierbarer Wandler für Hörsysteme und Verfahren zum Abstimmen des Frequenzganges eines solchen Wandlers
US7273447B2 (en) * 2004-04-09 2007-09-25 Otologics, Llc Implantable hearing aid transducer retention apparatus
CA2588810A1 (en) * 2004-11-30 2006-06-08 Cochlear Acoustics Ltd Implantable actuator for hearing aid applications
WO2007011846A2 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-25 Soundquest, Inc. In-ear auditory device and methods of using same
US20070127757A2 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-06-07 Soundquest, Inc. Behind-The-Ear-Auditory Device
US9179226B2 (en) 2008-02-07 2015-11-03 Advanced Bionics Ag Partially implantable hearing device
US9215537B2 (en) 2010-03-15 2015-12-15 Advanced Bionics Ag Hearing aid and method of implanting a hearing aid
EP2625872A2 (en) 2010-10-08 2013-08-14 3Win N.V. Implantable actuator for hearing applications
US9729981B2 (en) 2011-05-12 2017-08-08 Cochlear Limited Identifying hearing prosthesis actuator resonance peak(s)
US9900709B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-02-20 Cochlear Limited Determining impedance-related phenomena in vibrating actuator and identifying device system characteristics based thereon
US10321247B2 (en) 2015-11-27 2019-06-11 Cochlear Limited External component with inductance and mechanical vibratory functionality

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR712903A (fr) * 1931-02-17 1931-10-26 Cornet acoustique pour personnes dures d'oreille
GB1440724A (en) * 1972-07-18 1976-06-23 Fredrickson J M Implantable electromagnetic hearing aid
US3882285A (en) * 1973-10-09 1975-05-06 Vicon Instr Company Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing
US4628907A (en) * 1984-03-22 1986-12-16 Epley John M Direct contact hearing aid apparatus
DE4104358A1 (de) * 1991-02-13 1992-08-20 Implex Gmbh Implantierbares hoergeraet zur anregung des innenohres
US5282858A (en) * 1991-06-17 1994-02-01 American Cyanamid Company Hermetically sealed implantable transducer
DE4221866C2 (de) * 1992-07-03 1994-06-23 Guenter Hortmann Hörgerät zur Anregung des Innenohres
US5624376A (en) * 1993-07-01 1997-04-29 Symphonix Devices, Inc. Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass transducer
US5554096A (en) * 1993-07-01 1996-09-10 Symphonix Implantable electromagnetic hearing transducer
US5558618A (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-09-24 Maniglia; Anthony J. Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device
US5772575A (en) * 1995-09-22 1998-06-30 S. George Lesinski Implantable hearing aid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6162169A (en) 2000-12-19
DE19840212C2 (de) 2001-08-02
DE19840212A1 (de) 2000-03-23
EP0984663A2 (de) 2000-03-08
DE59814473D1 (de) 2010-12-09
DK0984663T3 (da) 2011-02-14
AU760815B2 (en) 2003-05-22
EP0984663A3 (de) 2006-05-17
AU2250899A (en) 2000-03-16
CA2274211A1 (en) 2000-03-03
CA2274211C (en) 2002-07-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0984663B1 (de) Wandleranordnung für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte
DE19840211C1 (de) Wandler für teil- oder vollimplantierbare Hörgeräte
EP1073313B1 (de) Anordnung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines Treibers an eine Ankoppelstelle der Ossikelkette
DE19882589B3 (de) Wandler mit piezoelektrischem Film
DE3918086C1 (da)
EP0499940B1 (de) Elektromechanischer Wandler für implantierbare Hörgeräte
EP1054573B1 (de) Vorrichtung zum mechanischen Ankoppeln eines in einer Mastoidhöhle implantierbaren elektromechanischen Hörgerätewandlers
EP1179969B1 (de) Mindestens teilweise implantierbares Hörsystem
DE69208535T2 (de) Hermetisch angedichteter implantierbarer Wandler
DE19882593B4 (de) Implantierbares Hörsystem mit mehreren Wandlern
DE10047388C1 (de) Mindestens teilweise implantierbares Hörsystem
DE69733837T2 (de) Verbesserte mikrophone für implantierbares hörhilfegerät
US7753838B2 (en) Implantable transducer with transverse force application
EP1422971B1 (de) Implantierbarer Wandler für Hörsysteme und Verfahren zum Abstimmen des Frequenzganges eines solchen Wandlers
DE3617089A1 (de) Durch direkte knochenleitung wirkende hoerhilfe
EP1011294A2 (de) Implantierbares Gerät zum Behandeln eines Tinnitus
EP1439737B1 (de) Implantierbarer elektromechanischer Wandler
DE4221866C2 (de) Hörgerät zur Anregung des Innenohres
DE10030372A1 (de) Implantierbarer hydroakustischer Wandler
DE1616149C3 (de) Hörhilfegerät
DE102004038078A1 (de) Implantierbarer Hörgeräteteil
DE102007031114A1 (de) Hörimplantat mit multidirektional wirkendem Aktor
DE3029067A1 (de) Vorrichtung zur schallerzeugung, insbesondere fuer weck- oder alarmeinrichtungen

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: IMPLEX AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT HEARING TECHNOLOGY

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: PHONAK AG

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20061102

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): CH DE DK FR GB LI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070411

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: TRANSDUCER ARRANGEMENT FOR PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY IMPLANTED HEARING AIDS

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): CH DE DK FR GB LI

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: TROESCH SCHEIDEGGER WERNER AG

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59814473

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20101209

Kind code of ref document: P

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20101109

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20101027

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20101027

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20101027

Year of fee payment: 13

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20110728

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 59814473

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110728

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20111112

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111130

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111112

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111130

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20121130

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 59814473

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20140603

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140603