EP2309779B1 - Hearing device and earpiece - Google Patents

Hearing device and earpiece Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2309779B1
EP2309779B1 EP10183709.4A EP10183709A EP2309779B1 EP 2309779 B1 EP2309779 B1 EP 2309779B1 EP 10183709 A EP10183709 A EP 10183709A EP 2309779 B1 EP2309779 B1 EP 2309779B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
canal
earpiece
hearing device
speaker
bore
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.)
Active
Application number
EP10183709.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2309779A1 (en
Inventor
Klaus L. Svendsen
Jesper Trolle
Claus Würfel
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.)
Oticon AS
Original Assignee
Oticon AS
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=37770883&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP2309779(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Oticon AS filed Critical Oticon AS
Priority to DK10183709.4T priority Critical patent/DK2309779T3/en
Priority to EP10183709.4A priority patent/EP2309779B1/en
Publication of EP2309779A1 publication Critical patent/EP2309779A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2309779B1 publication Critical patent/EP2309779B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/656Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0216BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/11Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/607Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654Ear wax retarders
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658Manufacture of housing parts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a hearing device, such as a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, and to an earpiece for a hearing device.
  • BTE behind-the-ear
  • an earpiece may be an in-the-ear part or a mould to be used in a hearing aid, and the earpiece may be provided with or without a speaker.
  • a state of the art hearing aid such as, for example, disclosed in US patent application no.: 2005/0244026 , comprises a flexible earpiece to be inserted into the outer part (sometimes referred to as cartilaginous or softer region) of the ear canal and connected to a BTE device through a connecting tubular element.
  • the flexible earpiece may comprise a receiver, i.e. a hearing aid speaker, mounted on to the earpiece so as to inject sound into the ear canal.
  • This configuration is general known as receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.
  • the BTE comprises the receiver and the sound is injected into the tubular connector communicating the sound to the earpiece.
  • the flexible earpiece may additionally comprise a vent so as to provide an open ear configuration thereby reducing occlusion effects but significantly reducing the allowable gain at which acoustical feedback occurs.
  • the flexible earpiece is particularly for use when hearing impairment of the user of the hearing aid is mild.
  • US patent no.: 5,606,621 discloses a hybrid BTE and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid, where the earpiece is implemented as a CIC element shaped to into the ear canal in such a manner to touch the bony region of the ear canal.
  • CIC completely-in-canal
  • US patent application no.: 2004/0010181 discloses another hybrid BTE/CIC hearing aid comprising a connector for communicating the processed sound from a processor in the BTE to a speaker in the CIC part.
  • the connector is detachably connected to either the BTE or CIC part and is designed to be inserted in ear canal so deep as to touch the bony part of the ear canal.
  • the connector therefore must be sufficiently rigid to allow the connector to be used to insert and remove the CIC part from the ear canal of the user.
  • US patent no.: 5,606,621 and US patent application no.: 2004/0010181 basically describe closed systems, i.e. systems, which when positioned in the outer region of the ear canal causes severe occlusion effects, which are caused by encapsulating sound conducted via tissue to the residual space between the tympanic member and closed system earpiece.
  • the purpose of the hearing aids described in these US patent documents is to position the CIC parts in the bony part or the inner most part of the ear canal thereby avoiding occlusion effect, which is not transmitted to the bony part of the ear canal.
  • the insertion into the bony part of the ear canal may seem rather intrusive.
  • patent application WO 99/07182 discloses an acoustic coupler which is detachably secured to a receiver assembly for deep insertion into an individuals ear canal.
  • the acoustic coupler provides a semirigid, thin walled, cylindrical coupling sleeve that is adapted to be attached to over a cylindrical receiver assembly. Accordingly, a one-fit solution is provided.
  • patent application no. WO01/43498 discloses an in-the-canal hearing device, which includes a flexible receiver suspension grommet.
  • the suspension member includes a tubular portion, which is configured to retain a receiver unit in a position such that sound waves emitted from the receiver are directed through a sound port.
  • an earpiece auditory device including a BTE-unit and a completely-in-canal (CIC) component is disclosed.
  • the CIC component is described as an ear mold, which mold is detachably interconnected with a speaker module, preferably using an intermediate sleeve or a detachable locking pin.
  • the above mentioned prior art hearing devices describes how a speaker element may be arranged in an earpiece of a hearing device.
  • such solutions may not provide an efficient connection between the speaker element and the earpiece, why at least alternative methods of accommodating the speaker element in the earpiece should be considered.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hearing aid earpiece for insertion in the outer part of the ear canal, which accomplishes sufficient gain for users.
  • a particular advantage of the present invention relates to the fact that the earpiece presents an open configuration to the user thus avoiding occlusion, while maintaining a firm fixture for the earpiece in the ear canal.
  • a particular feature of the present invention relates to the designed shape of the earpiece providing the possibility of decreasing the vent diameter, while prohibiting the occlusion effects, and thus enabling greater gain.
  • a hearing device comprising a BTE unit adapted to convert and process sound to an electrical signal, and a tubular element adapted to communicate said electrical signal to an earpiece, wherein said earpiece comprises a canal element adapted to provide a tight fit of said earpiece in an ear canal, wherein the canal element comprises a proximal surface, which faces towards the BTE unit, and a distal surface, which faces towards the tympanic membrane when the earpiece is placed in the ear canal.
  • the canal element further having a bore adapted to receive a speaker element of the hearing device, wherein the speaker element is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the canal element from the proximal surface of the canal element.
  • the speaker element furthermore comprising a circumferential ridge section
  • the earpiece further comprising a snapping element as an independent part, which snapping element is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the canal element from a distal surface of the canal element, allowing the circumferential ridge section of said speaker element to snap into engagement with the snapping element of the earpiece thereby maintaining the speaker element in the canal element, in an axially fixed position within the bore of the canal element, wherein further the speaker element comprises an O-ring adapted for providing a tight fit between the speaker element and the canal element.
  • hearing device should in this context be construed as a hearing aid, such as a BTE possibly with a receiver-in-the-ear RITE solution (receiver is a general term for a speaker within the hearing device technology), a hearing apparatus, or an assistive listening device.
  • a hearing aid such as a BTE possibly with a receiver-in-the-ear RITE solution (receiver is a general term for a speaker within the hearing device technology), a hearing apparatus, or an assistive listening device.
  • the speaker advantageously comprising an O-ring, a tight fit between the speaker and the canal element is obtained.
  • the speaker is adapted to receive an electrical signal and convert this to a sound pressure in the ear canal so as to improve the hearing of the user.
  • the earpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise a vent extending axially through the canal element.
  • the vent advantageously, allows sound pressure equalisation between ambient surroundings and the residual space between the tympanic membrane and the canal element, thus removing the occlusion effect experienced by the user of the hearing device.
  • the canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise snapping means for engaging said speaker element to said canal element.
  • the snapping means may be separately mounted in the canal element.
  • the term "snapping" is this context to be construed as detachably engaging, clicking on or locking together of two parts.
  • the speaker element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise a wax filter adapted to protect the speaker element from earwax entering.
  • the snapping means may comprise an expendable wax filter adapted to further protect the speaker element from earwax entering.
  • the expendable wax filter may, advantageously, be replaced whenever the wax filter is blocked.
  • the earpiece having an outer expendable and an inner wax filter significantly increases the ability for a user to secure the operation of the hearing device. That is, the user may when experiencing decreased sound quality change the expendable wax filter and try the hearing device earpiece with a new expendable wax filter. Obviously, if the user still experiences decreased sound quality, the user may further check the wax filter in the speaker.
  • the canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise an axial bore for receiving said speaker element, said bore having an axial length in the range between 3 and 10 mm such as in the ranges between 3 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, 9 and 12 mm, or 4 and 11 mm, 5 and 10 mm, 7 and 8 mm, or any combination thereof.
  • the axial length of the bore in fact, may express the axial length of the canal element, i.e. the bore extends through the whole length of the canal element.
  • the vent according to the first aspect of the present invention may have an axial length shorter than the axial length of the bore.
  • the canal element may thus comprise a proximal surface, which extends on one plane substantially perpendicular to said ear canal, and a distal surface facing towards the tympanic membrane, which extends on a plurality of planes substantially perpendicular to said ear canal.
  • the canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a pull-out string extending from the proximal surface at least partly parallel to the tubular element.
  • the pull-out string provides a means for the user to safely pull out the earpiece from the ear, i.e. without pulling the elements apart.
  • the speaker element according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a hole for receiving a flexible member adapted to support said earpiece in said ear canal.
  • the flexible member or ear-grip may be adapted to abut a surface of the outer ear.
  • the canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may be manufactured by means of rapid manufacturing techniques such as stereo-lithographic manufacturing, selective laser sintering, shape deposition manufacturing or laminated object manufacturing.
  • rapid manufacturing techniques such as stereo-lithographic manufacturing, selective laser sintering, shape deposition manufacturing or laminated object manufacturing.
  • a hearing device earpiece for connecting to a BTE unit adapted to convert and process sound to an electrical signal through a tubular element adapted to communicate said electrical signal to said earpiece, wherein said earpiece comprises a canal element adapted to provide a tight fit of said earpiece in an ear canal, and a speaker element rotate-ably mounted in said canal element.
  • the earpiece according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any features of the hearing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a hearing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and designated in entirety by reference numeral 10.
  • the hearing device 10 comprises a BTE unit 12 converting sound recorded at the BTE unit 12 and processing said sound in accordance with a particular hearing loss, a connector 14 for communicating an electric processed signal to an earpiece 16.
  • the earpiece 16 is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user and converts the electric processed signal back in to sound pressure.
  • FIG 2 shows an exploded view of the earpiece 16 and part of the connector 14 described with reference to figure 1 .
  • the earpiece 16 comprises a speaker 20 connected to the connector 14, which speaker 20 is adapted to convert electrical signals representing processed sound into a sound pressure to be provided in the ear canal of the user of the hearing device.
  • the speaker 20 may advantageously comprise an O-ring 22 for providing a tight fit between the speaker 20 and a canal element 24.
  • the canal element 24 is to be inserted into the outer part of the ear canal of the user of the hearing device 10.
  • the canal element 24 comprises a proximal surface 26, which faces towards the BTE unit 12, and a distal surface 28, which faces towards the tympanic membrane when the earpiece 16 is placed in the ear canal.
  • the speaker 20 comprises a circumferential ridge section 30, which is adapted to snap into engagement with the snapping element 32 thereby maintaining the speaker 20 in the canal element 24 in an axially fixed position within a bore 34 of the canal element 24.
  • the snapping element 32 may be an integral part of the canal element 24 or an independent part inserted into the bore 34 from the distal surface 28.
  • the snapping element 32 is an independent part it may comprise a flange 36 axially locking the snapping element 32 against further axial movement towards the proximal surface 26.
  • the speaker 20 is inserted into the bore 34 from the proximal surface 26 of the canal element 24, and the snapping element 32 as an independent part is inserted from distal surface 28 of the canal element 24, where the ridge section 30 on the speaker 20 snaps into the snapping element 32 thus locking the speaker 20 in the canal element 24.
  • the snapping element 32 is an integral part of the canal element 24
  • the speaker 20 is simply inserted from the distal surface 28, where the ridge section 30 on the speaker 20 snaps into the snapping element 32.
  • the speaker 20 comprises a wax filter 38 for protecting the speaker 20 from ear wax produced by the user of the hearing device 10, when the earpiece 16 is inserted into the outer ear canal of the user.
  • the earpiece 16 comprises a second wax filter 40, which may be expendable so that when ever the user experience that the hearing device 10 has reduced operations then the use may exchange the wax filter 40 by simply removing second wax filter 40 and inserting a new wax filter 40.
  • This functionality is, particularly, advantageous since the user may perform a first test of the operability of the hearing device 10 without needing to travel to an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.
  • the earpiece 16 further comprises a vent 42 for allowing the sound pressure variations in the outer ear canal caused by sound travelling to the ear canal through the tissue and cartilage of the user. Hence the occlusion experienced by the user is significantly reduced.
  • the diameter and length of the vent 42 are determined in accordance with the required gain for compensating a particular hearing impairment. However, by providing a shortened axial length of the vent 42 a smaller diameter may be used achieving the required effects, i.e. occlusion and gain.
  • the earpiece 16 further comprises a pull out string 44 for enabling the user to pull the earpiece 16 out of the ear canal of the user.
  • a pull out string 44 for enabling the user to pull the earpiece 16 out of the ear canal of the user.
  • the speaker 20 further comprises a bore 46 for receiving a retention means holding the earpiece 16 in position in the outer ear canal of the user.
  • the retention means also called an ear grip, provides support to the earpiece 16 by flexing round the edges of the cavum concha.
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of the earpiece 16 having the speaker 20 inserted into the bore 34 and snapped into the snapping element 32.
  • the second wax filter 40 is shown as inserted into the snapping element 32.
  • the earpiece 16 in figure 3 shows the pull out string 44, whereas the earpiece according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 4 does not have a pull out string.
  • Figure 5 shows the canal element 24 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view where the snapping element 32 is inserted into the bore 34 and the second wax filter 40 is inserted into the snapping element 32.
  • the bore 34 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an axial length of 8 mm.
  • the axial length of the bore 34 may be the range between 3 and 10 mm such as in the ranges between 3 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, 9 and 12 mm, or 4 and 11 mm, 5 and 10 mm, 7 and 8 mm, or any combination thereof.
  • the axial length of the bore 34 in fact, may express the axial length of the canal element, i.e. the bore 34 extends through the whole length of the canal element 24.
  • the axial length of the bore 34 is greater than the axial length of the vent 42. As described above with reference to figure 2 by shortening the axial length of the vent 42 the diameter of the vent 42 may be reduced.
  • the axial length of the vent 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is 5.5 mm.
  • the vent 42 may be in the range between 2 and 9 mm, such as in the ranges between 2 and 4 mm, 4 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, or 3 and 8 mm, 4 and 7 mm, 5 and 6 mm, or any combination thereof.
  • Figure 6 shows the canal element 24 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view, where the second wax filter 40 is to be inserted into the snapping element 32.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Description

    Field of invention
  • This invention relates to a hearing device, such as a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, and to an earpiece for a hearing device. In this context an earpiece may be an in-the-ear part or a mould to be used in a hearing aid, and the earpiece may be provided with or without a speaker.
  • Background of invention
  • Generally, a state of the art hearing aid, such as, for example, disclosed in US patent application no.: 2005/0244026 , comprises a flexible earpiece to be inserted into the outer part (sometimes referred to as cartilaginous or softer region) of the ear canal and connected to a BTE device through a connecting tubular element. The flexible earpiece may comprise a receiver, i.e. a hearing aid speaker, mounted on to the earpiece so as to inject sound into the ear canal. This configuration is general known as receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. Alternatively, the BTE comprises the receiver and the sound is injected into the tubular connector communicating the sound to the earpiece.
  • The flexible earpiece may additionally comprise a vent so as to provide an open ear configuration thereby reducing occlusion effects but significantly reducing the allowable gain at which acoustical feedback occurs. Hence the flexible earpiece is particularly for use when hearing impairment of the user of the hearing aid is mild.
  • Further, US patent no.: 5,606,621 discloses a hybrid BTE and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid, where the earpiece is implemented as a CIC element shaped to into the ear canal in such a manner to touch the bony region of the ear canal. By inserting the CIC element deep into the bony region of the ear canal occlusion effect may be avoided while a high gain still may be maintained, since sound communicated through the tissue into the ear canal (instead of from ear opening) may freely escape the ear canal. Hence this hybrid BTE/CIC hearing aid provides benefits for users having a greater hearing impairment.
  • In addition, US patent application no.: 2004/0010181 discloses another hybrid BTE/CIC hearing aid comprising a connector for communicating the processed sound from a processor in the BTE to a speaker in the CIC part. The connector is detachably connected to either the BTE or CIC part and is designed to be inserted in ear canal so deep as to touch the bony part of the ear canal. The connector therefore must be sufficiently rigid to allow the connector to be used to insert and remove the CIC part from the ear canal of the user.
  • The US patent no.: 5,606,621 and US patent application no.: 2004/0010181 basically describe closed systems, i.e. systems, which when positioned in the outer region of the ear canal causes severe occlusion effects, which are caused by encapsulating sound conducted via tissue to the residual space between the tympanic member and closed system earpiece. Hence the purpose of the hearing aids described in these US patent documents is to position the CIC parts in the bony part or the inner most part of the ear canal thereby avoiding occlusion effect, which is not transmitted to the bony part of the ear canal. However, for users the insertion into the bony part of the ear canal may seem rather intrusive.
  • Furthermore, patent application WO 99/07182 discloses an acoustic coupler which is detachably secured to a receiver assembly for deep insertion into an individuals ear canal. The acoustic coupler provides a semirigid, thin walled, cylindrical coupling sleeve that is adapted to be attached to over a cylindrical receiver assembly. Accordingly, a one-fit solution is provided.
  • In addition patent application no. WO01/43498 discloses an in-the-canal hearing device, which includes a flexible receiver suspension grommet. The suspension member includes a tubular portion, which is configured to retain a receiver unit in a position such that sound waves emitted from the receiver are directed through a sound port.
  • Another acoustic coupler for deeply insertion into the ear canal is disclosed in application no. EP1039779 , which describes an acoustic coupler which seals comfortably, and is able to conform to a variety of ear canals, and which has a receiver module mounted in the acoustic coupler.
  • In a further US patent no. US 7,110,562 an earpiece auditory device including a BTE-unit and a completely-in-canal (CIC) component is disclosed. The CIC component is described as an ear mold, which mold is detachably interconnected with a speaker module, preferably using an intermediate sleeve or a detachable locking pin.
  • Accordingly, the above mentioned prior art hearing devices describes how a speaker element may be arranged in an earpiece of a hearing device. However, such solutions may not provide an efficient connection between the speaker element and the earpiece, why at least alternative methods of accommodating the speaker element in the earpiece should be considered.
  • Summary of the invention
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hearing aid earpiece for insertion in the outer part of the ear canal, which accomplishes sufficient gain for users.
  • A particular advantage of the present invention relates to the fact that the earpiece presents an open configuration to the user thus avoiding occlusion, while maintaining a firm fixture for the earpiece in the ear canal.
  • A particular feature of the present invention relates to the designed shape of the earpiece providing the possibility of decreasing the vent diameter, while prohibiting the occlusion effects, and thus enabling greater gain.
  • The above object, advantage and feature together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from below detailed description, are obtained according to a first aspect of the present invention by a hearing device comprising a BTE unit adapted to convert and process sound to an electrical signal, and a tubular element adapted to communicate said electrical signal to an earpiece, wherein said earpiece comprises a canal element adapted to provide a tight fit of said earpiece in an ear canal, wherein the canal element comprises a proximal surface, which faces towards the BTE unit, and a distal surface, which faces towards the tympanic membrane when the earpiece is placed in the ear canal. The canal element further having a bore adapted to receive a speaker element of the hearing device, wherein the speaker element is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the canal element from the proximal surface of the canal element. The speaker element furthermore comprising a circumferential ridge section, and the earpiece further comprising a snapping element as an independent part, which snapping element is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the canal element from a distal surface of the canal element, allowing the circumferential ridge section of said speaker element to snap into engagement with the snapping element of the earpiece thereby maintaining the speaker element in the canal element, in an axially fixed position within the bore of the canal element, wherein further the speaker element comprises an O-ring adapted for providing a tight fit between the speaker element and the canal element.
  • The term "hearing device" should in this context be construed as a hearing aid, such as a BTE possibly with a receiver-in-the-ear RITE solution (receiver is a general term for a speaker within the hearing device technology), a hearing apparatus, or an assistive listening device.
  • By the speaker advantageously comprising an O-ring, a tight fit between the speaker and the canal element is obtained.
  • The speaker is adapted to receive an electrical signal and convert this to a sound pressure in the ear canal so as to improve the hearing of the user.
  • The earpiece according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise a vent extending axially through the canal element. The vent, advantageously, allows sound pressure equalisation between ambient surroundings and the residual space between the tympanic membrane and the canal element, thus removing the occlusion effect experienced by the user of the hearing device.
  • The canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise snapping means for engaging said speaker element to said canal element. The snapping means may be separately mounted in the canal element. The term "snapping" is this context to be construed as detachably engaging, clicking on or locking together of two parts.
  • The speaker element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise a wax filter adapted to protect the speaker element from earwax entering. Alternatively, or in addition the snapping means may comprise an expendable wax filter adapted to further protect the speaker element from earwax entering. The expendable wax filter may, advantageously, be replaced whenever the wax filter is blocked. The earpiece having an outer expendable and an inner wax filter significantly increases the ability for a user to secure the operation of the hearing device. That is, the user may when experiencing decreased sound quality change the expendable wax filter and try the hearing device earpiece with a new expendable wax filter. Obviously, if the user still experiences decreased sound quality, the user may further check the wax filter in the speaker.
  • The canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise an axial bore for receiving said speaker element, said bore having an axial length in the range between 3 and 10 mm such as in the ranges between 3 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, 9 and 12 mm, or 4 and 11 mm, 5 and 10 mm, 7 and 8 mm, or any combination thereof. The axial length of the bore, in fact, may express the axial length of the canal element, i.e. the bore extends through the whole length of the canal element.
  • The vent according to the first aspect of the present invention may have an axial length shorter than the axial length of the bore. By reducing the axial length of the vent advantageously enables a smaller vent diameter to be implemented for achieving the same results. Hence greater gain may be applied in the BTE unit. The canal element may thus comprise a proximal surface, which extends on one plane substantially perpendicular to said ear canal, and a distal surface facing towards the tympanic membrane, which extends on a plurality of planes substantially perpendicular to said ear canal. The terms "distal" and "proximal" should in this context be construed in relation to the BTE unit.
  • The canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a pull-out string extending from the proximal surface at least partly parallel to the tubular element. The pull-out string provides a means for the user to safely pull out the earpiece from the ear, i.e. without pulling the elements apart.
  • The speaker element according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a hole for receiving a flexible member adapted to support said earpiece in said ear canal. The flexible member or ear-grip may be adapted to abut a surface of the outer ear.
  • The canal element according to the first aspect of the present invention may be manufactured by means of rapid manufacturing techniques such as stereo-lithographic manufacturing, selective laser sintering, shape deposition manufacturing or laminated object manufacturing. By using a SLA any customer fit is significantly simplified and customer variances may be incorporated in any earpiece.
  • The above object, advantage and feature together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from below detailed description, are obtained according to a second aspect of the present invention by a hearing device earpiece for connecting to a BTE unit adapted to convert and process sound to an electrical signal through a tubular element adapted to communicate said electrical signal to said earpiece, wherein said earpiece comprises a canal element adapted to provide a tight fit of said earpiece in an ear canal, and a speaker element rotate-ably mounted in said canal element.
  • The earpiece according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any features of the hearing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Brief description of the drawings
  • The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawing, wherein:
    • figure 1, shows a perspective view of a hearing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
    • figure 2, shows an exploded view of a hearing device earpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    • figure 3, shows a side view of the hearing device earpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    • figure 4, shows a cross-sectional view of the hearing device earpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
    • figure 5, shows a perspective view of the hearing device earpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and
    • figure 6, shows a side view of a hearing device earpiece according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
    Detailed description of preferred embodiments
  • In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a hearing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and designated in entirety by reference numeral 10. The hearing device 10 comprises a BTE unit 12 converting sound recorded at the BTE unit 12 and processing said sound in accordance with a particular hearing loss, a connector 14 for communicating an electric processed signal to an earpiece 16. The earpiece 16 is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user and converts the electric processed signal back in to sound pressure.
  • Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the earpiece 16 and part of the connector 14 described with reference to figure 1. The earpiece 16 comprises a speaker 20 connected to the connector 14, which speaker 20 is adapted to convert electrical signals representing processed sound into a sound pressure to be provided in the ear canal of the user of the hearing device. The speaker 20 may advantageously comprise an O-ring 22 for providing a tight fit between the speaker 20 and a canal element 24. The canal element 24 is to be inserted into the outer part of the ear canal of the user of the hearing device 10.
  • The canal element 24 comprises a proximal surface 26, which faces towards the BTE unit 12, and a distal surface 28, which faces towards the tympanic membrane when the earpiece 16 is placed in the ear canal.
  • The speaker 20 comprises a circumferential ridge section 30, which is adapted to snap into engagement with the snapping element 32 thereby maintaining the speaker 20 in the canal element 24 in an axially fixed position within a bore 34 of the canal element 24.
  • The snapping element 32 may be an integral part of the canal element 24 or an independent part inserted into the bore 34 from the distal surface 28. In case the snapping element 32 is an independent part it may comprise a flange 36 axially locking the snapping element 32 against further axial movement towards the proximal surface 26.
  • Hence the speaker 20 is inserted into the bore 34 from the proximal surface 26 of the canal element 24, and the snapping element 32 as an independent part is inserted from distal surface 28 of the canal element 24, where the ridge section 30 on the speaker 20 snaps into the snapping element 32 thus locking the speaker 20 in the canal element 24. In case the snapping element 32 is an integral part of the canal element 24, the speaker 20 is simply inserted from the distal surface 28, where the ridge section 30 on the speaker 20 snaps into the snapping element 32.
  • The speaker 20 comprises a wax filter 38 for protecting the speaker 20 from ear wax produced by the user of the hearing device 10, when the earpiece 16 is inserted into the outer ear canal of the user.
  • In addition, the earpiece 16 comprises a second wax filter 40, which may be expendable so that when ever the user experience that the hearing device 10 has reduced operations then the use may exchange the wax filter 40 by simply removing second wax filter 40 and inserting a new wax filter 40. This functionality is, particularly, advantageous since the user may perform a first test of the operability of the hearing device 10 without needing to travel to an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.
  • The earpiece 16 further comprises a vent 42 for allowing the sound pressure variations in the outer ear canal caused by sound travelling to the ear canal through the tissue and cartilage of the user. Hence the occlusion experienced by the user is significantly reduced. The diameter and length of the vent 42 are determined in accordance with the required gain for compensating a particular hearing impairment. However, by providing a shortened axial length of the vent 42 a smaller diameter may be used achieving the required effects, i.e. occlusion and gain.
  • The earpiece 16 further comprises a pull out string 44 for enabling the user to pull the earpiece 16 out of the ear canal of the user. When inserting the earpiece 16 into the outer ear canal of the user, the user may hold on the part of the speaker 20 extending out of the canal element 24 and gently insert the earpiece into the ear canal.
  • The speaker 20 further comprises a bore 46 for receiving a retention means holding the earpiece 16 in position in the outer ear canal of the user. The retention means, also called an ear grip, provides support to the earpiece 16 by flexing round the edges of the cavum concha.
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of the earpiece 16 having the speaker 20 inserted into the bore 34 and snapped into the snapping element 32. The second wax filter 40 is shown as inserted into the snapping element 32. The earpiece 16 in figure 3 shows the pull out string 44, whereas the earpiece according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 4 does not have a pull out string.
  • Figure 5, shows the canal element 24 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view where the snapping element 32 is inserted into the bore 34 and the second wax filter 40 is inserted into the snapping element 32. The bore 34 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an axial length of 8 mm. However, the axial length of the bore 34 may be the range between 3 and 10 mm such as in the ranges between 3 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, 9 and 12 mm, or 4 and 11 mm, 5 and 10 mm, 7 and 8 mm, or any combination thereof. The axial length of the bore 34, in fact, may express the axial length of the canal element, i.e. the bore 34 extends through the whole length of the canal element 24.
  • The axial length of the bore 34 is greater than the axial length of the vent 42. As described above with reference to figure 2 by shortening the axial length of the vent 42 the diameter of the vent 42 may be reduced. The axial length of the vent 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is 5.5 mm. However, the vent 42 may be in the range between 2 and 9 mm, such as in the ranges between 2 and 4 mm, 4 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, or 3 and 8 mm, 4 and 7 mm, 5 and 6 mm, or any combination thereof.
  • Figure 6, shows the canal element 24 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view, where the second wax filter 40 is to be inserted into the snapping element 32.

Claims (9)

  1. A hearing device comprising
    a BTE unit adapted to convert and process sound to an electrical signal, and
    a tubular element adapted to communicate said electrical signal to an earpiece (16), wherein
    said earpiece comprises a canal element (24) adapted to provide a tight fit of said earpiece (16) in an ear canal, wherein the canal element (24) comprises
    a proximal surface (26), which faces towards said BTE unit (12), and a distal surface (28), which faces towards the tympanic membrane when the earpiece (16) is placed in the ear canal, said canal element further having a bore (34) adapted to receive a speaker element (20) of said hearing device, wherein said speaker element (20) is adapted to be inserted into said bore (34) of said canal element (24) from the proximal surface (26) of the canal element (24), and said speaker element (20) comprises a circumferential ridge section (30), and
    said earpiece further comprising a snapping element (32) as an independent part, which snapping element (32) is adapted to be inserted into said bore (34) of said canal element from a distal surface (28) of the canal element (24), wherein said circumferential ridge section (30) of said speaker element (32) is adapted to snap into engagement with the snapping element (32) of said earpiece thereby maintaining the speaker element (20) in the canal element (24), in an axially fixed position within the bore (34) of the canal element (24), characterized in that the speaker element (20) further comprises an O-ring (22) adapted for providing a tight fit between the speaker element (20) and the canal element (24).
  2. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said speaker element (20) comprises a wax filter (40).
  3. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said snapping element (32) comprises an expendable waxfilter (40).
  4. A hearing device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said earpiece further comprises a vent (42) extending axially through said canal element (24).
  5. A hearing device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said bore of said canal element (24) has an axial length in the range between 3 and 12 mm such as in the ranges between 3 and 6 mm, 6 and 9 mm, 9 and 12 mm, or 4 and 11 mm, 5 and 10 mm, 7 and 8 mm, or any combination thereof.
  6. A hearing device according to claim 5, wherein said vent (42) has an axial length shorter than the axial length of said bore of said canal element (24).
  7. A hearing device according to claim 6, wherein said canal element (24) further comprises a pull-out string extending from the proximal surface at least partly parallel to the tubular element.
  8. A hearing device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said speaker element (20) further comprises a hole for receiving a flexible member adapted to support said earpiece in said ear canal.
  9. A hearing device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said canal element (24) is manufactured by means of rapid manufacturing techniques.
EP10183709.4A 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 Hearing device and earpiece Active EP2309779B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK10183709.4T DK2309779T3 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 Hearing aid and earpiece
EP10183709.4A EP2309779B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 Hearing device and earpiece

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06121538.0A EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece
EP10183709.4A EP2309779B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 Hearing device and earpiece

Related Parent Applications (5)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06121538.0A Division EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece
EP06121538.0A Previously-Filed-Application EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece
EP06121538.0A Division-Into EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece
EP06121538.0 Division 2006-09-29
EP06121538 Previously-Filed-Application 2006-09-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2309779A1 EP2309779A1 (en) 2011-04-13
EP2309779B1 true EP2309779B1 (en) 2017-05-10

Family

ID=37770883

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06121538.0A Revoked EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece
EP10183709.4A Active EP2309779B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 Hearing device and earpiece

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06121538.0A Revoked EP1906699B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2006-09-29 hearing device and earpiece

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1906699B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101159993B (en)
DK (2) DK2309779T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK2351382T3 (en) * 2008-09-26 2013-08-19 Oticon As Hearing aid with interchangeable sheath parts and wireless communication
US8800712B2 (en) 2011-08-25 2014-08-12 Magnatone Hearing Aid Corporation Ear tip piece for attenuating sound
DK2849461T3 (en) * 2013-09-16 2017-11-27 Oticon As Filter element
KR101372383B1 (en) * 2013-10-24 2014-03-12 최원석 Sound detector
EP3706440A1 (en) 2019-03-08 2020-09-09 GN Hearing A/S Hearing device with vent

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0312000Y2 (en) 1981-04-20 1991-03-22
DE8518681U1 (en) 1985-06-27 1986-06-12 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Hearing aid
US5002151A (en) 1986-12-05 1991-03-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Ear piece having disposable, compressible polymeric foam sleeve
CN2062533U (en) * 1989-11-09 1990-09-19 陈荣权 Micro hearing aid hidden in ear
US5887070A (en) 1992-05-08 1999-03-23 Etymotic Research, Inc. High fidelity insert earphones and methods of making same
US5606621A (en) 1995-06-14 1997-02-25 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Hybrid behind-the-ear and completely-in-canal hearing aid
AR012683A1 (en) 1997-07-29 2000-11-08 Decibel Instr Inc AN INTRACANAL ACOUSTIC COUPLER, THE INTRACANAL ACOUSTIC ADAPTER THAT CONTAINS IT AND A CONTAINER DISTRIBUTION DEVICE THAT CONTAINS IT
US6129174A (en) 1998-12-30 2000-10-10 Decibel Instruments, Inc. Minimal contact replaceable acoustic coupler
US6359993B2 (en) 1999-01-15 2002-03-19 Sonic Innovations Conformal tip for a hearing aid with integrated vent and retrieval cord
WO2001043499A1 (en) * 1999-12-10 2001-06-14 Sonic Innovations, Inc. Conformal tip for a hearing device with integrated vent and retrieval cord
AU2067001A (en) 1999-12-10 2001-06-18 Sonic Innovations, Inc. Receiver suspension device for an in-the-canal hearing aid
US7110562B1 (en) * 2001-08-10 2006-09-19 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US7139404B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2006-11-21 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
JP3742330B2 (en) 2001-10-31 2006-02-01 スター精密株式会社 Insertion type earphone
US8184839B2 (en) 2004-01-07 2012-05-22 Etymotic Research, Inc. One-size-fits-most hearing aid
DE102004016577A1 (en) 2004-03-31 2005-07-28 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Head-set with hearing-aid functionality e.g. for mobile phone, has ear-piece releasably joined to head-set module
DK1594340T3 (en) 2004-05-03 2012-08-27 Gn Resound As Flexible earpiece for a hearing aid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1906699A1 (en) 2008-04-02
DK1906699T3 (en) 2017-03-20
CN101159993A (en) 2008-04-09
EP2309779A1 (en) 2011-04-13
CN101159993B (en) 2013-10-09
DK2309779T3 (en) 2017-08-07
EP1906699B1 (en) 2017-01-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8437489B2 (en) Hearing instrument
US8218803B2 (en) Receiver facility with an elastically mounted receiver
EP1681904B1 (en) Hearing instrument
EP2449797B1 (en) Hearing device with a vent extension
US9467787B2 (en) Hearing aid with a replaceable insertion cap
KR101564522B1 (en) Hearing aid with a bushing for an ear wax guard
US10440485B2 (en) Hearing aid and earpiece
KR20120088878A (en) Ear plug for a hearing aid and a hearing aid
US20090082801A1 (en) Tool for inserting a receiver of a hearing apparatus into an auditory canal
EP2309779B1 (en) Hearing device and earpiece
US8098866B2 (en) Receiver device with manipulable sound outlet direction
US8411889B2 (en) Hearing system with positioning device and corresponding positioning method
US8116496B2 (en) Earpiece for a hearing device with bayonet fitting
US10993055B2 (en) Elastomeric wax barrier for hearing aid acoustic port
US8290187B2 (en) Hearing device and earpiece therefore
US9025807B2 (en) Couplable hearing apparatus for a hearing device, coupling element and hearing device
US20230319495A1 (en) Hearing device
US20230403521A1 (en) Earpiece for a hearing device and a method of detachable assembly of an earpiece of a hearing device
EP4254985A1 (en) A hearing device
EP4254984A1 (en) A hearing device

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

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 1906699

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20111013

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20120214

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20161215

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 1906699

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 893466

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170515

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006052538

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

Effective date: 20170803

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20170510

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 893466

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170510

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

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170811

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

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

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170810

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170910

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

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006052538

Country of ref document: DE

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

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

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: 20180213

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

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20170930

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20170929

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20170929

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20170930

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

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20060929

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

Ref country code: CY

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

Effective date: 20170510

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

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

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

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170510

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20231001

Year of fee payment: 18

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240829

Year of fee payment: 19

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

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20240830

Year of fee payment: 19

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240830

Year of fee payment: 19

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240830

Year of fee payment: 19