Patent US4015144A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3594514A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3594514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid with piezoelectric ceramic element
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1970-01-02
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1990-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Implantable hearing aid apparatus having a piezoelectric ceramic element mounted adjacent to the auditory conductive system of the middle ear for imparting vibration thereto. The piezoelectric element being electrically connected to electrical circuitry for providing electrical signals representative of sound waves. The electrical circuitry and the piezoelectric element being properly encapsulated for implantation within the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Wingrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/60; H04R25/604; H04R25/606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
In an implantable hearing aid including means for providing electrical signals representative of and derived from sound waves, piezoelectric ceramic means connected to receive the electrical signals, and further means operatively connected to said piezoelectric ceramic means and adapted to be mounted to contact a portion of a middle ear of an animal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
In an implantable hearing aid including means for providing electrical signals representative of and derived from sound waves, piezoelectric ceramic means connected to receive the electrical signals, and further means operatively connected to said piezoelectric ceramic means and adapted to be mounted to contact a portion of a middle ear of an animal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said piezoelectric ceramic means comprises a bimorphic element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said further means is adapted to be mounted to contact the auditory ossicles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said further means is adapted to be mounted to contact the oval window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said piezoelectric ceramic means is substantially rectangular and said piezoelectric ceramic means has one end adapted to be mounted to the mastoid bone in an ear of an animal, the other end connected to said further means adapted to extend to contact the portion of the middle ear of an animal for imparting vibrations thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
An implantable hearing aid comprising: electrical circuit means for providing electrical signals representative of sound waves; piezoelectric ceramic means for converting the electrical signals to mechanical vibrations; electrically conductive means connecting said circuit means to said piezoelectric means; all said means being encapsulated in a substance substantially inert to body fluids and tissue; said encapsulated piezoelectric ceramic means adapted to be mounted to contact a portion of the structure of the ear of an animal for imparting vibrations thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
An implantable hearing aid comprising: electrical circuit means for providing electrical signals representative of sound waves; piezoelectric ceramic means for converting the electrical signals to mechanical vibrations; electrically conductive means connecting said circuit means to said piezoelectric means; all said means being encapsulated in a substance substantially inert to body fluids and tissue; said encapsulated piezoelectric ceramic means adapted to be mounted to contact a portion of the structure of the ear of an animal for imparting vibrations thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hearing aid of claim 6 in which said encapsulated piezoelectric ceramic means is operatively connected to further means adapted to contact a portion of the structure of the ear of an animal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hearing aid of claim 6 in which said piezoelectric ceramic means comprises a bimorphic element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The hearing aid of claim 8 in which said bimorphic element is substantially rectangular and said bimorphic element has one end adapted to be mounted to the mastoid bone in an ear of an animal and the other end adapted to extend to contact a portion of the middle ear of an animal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hearing aid of claim 6 in which said electrical circuit means comprises electrical receiver means for receiving electrical signals from a transmitter external to the body in which the hearing aid is implanted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hearing aid of claim 6 in which said electrical circuit means includes mechanical-electrical transducer means for transforming sound waves into electrical signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hearing aid of claim 11 in which said transducer means comprises second piezoelectric ceramic means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hearing aid of claim 12 in which said second piezoelectric ceramic means comprises a second bimorphic element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US2995633A
Cited
US3209081A
Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |