Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An artificial sound generating apparatus for use by a living host in the production of simulated speech, said apparatus comprising in combination, a sound source, an electrical power source for said sound source and coupling means for electrically coupling the sound source and the power source, characterised in that the sound source is implantable adjacent to the throat cavity of the host and comprises a body member (10), a vibratable diaphragm (14) forming an enclosure with said body member and an electrical-acoustic transducer (22) mounted in the enclosure and connected to the diaphragm to produce vibration thereof upon supply of electrical power from said power source, the power source (42) is disposed exteriorly of the host's body and has external electrical leads (40), and the coupling means (30, 36, 38) electrically connects the external electrical leads of the power source to the internal leads (24) from the transducer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An artificial sound generating apparatus for use by a living host in the production of simulated speech, said apparatus comprising in combination, a sound source, an electrical power source for said sound source and coupling means for electrically coupling the sound source and the power source, characterised in that the sound source is implantable adjacent to the throat cavity of the host and comprises a body member (10), a vibratable diaphragm (14) forming an enclosure with said body member and an electrical-acoustic transducer (22) mounted in the enclosure and connected to the diaphragm to produce vibration thereof upon supply of electrical power from said power source, the power source (42) is disposed exteriorly of the host's body and has external electrical leads (40), and the coupling means (30, 36, 38) electrically connects the external electrical leads of the power source to the internal leads (24) from the transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said body member and the diaphragm are of metal and are laser welded to one another around the periphery of the diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the exterior of the said body is provided with a coating for the promotion of tissue growth thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said body is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced suture-receiving bores (18).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein coupling means comprise: a hollow electric secondary induction coil (30) implantable within the host body with the coil hollow (34) exposed, and a coupling core member (36) insertable through the thus implanted hollow coil and carrying a primary induction coil (38) for transfer of energy therefrom to the said secondary induction coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupling core member is split and is releasable from the secondary induction coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An implantable sound source as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling core member comprises two separate parts spring urged into engagement with one another for insertion through the hollow secondary coil and release therefrom.