Implantable piezoelectric hearing aid
Abstract
Abstract AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING AID APPARATUS IS DESCRIBED USING A PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE. ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE DEVICE IS A BENDABLE PIEZOELECTRIC MEMBER WHICH MAY BE INSERTED BETWEEN TWO BONES IN THE OSSICULAR CHAIN OF THE MIDDLE EAR FOR MOVEMENT OF SUCH BONES IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN AUDIO FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SIGNL APPLIED TO SUCH TRANSDUCER. ANOTHER EMBODIMENT OF THE TRANSDUCER MEMBER US A CYLINDRICAL PIEZOELECTRIC MEMBER WHICH ELONGATES WHEN A SIGNAL IS APPLIED THERETO FOR MOVEMENT OF THE OSSICULAR BONES. THE TRANSDUCER MAY ALSO BE USED AS A PICKUP DEVICE TO SENSE THE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT OF THE OSSICULAR BONES AND PRODUCE A CORRESPONDING ELECTRICAL OUTPUT SIGNAL WHICH MAY BE APPLIED TO THE NERVES OF THE INNER EAR.
Inventors
- 👤 J Epley
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |