US3752939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthetic device for the deaf
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1972-02-04
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-02-04
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method and apparatus for inducing the sensation of intelligible hearing by direct electrical excitation of the auditory nerve endings distributed along the basilar membrane within the cochlea. An electrode is positioned within the lower scala of the cochlea by insertion through the round window. The electrode consists of a resilient base member shaped to conform to the inner surface of the lower scala, such base member extending along the basilar membrane. The base member retains a pair of conductors which extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane. Means are also provided for transmitting an excitation signal to a receiver implanted with and connected to the conductors. Several configurations for the electrode are disclosed as well as several techniques for the excitation thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 M Bartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0541; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/20; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36036; A61N1/36038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for inducing sensations of hearing in a human subject comprising an elongate curved electrode adapted to be positioned within the lower scala of a cochlea of the subject, with the electrode extending lengthwise along a portion of the lower scala, receiving means coupled to said electrode for receiving an electrical excitation signal being an analog of an externally generated audio signal and for applying said excitation signal uniformly to said electrode, and transmitting means responsive to said externally generated audio signal for transmitting said electrical excitation signal to said receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for inducing sensations of hearing in a human subject comprising an elongate curved electrode adapted to be positioned within the lower scala of a cochlea of the subject, with the electrode extending lengthwise along a portion of the lower scala, receiving means coupled to said electrode for receiving an electrical excitation signal being an analog of an externally generated audio signal and for applying said excitation signal uniformly to said electrode, and transmitting means responsive to said externally generated audio signal for transmitting said electrical excitation signal to said receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrode includes an elongate resilient base member shaped to substantially conform to part of the inner surface of the lower scala, and a pair of conductors secured to said base member for receiving said electrical excitation signal from said receiving means, said conductors extending lengthwise of the base member whereby each of the conductors is positioned proximate auditory nerve endings distributed along the same longitudinal section of the cochlea.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base member has a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the portion of the lower scala within which it is positioned whereby flow of cochlea fluid past the base member is relatively unimpeded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said transmitting means comprises: transducer means responsive to said externally generated audio signal for converting said audio signal into said electrical excitation signal; and transmitting antenna means adapted to be positioned adjacent the external ear of the subject for radiating said excitation signal; and wherein said receiving means for receiving and applying said excitation signal to said conductors comprises; receiving antenna means adapted to be positioned under the skin adjacent said external ear; and a pair of electrical leads connected between said receiving antenna means and said conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said receiving antenna means is connected via said electrical leads to said conductors, said receiving antenna means and said leads being imbedded within a resilient material, said receiving antenna means being adapted to be implanted between the skin and the temporal bone of the skull, posterior to the ear of the subject, and wherein said transducer means and said transmitting antenna means are positioned exterior to the skin, said transmitting antenna means being adapted to be positioned posterior to said ear adjacent to said receiving antenna means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said transmitting means further comprises: means for generating a carrier signal having a frequency outside of the audio spectrum, said carrier signal being coupled to said transmitting antenna means; and means for modulating said carrier signal with said electrical excitation signal; and wherein said means for receiving and applying said excitation signal to said conductors further includes: tuned circuit means having a resonant frequency corresponding to the frequency of said carrier signal; and means coupled between said tuned circuit means and said pair of electrical leads for demodulating said carrier signal and for applying said excitation signal to said electrical leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said modulator means is an amplitude modulator and wherein said means for demodulating comprises: a diode coupled between said tuned circuit means and said pair of electrical leads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said tuned circuit means, said demodulator means and said receiving antenna means are formed on a microelectronic substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said transmitting means comprises: permanent magnet means permanently attached to the stapes of the auditory ossicles of the subject; and wherein said receiving means includes, an inductive pick-up coil imbedded within said resilient base member and connected to said conductors, said inductive pick-up coil being positioned adjacent said permanent magnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said conductors are flexible and are imbedded within said base member in side-by-side relationship proximate to the basilar membrane of the cochlea.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein a portion of each said conductor projects beyond the outer periphery of said base member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said conductors are positioned on opposite sides of said base member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said conductors includes multiple point contacts imbedded within said base member, said point contacts being arranged along a line adapted to extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane within the cochlea; and a conductive coating on the surface of said base member, said point contacts being in electrical contact with said coating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said receiving means applies a potential of at least 0.05 volts across said condUctors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for inducing sensations of hearing in a human subject comprising elongate electrode means adapted to be positioned in a cochlea of the subject, lengthwise of a portion of the lower scala, responsive to an alternating electrical excitation signal for applying a uniform electrical field to stimulate auditory nerve endings located along a corresponding lengthwise portion of the basilar membrane to which said electrode means is proximate, and generator means for inductively coupling to said electrode means an alternating electrical excitation signal which is an analog of an audio signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for inducing sensations of hearing in a human subject comprising elongate electrode means adapted to be positioned in a cochlea of the subject, lengthwise of a portion of the lower scala, responsive to an alternating electrical excitation signal for applying a uniform electrical field to stimulate auditory nerve endings located along a corresponding lengthwise portion of the basilar membrane to which said electrode means is proximate, and generator means for inductively coupling to said electrode means an alternating electrical excitation signal which is an analog of an audio signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said electrode means includes an elongate curved resilient base member and a pair of elongate conductors secured to said base member lengthwise thereof whereby said conductors are positioned lengthwise of the cochlea.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said generator means includes first means adapted to be implanted under the skin of the subject for applying said excitation signal to said conductor; and second means responsive to said audio signal for inductively coupling said excitation signal to said first means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of said conductors comprises an elongate member adapted to extend parallel to the length of the basilar membrane and wherein said generator means generates a uniform field along a substantial portion of said basilar membrane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said generating means is operative to generate a uniform field along a substantial portion of said basilar membrane.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for inducing the sensation of hearing in a human subject comprising: positioning an electrode within the cochlea, said electrode including a base member and a pair of conductors retained upon said base member said electrode being positioned with said conductors extending longitudinally along a portion of the chamber; and inductively coupling an electrical excitation signal being an analog of an externally generated audio signal to said conductors.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for inducing the sensation of hearing in a human subject comprising: positioning an electrode within the cochlea, said electrode including a base member and a pair of conductors retained upon said base member said electrode being positioned with said conductors extending longitudinally along a portion of the chamber; and inductively coupling an electrical excitation signal being an analog of an externally generated audio signal to said conductors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 wherein a potential of not less than about 0.05 volts is impressed across said conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of inductively coupling an electrical excitation signal to said conductors comprises: implanting a receiving antenna under the skin adjacent the external ear; connecting said receiving antenna to said conductors; positioning a transducer externally of the skin, said transducer converting said externally generated audio signal into said electrical excitation signal; coupling the output of said transducer to a transmitting antenna; and positioning said transmitting antenna externally of the skin adjacent the external ear adjacent said receiving antenna.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the step of coupling the output of said transducer to a transmitting antenna comprises: generating a carrier signal having a frequency outside of the audio spectrum; coupling said carrier signal to said transmitting antenna; modulating said carrier signal with said electrical excitation signal; and wherein said step of connecting said receiving antenna to said conductors comprises: connecting said receiving antenna to a tuned circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the frequency of said carrier signal; demodulating said carrier signal; and coupling said demodulated carrier signal to said electrical leads.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of inductively coupling an electrical excitation signal to said conductors comprises: attaching a permanent magnet to the stapes of the auditory ossicles; embedding an inductive pick-up coil within said base member; connecting said inductive pick-up coil to said conductors; and positioning said inductive pick-up coil adjacent said permanent magnet.
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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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |