US4601294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ear canal electrode
Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC
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Filing: 1982-09-27
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2002-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A non-invasive, external ear canal electrode useful for transmitting sound stimulus to an ear canal and for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal epidermal surface comprising an electroconductive tube having a resilient annnular sensor comprising a silver conductor attached to the end to be placed in the ear.
Inventors
- 👤 Hal C. Danby
- 👤 Myron A. Beigler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0541; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6815; A61B5/6817; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/04; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0209; A61B2562/0215; A61B2562/0217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A non-invasive, external ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal and the tube means having a distal end, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for pressing outward against the inner surface of the ear canal and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flared disk portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for contacting the ear canal surface, the flared disk portion having an outer conductive coating thereof and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A non-invasive, external ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal and the tube means having a distal end, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for pressing outward against the inner surface of the ear canal and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flared disk portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for contacting the ear canal surface, the flared disk portion having an outer conductive coating thereof and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the conductive tube means has a conductive flange in electrical contact with the outer conductive coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 1 wherein the conductive tube means is a metal tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 1 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 1 wherein the conductive coating is a continuous conductive organic polymer layer covering said outer sensing means and an inner surface of the tubular portion in engagement with the conductive tube means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 5 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means, wherein the resilient annular sensor means is a flared annular disk surrounding and mounted on the distal end of the conductive tube means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means, wherein the resilient annular sensor means is a flared annular disk surrounding and mounted on the distal end of the conductive tube means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having a distal end, an resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for contacting the ear canal surface and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flange portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the flange portion having an outer conductive coating thereon and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having a distal end, an resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for contacting the ear canal surface and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flange portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the flange portion having an outer conductive coating thereon and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 8 wherein the conductive tube means comprises a means for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the conductive tube means has conductive flange in electrical contact with the outer conductive coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 9 wherein the conductive tube means is a metal tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 9 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 9 wherein the conductive coating is a continuous conductive organic polymer layer covering said outer sensing means and an inner surface of the tubular portion in engagement with the conductive tube means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 13 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 15 wherein the resilient annular sensor means is a flared annular disk surrounding and mounted on the distal end of the conductive tube means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a conductive tube means for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal and having a distal end, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for contacting the ear canal surface and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flange portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the flange portion having an outer conductive coating thereof and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a conductive tube means for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal and having a distal end, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on the distal end thereof for contacting the ear canal surface and sensing electrical signals thereon, the annular sensor means having a resilient flange portion which extends radially outward beyond other elements at the distal end for pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the flange portion having an outer conductive coating thereof and a tubular portion concentrically mounted on and engaging the conductive tube means, the conductive coating being in electrical contact with the conductive tube means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 17 wherein the distal end of the conductive tube means has a conductive flange in electrical contact with the outer conductive coating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 17 wherein the conductive tube means is a metal tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 17 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 17 wherein the conductive coating is a continuous conductive organic polymer layer covering said outer sensing means and an inner surface of the tubular portion in engagement with the conductive tube means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 21 wherein the conductive tube means is a plastic tube having a conductive layer supported on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a conductive tube means having an open distal end for transmitting electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, a resilient annular sensor means mounted on and surrounding the distal end thereof for resiliently pressing outwardly against the inner surface of the ear canal, the resilient annular sensor means having a conductive surface means for picking up electrical signals from the ear canal surface and for transmitting the electrical signals to the conductive tube means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for diagnosing hearing defects of claim 23 wherein the resilient annular sensor means is a flared annular disk surrounding and mounted on the distal end of the conductive tube means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4122841A
Cited
US4073287A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |