Patents Assigned to Sonitus Medical, Inc.
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Patent number: 8177705Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20120116779Abstract: Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus which utilize removable oral-based appliances having actuators which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance are described. Such oral appliances may receive the user's voice and process the voice to introduce a time delay and/or a frequency shift. The altered audio feedback signal is then transmitted back to the user through a tooth, teeth, or other bone via a vibrating actuator element. The actuator element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI, Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 8170242Abstract: Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Amir Abolfathi
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Patent number: 8160279Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental patch are disclosed herein. The patch assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded intra-orally on a tooth or oral tissue. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Patent number: 8150075Abstract: An intra-oral hearing appliance includes an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth without contacting the occlusal surfaces of the one or more teeth.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, John Spiridigliozzi
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Publication number: 20110319021Abstract: Intra-oral tissue conduction microphone apparatus and methods are described for internal, but non-surgically installed microphones located in the oral cavity. An intra-oral tissue conduction microphone may be attached, adhered or integrated with a removable dental appliance which is positioned against the inside surfaces of the cheek, palate or gingiva. The sensor serves as a component in a non-observable hearing, body sound monitoring or communications device that can operate in environments incompatible with most existing devices. Generally, a piezoelectric film serves as the sensor that is well matched to tissue and which directly converts to an electrical signal by the piezoelectric effect signals which are received through the oral mucosa, gingiva or palate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Timothy L. PROULX, Reza KASSAYAN
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Publication number: 20110280416Abstract: An intra-oral hearing appliance includes an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir A. ABOLFATHI, John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI
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Publication number: 20110245584Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 8023676Abstract: An electronic and transducer device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a two-way communication assembly. The device contains a motion sensor to detect external forces imposed on the user such as an explosion, for example. The information is stored for medical treatment, among others. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a medical tag containing patient identifiable information. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, John Spiridigliozzi
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Patent number: 7974845Abstract: Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus which utilize removable oral-based appliances having actuators which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance are described. Such oral appliances may receive the user's voice and process the voice to introduce a time delay and/or a frequency shift. The altered audio feedback signal is then transmitted back to the user through a tooth, teeth, or other bone via a vibrating actuator element. The actuator element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: John Spiridigliozzi, Amir A. Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20110116659Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 7945068Abstract: An intra-oral hearing appliance includes an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, John Spiridigliozzi
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Publication number: 20110081031Abstract: An intra-oral appliance for transmitting sound via bone conduction and optimized for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and extended wear by the user including an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Publication number: 20110026740Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 7876906Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20110007920Abstract: An intra-oral apparatus includes a bracket having a base to secure the bracket to a tooth, the bracket having an appliance attachment, and an electronic module having an attachment point to releasably secure the electronic module to the appliance attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI, Reza KASSAYAN
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Publication number: 20110002492Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may include a bracket which is adhered or affixed onto the tooth or teeth and an electronics and/or transducer assembly which may be removably coupled to the bracket. The electronic and/or transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to the bracket for transmission into the underlying tooth or other bone structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI
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Publication number: 20100322449Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 7854698Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20100312568Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI