Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and one or more microphones in a magnetic bone conduction hearing device. Such systems, devices, components and methods include acoustically sealing or welding first and second compartments of the hearing device from one another, where the first compart contains the one or more microphones, and the second compart contains the transducer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 22, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2019
Assignee:
Sophono, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C. Haller, Todd C. Wyant, Nicholas F. Pergola
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 4, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 10, 2017
Assignee:
SOPHONO, INC.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C. Haller, Todd C. Wyant, Nicholas F. Pergola
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for adjustable bone conduction hearing aids where a patient or health care provided can select different positions of a magnetic spacer on a patient's skull after a magnetic implant has been implanted beneath the patient's skin and affixed to the patient's skull.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2012
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignee:
Sophono, Inc.
Inventors:
James F. Kasic, Nicholas F. Pergola, Markus C. Haller
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for improving acoustic coupling between a bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) and a patient's head or skull. Such systems, devices, components and methods include disposing a gel or paste between the BCHD and the patient's skin, hair and/or skull. The gel or paste improves the transmission of acoustic signals generated by a transducer in the BCHD to the patients head or skull by providing a more efficient and improved intermediary acoustic medium for the transmission of acoustic signals to the patient's head or skull.
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 9, 2016
Assignee:
SOPHONO, INC.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C Haller, Todd C Wyant, Nicholas F Pergola
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for mechanically coupling a bone conduction hearing aid, or a spacer or other device for a bone conduction hearing aid, to an abutment of a bone screw affixed to a patient's skull. Some embodiments of abutment attachment mechanisms employ axially-directed forces to secure a hearing aid to an abutment of a bone screw, while others employ radially directed forces to secure a hearing aid to an abutment of a bone screw.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
SOPHONO, INC.
Inventors:
James F. Kasic, Nicholas F. Pergola, Markus C. Haller
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2015
Assignee:
SOPHONO, INC.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C. Haller, Todd C. Wyant, Nicholas F. Pergola
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for a magnetic hearing aid system comprising an implantable sound transmission device configured for implantation in a patient's skull. The sound transmission device is configured to receive acoustic signals generated by an EM transducer in a magnetic hearing aid that are transmitted through the patient's skin, and to transmit the received acoustic signals to the patient's cochlea via one or more sound-transmitting metal members. According to some embodiments, the sound transmission device is curved to permit optimal placement of the hearing aid and corresponding magnetic implant behind a patient's ear.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2015
Assignee:
Sophono, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C Haller, Todd C Wyant, Nicholas F Pergola
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for improving acoustic coupling between a bone conduction hearing device (BCHD) and a patient's head or skull. Such systems, devices, components and methods include disposing a gel or paste between the BCHD and the patient's skin, hair and/or skull. The gel or paste improves the transmission of acoustic signals generated by a transducer in the BCHD to the patients head or skull by providing a more efficient and improved intermediary acoustic medium for the transmission of acoustic signals to the patient's head or skull.
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Publication date:
September 18, 2014
Applicant:
Sophono, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C. Haller, Todd C. Wyant, Nicholas F. Pergola
Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for reducing feedback between a transducer and a microphone in a magnetic bone conduction hearing aid. Such systems, devices, components and methods include providing encapsulation compartments for the transducer and/or the microphone, and providing an acoustically-isolating housing for the microphone that is separate and apart from the main housing of the hearing aid.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Publication date:
September 18, 2014
Applicant:
Sophono,Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C. Haller, Todd C. Wyant, Nicholas F. Pergola
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for a magnetic hearing aid system comprising an implantable sound transmission device configured for implantation in a patient's skull. The sound transmission device is configured to receive acoustic signals generated by an EM transducer in a magnetic hearing aid that are transmitted through the patient's skin, and to transmit the received acoustic signals to the patient's cochlea via one or more sound-transmitting metal members. According to some embodiments, the sound transmission device is curved to permit optimal placement of the hearing aid and corresponding magnetic implant behind a patient's ear.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 27, 2014
Publication date:
September 18, 2014
Applicant:
Sophono, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Ruppersberg, Markus C Haller, Todd C Wyant, Nicholas F Pergola
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for an implantable cover configured to operate in conjunction with a magnetic implant in a bone conduction hearing aid system. According to some embodiments, the cover is configured and shaped to minimize patient discomfort and increase the positionability of the magnetic implant on the patient's skull when the magnetic implant and the cover are together implanted beneath the patient's skin, the cover is disposed over at least portions of the magnetic implant, and the magnetic implant is affixed to the patient's skull.
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for magnetically coupling ferrous or magnetic spacers of bone conduction hearing aids to ferrous or magnetic bone screws or implants affixed to a patient's skull. In one embodiment, a spacer is provided that is configured to magnetically couple the hearing aid to an abutment and corresponding bone screw, or to an implanted ferrous or magnetic member, that is affixed to the patient's skull.
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for adjustable bone conduction hearing aids where a patient or health care provided can select different positions of a magnetic spacer on a patient's skull after a magnetic implant has been implanted beneath the patient's skin and affixed to the patient's skull.
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for mechanically coupling a bone conduction hearing aid, or a spacer or other device for a bone conduction hearing aid, to an abutment of a bone screw affixed to a patient's skull. Some embodiments of abutment attachment mechanisms employ axially-directed forces to secure a hearing aid to an abutment of a bone screw, while others employ radially directed forces to secure a hearing aid to an abutment of a bone screw.
Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for magnetic spacers configured for use in conjunction with bone conduction hearing aids and corresponding magnetic implants. According to some embodiments, the magnetic spacers are configured to vary the amount and/or orientation or direction of magnetic coupling force provided thereby.
Abstract: Provided are bone conducting hearing devices having a normal force that secures the device to a user. A removable adhesive anchor secures an external component of the bone conducting hearing device to the user and provides reliable connecting that is comfortable, such as by a substantially uniform force generation over the contact area between the device and the user. Because the adhesive anchor is removable, a user can readily and reliably remove the device or connect the device, as desired. Also provide are methods of connecting any of the bone conducting hearing devices provided herein to a user, including the mastoid process of the user.