Patents by Inventor Lynn P. Creel
Lynn P. Creel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7217335Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hearing aid preferably includes the steps of: placing a moldable material in the ear canal of a patient to cast a form; using the form to form a hollow shell with an outer surface that approximates the shape of the patient's ear canal, the shell being of a soft polymeric material providing a mounting member; mounting electronic hearing aid components to the mounting member; joining the mounting member to the hollow shell to define a mold cavity; and filling the shell with a soft polymeric material that substantially encapsulates at least one of the electronic components and bonds to the mounting member, wherein the combination of shell, electronic components and soft polymeric material define a soft structure that is compliant to ear canal movement during use.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Publication number: 20040252854Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: SOFTEAR TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6761789Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6728383Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6695943Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Publication number: 20020198437Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: SOFTEAR TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6473512Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a soft-solid elastomer custom ear device into which electronics are embedded provides a completely in-the-ear hearing aid with a soft body. This technology replaces hard acrylic ear molding. This hearing aid by virtue of its soft-solid design, meets the needs of the dynamic human ear canal which cannot be met with conventional hard acrylic molding. This hearing aid provides improved comfort and sound quality by better adapting to the dynamic changes in the ear canal which occur during everyday activities. This soft custom body also provides for ear-worn configurations of all subminiature electronic devices requiring discrete coupling to the human ear. These devices include digital telephones, cellular telephones, pagers, two-way communication systems, clocks, recorders, and many other subminiature technologies.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6438244Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Softear TechnologiesInventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6434248Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6432247Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Publication number: 20020032362Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6354990Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Softear Technology, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6254526Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6228020Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Softear Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle, Kelly M. Kinler
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Patent number: 6022311Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a soft-solid elastomer custom ear device into which electronics can be embedded provides a completely in-the-ear hearing aid with a soft body. This technology can replace hard acrylic ear molding. This hearing aid by virtue of its soft-solid design, meets the needs of the dynamic human ear canal which cannot be met with conventional hard acrylic molding. This hearing aid provides improved comfort and sound quality by better adapting to the dynamic changes in the ear canal which occur during everyday activities. This soft custom body also provides for ear-worn configurations of all subminiature electronic devices requiring discrete coupling to the human ear. These devices include digital telephones, cellular telephones, pagers, two-way communication systems, clocks, recorders, and many other subminiature technologies.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: General Hearing Instrument, Inc.Inventors: Roger P. Juneau, Lynn P. Creel, Edward J. Desporte, Michael Major, Gregory R. Siegle