Abstract: A system for reducing the vibration sensitivity of an implantable microphone without an equal or greater reduction in sound sensitivity. The system reduces non-ambient vibrations by placing at least one compliant member into the path of transmission for tissue-borne vibration, but not into the path for ambient sound-induced vibration. More particularly, a compliant member is interposed along the path between a source of non-ambient vibration and an implanted microphone. In one aspect, a compliant base member is disposed between an implanted microphone and an implant wearer's skull. In another aspect, a microphone is compliantly suspended relative to an implant housing using a support membrane. In either aspect, the compliant member (i.e., base member and/or membrane) and the supported member (i.e., housing and/or microphone) define a supported system having a natural or resonant frequency. This natural frequency may be set to a value to advantageously isolate the microphone against transmitted vibration.

Abstract: An implanted microphone is provided that has reduced sensitivity to vibration and attendant acceleration forces. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable components of a transcutaneously received signal. More specifically, the present invention utilizes an output that is indicative of acceleration forces acting on the implanted microphone (e.g., an acceleration signal) to counteract and/or cancel the effects of acceleration induced pressures in an output signal of a microphone diaphragm. This may be done in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, pneumatically, mechanically, electrical analog, or digitally, or combinations thereof. In one arrangement, the generated output may be filtered to match the an acceleration response of the output signal of the microphone diaphragm such that upon removal of the motion signal from the microphone output, the remaining signal is an acoustic signal.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer interface disposable between an implantable transducer and a mounting apparatus and having at least a portion that is displaceable in response to a predeterminable range of transducer movement. According to one aspect of the invention, the predeterminable range of transducer movement includes movement in response to a physiological movement of an auditory component that results in pressure on the implantable transducer. In this case, the compliant interface permits adaptive movement of the implantable transducer in response to the pressure to maintain a desired interface between the implantable transducer and an auditory component. According to another aspect, the predeterminable range of transducer movement may be transducer vibration resulting from an acoustic stimulation of an auditory component by the implantable transducer. In this case, the compliant interface reduces the transmission of transducer vibration over a feedback path to a microphone of a hearing aid.

Abstract: An implantable microphone for use with an implantable hearing instrument that has a reduced vibration sensitivity in comparison with its acoustic sensitivity. The microphone utilizes a plurality of small diaphragms as opposed to a single large diaphragm in order to reduce vibration sensitivity caused by mass loading of the diaphragms by overlying skin and tissue. The acoustic outputs of the plurality of small diaphragms are summed (e.g., acoustically or electronically), which allows the microphone to maintain adequate acoustic sensitivity for hearing augmentation purposes while having a reduced vibration sensitivity. In one aspect, the plurality of diaphragms is formed from a single membrane and a multi-apertured support structure in contact with the membrane. Each aperture in combination with the membrane defines a single diaphragm.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer including a transducer housing, a driver, and an actuator movably connected to the transducer housing. The transducer driver includes at least one coil and one magnet. In one aspect of the present transducer, a seal is provided to seal transducer components that are located at a location other than at the movable connection between the actuator and the transducer housing. According to this aspect, the seal may be disposed around one of a magnet and a coil that is connectable to the actuator, to protect the same from body fluids. The other one of the magnet and the coil may include its own seal within the transducer housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods where an implantable microphone of an implantable hearing system is positioned at a location spaced from the surface of the patient's skull. More specifically, the microphone is mounted to soft tissue of the patient to at least partially isolate the microphone from skull-borne vibrations. Accordingly, by utilizing a soft tissue mount, the microphone may be made more sensitive to ambient sounds with reduced concern to amplification of non-ambient vibrations caused by skull-borne vibrations including, for example, transducer feedback, talking and/or chewing. The system will further include an auditory stimulation device that is located proximate to the skull of the patient and which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of the patient in accordance with an output signal generated by the microphone. A subcutaneously routed signal wire may extend between the implanted microphone and the auditory stimulation device.

Abstract: A variable reluctance motor is provided having a linear relationship between an input current and an output force. According to one aspect of the invention, the motor comprises a stator, an armature, and at least one magnetic member to provide a biasing force on the armature. According to this characterization, the motor also includes a drive coil to generate an electromagnetic field in response to a current input. The electromagnetic field, in turn, moves the armature relative to the stator during motor operation.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid system that includes a transducer housing that is rotatable relative to a transducer mounting apparatus to orient the transducer for interfacing with an auditory component. According to one aspect of the invention, during rotation, a center of rotation of the transducer housing remains positionally fixed. In this regard, the transducer includes an actuator member that is advanceable relative to the transducer housing to interface with the auditory component, subsequent to orientation of the transducer housing.

Abstract: An electrophysiological measurement method and system is provided for positioning an implantable transducer of a hearing instrument relative to a middle ear component or inner ear of a patient. The method and system employ electrophysiological measurement signals obtained in response to test signals applied to an implanted transducer. In one embodiment, the electrophysiological measurements are obtained by an electrocochleography measurement device that measures the cochlear summating potential and/or action potential responsive to test signals applied to an implanted transducer. In another embodiment, an auditory brainstem response measurement device is utilized to obtain electrical potential measurement signals responsive to test signals applied to an implanted transducer.

Abstract: Method for obtaining diagnostic information utilizing an electrical signal output from an implantable transducer. According to one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of vibrating an ossicular bone of a patient having an implanted transducer using an input provided over a biological conduction path. The method further includes sensing in the implanted transducer an initial movement of the ossicular bone caused by the input and obtaining an electrical signal output from the implanted transducer generated in response to sensing the initial movement. The electrical signal output is then utilized to determine the diagnostic information.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer that compensates in situ for undesirable interfaces with a middle ear component. The transducer includes a housing, an actuator, a driver, and an actuator interface. According to one embodiment, the actuator interface is reshapeable in situ from a first shape to a second shape to permit movement of one of the actuator and the middle ear component in at least a first dimension to compensate for loading pressure. In this regard, the actuator interface may be gradually deformable to permit the movement of the transducer and/or the middle ear component, as well as, resistive to sudden movements of the actuator such that vibration at acoustic frequencies occurs between the actuator and the middle ear component.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A hearing aid and method for stimulating the tympanic membrane of a patient via an input of acoustic signals into the middle ear cavity. The hearing aid includes an acoustic signal receiver, a signal processor, and an implantable transducer. In one aspect of the invention, the impedance of the implantable transducer is matched to a characteristic frequency range of the human tympanic membrane to acoustically couple the transducer with the tympanic membrane. In another aspect of the invention, the impedance of the implantable transducer is matched to a measured impedance of a patient's tympanic membrane to achieve the acoustic coupling. In either case, the acoustic signal receiver receives acoustic sounds and generates frequency response signals for the signal processor. The signal processor, in turn, processes the frequency response signals to generate transducer drive signals for the implanted transducer. The acoustically coupled transducer receives the drive signals to generate acoustic signals, e.g.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fixation apparatus and method for interfacing an implantable hearing aid actuator with the ossicular chain of a patient. The fixation apparatus may include one or more surface discontinuities to enhance tissue fixation and thereby yield enhanced mechanical coupling and vibratory response. Surface discontinuities may be in the form of surface pores, surface asperities and complex surface shapes such as grooves, slots, lips or openings formed in the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus may also and/or alternatively include a portion or component that is deflectable or that comprises a conditioned shape memory material that is activatable at bodily temperatures to yield a degree of lateral loading when the fixation apparatus is positioned within an opening defined within a bone of the ossicular chain of a patient, thereby yielding enhanced mechanical coupling.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid microphone comprises a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto and a first diaphragm sealably positioned across the aperture. A microphone having a second diaphragm is positioned within the chamber to define an enclosed volume between the first and second diaphragms for mechanically amplifying acoustic signals received by the first diaphragm. A peripheral rim may define the aperture of the housing, wherein the first diaphragm may be recessed between about 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm relative to the peripheral rim across the lateral extent of the first diaphragm. The internal chamber may be defined to include a first portion having a first cross-sectional area adjacent to the first diaphragm, and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area adjacent to the second diaphragm that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second portion may be disposed to extend away from the first portion about an axis that is transverse to the first diaphragm.

Abstract: An interface system for semi-implantable and fully implantable hearing aid devices that provides direct delivery of audio input from external wireline and wireless sources to the speech processor of the hearing aid. The speech processor of the hearing aid processes the audio inputs to produce a processed signal for a transducer portion of the hearing aid that is implanted in a hearing impaired individual. In a semi-implantable hearing aid, the interface system could be included in the external portion of the hearing aid or be included in an audio input device that replaces the external portion of the hearing aid when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired. In a fully implantable hearing aid, an audio input device including the interface system is provided for use when sound from a wireless or wireline source is desired.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid apparatus and related method of manufacture are disclosed. The inventive apparatus and method utilize electrodeposition techniques to yield enhanced sealing of implanted componentry. In one embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises at least first and second implantable hearing aid component housing members having at least one electrodeposited layer overlapping adjacent portions of the housing members to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. In another embodiment an inventive apparatus comprises an implantable hearing aid component housing member formed via electrodeposition having a plurality of electrodeposited layers, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the layers comprise differing materials (e.g. to yield enhanced functional characteristics). By way of primary example, a hollow bellows of any implantable middle ear actuator may be formed via the sequential electrodeposition of multiple layers on a shaped mandrel which is then selectively removed (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable hearing aid systems and provides for selective interconnection between two or more implantable components of a system. The inventive apparatus comprises a first connector interconnected to a first implantable component and a second connector interconnected to a second implantable component which is separate from the first implanted component. The first and second connectors may each comprise outer housings and internal conductors, wherein the outer housings are configured to define male and female connectors for mating interconnection therebetween. In one arrangement, a female connector is defined by a support structure that also supports an interconnected implantable component (e.g., a processor unit and/or induction coil), and wherein the male connector is interconnected to another, separate component (e.g., a middle ear actuator). The support structure may be integrally defined by a molded material (e.g., a silicon-based material).