Patents Assigned to Sentient Medical Limited
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Patent number: 9686623Abstract: A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Sentient Medical LimitedInventors: Eric William Abel, David Ernest Young, Robin Christopher Brodie
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Patent number: 8920496Abstract: An ossicular replacement prosthesis (ORP) (10) for coupling a first point to a second point in the middle ear of a patient, to replace all or part of the ossicular chain. The ORP includes a coupling having a variable configuration for accounting for pressure differentials. The coupling includes a fluid filled chamber (28, 14) having two relatively moveable portions (12, 22) for varying the configuration of the coupling. The coupling further includes unsealed portion constituting leak portion and flowpath portion for permitting displacement of the fluid (30). The relative movement of the relatively moveable portions is controlled by the movement of the fluid in said chamber. The chamber is configured to restrict the movement of the fluid such that relative movement of the moveable portions is permitted in response to quasi-static changes in pressure, and is substantially prevented in response to vibrational changes corresponding to sound frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Sentient Medical LimitedInventors: Eric William Abel, Frank Abraham
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Patent number: 8864645Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Sentient Medical LimitedInventors: Eric William Abel, Zhigang Wang
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Publication number: 20120197066Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling an implantable element to the round window membrane. The apparatus comprises engagement means in the form of a clip or a filler material for engaging the bone surface within the round window niche. This supports the apparatus in the region of the round window membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITEDInventors: Eric William Abel, Francis Fiabane, Duncan Bowyer
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Publication number: 20120158135Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling an implantable element to the round window membrane. The apparatus comprises engagement means in the form of a clip or a filler material for engaging the bone surface within the round window niche. This supports the apparatus in the region of the round window membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITEDInventors: Eric William Abel, Adam Ramage
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Publication number: 20120016180Abstract: A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITEDInventors: Eric William Abel, David Ernest Young, Robin Christopher Brodie
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Publication number: 20110106254Abstract: An ossicular replacement prosthesis (ORP) (10) for coupling a first point to a second point in the middle ear of a patient, to replace all or part of the ossicular chain. The ORP comprises a coupling having a variable configuration for accounting for pressure differentials, said coupling comprising a fluid filled chamber (28, 14) having two relatively moveable portions (12, 22) for varying the configuration of the coupling. The coupling comprises unsealed means constituting leak means and flowpath means for permitting displacement of the fluid (30). The relative movement of the relatively moveable portions is controlled by the movement of the fluid in said chamber. The chamber is configured to restrict the movement of the fluid such that relative movement of the moveable portions is permitted in response to quasi-static changes in pressure, and is substantially prevented in response to vibrational changes corresponding to sound frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITEDInventors: Eric William Abel, Frank Abraham
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Publication number: 20090043149Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2006Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Sentient Medical LimitedInventor: Eric William Abel