Patents by Inventor Amir Abolfathi
Amir Abolfathi 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: 8358792Abstract: 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 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Amir Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20130010987Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth 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. 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: July 17, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, Vahid SAADAT, Loc X. PHAN
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Publication number: 20130003996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Christoph MENZEL, Amir ABOLFATHI
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Publication number: 20130006043Abstract: Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances utilizing various manufacturing methods and apparatus are described herein. The oral appliance may have an electronic and/or transducer assembly for receiving incoming sounds and transmitting processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or teeth. The oral appliance may be formed or fabricated via three-dimensional digital scanning systems or via impression molding to create a housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly as well as to securely conform the appliance to the user's dentition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, Loc X. PHAN
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Publication number: 20120321109Abstract: A digital audio player device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form an intraoral MP3 player. In another embodiment, the device provide's 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 DAP. 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. 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: June 11, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir A. ABOLFATHI, Jason R. SHELTON, Reza KASSAYAN
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Publication number: 20120321113Abstract: 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: June 19, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir A. ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 8333203Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or actuator assembly through a custom-fitted dental appliance are disclosed herein. The customized fitting is done by the user. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded intra-orally on a tooth or oral tissue. The electronic and actuator 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 actuator element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: John Spiridigliozzi, Amir Abolfathi, Emir Deljkich
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Publication number: 20120296154Abstract: 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: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 8291912Abstract: Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances utilizing various manufacturing methods and apparatus are described herein. The oral appliance may have an electronic and/or transducer assembly for receiving incoming sounds and transmitting processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or teeth. The oral appliance may be formed or fabricated via three-dimensional digital scanning systems or via impression molding to create a housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly as well as to securely conform the appliance to the user's dentition.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Loc X. Phan
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Publication number: 20120259158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Amir A. ABOLFATHI
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Publication number: 20120243714Abstract: Microphone placement for oral applications 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. Multiple microphones may be positioned throughout the user's mouth to enhance reception of audio signals from outside sources as well as from the user's own voice. For instance, one or more microphones may be placed in contact with the inner surface of the user's cheeks to detect outside audio signals as well as in direct contact with the user's tooth or teeth to receive the user's voice through vibrational detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, Reza KASSAYAN
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Publication number: 20120235632Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for charging an intra-oral apparatus includes an intra-oral appliance having an appliance charger coil defining a first portion of an electromagnetic loop; and a charger base having a base charger coil defining a second portion of the electromagnetic loop, wherein the appliance charger coil and the base charger coil in combination transfer energy for inductive charging.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Reza KASSAYAN, John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI, Amir ABOLFATHI
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Patent number: 8270637Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Patent number: 8270638Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a bone conduction communication apparatus with a housing having a shape which is conformable to at least a portion of at least one tooth of a user; a transceiver mounted in the housing; and a transducer disposed within or upon the housing and in vibratory communication with a surface of the at least one tooth to transmit sound through the at least one tooth. A positioning system is provided to transmit positional information to the transceiver to be delivered to the transducer; and a communication device links the transceiver with a second person. 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: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir A. Abolfathi, Reza Kassayan
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Patent number: 8254611Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth 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. 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: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Vahid Saadat, Loc X. Phan
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Publication number: 20120195448Abstract: Tinnitus masking systems for treating tinnitus are described where a device is coupled to a surface of a bone or to a tooth or several teeth. Such a device may comprise an oral appliance having an electronic and/or transducer assembly for generating sounds via a vibrating transducer element. Generally, the transducer may generate one or more frequencies of sound via the actuatable transducer to transmit a modified audio signal via vibratory conductance to an inner ear of the patient to mask tinnitus during a peak of the audio signal and to allow the user to perceive the tinnitus during a trough of the audio signal. The audio signal is also modified to account for any hearing loss of the patient as well as a bone conductance profile measured from the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Publication number: 20120195446Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a bone conduction communication apparatus with a housing having a shape which is conformable to at least a portion of at least one tooth of a user; a transceiver mounted in the housing; and a transducer disposed within or upon the housing and in vibratory communication with a surface of the at least one tooth to transmit sound through the at least one tooth. A positioning system is provided to transmit positional information to the transceiver to be delivered to the transducer; and a communication device links the transceiver with a second person. 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: October 15, 2009Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir ABOLFATHI, Reza KASSAYAN
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Patent number: 8233654Abstract: 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: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
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Patent number: 8224013Abstract: A digital audio player device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form an intraoral MP3 player. 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 DAP. 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. 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 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Amir A. Abolfathi, Jason R. Shelton, Reza Kassayan
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Publication number: 20120142270Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Amir A. ABOLFATHI, John SPIRIDIGLIOZZI