Abstract: An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising at least one electromechanical output transducer; a micromanipulator for positioning the transducer and for fixing the transducer in a position set by the micromanipulator, the micromanipulator being adapted to be fixedly attached by fixing means to a skull cap; and a releasable coupling unit disposed between the transducer and the micromanipulator, said coupling unit, in an assembled state, fixing the transducer with respect to the micromanipulator, and, in a released state, permitting removal of the transducer from the micromanipulator.

Abstract: A fixation element for an implantable microphone is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the fixation element comprises an essentially cylindrical portion adapted to be inserted into a bore which crosses a wall of the auditory canal of a user, said cylindrical portion, at least in an implanted state of the fixation element, surrounding an outer circumferential portion of a housing part of the microphone, which housing part is provided with a sound receiving member. The cylindrical portion includes at least one elastic region of increased diameter, said elastic region contacting, in the implanted state of the fixation element, a wall of said bore and providing, by elastic restoring forces, for a friction which is sufficiently high to fix said cylindrical portion in at least one of the two axial directions of said bore.

Abstract: An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising at least one electromechanical output transducer; a micromanipulator for positioning the transducer and for fixing the transducer in a position set by the micromanipulator, the micromanipulator being adapted to be fixedly attached by fixing means to a skull cap; and a releasable coupling unit disposed between the transducer and the micromanipulator, said coupling unit, in an assembled state, fixing the transducer with respect to the micromanipulator, and, in a released state, permitting removal of the transducer from the micromanipulator.

Abstract: A fixation element for an implantable microphone is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the fixation element comprises an essentially cylindrical portion adapted to be inserted into a bore which crosses a wall of the auditory canal of a user, said cylindrical portion, at least in an implanted state of the fixation element, surrounding an outer circumferential portion of a housing part of the microphone, which housing part is provided with a sound receiving member. The cylindrical portion includes at least one elastic region of increased diameter, said elastic region contacting, in the implanted state of the fixation element, a wall of said bore and providing, by elastic restoring forces, for a friction which is sufficiently high to fix said cylindrical portion in at least one of the two axial directions of said bore.

Abstract: Implantable arrangement for mechanical coupling of an output-side driver part of an active or passive hearing system, the driver part having a capacity to be excited to mechanical vibrations, to a preselected coupling site on the ossicular chain, the footplate of the stapes or a membrane which closes the round window or an artificial window in the cochlea, in the vestibulum or in the labyrinth (equilibrium organ), via a coupling arrangement which has a coupling element adapted to be connected to a preselected coupling site. The coupling element is provided with a positioning device for selective movement of the coupling element between an open position in which the coupling element is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the coupling site, and a closed position in which the coupling element in the implanted state is joined by force fit and/or form fit to the coupling site.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for an output-side driver of an active or passive implantable hearing system. The driver is adapted to vibrate a preselected coupling site on an ossicular chain via a first coupling which has a coupling rod which can be caused to vibrate mechanically by the driver and a coupling element which can be connected to the preselected coupling site. The coupling rod and the coupling element are interconnected by at least one coupling. A first coupling half of the coupling has an approximately spherical outside contour which can be accommodated in the inside contour of a second coupling half, i.e. a contour which is at least partially complementary to the outside contour. The is adapted to reversibly swivel and/or turn against friction forces, but is essentially rigid under the dynamic forces which occur in the implanted state.

Abstract: An implantable arrangement for mechanical coupling of an output driver part of an active or passive hearing system, the driver part being excitable to mechanically vibrate, to a preselected coupling site in the middle or inner ear, such as on the ossicular chain, the footplate of the stapes or the membrane which closes the round window or an artificial window in the cochlea, in the vestibulum or in the labyrinth (equilibrium organ), via a coupling arrangement which has a coupling element which can be connected to the preselected coupling site. The arrangement is provided with an attenuator which adjoins the coupling site in the implanted state and which has entropy-elastic properties.

Abstract: Device for electromechanical stimulation and testing of the hearing, including an electromechanical transducer for producing mechanical vibrations, a mechanical coupling element for transmitting mechanical stimulation vibrations from the electromechanical transducer without surgery through the external auditory canal to the umbo, and thus, to the manubrium malleli of the ossicular chain, a positioning device for positioning the coupling element with reference to the umbo, and a fixing device for secure, play-free linkage of the positioning device to human body, especially the human skull.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for an output-side driver of an active or passive implantable hearing system. The driver is adapted to vibrate a preselected site on a member selected from the group comprising the ossicular chain, the footplate of the stapes and a membrane which closes a window in one of the cochlea, the vestibulum and the labyrinth (equilibrium organ), via a first coupling which has a coupling rod, which can be caused to vibrate mechanically by the driver, and a coupling element which can be connected to the preselected coupling site. The coupling rod and the coupling element are interconnected by at least one coupling. The first coupling half of the coupling has a roughly cylindrical outside contour that can be accommodated in the inside contour of a second coupling half, i.e. a contour which is at least partially complementary to the outside contour.

Abstract: Device for mechanical coupling of an output-side converter part (15) of an electromechanical hearing aid converter (13), which can be implanted in an artificial mastoid cavity outside the region of the middle ear, the converter part having a capacity to be excited to mechanical vibrations, to a preselected coupling site (16) on one of the ossicular chain, the footplate of the stapes, the membrane which closes the round window, or an artificial window in the cochlea, in the vestibulum or in the labyrinth (equilibrium organ), the device comprising a biocompatible, mechanically passive coupling arrangement (17) which is connected to the output-side converter part and which reaches in the implanted state from the mastoid cavity into the tympanic cavity and adjoins the coupling site with the coupling end (18).