Abstract: A self-contained hand-held biopsy device includes a hollow needle having a distal end portion with a circumferential cutting edge. A sample-receiving device is received in the hollow needle, and has a tapered distal tip and a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample. The sample-receiving device is configured to move in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device relative to the hollow needle. A liquid supply unit is configured to operatively connect to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the second retracted position and is configured to deliver a flow of the flushing liquid to the cavity to facilitate tissue sample ejection from the cavity. The liquid supply unit is disconnected from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the first extended position.

Abstract: A biopsy device for harvesting tissue samples from a body of a living being, e.g. in percutaneous aspiration biopsy, includes an outer needle and a sample-receiving device for receiving a severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being movable in the hollow needle. The device includes a transport device for moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, the transport device comprising a bendable elongate element, such as a steel wire, a toothed wire made from e.g. a plastics material or a Bowden cable capable of pushing and pulling the sample-receiving device in distal and proximal directions, respectively. A coiling device is provided for the bendable elongate element. The bendable elongate element and the coiling device may be included in a disposable unit, which is attachable to a hand-held unit including a motor for driving the transport device. Orientation means are provided for appropriately orienting the sample-receiving device with respect to the hollow needle.

Abstract: An connector assembly for use in, for example, a hearing aid, the assembly having a first connector and a second connector adapted to be detachably attached and being able to transport both sound and electric signals. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the connector assembly and having a first part comprising an electrical input and a sound providing receiver as well as both an audio output and an electrical output. The two outputs are connected to a second element, normally for positioning inside an ear canal of a person, the second element having a receiver for receiving the electrical signal from the first elements and providing a corresponding sound which is mixed with the sound output by the second element, the mixed sound being output from the second element. The receiver of the first element may be a woofer, and the receiver of the second element may be a tweeter.

Abstract: A detachable earpiece auditory device comprises a housing, a speaker, and a connector. The housing has a sound outlet, a second opening, and a spring element positioned at the second opening. The speaker is provided within the housing and comprises an electrically conducting speaker terminal at an outer surface of the speaker. The connector comprises a first insert part, an electrically conducting connector terminal, and a second insert part. The first insert part is insertable into the second opening. The electrically conducting connector terminal is positioned in the first insert part to obtain electrical contact with the electrically conducting speaker terminal and forms a mating pair of a speaker terminal and a connector terminal when the first insert part is inserted into the second opening. The second insert part operatively contacts the spring element to bias the speaker terminal against the connector terminal with a predetermined bias force.

Abstract: The assembly includes a miniature electroacoustic transducer and a flexible electrical wire. The flexible electrical wire is terminated by a connecting element with an electrically conductive shoulder portion. The miniature electroacoustic transducer comprises an electrically conducting, externally accessible terminal having a slot structure formed therein. The slot structure is configured to mechanically and electrically engage the electrically conductive shoulder portion of the connecting element.

Abstract: A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a human or animal body, e.g. in percutaneous aspiration biopsy, includes a hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body. A sample-receiving device with a cavity is movable in the hollow needle between a first extended and a second retracted position. A liquid supply unit comprising a flushing liquid, such as saline, is provided for ejecting the sample from the cavity, when the sample-receiving device is in the second retracted position. The liquid is conveyed form the liquid supply unit to a flushing chamber by an appropriate pump, such as a peristaltic pump.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising a housing in which a transducer element is positioned. In the housing, an upper and a lower chamber are defined, the lower chamber extending at least at one edge of the transducer element and potentially to an upper side thereof. An element, such as a horse-shoe shaped element or a circular element, is provided for separating the upper side of the transducer element into the upper and lower chambers. The transducer element is fixed using flexible fixing means, and space is provided at one or more sides of the transducer element to take up thermal expansion and retraction of the housing and the transducer element.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hearing aid insert module comprising a socket module, and a substantially closed-loop frame comprising electrically conductive portions, the closed-loop frame further comprising engaging means adapted to releasably couple the hearing aid insert module to a faceplate of a hearing aid. The invention is of advantage in that releasable coupling of the faceplate to the socket module via the frame is capable of rendering the insert module easier to manufacture, to user-customize and to repair. The frame is arranged to impart a majority of structural rigidity to the faceplate when inserted therein. Such rigidity is of benefit in that the faceplate is capable in use of applying a flexural component to the frame which could damage the frame if not of sufficiently substantial rigidity.

Abstract: An interchangeable hearing aid control panel with at least one activation zone arranged in connection with a layered structure. The layered structure has an electrically non-conducting substrate, an electrically conducting path arranged in connection with the substrate, and an electrically conducting member, such as a conducting foil, arranged at a predetermined distance from the activation zone. The activation zone can be either in a deactuated or in an actuated state. In the actuated state the conducting member and the conducting path are electrically connected while disconnected in the deactuated state. Electrical connection to an associated hearing aid is by means of a connector, such as a plug, enabling the control panel to be easily changed. Preferably, the connector is formed by a piece of flexprint. The layered structure may comprise a second conducting path. In preferred embodiments activation zones are indicated by “poppel domes” formed by a surface layer covering the layered structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a receiver module being adapted to be positioned in an ear canal, the receiver module comprising a receiver having a receiver housing, said receiver being adapted to receive a time dependent electrical signal, said receiver further being adapted to generate outgoing acoustic waves via an output port in the receiver housing in response to the received time dependent electrical signal, and expansible means surrounding at least part of the receiver housing, said expansible means having an opening aligned with the output port of the receiver housing so as to allow the generated outgoing acoustic waves to penetrate away from the receiver module and into the ear canal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a female connector assembly, comprising a base part having one or more conductor channels, each conductor channel having a first and a second end. Each of the one or more conductor channels houses at least one bent resilient conductor having a first portion and a second portion, where the second portion is displaceable in a track defined in at least a part of the base part. The first portion extends through the second end of the conductor channel. Each conductor channel is adapted to receive a rod-shaped conductor from a male connector assembly so that the rod-shaped conductor is retained in that conductor channel by a biasing force provided by the bent resilient conductor of that conductor channel.

Abstract: A combined roller and push switch assembly includes a substantially hollow wheel-like roller member being displaceable from an initial position to a displaced position. The combined roller and push switch assembly further includes a member for returning the roller member from the displaced position to the initial position, the returning member is a resilient member being at least partly encircled by the roller member, and a coding member for detecting rotation of the roller member in relation to an associated frame. In particular, the combined roller and push switch assembly further including a switch for indicating when the roller member is in the displaced position, the switch being at least partly encircled by the roller member.

Abstract: A compact connection assembly and a method for establishing solderfree electrical connections between a main PCB and associated conductors e.g. arranged on a flexible foil strip or on a flexible PCB. The connection assembly is particularly suitable for use in compact electronic equipment such as hearing instruments or mobile phones where one can benefit from the small dimensions obtainable by the described connection assembly.

Abstract: A battery holder for a microelectronic device, said holder comprising a frame having a substantially circular base and a curved portion with an upper and a lower surface. The curved portion encloses at least part of the substantially circular base, and the frame is adapted to hold a battery. A first conductor extends from a first part of the curved portion to a second part of the curved portion, and wherein a first end of the first conductor is positioned within the first part of the curved portion and wherein a second end of the first conductor is positioned within the second part of the curved portion. A movable member is positioned on the curved portion and adapted to provide an electrical connection between the second end of the first conductor and a point of contact within the second part of the curved portion.