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 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: The present invention relates to a receiver module adapted to be positioned in an ear canal. The receiver module comprises a receiver having a receiver housing and expansible arrangement surrounding at least part of the receiver housing, the expansible arrangement having a first opening aligned with an output port of the receiver housing so as to allow for generated acoustic waves to propagate away from the receiver module and into the ear canal, the receiver module further comprising elastic encapsulation material partly encircling the expansible arrangement, the elastic encapsulation material being adapted to provide, in an expanded state of the expansible arrangement, a second opening aligned with the output port of the receiver housing so as to allow for the generated outgoing acoustic waves to propagate away from the receiver module and into the ear canal.

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: 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: 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: 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 hearing aid, which allows a hearing aid user to discretely operate his/her hearing aid by applying a force to a portion of the ear carrying the hearing aid. A number of different functions of the hearing aid, such as turning a battery supply on/off, adjusting a volume control, selecting a particular pre-programmed listening program, etc., may be provided in a hearing aid according to the present invention—all without directly engaging the hearing aid or switches or potentiometers thereof. Furthermore, if the hearing aid is adapted for use within the ear canal, the present invention may provide user assistance so to allow simple and convenient removal of the aid from 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: The present invention relates to an electromechanical roller-key assembly of simple and robust construction. The assembly may be integrated in electronic equipment and generate digital control signals in response to an instantaneous change in angular position of a user-operated roller. The roller-key assembly according to the present invention is suitable for being manufactured with very small outer dimensions and with fewer and simpler mechanical parts compared to prior art roller-key assemblies, thereby making the roller-key assembly suitable for a simplified and automated factory assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to switch or volume control assemblies, in particular to switch or volume control assemblies to be mounted in e.g. hearing aids, said assembly comprising a movable member, such as a wheel-like member positioned between at least two detachable parts defining the exterior of a housing, the movable member having a part extending out of the housing, the movable member engaging a contact member so as to move the contact member with the movable member.

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 coupling 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: The present invention relates to a combined roller and push switch assembly, comprising 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 comprises means for returning the roller member from the displaced position to the initial position, the returning means comprising a resilient member being at least partly encircled by the roller member, and means for detecting rotation of the roller member in relation to an associated frame. In particular, the combined roller and push switch assembly further comprising switching means for indicating when the roller member is in the displaced position, the switching means being at least partly encircled by the roller member.

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 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: The present invention relates to a potentiometer assembly including a position sensing device and an integrated control circuit to form a potentiometer assembly providing an encoded output signal representing a position of a user operable control means. The encoded output signal may be in the form of a digital data signal or an encoded analogue signal representing the position of the user operable control means so that an external device, such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or microprocessor, may read and decode the encoded output signal. In particular, the present invention is suitable for use in compact electronic equipment, such as mobile phones and hearing instruments. Such equipment will benefit from the versatile functionality of the potentiometer assembly according to the present invention allowing a broad range of applications to be supported.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to switch or volume control assemblies, in particular to switch or volume control assemblies to be mounted in e.g. hearing aids, said assembly comprising a movable member, such as a wheel-like member positioned between at least two detachable parts defining the exterior of a housing, the movable member having a part extending out of the housing, the movable member engaging a contact member so as to move the contact member with the movable member.