Patents by Inventor Natasha THUMM
Natasha THUMM 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: 11659342Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing device, comprising at least one electronic component and at least two parts of a housing, at least one of them configured as a molded interconnect device comprising at least one electrically conductive trace and at least one pin seat, the molded interconnect device mechanically connected to another one of the parts of the housing or to a frame by at least one assembly pin held in the at least one pin seat, wherein the at least one assembly pin also directly or indirectly electrically connects the at least one electrically conductive trace to the at least one electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Natasha Thumm, Markus Müller
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Publication number: 20220377476Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
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Patent number: 11368773Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hearing device housing including at least one opening. The method includes the steps of: designing a pre-model of the hearing device housing by 3D-modelling software, the pre-model including a protective structure covering the opening, the protective structure being prepared for removal; producing a preform of the hearing device housing based on the pre-model; and removing the protective structure thus providing the hearing device housing with the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Matthias Stadler, Natasha Thumm
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Patent number: 11317225Abstract: A custom fit hearing device that includes an in-ear housing designed to fit at least partially in a hearing device user's ear canal. The in-ear housing includes one or more areas on its outer-surface that are designed to provide retention of the in-ear housing in the ear canal. The one of more area may be rougher than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may have greater a friction coefficient than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may be made of a different material than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may contain granular material and/or may include surface features such as shapes extending outward from the outer-surface or undulations/ripples in the outer-surface. The in-ear housing may be produced using virtual designs and a 3D scan of the ear canal and may be manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
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Publication number: 20220086576Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing device, comprising at least one electronic component and at least two parts of a housing, at least one of them configured as a molded interconnect device comprising at least one electrically conductive trace and at least one pin seat, the molded interconnect device mechanically connected to another one of the parts of the housing or to a frame by at least one assembly pin held in the at least one pin seat, wherein the at least one assembly pin also directly or indirectly electrically connects the at least one electrically conductive trace to the at least one electronic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Markus Müller
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Patent number: 11240614Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sealing a module (14) in a hearing device housing. The method comprises the steps of preparing the module (14) and the hearing device housing, and applying a sealing material (28) into a space, said space being formed between the module (14) and the hearing device housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
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Patent number: 11115764Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
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Publication number: 20210144493Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sealing a module (14) in a hearing device housing. The method comprises the steps of preparing the module (14) and the hearing device housing, and applying a sealing material (28) into a space, said space being formed between the module (14) and the hearing device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
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Publication number: 20210093255Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (“ITE”) component that comprises a shell having a contoured outer shape that is customized for the user to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user, a faceplate configured to fit within an opening provided in the shell and face out of the ear canal of the user when the shell is inserted into the ear canal of the user, a sensor electrode that is provided on an outer surface of the shell, and a conductive path that extends along the outer surface of the shell from the sensor electrode to the faceplate and that conductively connects the sensor electrode with a conductive portion of the faceplate. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Markus Mueller, Konstantin Silberzahn, Natasha Thumm
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Publication number: 20210099815Abstract: An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user, a first sensor electrode provided on a surface of the ITE component and configured to contact, while the hearing system is worn by the user, outer ear tissue of the user, and a second sensor electrode configured to be located, while the hearing system is worn by the user, at an entrance to or outside of the ear canal of the user. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may be configured to be used to detect a physiological attribute of the user while the hearing system is worn by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
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Patent number: 10805747Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
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Publication number: 20200186905Abstract: A custom fit hearing device that includes an in-ear housing designed to fit at least partially in a hearing device user's ear canal. The in-ear housing includes one or more areas on its outer-surface that are designed to provide retention of the in-ear housing in the ear canal. The one of more area may be rougher than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may have greater a friction coefficient than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may be made of a different material than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may contain granular material and/or may include surface features such as shapes extending outward from the outer-surface or undulations/ripples in the outer-surface. The in-ear housing may be produced using virtual designs and a 3D scan of the ear canal and may be manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
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Publication number: 20200029161Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2016Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
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Publication number: 20200007969Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hearing device housing including at least one opening. The method includes the steps of: designing a pre-model of the hearing device housing by 3D-modelling software, the pre-model including a protective structure covering the opening, the protective structure being prepared for removal; producing a preform of the hearing device housing based on the pre-model; and removing the protective structure thus providing the hearing device housing with the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Matthias Stadler, Natasha Thumm
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Publication number: 20190387300Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device housing (12) comprising titanium. The arithmetical mean roughness of the housing surface is Ra=0.7-1.8 ?m according to DIN EN ISO 4287/DIN EN ISO 4288. The proposed hearing device housing (12) provides improved effects on retention and wearing comfort. Performance during insertion and removal of the hearing device housing (12) is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Natasha THUMM, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Erdal Karamuk, Patrizia Richner
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Patent number: 10070235Abstract: This invention relates to an impression-taking pad (10) for taking an impression (20) of an ear canal (30) by an impression-taking material, having a lateral end (el) to be arranged away from a tympanic membrane (35) in said ear canal (30); and a medial end (em) to be arranged proximate to said tympanic membrane (35). The impression-taking pad (10) comprises an outer body (2) tapering from said lateral end (el) to said medial end (em). The impression-taking pad (10) further comprises an inner body (3) for releasable engagement with a tool (11, 12) for visual inspection of the ear canal (30), the inner body (3) being configured to support insertion of the impression-taking pad (10) in the ear canal (30) by the tool (11, 12).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Erdal Karamuk, Daniel Probst, Natasha Thumm
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Publication number: 20170318403Abstract: This invention relates to an impression-taking pad (10) for taking an impression (20) of an ear canal (30) by an impression-taking material, having a lateral end (el) to be arranged away from a tympanic membrane (35) in said ear canal (30); and a medial end (em) to be arranged proximate to said tympanic membrane (35). The impression-taking pad (10) comprises an outer body (2) tapering from said lateral end (el) to said medial end (em). The impression-taking pad (10) further comprises an inner body (3) for releasable engagement with a tool (11, 12) for visual inspection of the ear canal (30), the inner body (3) being configured to support insertion of the impression-taking pad (10) in the ear canal (30) by the tool (11, 12).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: JANA-KOSIMA SCHWARZLOS-SOOPRAYEN, Erdal KARAMUK, Daniel PROBST, Natasha THUMM