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).

  • Patent number: 11659342
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Markus Müller
  • Publication number: 20220377476
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 11368773
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Matthias Stadler, Natasha Thumm
  • Patent number: 11317225
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20220086576
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Markus Müller
  • Patent number: 11240614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
  • Patent number: 11115764
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Publication number: 20210144493
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
  • Publication number: 20210093255
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Mueller, Konstantin Silberzahn, Natasha Thumm
  • Publication number: 20210099815
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Konstantin Silberzahn, Markus Mueller, Natasha Thumm, Markus Leuthold, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 10805747
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
  • Publication number: 20200186905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20200029161
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
  • Publication number: 20200007969
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Matthias Stadler, Natasha Thumm
  • Publication number: 20190387300
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Natasha THUMM, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Erdal Karamuk, Patrizia Richner
  • Patent number: 10070235
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Erdal Karamuk, Daniel Probst, Natasha Thumm
  • Publication number: 20170318403
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: JANA-KOSIMA SCHWARZLOS-SOOPRAYEN, Erdal KARAMUK, Daniel PROBST, Natasha THUMM