Abstract: A connection apparatus for coupling an implantable device, such as a hearing aid transducer, to a middle ear component. The connection apparatus includes a first joint member on the implantable device and a second joint member connectable to the middle ear component. The first and second joint members are themselves connectable during implantation of the device to couple the device and the middle ear component.

Abstract: An implanted microphone is provided that has reduced sensitivity to vibration and attendant acceleration forces. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable components of a transcutaneously received signal. More specifically, the present invention utilizes an output that is indicative of acceleration forces acting on the implanted microphone (e.g., an acceleration signal) to counteract and/or cancel the effects of acceleration induced pressures in an output signal of a microphone diaphragm. This may be done in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, pneumatically, mechanically, electrical analog, or digitally, or combinations thereof. In one arrangement, the generated output may be filtered to match the an acceleration response of the output signal of the microphone diaphragm such that upon removal of the motion signal from the microphone output, the remaining signal is an acoustic signal.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer including a transducer housing, a driver, and an actuator movably connected to the transducer housing. The transducer driver includes at least one coil and one magnet. In one aspect of the present transducer, a seal is provided to seal transducer components that are located at a location other than at the movable connection between the actuator and the transducer housing. According to this aspect, the seal may be disposed around one of a magnet and a coil that is connectable to the actuator, to protect the same from body fluids. The other one of the magnet and the coil may include its own seal within the transducer housing.

Abstract: A variable reluctance motor is provided having a linear relationship between an input current and an output force. According to one aspect of the invention, the motor comprises a stator, an armature, and at least one magnetic member to provide a biasing force on the armature. According to this characterization, the motor also includes a drive coil to generate an electromagnetic field in response to a current input. The electromagnetic field, in turn, moves the armature relative to the stator during motor operation.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid system that includes a transducer housing that is rotatable relative to a transducer mounting apparatus to orient the transducer for interfacing with an auditory component. According to one aspect of the invention, during rotation, a center of rotation of the transducer housing remains positionally fixed. In this regard, the transducer includes an actuator member that is advanceable relative to the transducer housing to interface with the auditory component, subsequent to orientation of the transducer housing.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer that compensates in situ for undesirable interfaces with a middle ear component. The transducer includes a housing, an actuator, a driver, and an actuator interface. According to one embodiment, the actuator interface is reshapeable in situ from a first shape to a second shape to permit movement of one of the actuator and the middle ear component in at least a first dimension to compensate for loading pressure. In this regard, the actuator interface may be gradually deformable to permit the movement of the transducer and/or the middle ear component, as well as, resistive to sudden movements of the actuator such that vibration at acoustic frequencies occurs between the actuator and the middle ear component.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer that compensates in situ for undesirable interfaces with a middle ear component. The transducer includes a housing, an actuator, a driver, and an actuator interface. According to one embodiment, the actuator interface is reshapeable in situ from a first shape to a second shape to permit movement of one of the actuator and the middle ear component in at least a first dimension to compensate for loading pressure. In this regard, the actuator interface may be gradually deformable to permit the movement of the transducer and/or the middle ear component, as well as, resistive to sudden movements of the actuator such that vibration at acoustic frequencies occurs between the actuator and the middle ear component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fixation apparatus and method for interfacing an implantable hearing aid actuator with the ossicular chain of a patient. The fixation apparatus may include one or more surface discontinuities to enhance tissue fixation and thereby yield enhanced mechanical coupling and vibratory response. Surface discontinuities may be in the form of surface pores, surface asperities and complex surface shapes such as grooves, slots, lips or openings formed in the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus may also and/or alternatively include a portion or component that is deflectable or that comprises a conditioned shape memory material that is activatable at bodily temperatures to yield a degree of lateral loading when the fixation apparatus is positioned within an opening defined within a bone of the ossicular chain of a patient, thereby yielding enhanced mechanical coupling.