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: The invention is directed to an implanted microphone having reduced sensitivity to vibration. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable vibration by utilizing at least one motion sensor to produce a motion signal when an implanted microphone is in motion. This motion signal is used to yield a microphone output signal that is less vibration sensitive. In a first arrangement, the motion signal may be processed with an output of the implantable microphone transducer to provide an audio signal that is less vibration-sensitive than the microphone output alone. Specifically, the motion signal may be scaled to match the motion component of the microphone output such that upon removal of the motion signal from the microphone output, the remaining signal is an acoustic signal.

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: A system for reducing the vibration sensitivity of an implantable microphone without an equal or greater reduction in sound sensitivity. The system reduces non-ambient vibrations by placing at least one compliant member into the path of transmission for tissue-borne vibration, but not into the path for ambient sound-induced vibration. More particularly, a compliant member is interposed along the path between a source of non-ambient vibration and an implanted microphone. In one aspect, a compliant base member is disposed between an implanted microphone and an implant wearer's skull. In another aspect, a microphone is compliantly suspended relative to an implant housing using a support membrane. In either aspect, the compliant member (i.e., base member and/or membrane) and the supported member (i.e., housing and/or microphone) define a supported system having a natural or resonant frequency. This natural frequency may be set to a value to advantageously isolate the microphone against transmitted vibration.

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 microphone for use with an implantable hearing instrument that has a reduced vibration sensitivity in comparison with its acoustic sensitivity. The microphone utilizes a plurality of small diaphragms as opposed to a single large diaphragm in order to reduce vibration sensitivity caused by mass loading of the diaphragms by overlying skin and tissue. The acoustic outputs of the plurality of small diaphragms are summed (e.g., acoustically or electronically), which allows the microphone to maintain adequate acoustic sensitivity for hearing augmentation purposes while having a reduced vibration sensitivity. In one aspect, the plurality of diaphragms is formed from a single membrane and a multi-apertured support structure in contact with the membrane. Each aperture in combination with the membrane defines a single diaphragm.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.

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: Method for obtaining diagnostic information utilizing an electrical signal output from an implantable transducer. According to one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of vibrating an ossicular bone of a patient having an implanted transducer using an input provided over a biological conduction path. The method further includes sensing in the implanted transducer an initial movement of the ossicular bone caused by the input and obtaining an electrical signal output from the implanted transducer generated in response to sensing the initial movement. The electrical signal output is then utilized to determine the diagnostic information.

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 noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient.

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: A hearing aid and method for stimulating the tympanic membrane of a patient via an input of acoustic signals into the middle ear cavity. The hearing aid includes an acoustic signal receiver, a signal processor, and an implantable transducer. In one aspect of the invention, the impedance of the implantable transducer is matched to a characteristic frequency range of the human tympanic membrane to acoustically couple the transducer with the tympanic membrane. In another aspect of the invention, the impedance of the implantable transducer is matched to a measured impedance of a patient's tympanic membrane to achieve the acoustic coupling. In either case, the acoustic signal receiver receives acoustic sounds and generates frequency response signals for the signal processor. The signal processor, in turn, processes the frequency response signals to generate transducer drive signals for the implanted transducer. The acoustically coupled transducer receives the drive signals to generate acoustic signals, e.g.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the measurement device may comprise a pair of coils for measuring the magnetic field generated by an implanted actuator utilized to simulate the middle ear of a patient. The magnetic field strength is directly related to the amount of current passing through the actuator. In turn, such current is inversely related to the electrical impedance present at the implanted actuator. Such electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the implanted actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. A noninvasive method and system for adjusting an interface between implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems is also provided. The invention utilizes an externally positioned measurement device to obtain a test measure of the electrical signal passing through an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. The at least one test measure is used to determine among other things a status of the interface between the actuator and the component of the auditory system. Responsive to determining that the interface requires adjustment, an electrical signal is externally provided to a positioning system on the actuator to reposition the actuator relative to the component of the auditory system and correct the interface.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.