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 interface disposable between an implantable transducer and a mounting apparatus and having at least a portion that is displaceable in response to a predeterminable range of transducer movement. According to one aspect of the invention, the predeterminable range of transducer movement includes movement in response to a physiological movement of an auditory component that results in pressure on the implantable transducer. In this case, the compliant interface permits adaptive movement of the implantable transducer in response to the pressure to maintain a desired interface between the implantable transducer and an auditory component. According to another aspect, the predeterminable range of transducer movement may be transducer vibration resulting from an acoustic stimulation of an auditory component by the implantable transducer. In this case, the compliant interface reduces the transmission of transducer vibration over a feedback path to a microphone of a hearing aid.

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: A retention apparatus for a semi-implantable hearing aid. In one embodiment, the retention apparatus includes a first surface and a second surface. One of the first and second surfaces includes a first portion and a second portion having a rounded transition therebetween for interfacing with a patient's skin. The rounded transition of the interfacing surface of the retention apparatus functions to distribute pressure resulting from the mutual magnetic attraction between an externally located magnet and an implanted magnet to permit increased magnetic forces therebetween and maintenance of a desired separation between an external coil and implanted coil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-drilling self-tapping bone screw that is especially useful in thin bone anchoring. That is, the bone screw provides an enhanced holding force for thin bone applications, such as cranial applications. In one aspect, the bone screw contains a retaining thread that expands in at least one dimension over a majority of its length. In this regard, the retaining thread makes original bone-to-screw contact over a majority of its entire length during insertion, thereby increasing the holding force between the bone and the screw. In a second aspect, the bone screw contains a generally tapered body section that expands from a first diameter (which may be zero) to a second greater diameter near the screw head. Accordingly, a thread on the outside surface of the tapered body section increases in diameter over its length to provide an increased holding force.