Optically coupled acoustic middle ear implant systems and methods

摘要

An assembly comprising a sound transducer can be implanted in the middle ear in a manner that simplifies surgery. The assembly may comprise a narrow cross-sectional profile such that the assembly can be positioned in the middle ear through an incision in the eardrum, for example without cutting bone. The incision can be closed and electromagnetic energy transmitted through the closed incision to a transducer configured to vibrate the ear in response to the electromagnetic energy. In many embodiments, the sound transducer comprises a speaker positioned in the middle ear, and the sound transducer can couple to vibratory structure of the ear with air so as to simplify surgery. The assembly may be affixed to a substantially fixed structure of the ear, for example the promontory, so as to inhibit user perceivable occlusion and inhibit motion of the assembly, such that the user can perceive clear sound with little occlusion.

主权项

1. A device to transmit sound to an ear of a user, the ear comprising a middle ear and an eardrum, the device comprising:
an output transducer assembly configured to couple to a tissue of a middle ear of a user, the assembly comprising,
at least one receiving transducer configured to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted through the eardrum; anda sound transducer coupled to the at least one receiving transducer and configured to transmit the sound to the user in response to the electromagnetic energy when the output transducer assembly is supported with the tissue of the middle ear of the user,wherein a portion of the output transducer assembly comprises an extension sized to couple with a round window with air extending between the sound transducer and the round window, the extension comprising a channel having an opening,wherein the opening of the channel of the extension of the sound transducer is oriented toward the round window to transmit a majority of low frequency sound having frequencies below about 4 kHz to the user via the eardrum and to transmit a majority of high frequency sound having frequencies above about 5 kHz to the user via the round window, andwherein the output transducer assembly further comprises a sound processor configured to provide variable gains among the low and high frequency sounds based on a combined transfer function of a frequency response of an eardrum component and a frequency response of a round window component, wherein the frequency response of the eardrum component corresponds to a stimulation of the eardrum by the output transducer assembly and wherein the frequency response of the round window corresponds to a stimulation of the round window by the output transducer assembly.