Hearing implant

摘要

The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.

主权项

1. An actuator for a hearing aid for implantation into a human middle ear and for moving a stapes relative to an incus of an incudostapedial joint, the actuator comprising:
an elongate piezoelectric component having first and second operating end faces, said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component; a frame component comprising one or more flextensional amplifier element for amplifying displacements of the piezoelectric component, each of the one or more flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions, the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second frame end portions receive the piezoelectric component first and second operating end faces, wherein at least one of the one or more flextensional amplifier elements is provided with base support means attached to a first clip means configured to secure the actuator to one of the incus and the stapes; and a second clip means configured to couple the actuator to the other of the incus and the stapes, wherein the first clip means and the second clip means being configured such that the actuator is mountable to extend from the incus to the stapes without separation of the incus and stapes at the incudostapedial joint.