ACTUATOR SYSTEMS FOR ORAL-BASED APPLIANCES

摘要

Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.

主权项

1. An apparatus for conducting vibrations via at least one tooth, comprising:
a housing that is configured to engage the at least one tooth without requiring anatomical modification of the at least one tooth or bonding to the at least one tooth; a transducer disposed within or upon the housing, and configured to transmit vibrations to a surface of the at least one tooth; and a mass element coupled to the transducer and movable relative to the housing whereby movement of the mass element generates a force transmittable through the surface of the at least one tooth.