Patent US4063048A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4063048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable electronic hearing aid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-03-16
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1997-03-16
Abstract
Abstract An electronic hearing aid device for enabling persons having loss of hearing due to a nonfunctioning inner ear (Cochlea), but have a responsive auditory (acoustic, or eighth cranial) nerve, to hear by way of an electronic device including a microphone for receiving audio signals connected to an amplifier for converting the audio signal into an analog voltage signal. The analog voltage signal is filtered by a series of filter networks which separate the analog voltage signal into a plurality of frequency component signals each having a predetermined frequency range within the audio spectrum. The component analog voltage signals are then converted into digital pulse signals having the same frequency as the component voltage signal which are fed to the auditory nerve by way of implanted platinium (or other) wires wherein the digital pulse signals more accurately simulate the natural sound signals transmitted to the brain for interpretation.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam M. Kissiah, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36036; A61N1/36038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An electronic hearing aid device for use in aiding a person having a non-functioning inner ear mechanism comprising: receiver means for receiving an external audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal; amplifier means connected to said receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said voltage signal; a plurality of frequency filter networks each having an input connected to an output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified voltage signal and filtering said analog signal into a number of separate frequency component signals corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network; analog-digital converter circuit means connected to the output of each filter network for receiving each said frequency component signal and converting said signal into a digital component signal; and a plurality of elongated electrode members each having one end connected to an output of one of said converter circuit means with the remote end thereof adapted for being implanted adjacent a portion of the auditory nerve system of the inner ear for transmitting said digital component signals for interpretation in the hearing portion of the brain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An electronic hearing aid device for use in aiding a person having a non-functioning inner ear mechanism comprising: receiver means for receiving an external audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal; amplifier means connected to said receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said voltage signal; a plurality of frequency filter networks each having an input connected to an output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified voltage signal and filtering said analog signal into a number of separate frequency component signals corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network; analog-digital converter circuit means connected to the output of each filter network for receiving each said frequency component signal and converting said signal into a digital component signal; and a plurality of elongated electrode members each having one end connected to an output of one of said converter circuit means with the remote end thereof adapted for being implanted adjacent a portion of the auditory nerve system of the inner ear for transmitting said digital component signals for interpretation in the hearing portion of the brain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said analog-digital convertor circuit means converts said frequency component signal into a series of digital pulses occurring at the same frequency as said frequency component signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrodes are platinum wires.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising pin collector means having a plurality of pins for connection of said output of said converter circuit means and said one end of said electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said connector means includes a female connector for being implanted adjacent the mastoid bone portion of the outer ear having a plurality of pin channels connected to said electrodes and a male connector having corresponding pin connections connected to said converter circuit outputs for insertion into said pin channels of said female connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
231 words
An electronic hearing aid device for aiding a person having a non-functioning inner ear comprising: receiver means for receiving an audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal; amplifier means connected to the receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said signal; a plurality of frequency filter networks having an input connected to the output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified analog voltage signal and separating said analog signal into frequency component signals having frequencies corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network; an analog-digital converter network connected to the output of each of said filter networks for receiving said analog frequency component signal therefrom and converting said frequency component signal into a digital component signal having a series of digital pulses of the same frequency as the analog frequency component signal; a pin connector member having a pin connection connected to an output of each analog-digital filter network for receiving said digital pulse signals; and a plurality of electrode members for being implanted adjacent portions of the nerve of the inner ear with the remote end of said electrodes being connected to each of said pin connections so that each component digital pulse signal will be applied at the same portion of the nerve normally accustomed to transmitting like signals in the normal hearing process for interpretation as sound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
231 words
An electronic hearing aid device for aiding a person having a non-functioning inner ear comprising: receiver means for receiving an audio signal and converting said signal into an analog voltage signal; amplifier means connected to the receiver means for receiving said analog voltage signal and amplifying said signal; a plurality of frequency filter networks having an input connected to the output of said amplifier means for receiving said amplified analog voltage signal and separating said analog signal into frequency component signals having frequencies corresponding to a predetermined frequency range of each respective filter network; an analog-digital converter network connected to the output of each of said filter networks for receiving said analog frequency component signal therefrom and converting said frequency component signal into a digital component signal having a series of digital pulses of the same frequency as the analog frequency component signal; a pin connector member having a pin connection connected to an output of each analog-digital filter network for receiving said digital pulse signals; and a plurality of electrode members for being implanted adjacent portions of the nerve of the inner ear with the remote end of said electrodes being connected to each of said pin connections so that each component digital pulse signal will be applied at the same portion of the nerve normally accustomed to transmitting like signals in the normal hearing process for interpretation as sound.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |