US4622975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ear canal electrode
Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC
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Filing: 1982-09-27
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Granted: 1986-11-18
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Expires: 2002-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A non-invasive, external ear canal electrode useful for transmitting sound stimulus to an ear canal and for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal epidermal surface including a tube comprising electroconductive metal and having a resilient plastic foam element impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium attached to the end to be placed in the ear.
Inventors
- 👤 Hal C. Danby
- 👤 Myron A. Beigler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0541; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6815; A61B5/6817; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/04; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0209; A61B2562/0215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom to the tubular electrode means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for testing hearing loss comprising an ear canal electrode in combination with a means for analyzing electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and transmitted by an ear canal electrode, the ear canal electrode comprising a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom to the tubular electrode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 1 wherein the tubular electrode means comprises metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 2 wherein the metal is silver or stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 1 wherein the plastic foam means is an open-cell foam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 4 wherein the plastic foam means is impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 5 wherein a portion of the plastic foam means proximate the distal end of the electrode means is compressedly held against the electrode means by an annular clamping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus for testing hearing loss of claim 1 wherein the tubular electrode means is an acoustical horn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a tubular metal electrode means for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive resilient, annular, open-celled plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudces, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom, wherein the plastic foam means is impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium, and the distal end of the electrode means is flared back over itself to form a clamping means having a diameter larger than the electrode means, and a portion of the plastic foam means proximate said distal end is compressedly pinched between the clamping means and the electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a tubular metal electrode means for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive resilient, annular, open-celled plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudces, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom, wherein the plastic foam means is impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium, and the distal end of the electrode means is flared back over itself to form a clamping means having a diameter larger than the electrode means, and a portion of the plastic foam means proximate said distal end is compressedly pinched between the clamping means and the electrode means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom, wherein the plastic foam means is compressedly enclosed in a concentric outer insertion tube means for inserting the ear canal electrode in the ear canal, whereby the plastic foam means expands within the ear canal to effect positive skin contact after the insertion tube means is retracted to a non-enclosing position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
An ear canal electrode comprising a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom, wherein the plastic foam means is compressedly enclosed in a concentric outer insertion tube means for inserting the ear canal electrode in the ear canal, whereby the plastic foam means expands within the ear canal to effect positive skin contact after the insertion tube means is retracted to a non-enclosing position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ear canal electrode of claim 9 wherein the outer insertion tube means includes guard means for limiting the insertion distance in the ear canal to a predetermined distance short of the ear drum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for diagnosing hearing defects comprising stimulating the auditory system of a person with bursts of sound waves issued from an ear canal electrode positioned in the ear canal of the person, detecting the electrical signals generated in response to the auditory system stimulation with the bursts of sound, the electrical signals being picked up from the ear canal surface with the ear canal electrode, and analyzing the electrical signals, wherein the ear canal electrode comprises a tubular electrode means of electro-conductive material for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal surface and for transmitting a sound stimulus to an ear canal, said electrode means having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having mounted thereon an electro-conductive, resilient, annular plastic foam means through which the electrode means protrudes, for contacting the skin surface of the ear canal and picking up and conducting electrical signals therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 1 wherein the tubular electrode means comprises metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 12 wherein the metal is silver or stainless steel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 11 wherein the plastic foam means is an open-cell foam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 14 wherein the plastic foam means is impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 15 wherein a portion of the plastic foam means proximate the distal end of the electrode means is compressedly held against the electrode means by an annular clamping means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for testing hearing loss of claim 11 wherein the tubular electrode means is an acoustical horn.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-19 | 1990-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-17 | 1994-05-19 | 1994-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-17 | 1998-05-19 | 1998-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |