公开(公告)号：US11070902B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-20

申请号：US16543340

申请日：2019-08-16

Applicant: Earlens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  William M. Facteau ,  Sunil Puria

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  G02C11/06 ,  G02C11/00 ,  G02B27/01 ,  H04R23/00 ,  H04R1/02

Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.

公开(公告)号：US09226083B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-29

申请号：US13768825

申请日：2013-02-15

Applicant: EarLens Corporation

Inventor： Sunil Puria ,  Rodney C. Perkins ,  Jonathan P. Fay

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R1/26

CPC classification number: H04R25/453 ,  H04R1/265 ,  H04R25/405 ,  H04R25/407 ,  H04R25/43 ,  H04R25/554 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R29/00 ,  H04R2225/43 ,  H04R2460/01 ,  H04R2460/13

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal detects low frequency sound, such that feedback is substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry is configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user receives and transmits audio signals. A bone conduction sensor detects near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user improves the user's hearing of desired sounds.

Abstract translation: 用于通信的系统，装置和方法包括配置用于放置在耳道中以检测高频声音定位线索的耳道麦克风。 远离耳道的外部麦克风检测低频声音，从而大大降低反馈。 运河麦克风和外部麦克风耦合到换能器，使得用户从具有高频定位线索和减少的反馈的外部麦克风和运河麦克风感知声音。 无线电路被配置为使用无线协议连接到许多设备，使得用户接收和发送音频信号。 骨传导传感器检测用户的近端语音，以便在噪声环境中与无线电路进行传输。 消除用户附近背景音的噪音提高了用户对所需声音的听觉。

公开(公告)号：US08787609B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-22

申请号：US13770106

申请日：2013-02-19

Applicant: EarLens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Sunil Puria

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R1/10

CPC classification number: H04R25/606 ,  A61F11/002 ,  H04R1/10 ,  H04R25/60 ,  H04R2460/13

Abstract: An implantable device is configured for placement in the eardrum to transmit an audio signal to a user. The device may be configured to improve transmission of an electromagnetic signal from an input assembly on a lateral side of eardrum to an output assembly positioned on a medial side of the eardrum, for example at least partially in the middle ear of the user. The output assembly may comprise a transducer or at least two electrodes configured to stimulate the cochlea, for example. The device may include an opening to transmit the light signal or an optic to transmit the light signal. Alternatively the device may be configured to support a transducer of the output assembly with the eardrum when the device is implanted in the eardrum, such that the eardrum vibrates in response to the signal electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal may include light energy.

Abstract translation: 可植入装置被配置为放置在鼓膜中以向用户传输音频信号。 该装置可以被配置为改善来自鼓膜侧面上的输入组件的电磁信号的传输到定位在鼓膜的内侧上的输出组件，例如至少部分地在使用者的中耳中。 输出组件可以包括例如换能器或构造成刺激耳蜗的至少两个电极。 该装置可以包括用于传输光信号的开口或光学器件以传输光信号。 或者，该装置可以被配置为当该装置植入鼓膜时，用鼓膜支撑输出组件的换能器，使得该鼓膜响应于该信号电磁信号而振动。 电磁信号可以包括光能。

公开(公告)号：US11805374B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-31

申请号：US17476346

申请日：2021-09-15

Applicant: Earlens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Vincent Pluvinage

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R23/00

CPC classification number: H04R23/008 ,  H04R25/554 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R2225/023 ,  H04R2225/67

Abstract: Hearing systems for both hearing impaired and normal hearing subjects comprise an input transducer and a separate output transducer. The input transducer will include a light source for generating a light signal in response to either ambient sound or an external electronic sound signal. The output transducer will comprise a light-responsive transducer component which is adapted to receive light from the input transducer. The output transducer component will vibrate in response to the light input and produce vibrations in a component of a subject's hearing transduction pathway, such as the tympanic membrane, a bone in the ossicular chain, or directly on the cochlea, in order to produce neural signals representative of the original sound.

公开(公告)号：US20170085976A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-23

申请号：US15368487

申请日：2016-12-02

Applicant: EarLens Corporation

Inventor： William M. Facteau ,  Sunil Puria ,  Rodney C. Perkins

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  G02C11/06 ,  G02B27/01 ,  H04R23/00

CPC classification number: H04R1/1016 ,  G02B27/017 ,  G02B2027/0178 ,  G02C11/06 ,  G02C11/10 ,  H04R1/028 ,  H04R23/008 ,  H04R2420/07 ,  H04R2460/09 ,  H04R2460/13

Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.

公开(公告)号：US08986187B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-24

申请号：US14218461

申请日：2014-03-18

Applicant: Earlens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Sunil Puria

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R23/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/606 ,  H04R23/008 ,  H04R25/554 ,  H04R2225/023

Abstract: A transducer is configured to couple to the cochlear fluid so as to transmit sound with low amounts of energy, such that feed back to a microphone positioned in the ear canal is inhibited substantially. The cochlear fluid coupled hearing device can allow a user to determine from which side a sound originates with vibration of the cochlea and the user can also receive sound localization cues from the device, as feedback can be substantially inhibited. The transducer may be coupled to the cochlear fluid with a thin membrane disposed between the transducer and the cochlear fluid, for example with a fenestration in the cochlea. In some embodiments, a support coupled to the transducer directly contacts the fluid of the cochlea so as to couple the transducer to the cochlear fluid.

Abstract translation: 换能器被配置成耦合到耳蜗流体，以便以低能量的能量传播声音，从而基本上抑制反馈到定位在耳道中的麦克风的反馈。 耳蜗流体耦合的听觉装置可以允许用户确定声音从耳蜗的振动产生的声音，并且用户也可以从装置接收声音定位提示，因为可以基本上抑制反馈。 换能器可以与设置在换能器和耳蜗流体之间的薄膜耦合到耳蜗流体，例如在耳蜗中开窗。 在一些实施例中，耦合到换能器的支撑件直接接触耳蜗的流体，以将换能器耦合到耳蜗流体。

公开(公告)号：US10154352B2

公开(公告)日：2018-12-11

申请号：US15804995

申请日：2017-11-06

Applicant: EarLens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Sunil Puria ,  Jonathan P. Fay

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R1/26 ,  H04R29/00

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal can detect low frequency sound, such that feedback can be substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry can be configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user can receive and transmit audio signals. A bone conduction sensor can detect near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in a noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user can be provided.

公开(公告)号：US20160277854A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-22

申请号：US14949495

申请日：2015-11-23

Applicant: EarLens Corporation

Inventor： Sunil Puria ,  Rodney C. Perkins ,  Jonathan P. Fay

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R29/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/453 ,  H04R1/265 ,  H04R25/405 ,  H04R25/407 ,  H04R25/43 ,  H04R25/554 ,  H04R25/606 ,  H04R29/00 ,  H04R2225/43 ,  H04R2460/01 ,  H04R2460/13

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal can detect low frequency sound, such that feedback can be substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry can be configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user can receive and transmit audio signals. A bone conduction sensor can detect near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user can improve the user's hearing of desired sounds.

公开(公告)号：US11483665B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-25

申请号：US17077808

申请日：2020-10-22

Applicant: Earlens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Sunil Puria ,  Jonathan P. Fay

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  H04R1/26 ,  H04R29/00

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal can detect low frequency sound, such that feedback can be substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry can be configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user can receive and transmit audio signals. A bone conduction sensor can detect near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in a noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user can be provided.

公开(公告)号：US11323829B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-03

申请号：US16722873

申请日：2019-12-20

Applicant: Earlens Corporation

Inventor： Rodney C. Perkins ,  Sunil Puria

IPC: H04R25/00 ,  A61F2/18

Abstract: A support can be configured for placement in the middle ear to couple a transducer to the round window, such that the transducer can be removed from the round window without damaging the round window. The support can be configured to couple the transducer to the sound window such that the support can be removed from the round window. The support may be configured to decouple the transducer from the round window such that the transducer can be removed from the middle ear of the user, for example when the support is affixed to the middle ear. Removal of the transducer from the middle ear without damaging the round window can allow safe removal of the transducer, for example when the patient wishes to receive MRI imaging.