Sound processor housings, sound processors and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9974952-B2
Application number	US-201113989614-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2011
Priority date	Dec 17, 2010
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed. The housings include a main portion with a power supply receptacle, a seal and power supply receptacle cover. The seal may include a deflectable portion and define a material-free region into which the deflectable portion deflects in response to the application of radial force by the power supply receptacle cover.

First claim

We claim:

1. A sound processor for use with a cochlear implant,
the sound processor comprising:
a housing including
a main portion including a power supply receptacle,
a seal, defining a closed geometric shape with an axis, carried by the housing main portion, and
a power supply receptacle cover movable in the axial direction between an open state where the power supply receptacle is accessible and a closed state where the power supply receptacle is not accessible,
the main portion, seal and power supply receptacle cover being respectively configured and arranged such that movement of the power supply receptacle cover from the open state to the closed state results in a radial force being applied to the seal by the power supply receptacle cover,
the seal including a deflectable portion and defining a material-free region into which the deflectable portion deflects in response to the application of radial force by the power supply receptacle cover;

sound processor circuitry carried within the housing; and
a communication device adapted to operably connect the sound processor circuitry to the cochlear implant.

2. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the seal includes a base member and the deflectable portion comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from the base member.

3. A sound processor as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the protrusion extends radially outwardly from the base member.

4. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the seal include a base member and the deflectable portion comprises first and second protrusions extending outwardly from the base member.

5. A sound processor as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the first and second protrusions define different configurations.

6. A sound processor as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first and second protrusions define different lengths in the radial direction.

7. A sound processor as claimed in claim 5 , wherein
the seal includes a third protrusion with the same configuration as the second protrusion;
the first protrusion is located between the second and third protrusions; and
the seal is axially symmetric about the first protrusion.

8. A sound processor as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the seal and power supply receptacle cover are respectively configured and arranged such that the first and second protrusions will be radially compressed when the power supply receptacle cover is in the closed state and the third protrusion will not be substantially radially compressed when the power supply receptacle cover is in the closed state.

9. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the seal and power supply receptacle cover are respectively configured and arranged such that an air gap is located between, and is radially aligned with, the housing main portion and the portion of the power supply receptacle cover that applies radial compression force to the seal when the power supply receptacle cover is in the closed state.

10. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing main portion and the power supply receptacle cover include respective portions of a latch that secures the power supply receptacle cover to the housing main portion.

11. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the power supply receptacle cover defines an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface; and
the inner surface includes a seal portion and a transition portion located between the seal portion and the open end.

12. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing main portion, seal and power supply receptacle cover are configured such that there will be no ingress of visible water into the power supply receptacle when the sound processor is immersed in water at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.

13. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the power supply receptacle cover defines an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface; and
the inner surface includes a seal contact point that is in contact with the deflectable portion when the power supply receptacle is in the closed state and at least one vent located between the seal contact point and the open end.

14. A sound processor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the communication device comprises a headpiece.

15. A sound processor for use with a cochlear implant, the sound processor comprising:
a housing including
a main portion including a power supply receptacle,
a seal defining a closed geometric shape with an axis, and including a deflectable portion, and carried on a surface of the housing main portion,
a power supply receptacle cover movable in the axial direction between an open state where the power supply receptacle is accessible and a closed state where the power supply receptacle is not accessible,
the main portion, seal and power supply receptacle cover being respectively configured and arranged such that movement of the power supply receptacle cover from the open state to the closed state results in the cover applying a radial force to a portion of the seal, and
means for creating an air gap between the surface of the housing main portion on which the seal is carried and the portion of the seal to which the radial force is applied;

sound processor circuitry carried within the housing; and
a communication device adapted to operably connect the sound processor circuitry to the cochlear implant.

16. A sound processor as claimed in claim 15 , wherein
the seal defines a perimeter that extends around the axis; and
the cover applies an uninterrupted radial force to a portion of the seal that extends completely around the perimeter of the seal.

17. A sound processor as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the air gap and the portion of the seal to which the radial force is applied are aligned in the radial direction.

18. A sound processor as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the air gap and the portion of the seal to which the radial force is applied are aligned in the radial direction.

19. A sound processor as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the seal includes a base member and the deflectable portion comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from the base member.

20. A sound processor as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the protrusion extends radially outwardly from the base member.

21. A sound processor as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the seal include a base member and the deflectable portion comprises first and second protrusions extending outwardly from the base member.

22. A sound processor as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the first and second protrusions define different configurations.

23. A sound processor as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the first and second protrusions define different lengths in the radial direction.

24. A sound processor as claimed in claim 22 , wherein
the seal includes a third protrusion with the same configuration as the second protrusion;
the first protrusion is located between the second and third protrusions; and
the seal is axially symmetric about the first protrusion.

25. A sound processor as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the seal and power supply receptacle cover are respectively configured and arranged such that the first and second protrusions will be radially compressed when the power supply receptacle cover is in the closed state and the third protrusion will not be substantially radially compressed when the power supply receptacle cover is in the closed state.

26. A sound

Assignees

• Goodman James P
• Smith Adam
• Advanced Bionics Ag

Inventors

• Goodman James P
• Smith Adam

Classifications

• A61N1/36038 Primary

  Cochlear stimulation · CPC title

• A61N1/375

  Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings · CPC title

• H04R25/602

  of batteries · CPC title

• A61N1/36036

  of the outer, middle or inner ear · CPC title

• A61N1/36032 Primary

  Human Necessities · mapped topic