Patent ID: 9686623
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: A61F,H04R

Claim:
1. A hearing actuator for implantation in a middle ear of a user, the actuator comprising: a transducer to convert electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations comprising changes in the length of the transducer along a longitudinal axis; an attachment member fixedly attached to a first end of the transducer to directly attach the first end of the transducer to an incus; and a piston element to extend away from an opposite second end of the transducer such that a longitudinal axis of the piston element is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of the transducer, and such that, when the actuator is implanted in the middle ear with said first end of the transducer attached to the incus, the piston element contacts a stapes footplate, or extends through a hole formed in the stapes footplate, wherein the changes in the length of the transducer along a longitudinal axis cause the piston element to vibrate, thereby transmitting said mechanical vibrations of the transducer to the stapes footplate or through the hole in the stapes footplate via the piston element.