Patent ID: 6506164
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Device for electromechanical stimulation and testing of the hearing, comprising:an electromechanical transducer for producing mechanical vibrations, a nonsurgical mechanical coupling element for transmitting mechanical stimulation vibrations from the electromechanical transducer through the external auditory canal to the umbo and to the manubrium mallei of the ossicular chain; positioning means for positioning the coupling element with reference to the umbo; and fixing means for secure, play-free linkage of the positioning means to the human body; wherein a spring member is provided between the positioning means and the electromechanical transducer, said spring member being configured and dimensioned for transmitting quasi-steady-state positioning adjustments from the positioning means to the electromechanical transducer, and wherein the spring member, the electromechanical transducer and the coupling element form a spring-mass system which has a natural frequency in the range from 0.5 to 5 Hz for sufficiently reducing transmission of at least dynamic forces from the positioning means to the coupling element to an extent that the risk of middle or inner ear damage is substantially reduced.