Abstract:
A device for coupling a programming connector to a programmable hearing aid comprises an electrode coupled to a corresponding conductor of the programming connector, wherein the electrode is biased to maintain contact with a conductive surface in the hearing aid. The coupling device is adapted to engage within a receiver module of a CIC hearing device. Data from an outside source, such as a computer, can thereby be easily transferred through the programming connector to circuitry within the hearing device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to hearing devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to programming connectors for hearing devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The modern trend in the design and implementation of hearing devices is focusing to a large extent on reducing the physical size of the hearing device. Miniaturization of hearing device components is becoming increasingly feasible with rapid technological advances in the fields of power supplies, sound processing electronics and micro-mechanics. The demand for smaller and less conspicuous hearing devices continues to increase as a larger portion of our population ages and faces hearing loss. Those who face hearing loss also encounter the accompanying desire to avoid the stigma and self consciousness associated with this condition. As a result, smaller hearing devices which are cosmetically less visible are increasingly sought after. 
     Hearing device technology has progressed rapidly in recent years. First generation hearing devices were primarily of the Behind-The-Ear (BTE) type, where an externally mounted device was connected by an acoustic tube to a molded shell placed within the ear. With the advancement of component miniaturization, modern hearing devices rarely use this Behind-The-Ear technique, focusing primarily on one of several forms of an In-The-Canal hearing device. Three main types of In-The-Canal hearing devices are routinely offered by audiologists and physicians. In-The-Ear (ITE) devices rest primarily in the concha of the ear and have the disadvantages of being fairly conspicuous to a bystander and relatively bulky and uncomfortable to wear. Smaller In-The-Canal (ITC) devices fit partially in the concha and partially in the ear canal and are less visible but still leave a substantial portion of the hearing device exposed. Recently, Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing devices have come into greater use. As the name implicates, these devices fit deep within the ear canal and are essentially hidden from view from the outside. 
     In addition to the obvious cosmetic advantages these types of in-the-canal devices provide, they also have several performance advantages that larger, externally mounted devices do not offer. Placing the hearing device deep within the ear canal and proximate to the tympanic membrane (ear drum) improves the frequency response of the device, reduces distortion due to jaw extrusion, reduces the occurrence of occlusion effects and improves overall sound fidelity. 
     While the performance of CIC hearing devices is generally superior to other larger and less sophisticated devices, several challenges remain. When viewed in the transverse plane, the path of the ear canal is extremely irregular, having several sharp bends and curves. This shape and structure, or morphology, varies from person to person. Furthermore, the range and extent of hearing loss typically varies from person to person. A healthy adult ear can sense frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz. The same ear can process a sound with an intensity just above 0 dB (a barely audible sound), to a sound intensity over 120 dB. The threshold of pain is 130 dB. Some individuals may only have hearing loss at a certain frequency range and/or within a limited range of sound intensity. 
     To address the foregoing problems, hearing device manufacturers and audiologists have typically employed programmable hearing devices. In general, programmable hearing devices contain an integrated circuit that maintains customized programs for an individual and/or for a particular sound environment. For instance, the program could direct the hearing device to only amplify sounds at lower frequencies. Alternatively, the program could direct the hearing device to amplify sound frequencies that are only encountered in a specific setting, such as a dinner conversation or a crowded room. Since the range of an individual&#39;s hearing loss may change over time, the hearing device program may need to be altered. In order to accommodate these changes, the integrated circuit must be reprogrammed. Reprogramming the integrated circuit is generally performed by using a programming connector that links a programming source (e.g., a computer) with the hearing device circuit. Because an individual&#39;s hearing ability may change frequently, or the individual may often move from one sound environment to another, it is desirable that the programming connector allow the integrated circuit to be reprogrammed easily and reliably. 
     Although known hearing devices employ programming technology, they are not in line with the objectives of component miniaturization. Programmable hearing devices require additional components, such as connection pads, and internal circuitry. These additional components necessarily increase the size of the hearing device. In order to balance the competing objectives of programmability and miniaturization, it is necessary to limit the number and size of the programming components included in the hearing device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,230, entitled “Hearing Aid Programming Interface” (“the &#39;230 patent”), discloses a programming connector that connects an external programming source with internal hearing device circuitry. By fitting inside the battery compartment of a programmable hearing device, the programming connector of the &#39;230 patent obviates the need of a separate port on the hearing device for the programming circuitry. However, the device of the &#39;230 patent still presents problems because it does not provide a structure that allows the electrodes to move independently from the body of the programming connector or independently from one another. Thus, the device of the &#39;230 patent does not provide a consistent or reliable connection between the programming connector, and the internal circuitry of the hearing device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a coupling device that allows electronic data to be programmed into a hearing device. In a first aspect of the invention, a device for coupling a programming connector to a hearing aid comprises an electrode coupled to a corresponding conductor of the programming connector, wherein the electrode is biased to maintain contact with a conductive surface in the hearing aid. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a device for coupling a programming connector to a programmable hearing aid comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode coupled to a corresponding conductor of the programming connector, wherein the plurality of electrodes are individually biased to maintain contact with a conductive surface in the hearing aid. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a programming connector for a hearing aid, comprises a handle, an extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the extension member connected to the handle, a coupling device connected to the distal end of the extender, and, an electrode, wherein the electrode is housed within the coupling device and is biased so that it will maintain contact with a conductive surface in a hearing aid. 
     Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate both the design and utility of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by the same reference numbers for purposes of ease in illustration of the invention, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a programming connector constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the programming connector of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of a programming connector socket connector; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a programming connector handle; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a programming connector coupler; 
     FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a hearing device receiver module; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receiver module of FIG. 6 engaged with a programming connector constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5B, a programming connector  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention, has a proximal end  11 , and a distal end  12 . Located on the proximal end  11  of the programming connector  10  is a socket connector  13  incorporated into a handle  14 . The socket connector  13  is adapted to allow the programming connector  10  to communicate with an external circuit, such as a computer or another electronic device. Preferably, the socket connector  13  is an industry standard socket connector such as a CS44 socket connector. 
     The handle  14  is connected to an extension member  16 . The extension member  16  is preferably a flexible, planar substrate made from a material such as Mylar™, but may alternately have a tubular, rectangular, or oblong shape. Various other shapes of the extension member  16  are also contemplated by the present invention. The extension member  16  may alternately be formed from a rigid material. 
     The handle  14 , provides electrical insulation, and a convenient area to grasp the programming connector  10 . The handle  14  preferably includes tactile ridges  22  along its periphery, that further facilitate grasping the programming connector  10 . The handle  14  includes a first handle portion  30 , and a second handle portion  31 . The first handle portion  30  includes an aperture  32  which is adapted to receive the socket connector  13 . As best shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the socket connector  13  includes four socket pins  15   a ,  15   b , 15   c , and  15   d . The first and second handle portions  30  and  31  are assembled and connected by inserting a tab  39  on the second handle portion  31  into a slot  40  on the first handle portion  30 . The second handle portion  31  also preferably includes recesses  70  that receive and provide mechanical support for the socket pins  15   a - 15   d , as well as recesses  71  that provide a mounting location for capacitors  34  (Best seen in FIG.  4 ). 
     The socket connector  13  is formed from a plastic casing  50  and has the pins  15   a - 15   d  extend from the casing  50 . The socket connector  13  is inserted through the aperture  32  on the handle  14 , such that each of the socket pins  15   a - 15   d  engage with a corresponding connector ring  33   a - 33   d  located on a proximal end  44  of the extension member  16 . The socket pins  15   a - 15   d  are held in place in the connection rings  33   a - 33   d  either by friction alone or by the use of an industry standard adhesive such as adhesives sold by Loctite™. By engaging with the connector rings  33   a - 33   d , each of the socket pins  15   a - 15   d  are in electrical communication with the connector rings  33   a - 33   d.    
     Also located on the proximal end  44  of the extension member  16  are capacitors  34 , each mounted to a capacitor pad  35 . Preferably the capacitors are etched copper pads. The capacitors are decoupling capacitors well known in the field of circuit design. 
     The extension member  16  includes four electrically conductive pathways, a positive pathway  23 , a ground pathway  24 , a data pathway  25 , and a clock pathway  26 . Each of the electrically conductive pathways  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26  can either be embedded in the extension member  16 , or can be deposited on its surface. Preferably, the electrically conductive pathways are electrical traces etched into the extension member  16 . The electrical pathways  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26  are in electrical communication with the connection rings  33   a - 33   d , respectively. Since the connection rings  33   a - 33   d  are in electrical communication with the socket pins  15   a - 15   d , an electrical path is maintained between the electrical pathways  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and the socket pins  15   a - 15   d.    
     The distal end  12  of the programming connector  10  includes a coupler  21  that provides a support structure for four electrodes. The coupler is shaped so that it will engage with a hearing device receiver module (Described in FIGS.  6  and  7 ). A positive electrode  17  includes a top surface  17   a  and a circumferential surface  17   b  so that the positive electrode  17  forms a substantially cup-shaped element that fits over the coupler  21 . The positive electrode  17  is preferably made from brass. The coupler  21  has a first surface  21   a , a second surface  21   b , and three chambers  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  extending from the first surface to the second surface. 
     Mounted in each of the chambers  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  is a pin electrode. As shown in FIG. 5A, a ground pin electrode  18  is mounted in chamber  42   a  and a clock pin electrode  20  is mounted in chamber  42   c . Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, a data pin electrode  19  is mounted in chamber  42   b . Each of the pin electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  are electrically conductive and preferably have a nickel-gold coating. Each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  are in electrical communication with a biasing member  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c , respectively. The biasing members  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c  are also housed within the chambers  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c . As best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the biasing members rest on a flanged surface  113  of each of the pin electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20 . 
     Located at a distal end  45  of the extension member  16  is a disk shaped positive contact pad  36 . A top surface  36   a  of the positive contact pad  36  is in electrical communication with the positive electrical pathway  23 . The positive electrode  17  has a slot  41  that is adapted to receive the distal end  45  of the extension member  16 , and more particularly the positive contact pad  36 . When inserted through the slot  41 , the top surface  36   a  of the positive contact pad  36  engages with the top surface  17   a  of the positive electrode  17  (Best seen in FIGS.  2  and  5 A). A bottom surface  36   b  of the positive contact pad includes extensions of the conductive pathways  24 ,  25 , and  26  thereon, so that when the positive contact pad  36  is inserted through the slot  41  of the positive electrode  17 , and the coupler  21  is engaged with the positive electrode  17 , the bottom surface  36   b  of the positive contact pad  36  will contact the biasing members  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c  that are housed in the chambers  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c . The conductive pathways  24 ,  25 , and  26  that extend along the bottom surface  36   b  of the positive contact pad  36  are routed across the positive contact pad so that they will contact the biasing members  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c , respectively. The positive contact pad  36  also serves as a cover that holds the biasing members  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c  within each of the chambers in the coupler  21 . A solder paste  112  is preferably used to secure the coupler  21  to the positive contact pad  36  and the positive electrode  17 . 
     Since the pin electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  are in electrical communication with the biasing members  37   a - 37   c , which are in turn in electrical communication with the conductive pathways  24 ,  25 , and  26 , a continuous electrical pathway is maintained between the pin electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  and the connector pins  15   b - 15   d  on the socket connector  13 . Likewise a continuous electrical pathway is maintained between the positive electrode  17  and the connector pin  15   a  on the socket connector  13 . 
     The ground pin electrode  18 , the data pin electrode  19 , and the clock pin electrode  20  are mounted to the biasing members  37   a - 37   c  such that each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  can move in a direction normal to the biasing members, independent from the movement of the other electrodes, and independent of any movement of the coupler  21 . 
     The biasing members  37   a - 37   c  are formed from a resilient or elastic material such as compressed rubber, or steel. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing members  37   a - 37   c  are made of a resilient alloy, such as a stainless steel or a copper alloy, and are formed into springs. The resiliency of the biasing members applies a continuous force on the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  and allows them to be maintained in a fully extended position until an opposing force is applied. 
     Flanges  115  on each of the electrodes, and a seat  117  within each of the chambers  42   a - 42   c , limit the distance the electrodes can extend from the coupler  21 . When an external force F is applied to a contact surface  111  of each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20 , they will move in a direction normal to the biasing members  37   a - 37   c  (i.e. in a direction in line with the movement of the biasing members  37   a - 37   c , and along a longitudinal axis of the chambers), and will retract slightly into the coupler  21 . (Best seen in FIG. 5B) Upon releasing the force F from each of the electrodes, the electrode will return to its fully extended position. 
     In an alternate embodiment, each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  can also move in a plane perpendicular to the biasing members  37   a - 37   c . Thus, the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20 , may experience three degrees of freedom in relation to the biasing members  37   a - 37   c . For instance, each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20  may be flexibly attached (e.g., by way of a hinge) to the biasing members  37   a - 37   c.    
     A programming connector constructed in accordance with the present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a CIC hearing device. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a preferred embodiment of a receiver module  80  of such a hearing device. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/467,102, filed on the same date as the present application, disclose and teach preferred embodiments of such a receiver module, the details of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference into the present application. In FIG. 6, the receiver module  80  defines a chamber  155  that houses, among other elements, a hearing device battery (not shown), and a circuit board assembly  154 . Preferably, the circuit board assembly  154  includes a positive battery contact  150 , a ground connection pad  151 , a data connection pad  152 , a clock connection pad  153 , and a negative battery contact  156 . 
     Since the circuit board assembly  154  is formed in a separate manufacturing process, its surface is not always completely flat and may vary from device to device. Surface variations may also be present in the individual contact pads within the receiver module. Surface variations may result from a manufacturing defect, or from degradation of the material used for the circuit board assembly  154  (e.g., cracking due to thermal expansion). Additionally, the design of the circuit board assembly  154  may require that the respective contact pads be formed on different planes. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates how the programming connector  10 , and particularly the coupler  21  engages within the receiver module  80 , and how each of the electrodes on the programming connector engages with a respective contact pad in the receiver module. When inserted into the chamber  155 , each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20 , contact the corresponding connection pads  151 ,  152 , and  153 . The ground pin electrode  18  contacts the ground connection pad  151 , the data pin electrode  19  contacts the data connection pad  152 , and the clock pin electrode  20  contacts the clock connection pad  153 . Similarly, the positive electrode  17  contacts the positive battery contact  150 . When inserted into the receiver module, each of the mounting members  37   a - 37   c  exert a force so that each of the pin connector electrodes,  18 ,  19 , and  20 , securely engages with the connection pads  151 ,  152 , and  153 , respectively. Due to the biasing of each of the electrodes  18 ,  19 , and  20 , each electrode maintains a continuous force on the respective contact pad and thus maintains continuous contact with the pad. In this manner, a consistent and reliable electrical connection is maintained regardless of whether there are surface variations on the circuit board assembly  154 , whether the contact pads are in different planes, or whether the programming connector  10  is moved or otherwise disturbed during programming of the hearing device. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the above description and drawings, it is understood that this description is by example only and that numerous changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted, except by the following claims and their equivalents.