Patent ID: 8771167

Claim:
A middle ear transducer arrangement for engaging a round window membrane of a patient cochlea, the round window membrane having a center point and a diameter, the transducer arrangement comprising: a mechanical transducer configured to be surgically implantable into a fixed position in the round window niche of the patient cochlea adjacent to the round window membrane, the mechanical transducer configured to generate a pressure wave vibration in the fluid of the scala tympani and to allow a displaced volume of cochlear fluid to move an open portion of the round window membrane outwards from the scala tympani, and further comprising a drive face on an outer surface of the transducer having a diameter less than half the diameter of the round window membrane, the drive face configured to engage, when the mechanical transducer is surgically implanted into the fixed position in the round window niche, against a side section of the round window membrane offset from the center point to generate an acoustic stimulation signal for perception as sound, and leaving an opposing portion of the round window membrane open and un-engaged for an offset displacement for a volume change in the cochlea caused by the mechanical transducer due to the acoustic stimulation signal.