Patent No. 6174278 Implantable microphone

 

Patent No. 6174278

Implantable microphone (Jaeger, et al., Jan 16, 2001)

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for amplifying vocal (i.e., speech) and other sounds produced by humans and other animals. The present invention provides implantable microphones and sound amplification systems suitable for use in diagnostic and research settings, as well as for use by subject's in need of assistance to vocalize.

Notes:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices and methods for improving sound production and amplification in vocally impaired persons and particularly to the field of implantable microphones. The present invention also provides devices and methods for improving sound production and amplification suitable for diagnostic purposes.

The present invention provides two-stage implantable microphone devices and methods for their use. In one embodiment, the implantable microphone of the present invention has stages that allow selection of the microphone frequency response and sensitivity. The implantable microphones of the present invention provide excellent audio characteristics and are very thin, making them particularly suited for implantation.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable microphone device comprising a housing, including a diaphragm, the housing and diaphragm enclosing a chamber; a microphone coupled to the housing; and a vent connecting the microphone to the chamber, so that vibrations of the diaphragm are transmitted through the chamber and vent to the microphone. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer in the microphone is an electret microphone. In other embodiments, the transducer is piezo or electromagnetic. Thus, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular transducer included within the microphone.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable microphone device comprising, a housing, including a diaphragm, the housing and diaphragm enclosing a chamber; an acoustic resistor between the diaphragm and an opposing surface of the housing; a microphone coupled to the housing; and a vent connecting the microphone to the chamber, so that vibrations of the diaphragm are transmitted through the chamber and vent to the transducer.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable microphone device comprising a housing, including a diaphragm, the housing and diaphragm enclosing a chamber; a microphone coupled to the housing; and a vent connecting the microphone to the chamber so that vibrations of the diaphragm are transmitted through the chamber and vent to a surface of the microphone.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable microphone device, comprising a housing, including a diaphragm having a plurality of bellows, the housing and diaphragm enclosing a chamber; an acoustic resistor between the diaphragm and an opposing surface of the housing; a microphone coupled to the housing; and a vent connecting the microphone to the chamber so that vibrations of the diaphragm are transmitted through the chamber and vent to the microphone.

The present invention also provides methods for amplifying speech comprising the steps of providing a subject, and an implantable microphone for producing an electronic signal responsive to the subject's vocalizations; and implanting the implantable microphone within the subject.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method comprises the step of providing a subject, an implantable microphone for producing an electronic signal responsive to the subject's vocalizations, an amplifying means for amplifying the electronic signal to produce an amplified signal, and a broadcasting means for broadcasting the amplified signal to produce a broadcasted signal.

In an alternative embodiment, the amplifying means further comprises a filtering means. In yet another embodiment, the amplifying means further comprises a processing means. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention further comprises a modulating means, wherein the amplified signal is modulated; and a demodulating means, wherein the broadcasted signal is demodulated. It is contemplated that the modulated signal is selected from the group consisting of AM, FM, and bass band. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the broadcasting means is comprised of a transmitter coil, a receiving coil, an amplifier, and at least one speaker. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transmitter coil is implanted within the subject, and the receiving coil may be external or surgically implantable within the subject.

In some embodiments, the speaker is a room speaker, while in others, the speaker is a personal speaker. In preferred embodiments of the method as it is used to assist vocally-impaired subjects, implantable microphone is implaned in close proximity to the subject's vocal cords. In particularly preferred embodiments, the implanted microphone is hermetically sealed.

The present invention also provides methods for monitoring body function, comprising the step of: providing a subject, an implantable microphone for producing an electronic signal responsive to the subject's body functions, and implanting the microphone within the subject.

In preferred embodiment, the methods for monitoring body function, comprising the step of: providing a subject, an implantable microphone for producing an electronic signal responsive to the subject's body functions, an amplifying means for amplifying the electronic signal to produce an amplified signal, and a broadcasting means for broadcasting the amplified signal to produce a broadcasted signal; implanting the implanted microphone within the subject; and monitoring the implanted microphone.

In one embodiment, the amplifying means further comprises a filtering means. In alternative embodiments, the amplifying means further comprises a processing means. In preferred embodiments, the method further comprises a modulating means, wherein the amplified signal is modulated; and a demodulating means, wherein the broadcasted signal is demodulated. It is contemplated that various modulated signals will be used in the present invention, including but not limited to the group consisting of FM, AM, and bass band. In alternatively preferred embodiments, the broadcasting means is comprised of a transmitter coil, a receiving coil, an amplifier, and at least one speaker. In particularly preferred embodiments, the transmitter coil is implanted within the subject, and the receiving coil may be external or implanted within the subject. In an alternative embodiment, the speaker is a room speaker, while in other alternative embodiments, the speaker is a personal speaker. In particularly preferred embodiments, the broadcasted signal is recorded.

It is contemplated that the method of the present invention will be used to monitor various body functions, including, but not limited to heart rate, respiration, and intestinal movement. It is further contemplated that the present invention will be used for diagnostic purposes, to determine whether a subject is suffering from disease or any other pathological condition.

It is further contemplated that the subject be human, although it is also contemplated that the present invention will be used with non-human animals for monitoring, as well as diagnostic purposes.

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From the above, it is clear that the present invention provides and methods for the use of preparation of implantable microphones effective in the amplification of voice and other sounds. All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described method and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.