US 12,296,168 B2
Hidden cochlear implant system
Harel Zilbershlag, Givat Shmuel (IL)
Assigned to Smart Sound LTD., Nirit (IL)
Filed by SMART SOUND LTD., Nirit (IL)
Filed on Jun. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/339,380.
Application 17/339,380 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/IB2019/060541, filed on Dec. 8, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/859,481, filed on Jun. 10, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/809,663, filed on Feb. 24, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/777,138, filed on Dec. 8, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0290959 A1, Sep. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); H04R 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36038 (2017.08) [A61N 1/0541 (2013.01); H04R 25/554 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hidden cochlear implant system for an ear, comprising:
a canal unit; and
an implanted unit,
wherein the canal unit comprises:
at least one canal microphone configured to receive sound signals and convert the sound signals to electrical sound signals;
a canal transmitting antenna configured to transmit electrical energy, wherein the electrical energy comprises power and the electrical sound signals that comprise data to the implanted unit; and
a canal electrical power source,
wherein the at least one canal microphone is electrically connected to the canal transmitting antenna, and the canal electrical power source is electrically connected to any component of the canal unit that requires supply of electrical power, and
wherein the implanted unit comprises:
a cochlear receiving antenna configured to be implanted in the ear and receive the electrical energy transmitted by the canal transmitting antenna;
a processor configured to receive data as well as power from the cochlear receiving antenna and transmit electrical signals as electrical pulses to a cochlea; and
an electrode array configured to be implanted in the cochlea,
wherein the cochlear receiving antenna is electrically connected to the processor, and the processor is electrically connected to the electrode array, and wherein the processor and the electrode array of the implanted unit receive power solely from the canal transmitting antenna and through the cochlear receiving antenna.