US 12,465,754 B2
Combination implant system with removable earplug sensor and implanted battery
Paul R. Mazanec, Ham Lake, MN (US)
Assigned to Envoy Medical Corporation, White Bear Lake, MN (US)
Filed by Envoy Medical Corporation, White Bear Lake, MN (US)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/187,162.
Application 18/187,162 is a continuation of application No. 17/182,469, filed on Feb. 23, 2021, granted, now 11,633,591.
Prior Publication US 2023/0218891 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61N 1/378 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61N 1/375 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/0541 (2013.01) [A61N 1/36038 (2017.08); A61N 1/375 (2013.01); A61N 1/3787 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cochlear implant system comprising:
an implantable subsystem comprising:
a cochlear electrode,
a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode,
a rechargeable energy storage device in electrical communication with the stimulator; and
a first near field communication interface in electrical communication with the rechargeable energy storage device and configured to be subcutaneously implantable proximate an ear canal, wherein the first near field communication interface is configured for transcutaneous transmission of electrical power to an area proximate the ear canal; and
a removable earplug configured to be inserted into the ear canal, the removable earplug comprising:
a sensor configured to sense auditory signals and generate an input signal representative of the sensed auditory signals; and
a signal processor configured to receive the input signal from the sensor, generate a stimulation signal based on the received input signal, and output the stimulation signal to the implantable subsystem.