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US007421087B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,421,087 B2
Perkins et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep. 2,2008
(54) TRANSDUCER FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC HEARING DEVICES
(75) Inventors: Rodney C. Perkins, Woodside, CA
(US); Sunil Puria, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Jonathan P. Fay, San Mateo, CA (US);
John Winstead, Sunnyvale, CA (US)
(73) Assignee: EarLens Corporation, Palo Alto, CA
(US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 662 days.
(21) Appl.No.: 10/902,660
(22) Filed: Jul. 28, 2004
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2006/0023908 Al Feb. 2, 2006
(51) Int. CI.
H04R 25/00 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 381/331; 381/322; 381/326;
381/328
(58) Field of Classification Search 381/151,
381/322, 324, 326, 328, 331 See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
A hearing system for producing audio signals perceptible to an individual. The hearing system includes a transducer having a surface adapted to attach to a middle-ear acoustic member of the individual, wherein the transducer is responsive to variations in a magnetic field emitted by a transmitter to directly vibrate the acoustic member. The transmitter is supported within an ear canal of the individual. The transmitter has a coil and a core positioned so that the distal end of the core is located at a predetermined distance and orientation relative to the transducer.
42 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
