CEOSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS tmsii The pr&ssat application claims the hesefii of US Provisional Palest Appliεa&s 6 VM Ll 85; filed March 31 _> 2SOS, which is hereby iπcorpσrated by reference feeπϊis..

\ ⁽ mτt The present laveπtsoa relates generally to prosthetic hearing device, aad mot psrdcislariy, m botitz conduction devices having customizable =B&SS strsagemeπts.

tAϊt

i There are three basic types of hearing loss: scnsorisearst c-oadiictive, and mixed lsearisg losses. S<ϊTJSO dsεursi hearing loss results from damage to the iimes: ssr or to lisa nerve padsways S ¹ OtS the issisr ςar to the braia. The isajoray of biusaii sejssorύseuraϊ hearing k>ss is cssised by sbπorπsy kiss or damage So the hsir cells in the cochlea, η&k cells iα the cochlea are the ssasory receptors that transduce soimd to ωζ-r/s iϊ∑ψafeεs. Acouiϋc hearing aids m&y be appropriate for those who suffer from s;ikl to taoderaie sssssoriueojal hearkg lass, IB cases of severe or pro found seπsorissura! he&ritsg loss, a cøchlsar ϋmpisst may be the appropriate choice. Cochlear implants bypass ifce baa- csHs ta the cochlea aad directly sdirsilate the sxtάixocy ϋsr^e fibers Ia i he cochlea by as electrode array that is mipϊaated m the oschϊea. SirsaSatiort of the auditory nsr'.'ε iibers creaies the sessatimi of hearlsag ia ϊhe recipism.

?8β04i Coϊsductive hearing ESSS occurs wiics there is & ptooiesi with tlsε coadudioa of sotind S-OHi the cxEemal or sii<isie ear to the isser ear. This type of hearing loss may be eaissed by anything ihai ksψeάss the πjαtbri of the ossicles, the three hones αf the xaiddla car Sfest conduct soissd to th« cochlea, it taay also be caused by a failure of the sεrdrum tø vibrate is response to souad or llαid in the middle sar. Coisdactive ligjsrisϊg lass may be treated by acoustic hearing ύά&t middle ear -teulasts, aad the like.

Sj SiiH other iadividuals suffer _κsn mixed heariag losses, thai is, conductive hearing loss isi conjuscti&si with sensorineural hearing. Is other words, there asay be damage is both the outer or midάk* ear sxiά the isaer ear (cochlea) or auditory serve.

i®ξm) White lα&ny bidiyidsi&ls suffering fern conductive hearing bss ofieβ use acoustic hearing aidis, such bearing aids may sot be suitable sjr all individuals, such as those suffering froτ« chronic ear inisctiom or fkstϊϊ single-sided desϋtess. An alternative tre&tϊnent Ls the «se of !x>τse conductioω hesrfeg aids, «r simply eaadnctioB devices herem. .

IδUβ?! Boss coαdαctioii hsaring aids ntiϋse the hoses of as individaars sk^ii to transmit acoustic sigss^ to the cochi-es. Getiera!ly _s mast hσnc e-onductioB hearing aids fo«ct;oϊ> hy wav^rtisg s received ssmtxά signal bto 2 tss^chssical vϊbmiioα. This vtbrat ioκ ss theα ttsasferred to the bαtis stmctisre of tke skuil This skisli vibratiou results in motion of ths fluid of the cochJcs, tliereby slimislatmg the cochlear hair cdls aad causing lh« pesrcpiioB- of sound is the recipient.

[SSOS] Boss coϊiduetϊoα devices ta&y be attached m a titsiifum implant kaplsπted ia & recipient's skaii, ^ia aω esiernsi abϊitøem. The tstaπimn iϊSpl&QJ is surgically impiauted mϊs> xhz part of the skull boεic that Is behind the ear ssd allowed to naturally mtsgrafe wish rfee sktsll bssii≥ aver time. The Was coadsicϊiσa device is coupled Io the titanium implant via the externa] sbutosat. Mec-hsπica! vfcratiojis Irons the Ixme coπductioa device are thett traasmitted is the sikiiU ihraugh the external sbutϊneϊ5t sad the titanium implant to stimulate aerw libers of the s∑mer esr of the Tccψϊsnt.

imm] Some boa« coδductba devices generally have a bulky profile, as there are a krgs number of coπjposeiKs w^hin the des'icss, each cs?Bψ«.ϊiiesiέ taJdsg υp a ssibstsst&l aεnoust of space and pGSstioϊi. Bone coadυctiøs devices ha-^isg bulky profiles may impact daily per&πsaacs? or use by the reeipksL sbics a bulky device attached to the head or other body parts δf the recipient ixsay kterfers with fee τ-sdpiesfs ss>venieiits or activities.

S] iiϊ one aspect of the presets ssvasdoω, a bone conduction device is provided. The άeYtee comprises: a sousd input elesiesr eosSgured to receive an acøisstie sound signal; SB elesirsiύcs. rsødyie configured generate as. electrical sigssi repxeses&ng sakl acotsstie sound signal; smd a transducer cosjtgursd to generate motion of a mass csmiponesit based on said electrical signal so as to generate one or mors sieehauieal tomes resulting in osg or men; of tsotbn and vibration of a recipients skull thereby causing SOKSG perception, wherein αne or πusre of the sise snd siiape of ssid masj coispoaeπt is selectable at fcasϊ partially based oti & desired jnechsn ^j cai g>rce iϋ be gerscratsd by said transducer.

[88.Uf hi asϊotiϊcr aspect of th© presωε Isvcstioa, a hestriag rekabiiitatiosi system is provided. The system comprises; a boue cosducticRi dsvics, coniprising; a souαd mpxά dessert coaSgurm to receive sn acosMic soimd sigsal; aa eiectrøBics module coafϊgurcd generate an s-isctπcai signal repressiitiαg said aco'αsάc sound ssgs&l; ssd a traπsdacsr coαSgiired to generate motion of a mass cαmpGωSϊϊt biased on ssid clscixical sigaal so as to generate one or more mechsaicai Ibrcesj resulting in one or more of sixstion asd vibration of s KXipiersfs skull thereby c&tssmg S8usd ncrcsptiotϊ, whersin one <xt more of tlϊo size as*! &haps of said rsass cαπspoaeat ϊs selectable Sϊ least p&nislly bssed an s. dssirδd rnecbames! force to be gesierated by said transducer, and as anchor CDπlgursd to bs attached & rfie rεctpiem's skull &ad fktiser cosfigarsd to transfer said mechanical ferees SxϊHisaid iramduccr to the recipient's skmL

imni in a fbrther aspect of the present i&veatbs, a bone cosductios kit is provided. The kit comprises: first tmά s&cmiά xmss components; aad & bone sondisction device, emεprmag: a sonϊsd sBpist φlemsnt coπSgursd to receive an acoustic &ousd sigasi; ss eiεcmGωics τπodϊile coπϋgurcd gesexalε %& electrical sigB&i representing said acossstic sound sigsai; asd a transducer configured to have at least one of said first sad second mass ccmeonems positioned therein, ccmfigiϊred to generate inodcπ. of said at less! one mass therein based on said dectπc&i ssg.nai βo as to generate one or mere mechssical ibrces resaiHng is one or more of me don aad vibj-ajsoti of a .reeipiest'β skull thereby causing sound perception, whereia which of s&iύ first or second πisss αmfjemeBts vβ be posftsotjed is said tratssduεer ;s selected st fesst partially based os. a desired ωiechauic;ιl fercc to be generated by said ts-ansduser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAWINGS

imx3\ Illustrative einboάiiϊieats of the present mvestioB srs described herds with reference to the accosφaκ>ϊng drawings, m which:

|8δi4j FlG. I Ls s perspedive view of a tone- cosductioα device lB.pIaa.fed behind & recφ teat's ear;

imt$i FIG. 2A is a faigh-ievei functional block diagrasiof a bens conduction device _* such as the boae conduction device of FiG. 1 ;

|ss««δ) FlG.. 2.8 is detailed flmetbnal block diagram of the bone conductksa devϊcs Ilkxtπϊtsd m FiCi 2A:

p5.π| FIG. 3 is as exploded view of as βmhodiifieat of a bone doochictios device in accordance with errsbodimeuis of dig present inveutkjss;

|røi.si PIG. 4 is a flowchart ϋlustrstiag the conversbs of sπ mput sQimά itito skull vibration ia accordassce wiliϊ ambodimests of the prssent investios;

iδδs^! FIG. S b a eross-&ecdonsl view of cosφoaeπέs of a feotie cc«diiεrson device is^ which the ϊtassciuesr is remotely possiose-d from, δ battery;

[SHi^l FKr. 6 Is a ct"oss-sectiosal view of coirtpoαssts of a bαπe cosductsoa device in accordsjioe with embodiments of ώε prεseisϊ invention;

[S82ϊ| FIG, ? Is 3 cross-seetϊøiKa! view of cotπpon«ϊits of a bone cosductioa device in sceordascs with satbodimeats o£xbs prssest αivestios;

5δ22i FIG. SA is s eross-seeiiosal view of eoffipøacals. of a boae cosduαion device k isccsrdaBCtt with eπώodiiωeπ.t'; of the present myention.; and

;seisi FIG. SB Ls a cross-sectioua! view of cosspoaeuts of a bone conduction device is. accαrdssjce with s∑ϊibodl∑nsπts of the prβssrst invsafcα.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of fas present invention, are generally directed to s bone coϊsώictiOω device for converting ^• * ^j csesrved aeonstic SOUXK! signal mto a mechanical force delivered via a rccipϊ ^g at's skull to the recipient's hearing organs. The bone essrtduciios device receives the acoustic seuπd signs! and generates an electrical signal representing the acoustic smiad sigxssS. The borso cotxtucrbn device ϊπehidgs s transducer which converts the electrical signal into motion, of a ossss coinponast so ss to generate one or more machaidcsl isrces resulting is one or more of motion ssd vibration of a recipient's skuil causing psrcsψtios of said acoustic signal by ϊhe recipient.

IW25I Is certaώ esikxϋmests of the present kvestjos., rather than &avkg a dedicated mass {also referred to -bereis^ as & ^V4 JK&&_> c-osponsnt") mounted thereεo, the trsssdaecr has & Smctsonal couϊpiϊseat atføchsd thereto which is used by the transducer to geaerat© fee mecbassical forces, in m.άitkm to penbn^mg its own fsπctioϊS-, In some embodiments, is addition to the fLsusfctorsal cOHξHJBeat actiϊsg as an aiteraative atass ooaspossm, suppiesϊSϊϊtal msss compossut snay be mmirsted to the trsasd cer Or the alternative tsass componeiϋ.

[8δ2*S| In other ssalxsdiϊsejϊts of the present ksvϊmtloϊi, a dedicated mass cojnpo&eat or a rasctbiml coπsposiest acting as a mass cotapotλeat may formed Mo aay one of αjaay diSereat sizes, sbap««s aisd configurajiotss, based on, ibr example, the deseed mechanical force, recipient characteristics, asd/or the ««eds of a specific rscipierit. In one such embodiment of the piesent αivftϊnios, the mass component may be tbrmεd as two l>0.stera! extessioss. Ia yes fisrtficr eπibodJmests sf the present ώv^niioa, a pαix of addaissnal dedicated rrssss eøπφoαeats or flmctional fiOKKXunasts may be coiφled at the outer ends- of bilateral cxtcasioas ft<cd to the transducer at tbs ceαter of the bilateral extenskϊπs.

imτr} ϊΆ various embodiments sf She present mveatioB,. ihs trsϋsάucsτ may coπψπse 2 pkssjeieαrsc eIeB3e.Br that deibnss is resp«ϊsse to application of tfee electrics! signal thereto, thereby gsssratϋig πsechasiical fbrces, ør vibratioss, which are ά^ssieired to the r&cip feat's skull to piOdisce bone coBdttcii&n. sf the mεchaalcai forces which reprssest ihs acoustic S5>5isd signal Tlis amount of deformation of a piesodeeiric δbmeat in. response to as applied electrics! signal

depends Os tnatcfiai properties of the eleτncωt, orientation of ϊhε electric field wiih respect to She polarisation dksctson of Use elemea∑, geometry of the element, etc.

>M\ PIG, ! is a perspective viov of embodiments of a ^" bone eosducdcm devϊcs 100 in which. of the present mveπtiαs may bs sdvastageously implemented ϊπ a faliy fkπctiosa! b&rs&n .hearing aisatømy,. oυtsr ear IGI comprises an auricle 105 and as ear essaϊ 106. A sø-und wave or acoustic pressure 107 is collected by auricle 105 sad ehat-nelsd into and through ear eass ^j 106. Disposed across the distal sad of ear c-κud 106 is a tympanic membrane 104 which vihratss in. response to acoustic wave 107. This vibration is coupled to oval window or fenestra øv&iis 1 IO through three SOBCS of middle ear I02 _s collectively referred to as the ossicles 11 1 aad corsprisiog the malleus 112, Jhe incus 113 is&d the .stapes 114. Bones 112, 113 sad 1 14 of middle ear 102 seryg to πitsr a«d ajπplify actsustic wavs 107, causing oval window 110 to articulate, or vibrssc. Such Yibrstioss $eϊs up waves of Suid sϊotiba within cochlea 115. S ¹ UcIi ih ^ή ύ tπortoa, in t&vn, actOTtss tϊay hair cells (sjot shoe's) that line tϊie inside of cochlea 115. Activation of ihs hair ceils causes appropriate serve impulses to be tnis&tferrccl through, the spiral gssglbn cells and auditory aerve 116 to the brals (not shown), where they are perceived as sound.

9\ FlG. ! also ;Jlu&tτstevS ths positionhϊg βihms eonduction device 100 relative to outer ear 101, aϊiddfe ξ?aτ i O2 smd iaxi.es: ear 103 of a recipient of device 100. As showa, boss conduction device HIO may bs p&sitbsed Ixhimi outsr esr 10 i of the recipient M the embodiment ilkstrascd In FJO. 1, boss condaetioss device 100 coπψrises s ho\isiag .125 hsvϊsg a ttiicropliose (not sisowϊϊj posidosed therein or thereon. Housiαg 125 is coupled to the body of ths recipient via coispiisg 140 3sd as &ncfeβf system (sot shown). As described below, boϊse conduction device 100 may comprise a sauxd processor, a trassctuecr, transducer drive coaipoa^ats aad/or various other electronic cimπts/devfces. ϊa accordance vehh smbodiments of the preset im'satioii, sϊt arscbot system {not shows) may bs hϊψkmod in the recipkrst. As described below, the anchor system may &s fixed to kms 136 asd m&y extssd lk)in bose 136 through smscle 134, faϊ 128 smύ skin 132 so that coHp&g 140 may be cospisd to the anchor system,

A fusotiotϊsi block di&grsnπ sf one embodiment of boκe cosductios 50O ₅ referred, to as boss cosdijction device 2OG, is shøwtt in. FIG, 2A. Is the iilustiatεd cmbodsneni, & sound 207 is

received by & stmuά input eietnesl 202. in some embodiments, sou&d fsput element 202 is a microphoKs coatlgured to reosivs sousd 297, and to cosvcst sαiiπd 207 into an electrical signal 222, As described below, m sώer emhodknssts sousd 207 may received by sound krput element 202 as an electncsl sis

f§δ3i] As shown in FlCi 2A, electrical signai 222 is oiiip-ut by sound inprc sssmeπl 202 to as dectmdcs jnodtik 204. Ekεtrø&ics saoduis 204 is αmϋgured to convert electrical signal 222 into «33 adjusted electrical signal 224, As described bsiow iα mote- detail, electronics asoduic 204 ms.y isclude a soυiid proecssor, coπiτ»i ekεtr»nics _v trassckcer drive coπipoπeats, and a variety of othss elements.

{$$82} As in FRl. 2A ₅ transducer 206 receives adjusted electrical signal 224 and generates s mschassical αaψis force thssx is delivered io the skull of the recipient via coupling 140, shoe's iϊi FlG- 2 A as anchor system 208, that is coupled to boss cQiϊducϊios device 200. DeOverj of ths$ force causes os?,e ar mere of nwtioa. or vferatioπ of the recipient's skull, thereby activating Use hair cells is the cochlea via cochlea SuCd ϊBotioB,

imam FICl 2A also ilbstrates a power ϊϊiodak 210. Power axsdul© 21 δ provides electrical power to oxte ør msrz compoαe∑sis of lx>o.e conduction device 2CX). For ease of illastration, power module 210 has bses sbowu co^nscted oxύy to i∑aer&ee x^odale 212 aϊid sicetroolcs module 204. However, it should be appreciated tbsiϊ power mαiliiie 2H) may be used t» supply power IQ SSSY electrically powered circuitsZcoTKpoaeats of bone cosductios device 200.

\®m$ Boss esjsductioa dsviee 200 Sathsr iaciudes isa mterface xaoduis 212 that allows the reciprøu to isjtsracr wi& device 200, For sxtimple, istsr&ce xmdule 212 rmy allow the recipient to adjssϊ the voluiss, alter the speech processing strategies, power ou/otf ilis device, etc, .feter&c-e n^dufa 212 comffiimieatos with electronics siodule 204 via sisp&l Msε 22S.

• ^■ IH5351 IE the srabodmssas ilkstrated ss FlG, 2A, soutsd pickup device 2.02. eiectromc.; π»άme 204, &l\ beos shown as iiϊtcgrsted ia a skgis lϊo&sisg, referred to as ho sing 225. However, it should be appreciated that iϊt certain embodiments of the present iavemioπ, ooe or more of tfae illustrated eompoαeats may be soused is separate or different housings. Smalarly, it should also Ix? appreciated that in such

smbodimestiSj direct eøϊmεctϊøss bδtwcsa the various modules asd devices are sot accessary sad that the eomposestϋ may eαmrmjsseate, fer εxstspie, via wireless connections,

3«)3«i In smbϋdimenis of the present invention, transducer 206 stay be one of mmy types &nά configurations, of transducers, now knows or lster developed, ϊn anc embodiment sfths present mvsϊϊϊioB, tran&duαsr 206 msy comprise a piezoelectric sϊemeat which is configured to deform in response t© the application of electrical sigsal 224. Pissoslectric slcπicωts ϊliaε 'may be nstά ϊn smbodir&essis of fee prsseat isvenJioii ∑ϊϊay comprise, fcr example, piezoelectric crj^tsis, piesocleeiric esramics _^ or some other isaterial exhibiting a dsibnmdots is respoisse to aii applied electrical sigasL Exemplary pkaoeieeέϊϊe crystals include qaartE (SiO2), Berfe ^ή te (AIFO4), Cssϋsuπi «ϊtlκ>pfeosjslxate (GaPO4) and Tαtinntdmc. Excπψlssry piezoelectric cersssics snchide bisriϊiϊa t&mate (BaTiO30}, !ead sώrco&ate tit&aate (PZT) ₁ or areosisim (Zr),

[8037] &ϊii?e piezoelectric jnateriais, sacs as barium titaimϊe and PZT, are pokrized maSemis. When as electric field Ls applied across these sisaisrials, ώc polarized moieeafes align themselvss with the δlefitric field, rε^iitiag in aκit!cεd dipoiss within, the laolβcαlar Of ctyssal strαctnre of the ϋi&terkl This aligssπtcat of smlseαfe causes the detbrmatbn of the material.

JSO3&ϊ Ia other _* ;nifc«dimeat$ of the present mvsstiots, other types of tras&dϊxcers may be yseά. For sxismpbj various motors configured to operate in respome to electrical signal 224 may bs used.

less?? In one ssilxxitmest of the prossst kventioii, transducer 206 generates an output ferc<s rhat c&usss moveisj-stn of the cochlea fluid so Um. & sousd may be perceived by the -redpieut. Ths oiJtpiH force m&y result is mεchaaicsl vibration, of the recφiea&'s skull, or is plsysicsi movement of the skull abcnst fee aeck of tks recipieist. As aotsd above _f in certain eϋibodiraeats, boae cosductioω device 300 delivers the Qiitrns three to ths slαsli of the recipierst via an anchor system 2OS,. Is one embodiment of the present krvetitios _* anchor system 208 comprises oαs or more csttesϊial πsagticts 260 which njggsctieslly couples to αae or sxsre implanted magnets 262, as illustrated h PJG. 2B. !a the embodiment iiksarated in FlO. 2A, axtsaua? magtusts 26CJ are csiifsgm-εd ϊo be attached ϊo kousisg 225. As such, ?:α this embodiment, vibration torn trsπsducer «06 ss provided to externa? rmgnets 260 through housing 225.

i>) Ir ₅ . certain esibodsse&ts of the present invention, deetømscs module 204 includes a printed circuit board (PC-B) to electrically eesasect asd mechaBJe&ily support the coosposeBts of electrosks module 204. Soimα bput eiemeat 202 tnay comprise oae or more mlcrxψhoϊies (set shown) sad is attached to the PCB,

ismϊi FKi 2B provides a sxm; detailed view of boae eosώietxsn device 200 of FJG. 2A. In the Illustrated embodiment, electronics module 204 cøϊtψrises a sound processor 240, transducer drive cosspossπts 242 snd control electronics 246. As explained above, is ceπaώ embodlmests sound input efoϊ&em 202 comprises a nacrophone co&fig'tred to soaveti a received acoustic signal kto elecsxk&i sig∑sal 222. is otier ei&bβdiπiSE-έs, as detailed below, jsousd in.put ekraenr 202 receives sou&d 207 as sπ ebctric.κi signal

[8M∑] Iτ\ emfeadiπ>eπss of fee pκse«t kvcnεjon, eisctrica!. signal 222 is output, fejsi soαod xnp-ut slsmsm 202 ϊO sojiπ.d processor 240. Soimd processor 240 ases oαe or more of a plurality of techniques So seisctivdy process, aϊϊjpUfy artd/or filter electrical signal 222 to generate a processed signal 224A, In certain etabodtments, soiusd pmccssøv 240 snay coεϊsprise subϋtsϊsiJaily the same squisd prcsoessor ss is u&eά M an air conductions h«ϊrijϊg aid, Io further e;sbθdϊi!ϊ«;i!$ _; soiisd processor 24© comprises a digital sigaal pssc&ssor.

pM.?! Processed signal 224A is provided to transducer drive cotrspa&enis 242. Transdtsccr drive corπposems 242 output a drive signal 224B, to rrsssduccr 206. Based oa drive signal 224B, 206 pjxjvidcs fee om-pst fere-s to the sksii! of the recipiε«.

i ^' 88445 For ease of ^escπptbϋ ihs electrical signal supplied by transducer drive components 242 to tτass4uc«r 206 has besa referred te a$ drivs signal 224B. Ilowevsr, it should be appreciated ih&i pracsssed s%ϊi&i 224B isiay CQSϊprise as. uπmodiSed vcrsson of processed signal 224A.

i&Nsi As αoted above, trassducer 206 generates as oiiiput fees to the βkull of the recipient via anchor system 208. As shoxra is FIO. 2B, is one embodimstst of the pr«S£55J mveadon, anchor system 208 cotrspmes sxi externa! m&gaβt 260 wliick inagsetkslly couples to ss anpbiited sissgnct 262. Bstsraai xnagsei 260 tπay bs attselied to αse or mote of transducer 206 or bousing 225. For sxaiϊφle, in certain cmbodsment^ external magset 260 is a^ac-hsd to tossάuser 206 and ss rscsived directly Jlierefrαra. In other embodiments, external magaei 260 is

iutaehcd κ> housing 225 and vϊbrat-cs is applied fern traasckcer 206 through hous∑sg 225 to exrerssl ra&gnet 260, According to one embodiment of the presets mveatioa is which cøiφilsg 140 cGtnptises external rn^gssϊ 26(1, the vibraϋoa received by extsrssi Bϊ&gjset 260 from transducer 206 causes extarnai tnagset 260 to vibrate. Si&ee, accordiag to this embodiment of die prcscKL iavssdos, external Tsagsct 260 is magnetically coiψfcd to kπplanέsd πssgπet 262, the. πsags«ϋc forces coupling extamsi tnagnss 260 and implaisted s&agaet 262 vsbraies accordingly. The vibratioω, comsnusiicaksi lryia externa! πiagaet 260 to smplasuecl magnet 262 TKagαeticaliy, is then msπsfsrred frotrs impksited rsagseS 26,2 to She rscipEeafs booe 136,

vimu\ As sated above, a recipient siay costrol various &aciloπs of the device vis interface rsoduik 212. interface πsotiulis 212 sscbdes otse or more cαsporseats tfear allow the recipient Io provide ϊspu& to, or receh-e isiferπistion from, etesents of bone conduction device 200.

T] As shown, control electronics 246 stay be connected to oas or asorc of interface ojodxile 212, SjQOKd piclrdp device 202, sotiϊϊd ptOccssor 240 sad/or transducer drive components 242, In embod ^j tneats of the prsseaf invention, based oα inputs rscsived at siϊerisεe aiodnkϊ 212, control fiiectroaks 2^6 n>ay provide: festrϊistioris to, or reqiiεst hifcrπ-satios? S»m, other coraponeπts of boss eosdϊictioϊs devise 200> IB cerusm esnbodirtien.ts, is the absence of user inputs, coatml sisctrosics 246 COKϊTSI the o-peπstios of bone eondactbs dsvfcs 200.

jsl FICi 3 iifestrates &n sxphύsd view of one embodiisenr of bone conduction 20(1 of FIGS, 2A a d 2B, referred so kerck as bone conduction device 300. As stewn, boae co«duction device 300 coπψrises sa essbodimesl of electronics module 204, referred to as ebeJπaiics ffiαditle 304, _f \≤ explained above, iaciadsd witfeis ώleetcoaios ssodαi-s 3δ4 arc a sound, pmcsssor, trausskcer drive eompoϊϊeδts aad control electronics. For sase of illustration, these eootpenests bsvt oot be«?a ϊikisαsied In FϊO. 3,

\ ^§ ύ49} in tke UIiistraied smbodimest elsctrocics taodule 304 includes a printed circuit board 334 CPCB) u> sleotricaUy connect sπ.d -mecisanicaily support the components of slectroaics moduk 304, Attached to PCB 3.14 are one or mors sound inpvt efemeats, sho%τι as microplsonss 302 ro receive a souad.

$858} Ia die smbodsπysnt illustrated in HQ, 3, bose conduction device 300 further includes a two- part housing 325, comprising first bousing portion 325A and second housing portion 32SB. Vknjsing portions 325 are cosSgursd to mate with <me another to sufesisαέ∑aHy sea! bone αotxhscπøs device 300. Microphone covers 372 are relsasabiy attached So first housing portion 325A- MicropaoBs covers 372 provide a barrier over microphones 302 to protect irtkrophonss 302 ir&m dust, dirt or other debris.

ims%\ Bone cosdαction device 300 further includes an embodiment of iMerfaee module 212, referred to herein ss interface ϊΏOSMC 312. Interface saodale 312 is configured to provide or receive user inputs iπsm tbs recipis&r. A power supply or battery foot shows) m&y be included is kms δoi-ducfeu 300 to supply power to the various compoasnts.

\ms2i Also as shawn m FKj. 3, boss c-onductlos device 300 comprises s transducer 306. Trsasiiucer 306 generates an output iόrce that caxises movement of the cochlea fluid so that a sotsKl may be perceived by the recipient. The output force results is mechanical vibration of the røϊpiest'a skull, or in physical rπovsjrtsjit of the sksύl sbouε the neck of the reeipisst. As aot&d above, ώ certain embodsniests, bone conductiøα device 300 delivers the otUput &roe to the skull βf the recipient via an anchor system 30B. Anchor system 308 comprises a eoupϊmg 360, aachαr 366 mά abυ∑mest 364. Tn. the embodiment illustrated in FlG. 3, couplkg 369 is eosfigsred to bs attached to stcøϊKi housing portias 325B. As sach _> In this embodiment,, vibratiαs fom traϊssdϊicer 306 is provided ϊO coap&g 360 through homing 325B, Ia the etsbαdimssU shows is FIG. 3, as opeaiag 368 is prodded in. second hoυsing portioa 325B. A screw (sot sho-wn.) way be inserted through opening 36i to atεsch trsrsstiiiceir 306 to csuplitig 360. Is such ersbodlmcats, an O-riαg 3S0 αs&y be provided ϊO seεiopsasng 368 asrouad the screw.

im$3] As søitxi sbove, sscaor system 308 includes implanted aachor 366. Iπsplsssted ssschor 366 smy cosipim a bone screw 366 implauted In die sbiU of tha rβctpiest. Is as imslasusd screw 366 protrudes frβπs the recipieaf s skixll through, the skin. Abutment 364 is attached to screw 366 above ihe skfe. JH embodiments, abatment 3(S4 and .screw 366 may bs kregrakid ;ato a single impiantsble coniponeai. Cauph ^' sg 360 is coalϊgarεd to 1 ⁾ « rele&s&biy attached ϊO abuαsexit 364 to crests s vibrator}' paihway betweess transducer 306 sad the akuU sfths πxiϊJJcst.

1.1

180543 In altesmπve embodiments of the present invention, bone coaauctios device 300 may comprise osε or more additbπai sosxxi feput esemsst For exs∑πpk, bone conduehos device 300 may comprises an electrical input 316. Is sυcfa embodiments,, She electrical input is configured to cotxαset device 300 to external equipment and receive an electrical sou&d signal directly therefrom. JElecsricsi isψut 316 may permit boss conduction device 300 «j be cesBcefsd to, S?r example, AMfPM radios, MP3 pϊayess, televisions, mobile pfaoaes, etc.

i«θss? Ia sJϋl othsr embedirsente, a farther somsd ispαt element in. the form of a teϊecoi! siay be integrated fe, or cssaeeled to. bone coωdnctioa device 309. Such s teiecoil peπTϊits Ixsae coøductior: dsvice 300 to receive input signals frosj, for exaxspk, a telephone or ζsilser &HSisiar device.

|805φ FTG. 4 iϋϊistrases the conversion of an isput acoustic sound, sigsial into a mesfeanioal fcrc© for delivery to the ^p scipbsϊ's skull in accordance with embodiments of boss coaductksa device iOO. λi block 402; bone; conduction device 300 receives as acoustic soxisά sigsaL Is csrt&iis esnbodirsests, ϊhs acotistie soasd signal is received via αiicrophoaes 302, Ia other embodiments, the n ^j pii ^j : is received via as electrical mpυt. in stύ! other emlxϊdiϊϊteϊiis. a iekcoi! mt«grstβd iϊ5, or essaesled 4o, bone coaductios device 300 sisv h& to recede the acoustic sound sispmL

im57\ Ai block 404, the acaaβtk; sonnd signal rscsivεd by bαae soocascdoa device 300 is pKϊcessed by έ.h.e speech processor In atectromes module 30-4, As explained above, the speech processor msy be similar to speech, processors sised in acoustic iiearaig ssds. In such emkκfaests ₅ speech processor may selectively asφKfy, iiker atid/αr mβdiiy acoastic- signal For example, speech, processor -may be ϊised to eHπiinate backgyouad or ether unwanted nsise sigKsis received by boas couductios device 300.

ISHiSSl At biock 406 _f the pfrocssscd se«sd signed is provided to trsmsducer 306 s$ aa electrical signal At bbek 408, transducer 306 converts ifec electrical signal bsio a rneclisirieai JDIC« eoafigarsd Io bo dalivsred to the recipient's skull via anchor system 3OS so as to Slick a hearing pere-epaba of the acoustic sound signal.

!$ss?| FiG. 5 is & αOss-sectϊøBs! view of composers of a bone eosdaetiots device is which a rrarssdticer is remotely positioned fea & batten.'. Sons csKKkctios device 500 comprises irssssffiicεr Søόhsving housing 530 having disposed therein & magsst 540 havmg a primary magnas extensbri arπi 566 asd secondary magnetic extension arsis 562, 5CJ4 as illustrated. M&gπst 540 is configured such thst whes coil 542 is energised with an adjusted electrical signal such ss described sbεsvs, sjsgssl 340 asd Its primary asd seeesdaxy extension arms 566, 562 _? 564 move in the direction of vibration output element 544. By -varying the adjusted electrical signal a rapid movement towards and sway from use recipient (as indicated, by direction, -SXTQW 53H) k generated., thereby providing controlled mechanical forces is the direction of ths recϊpseat.

Oi Primary springs 546A aad 546 B (cøϋectlveiy referred to as primary springs 546) ϊωechanJcsSly coupb magnet 540 to vibratioii output dement 544, Elcmest 544 is tars is coupled, to transducer support esemeat 548, which is itself mochaEsicaUy coupled ks housing 530 by ω3KSSS of szmnάstr/ sprisgs 552 A aτs.<l 552B fcoileαiveiy referred to s& seeαsiάary spriϊigs 552). Aldscsugh aor shows is FIG. 5, ose ead of vibratses oaf|sa alemetst 344 is mechasύcaϋy sxjnplod to sn sischβr system, as described above with reference to KG. 2. It should ferther be soted tbst aitkJugls sccoadsry sprisgs 552 couple transducer siφpost element 54S k> housiag 530, tae springs are selected aad/or arrasged such tls&t fe majority of the g«nemted vibrslory fosses S'otxi magsei 540 aad vibration output skssest 544 as« dirse-tsd towards the rscipient rsihεr than to housmg 530. In other worda, primary springs 546 allow Ssr the mschsEiical forcss tβ be gsϊjer&ted, as tsagser 540 and vforsrkm output elsrsent 546 asd rapidly caused to rsøvs kswaics and sw<ry Sx>αs sack otbsr, wMl« secoadaxy spriags 552 allow the generated msetmπics! ibrces to be stshst&mialiy directed to the recipient's cone by releasing itassdacer support element S4S to tiK5ve sahstasstiaUy !τεe frsra bouκbg 530. As caa be seen Ia lbs bsae coaductkjn device ϊl}ϋj>iτ-tted in Fill. 5 _S siagsgt 540 is a dedicated magnetic mass alemesl while batter/ 510 is separate .from sgaet 540 snd does rsor act as a taass ibr trsssduosrr 5&6.

\imi) FiG. 6 b a csross-scdioaal view of cotxφoncrήs sf a bo^ε oonductios dsvics ϊύ. accotϊlssicε wiύs sn5.b»dlmj?nts of έhe present invention.. The various compoassits iibαstraied its FlG, 6 urs largely similar to those described sa coRjuϊictkiω with tbε device ϋlusttsied in FϊG. S, However, is the embodiment of the present invention shows ia FiG. δ _s the mass provided by

m&gtsst 640 substantially isdudss thv mass from, one or sssore other llsndionai eαsϊpαseπts, ssitsesY battery rdestkm element 614 siϊd battery 630 which an; attached So ϊsagaet 640. , Uaiiks liϊe device illustrated in FIG. 5, where battery 510 aad raagaet 540 were physically separate and operationally indepetsdeat of c-se ssother, in the embodisϊient illustrated m FIG. &, hy being attached to magtiei 640, Ijattery 610 adds its ovm mass to thst of πiagnct t$40 such that dunBg opersέios, irutssducer 607 gesss∑sies tsechamcai ibrccs based on the combined mass of isagset 640 as? well as bsilay 610. By adding the tisass of batesy 610 to ϊrasjscueer 607, tbc rrisss of ϊϊsagnet 640 may be substantially reduced. Daring operation, battery 610 costimies to perform its ows iiiπc&n of prxjvidlag power $o transducer 607 arsd. otb&v onπψQn&txϊs of the boae coαducdon device. It is to be understood that various altesrtϊatfve masses may be used io. embcdϊrøeuis of the pretest isvestksTi snά thsx such altsττjadve masses should not be limited io buttery 610, Furthermore, it is to be understood that various mech-uasms for rataiπkg sltemative inssses may b? used, ^s will be obvious to persons having skill si fee an. For example, sabs, clips, screws, adhssives, coiϊψrsss-bss St and xsaay otters m&y be used to secareiy retain, battery 610 In battery reteiuioa elciscsi 614.

[ϊMMSI Ftsftbεmiors, although the embodiment depicted is FIG, 6 includes secondary sBsgncric <*xtea$k>a aravs 662, 664, {s oshβr embodimems of the present ϊsverjtioω, msgset 64Q may txsBiptise otάy a primary tπagϊiedo ssέsgasfer: STSΆ 666. Fyrthsrtaore, in. other emfcodamests of the ^■ øreseat kvetδsoB, secoαdsry msgs^tic exteπsiot! anas 662, 664 may comprise- additional ssrms or may have a dϊ ^' lϋferøat coaflguratios. For orffiπsple, is such enjbodimems, secondary magnetic €xtδϊislαji 3STJ5S may coiϊspms a subsJSBtisOy εyiisdricεl cxtsπsioa {aot shows) disposed arowsd primary magsεtb sxtcsissos aπn 666, As described in coπJaδctioω with FIG, 5, aside from, sa ^■ airerαatlve trmss belug used, coil 642 is repeatedly esergszed to cause magnet 640 s.s5d vibration oαtpuϊ elsmεϊst 644 to fee attracted to one aaothsr. The momcEtum of those sttraetfoji ferces geosratas taschsmcai Ssrces si the &πn of vibεatioπ, Mvtύch is tnsasfetred to traαsdxicer support elemesS 648. As described above, secondary springs 6S2A and 652B (soHsctivefy referred to as secoadsry spπsgs 652) allow transducer support slsrssist 638 io tlisπ conasuaicate das vibrstioB a$£'C.hs.mcaI forces to fee recipient's bane.

FiG. ? Is a cross-scctϊoB&l view of compoaeats of a bone coπductios dsvics in accordance with embodi^ests of the prεseat invest ion. In ϊ&s embodlsieat ϋlustraied in FIG. 7,

s first housing portion 730 is rsmmϊed or -otherwise coupled to magaet 740 such that fe>t housing portion 730 sscts ss a mass for the transducer. As sack &st housiag portion 730 k used by the transducer to generate the output fbroxs for delivery to the recipient's sfcαϊi. By adding dis mass of first housing portion 730, the mass of magnet 740 may bs substantially reduced.

$S&4] fe the <i»jsbsdims8i shows in FIG. 7, ilexible Jiousmg portions 732A sad T32B (colkyiivcly referred ?» as fksdbb homing portions 732) may bs provided to allow magnet 740 aad f-rst hosj&iog poroon 730 to move towards vihr&tioB sbϊsεtiέ 744 ss coil 742 is energised, a.s previously described. Second hoaslsg portions 734A asd 734B (ccsMeεtivsly referred ro as second housing portions 734) are coupled to first housing poitioi. 730 ^i& tlssible hosssj&g portssϊis 732.

M erobodimesJs of the ptwsenl isventiss, flexible housing pordoωS 732 m&y fee made of a variety of materials and mechanjssss, ΏQW kaov.15 or later developed, ss win ^' be obvious, tø psrsoiϊs hsvtag skill in the art. For gsaπφle, eotspressiMe siatsπals su.ch as &sm or silicosis tn&y bo used to constmct Ssslbie housing portions 732. Furthermore, the cosipressMe maSer&ls may be shaped, fcr example Uks aa accαidsoti, to fustta facilitate: cϋBψtεssήαϊs ssd _< iecsπψre$sbs of .fiexibb homssg ponio&s ^' 732 in response to magnet 740 aad vibration ovtp≠ zksxisnt 744 being attracted to oas another vvhsr. coil 742 energizes magz-st 740. ϊs certain essbodimests of tte present ia-veatioϊi, Sesibie isousmg portbss 732 couples fύrss boisisg portiøa 730 and secosd ho«smg postioss 734 so &s to provkls s sealed cBvirotsmeax tor the cosφssffnis k>uέ>«d therein.

_|08 ^ _j FIGS, SA asά SB ars cmsa-θecticm&ϊ v;sw of cαmpoaenis of fess consluctioss transducer _H soduies 806A, S06B {collectively referred to as traasditcer rsDdales 806) respectively in accordance with esibodϊmems of the ξsreseat tisvssϊioϊi. Ia the illustrated erabαdimεπ^, transdisc€r modules 80S s&ch comprise a pie-sosiectric trassdiioer SO? coafigured to convert aa electrical sigssl rsprsseatativs of a $&ιmά signal received by the boss csnduetioα devioe ^j πto a mechssiesj fores. Delϊvssry of the mechasiεai force to the skiϋi causes meeh&rjscaϊ vibration asd^r πxjvsrsestt of the recipient^ skull such thai ώe recipient perceives a hearing sensation of the receiv'ed soisid signal

I«s7| In. Shs esπbodsme&rs of FiGS. 8 A aad BB, piezoelectric transducer SO? soπψrisβs a piezoelectric elsssent S48 and a mεchaπscaJ amplifier 828 which, cosverts a deformation of the piezoelocεπc element into a .sieexameal defiectkm of one or portioss of the mechasical amplifier. Is tb& i1iustrat£v<5 embodixnenjs, piezoelectric element 84B comprises a pkssllty of layers of stacked piezoelectric material, referred to herds as a ple≥saketric stack 848. Piezoelectric ϊranisducer SO? ϊϊusy further comprise pre-load component 839.

$968) Meehasical &τκplitler 828 comprises two eaφlates 824 each coupled to a separate end of piezoelectric staeiϊ 848, Mech&sie&i amplifier 828 fbrt&er comprises opposing Msge ars^ 822, extending betweea eadpiafes 824. Hinge arms 822 SKV pasiihwiά on opposing sides of p isoelectric stack 848. Each opposing hinge arm S 22 smά piezQel&otήc stack R48 dense a fessto-comcai sk&pe rhere between. Fanheπnore,. iα the eαaboctkneat of the present mvesrion ϊllustrajsd ϋi FIG. 88, piezoslecαie trassduce-r 807 further cotrrpmss exteπssOs asms 896 wHcb extβmi from piszssbctric- stack S4g by a distance that exceeds the remainder of each of rnesoelestiic issstsducer 80? sad it^ eadpktcs 824,

$&$! Following delivery of an eiectπcal si goal ro pissoftlectric stack §48, s.hc stack defends sloβg an axis extending there throagh substantially parallel to extension arms 896, illustrated as axis 81 L As shows, piezoelectric -stack 848 deforms by coatractsig aloag tisis 8IL This cojϊtractbϊi of ptcsoelwtπc stack 84S aito&g axis 811 causes extssnsba aπss S% to deSect outwards iϊom pissoβlscέric stack S48 along as axis substaatially perpendicular to s.xis Sl !, iliastnsied as axis SO.

issrai] Dcilectios of exteπ.siøω srms 896 along axis 813 geαerstes an ouϊ|ϊaE iαrc-e Ia the dϊVectbϊs S38 of the recipient's skull. However, tn order to generate sufRcJeπt force u> vibrste snd/or move the recipient's skϋi.1 so as to sauss a heisrmg perceptios, additiαaai mass must bε coupled to sπηpilfer S28 sach. lhat the addfttoimi mass moves when, extessios arms 896 deflect slcjsg axis 813. Movement of fee sddiliosssl mass iscrasscs the fbrcs output by jransdueer 807. As described below, this aάditiosal rssis may take a variety of forms and may ^" be coupled to Msgδ &πBS 822 in asiy nutnber of m£38ioτs.

mil] FiG. SA silαstrales oae eπibodiπieis of the pressm fevsntioa. where this addϊtioπal αiass Is provided by ooxφimg a siass eleraesϊ 851) to poitioB 826A of ssBplilisr S28. Because the &rce

output b;y transducer 807 is dependent on only the ϊBSSS of mass slsmc-st 850. the shaps, size zsziά/oτ positkm of snass 830 is BOt important sad generally aeed sot take α& say psriku ^j ar cosixgumtioa. For example, m shows its FIG. SA, mass dement 850 may comprise a thm taass extøiώng the length of ≤πψiifier 828. Is other embodiments, mass elsasetii 850 may comprise a blήdL cylinder or any other geometric shape, oprioxsaUy centered at portion 826.

£00721 As Hosed, ϋie ibree mitpBt by Jκmsd«cer 807 may be altered dependisg o« the mass of KM defnetu 850. As sucb, m certain, embodiments of the present irr^atios, mass slssiβrit 850 Ls coupled to pordos 826A via & reieasabie coiφlksg 890, Rebasabk ooisplkg 890 5ϋ coiifigured to pers:ait a surgeon, cUnicias, recipie t, etc., (collectively referred to herein, as "user) to easily discyπϊseoϊ aϊκl/or exchange mass element 850 -wkh a ditfercm cfcsseo.1 h&vttig a αlffersat zmsSs &h.spe, etc. Relea^ibie coupling B90 vQzy ooxεφd$Q various siochssisms for ooupliαg stmss ebmcst 850 and piezoelectric tr&issduc-εr 807. For exaiπpk, rskasable coupling may comprise a magnetic coupling saschanism, a snap-lock sischaαlsεa, s coπψressbs fit-mechanism, a screw- reUdsed stmc^is-e, IR addllkjs to otb.sr mechasisπis, saw known or later developed, as will be asusres^ so s. . j _; .s.ssxon. having skii.1 b iiss rdβvsnt art.

iwm\ Sy exohsnging mass element SSO is ihk tmsmsx, the user may custotniae the ft>rcc output hy trs35sdi£csr S0'7 tor a particaljsf recipieat. For example, it may be use&I to change the mass ca-upbd to aϊiφHfer §28 depeadisg oa the skull characteristics of a recipisat, or based oa the hearing loss suffered by a raclpieiϊt. Individuals suffering Ssm diflererss levels or types of hearing loss (i.«, bilateral dea&css vs. single sided deafee&s) ∑πay require di^rrøt otstput feces to adsqiϊstsiy c-ojϊipeissats for their bearing loss. As such, attadsmsst of smss ekissaf Sf-O to r«le&ssbic co'uplϊωg 890 hag- the bβsetϊt that a transducer module asd'Or a boos cøscueϊxsts device τsv&y cuirφήsa ail generic coixφoxieats wά the device may be øustotώzod for a specific patiesϊ by seieetmg a specific shaped asd/r siii-εd Bϋiss cleϊSTϋeBϊ which is best sskzά for the recipients chsxuctcrisiicss aad bsasiag loss.

iδs?4i Bxsbodssiests of the preseat Invention nsrther include s procedure i« which & bone ooxsductioα dcvics haviag trs∑ssdtjςer module 806A tberesi rsay be fitted Io & recipieat Daring such a procedure, a sαrgsoa may select a specific shaped ssd/or sixeti moss eietπesJ wMch is i>est suited ttsr the rεcφseat. in such eserrtplary procediars, a surgsos attaches a mass εierseπt iύ

amplifier 828 sad the heariag response of the recipient is measured at plurality of §~eque».cj£s aad signal presentation levels by, fbr example^ subjective iiser feedback, or objective j&easnrei&eats ss&ch as neural response telemetry measurements. A surgeon, mszγ ferther i«jst 2 variety of mass elements is the above tsaxsnsr uaύl a mass element rssaltώg is ihs desired oi∑spts* feee is &uad. it bs appreciated Lbat vaπmss other fitting methods are within tiss scope of She presets isivestios,

iw?$\ As iiotgά above, in order to generate sufficient force to vibrate and/or move She jrecspiosl's skull so us to cause a hcariag perception, addids>nai mass πJU.ST bs cottpied to aiπpHiier H2S sack that the additional mass moves when extension arms 896 deflect aloag axis 813. Moveαsetit of the additional mass increases the force output by trsωsducεr 807. FIG. SB illustrates øse embodimest of ώe present isTcatiosi where this additional mass is provided by coupling ose <sr tsors functional components &J pojtion 826/V. Ths fuactløaal compoRcats may bs coupled to portion 826A m m? of a auαabs∑' of ffiaiussfs.

[SδTδl For example., ss certa∑a smbodsmentj as shows in FIG. SB, one or more extension artsss 896 xs&y extend &om rc:ka$&bk ccaφilag 890. As the extremities of extension ssϊiiϊs 896, fenctioϊϊal eoffiposetits §92, 894 m&γ be suspended such that nsoveraem of sxteasioti anss 896 also cαs.isβ ssovemsat of εhc ϋmctioaal cosspa&ents. The addϊtkssiai tπass added by the functbtjal compo0«nis allow Stiiasducsr 807 to generate suScient output .feres to rsp-reseot a received sound. Funcibim! components may comprise, &r δ?;ampie» sne or IϊSJγC Ijatterfes, & pottics of boxing S33, sigasl pmeessaig electϊosics, etc.

ϊ»?ti Si∑riiar ks the eπsisoditsiests described alxjve with reference to FIG, SA, sstsssioa anus may be oeυpied to jχsrtb« 826B via a releasable coxφllsg, shows as couρfeg 890. Rckasabϊc coupiiag S90 is configured to permit a surgeon, dbsciaα, recipieut, etc.. (ooUect∑veiy referred so heϊdn as " ⁴ USSt) 5.0 easily discosisecr aad/or exchange extension anas 896 aad or Smctio&a! cooisoaεjits S52, SSM with dϋfcrsat anus aad/or coπψori«jits haviag diϋ ^' ereot masses, shapes,

CEC.

IWT&i By sxelissgmg extsxisbss srsis S96 and/or caaipoaesits in this no&tmcr, the user may custotnixe the tjrce ouipijt by transducer 80? &r s particai&r rscipiest. For «xatnp!e, it may be use&i Jo change the type or sixe of functioaai coαψoaents 892, 894 coupled to amplifier S28

depending ots tlis skuϊi oiϊsraeieristjes s>£ a redpiest, or hs&βά on the hesrkg loss suffered by a recipient, individuals suffering fk>m different levels} or types of hearing loss (i.e., blisters! desSasss vs. skgfe sidsd deatϊKsss) may require diITsrsat ov&pvx forces to adequately compensate for their heating loss. As such, attachment of different components via extension amis 896 aad re leasable coupling 890 has Use besom that a transducer ssoeuie and/or a bεme coashictksa device may comprise &li generic components and the device may be customised Ssr a specific paέieat by selecting a specific shape, ske. asd/or type of the functional eαmpønesis.

\ww\ is oώεr esibcdirneats, øse er rπore &sotionai comporsεats rs&y be relessabiy coupled to poπioH H26A is thm mssπexs described above with rsfeense to FIGS. 6 sM 7. For exar∑φle, ilisctioaai δoαϊpssssϊit 892 and/or S 94 may coπiprisc a power tssάuie (sot sisownj or sns^ther Sisctbrmi coTtψQtssnt of tassducer S06. Fyrthemsors, iusctios&I cotnpoaoats 892 and 894 seed sjot comprbe coπφoasBts teving iesαtlcsl sas$. Still fiπrhεr, cms or mars πisssss,, which hsvε ϊϊO siisction other thsn sctiϊϊg as s Bϊass, ms.y be coupled to transducer 106 by couplisg the osie or ϊBOxe rassϋes to rei«&sabie coupling 890 ov ta estai-sioa arms S96A. For example, one or siore øiass&s εsay be added rs s parliculsr exieπsώs ar∑π 896 is order Io oαuϊscrbsiatjcs extension arms 896 whose die opposite sad hss a fαactioual coϊrφoncnt attached thereto, Wbiis cmbodsssetsϊs of the present suvenibs ilfustrstsd m FIOS. SA and BB have boesi described having piezos'cctric tra^ssduccrs 807, it is to be understood that other eπsbodasents of the present iϊjvstidoiϊ susy coωφrise other typzs of fmssducers wϊiicϊt gessrare mechanical hτoss. smbod.xn.sats of the prescαu mveatϊøn ha%'e l>ees described above-, it slϊosid be smderstood that they have bees presented by way of example- OnIy ₁ aad sor llraitatioϊi. Il will bs appsrεat to persons skilled hi the relevant art that various chsnges in form aisd detail CSΏ be mads therein witho t dspaπing SX>JI3 fee spira aiκl scope of the a∑vejy b&. Thus, thz breadth and scope of ϊM pressat kr/etitiosi shoαid sot be litnitod by asy sf the above-described exemplary cmbodiissats, but should be defined only is accordance wkh the foBowiαg δlamis and ϊteir eqiii-v'sJ'SBts. All patents sad publications discussed henna, are bicorporsied m their sstirety by rsferstscs thereto.