TJANSCr.rTANEOIiS MAGNETIC BONE €ONBPCTIOH PKVICS _.

CROSS.HEB3S3aSSCS TO RELATED AI ⁵ FOCATfONS

[mil ^' Use prøseπt ψpMs&ihn claims tfes bεsefii of UB £*_wis&mai Psjgsi Applicsdon δl/041,185; SM Msπsk 31, 2008 _t which is kjtefey kcstpoπfeά by refesace hereiα

jδsasξ The jnssssm iavssiba is generally directed to a boss coaducdoa device, &x& mart particularly, to a SramcutsasoiJS Biagsetk. kϊiss sosssfeetkja ά&ψiøQ

Hearing loss, "sHach. sissy be due ϊO many differs&t csuses, is genea&lly of two types, coaώicϊfvg or seasoriasy∑aL Is isssiy people who sxe psrjfemκ.% άas£ &e iessoa fe feii dcsisess is sessorlasural hssansg loss. This typo of 'isiaisg løss is d&& to sljsssce, d«straeSdoϊ5, or tenses to fee haas ϋsai trasasdαoe acoastis stgaals ssrø serve isspϋlsεs is. the codsJsss, Vksrkstss prosthetic hsaπ∑ϊg sπψlants havg bssxs. dsvβkspsd to pxn-tkϊ ssdivMωafe Vao saSkr ircjrs. ssajjoπαesiral Messing k»ss with flss absHty to percslve sousd Chie t^pe of prosthetic impisnf, ra&xedto as a cocMearissakat, «^s aa slcctKsds tiϊssy kπpkisJed m the coshlsa. Mors spedScsliy; an stearics! stmsaks is via the classtmdβ array dsrsctly to the cochlea aerve, thereby inslucing a liesπsg sessstbs. isi the iπipϊasϊt tsclpfet i ^t M#\ &Mtsstivβ .hearing loss oc-cms wfesn the aotnsiil taec&tsicsl pathway wkish ootsdisϊS seeusd to saass Ia tfe cockles, ssrs i∑rmeded. This problem tsiaf srsss fess cbjmsge- t» thδ ossicular chats to sar easat Howewτ _s Iadi^duais -w&o sa^r g»ss eαadiϊeεive hearisg foss still have some ibm. of seskfa&I lsssrkg beesuse the jmfes is the cochlea are often vάsss suBx froxa cssdϊssrive bssrbg loss sre t^ically aot candidates iør a asdϊle&r -kspkst, becaaiss ktsestasa of ths elcst ^j &ds array kiss a cocMea may tssiit is. ihe sewre datnage or dsstractjas σfύss tsost of dig Iissr ceils w^Mn the cocblea.

sδϊMssi Smiferers of cαaducϋvε feesriBg loss vη>\ sally rmtfce as &εεrøs& kssriag aid, Hg-aπng aids rcxx-lvs assibiest somsά is the omer ear, sssplify tlss soBsd _* sssά dirsci Uss sispliEed scrusd MG tfas esr cssml The ssspK&d sotasd raachss ύm codsisa sad causes motion of ih& sochisa Htsid, 8t≤s?βby stimafsαng ihg hsk§ m the cocMeii.

1§8863 As altsssnsJH'e to a. sssrtmi air es>siiEctk>s aid is a botse cosdtictiaa sesrbg axi "which isootporatss a k«snj3§ aid wick dr£τ«5s a Tstestor wMsk ss poshssd agaimt the skall vis a ϊsie.c&sϊilssi, Ss-cfa ssscbsaissss lacisde glasses sad wfrs hεso|5S. These άsvisss &τs uxs∞εa&mbk to wss" aad &;: SOSK rscipfests aκ5 Bicspebis of product suSkrissi gsis.

1&W71 lMbrtimM&ty _s hεsπtig mήs do not bstssSt all sidmdstals who ssiffisr ram asa-ktctfvs hssrisg loss. For escsmple, sotssε isaiwdsals are ρmti& to ckcsls kSamrosakm or πsfestios of tas «ar cseal aad caf»3t w«ar hssxmg sάls. Othsr mdi^dssls hs%-^ mallbrassd or zihss&t oister e«χ aiid/br aar εaπals as & remit »f s birth d^&.^ or ss s result of sessπoB. medical conditsoϊss sach as Tteashsr ColHas s^ ^f sdroa® ζ»* Mismtis. Hearing sύds srs also ∑ypically s_ass&a&le &r iadividasls wko smSkc fmm. sksglc-sjdsd desjfesss. (ie., MaI ksaπ&g bss oaly m v®& sax) or ωκlB.-iώiafe wbo suffer fzom τxάxsά &sat%3g losses (is,, c&mbbatfcss «C se3x$αrls.>seml aa4 esmdudiv^ fesεs'mg

mm These s»i11Y5.dχsals %'k> cssimst bsaeSt froxts hsεariag aids ts&$< bsaeSs fens, bsaii&g pTOSiJaeses tfe&i ass aπplasted Mc ibs sksll boae. Sa&b hssrmg prosdss&ss direct vibratlβϊss Lsio dι« bone, so that Use vsbratisas- are eøsάiicfcd fcre us eoclslss ^; ssd rssutt in. stδ3ia!sdicπ.of tks bsirs k tie coekl«3. Tkis iyps of prosthesis kt>piαsi!yxefsjτai to as a bos* ϊPQϊKh-siscss feiea,

[Sδ09i Bos© eoisdsictsm ds^vjcss &ac&B lsy <smvrøtmg s ssoss"v©d soirnd !sio a msscbasslcal vTsotson represcafeilive of tfce reesε-vεd aosmd, TMs vϊ&ratloa 1% thsa feississλ-ed to the boss structure of ike ^ kull, causing of ώs rsffipisϊirs ska U as.d SSϊV<SS is sέsϊiala&ϊ the csciifes kώs, lhersby ϊJKhtεi-ϊg a iissnag ssssatksa m Use tecϊuJest.

(Qmij Acoordsϊsg to ose aspect of the presesl isvesdosXj there is provided a boss sofidactiss device Ssr gahsscxαg ibs besmg of a recipient, soϊsφrisbsg: a sound ssput ek-snβai oonfigured to rscεfve so. scαustio sousd signal; ax slesfeniics saoduk eo.sflgs.sred gsastais ®x dectπe&i sigssu repsresessiήig the acoustic souad sigaai; a ixajϊsdiscsr coπSgsred Lo gesssrø^e medis&issl πsroass rspreseatiag t&s aiβctsfeai ssgsai isr deliver to ihs, sscspksafs sksύl; aas or rr-o∑e asfesmai compoiieaes πsschssicsily soupkd to Ehs Srassdiscer aad coaSgitrsd ta trassfc? the ϊasdsamcal ϊ«rces; sad sse or ϊϊssre impisate>d eotXSsoBsafe msgtjedcsliy copied to tlio OSϊS ar πsste asternal ssoisporteats aad

f §3821 According to siuϊtaaε a$p&st of ths present iavssafca, tters is prβ-vided s. metljød &r rsksiϊfiϊtatjog the hesrisg of a a h&ss coπduδtSJSi de%4se bav&sg oaε or SJOπS external cosspoπests asd oass or ϊssore ϊπϊplsEtad. ssnsponssls _* coTsprming: Kicsivtsg SϊS steclxtcal sigasil Te|aresexsiativs of ssa asasstfc seissd sϊgesl; gssssratmg mscfesxHcai SJγCSS represesisiihre of the ϊβsssψed eiestsicsl ssgsEi; €srsaing & s^Egnetio bstwssεss. the fjoas device and ths skδl; asd daitysri&g tb.© ωisεJ-&si»sl S>rccs to fee 3W%tcs3t ^? s sk^U via tha ssagπcf is coapifeg. p§δ3J Accordmg to yet asolhsr sgpszsi oflkss prescssέ JEVeafea, tbers is pKsvkisd & boss eoiϊdsøtssss devCes lor &s fesarssg of a. reclpisst b&visg os.s or ϊssre «xt«mai cssiϊpoαeεits aad os.s o? ∑βcκe msplasissi c-απsprismg: mβaas &r rscsit'lπg aa elscJrξeal signal rsøre^estεslivs of an aco ^" uslic mvsid signal; msaas &r gsπarstijig sase-sasieai ^' isrses regresesiatfpe of t&e reesived ekoSdaal ssgssil; ϊaesajs &r lermiag s sjsgπatSϊ coupUng bsr* ^r e8s3 tbs boss <κ>πdustιoa deybs- sad the recipsesi. ^! s sk&U; aad πsgϊiϊss fe deϋveπug the Tsscisssie-a? &rees to Una xtGψi$nti ^f & skaii via the Biagaetjc oαxpissg.

$8li4j IHusissfcms esxjlsodjissais of she priest isveatksα srs dsscribsά berek wiJia r«fcrssic« to ϊhs asearnpaa^iag drawings, 33 wMe& ps«5| FIG. 1 is s perspective view of s boss sosdϊicdαB Tsxradesi to s recipient accorcϋag to «κe embadJBieaS of tas ørss^ii Isveatlss; fOδδδl PIG. 2A is & Mgli-lsvsϊ feactjaaal hfoek dsagrass of a itaBStsstasoBS boss coaducdoa εfcvios ^icordlsg fe> STSSS embodissaru of the preset sϊ^atioϊ!, sucfe. as the device of FlO, 1;

|S§S7] FIG. IB ss a detaSsjd &nctk>ω2l bfock disi^sm of ώs trssscatsssous baas oossducSsaa device illastrsred ss HO.2A; l$m&l Fill 3 is & £&>wchsϊi iihssteaέiag the OQϊSVSSSSDS of &xx hφsst sossd Mo sks.ll vfb∑atirø si a de^ee scδorimg is one sπsboε&ϊisst of ths

?®SS91 Fill. 4 is a psrapβotivs view of a tøsδcsϊtsaβoBS bone device ξiccorfeg to a fctiiier ssibodsme-st. ofths prβssaέ iϊEyrøtfeβ;

[S8i§I HG, 5A is a pcsTspesstsve side ^isW «f a tras&cutas.csjus botie <x>ϊώiCtS3S device sccoKfesg «0 amiiher wώβ$h&sssά of the prβsml m^attoa,-

C8011J FICs . SB ts m isometde YSSW of the device shows, m HG. 5A; [ti8i3) FJO. SC is s £S«s8~ses*bmi vis* of &s άβvfcβ of FIO. SB;

FICl 6 is a tχaspssjtέ?ϊs si-ds viξjw of a tEsmcaisacoa* boϊts cosdae&a device acsordlsg to

180141 FiG. 7 is s pesspecsdvs side vj ^' ew of a. t£sasc«iast®oas horn coadsetios d»vk« sccoϊdiag t» a&rtfesr smksditssat of the priest isvsatbs.

|#Cd SJ Bs_bo4fms53ts of lbs preset kvsii&s a?s generally directed to a base CGSikotkm device for -oosYsrJisg s. received ssowstlc scn∑sd signal ϊε&> a siesfiaiilesl feres ddULvsnsd tx^ssostssiesMsiy via a teeifsesfs skull to tlie reci|Haai ^! s hearisg orgasg. ^'" His boos costkαfas devsse iseiαdes a scnssά isψst c<røpøϊioM _s sueh ss rsϊcropkm$ _f to nrøsέvε the acoωStis scassd sigsal, as slsctrosicss modals amπgurød fe gsaer&te an. ekcJrksi sigsal rspt<sjestlsg the acoustic sotisd signal, &nά a piezoelecttk trsssduce? to soπveri ths eiestoc&I sigsa! ijsio s sjscfeaaϊc&l lb?ss &r deϋvsy to the recspieat's skull fe. csrtaia srabodssKssis of ths pr-ss^nJ iaveatiαα, tks trassdαeer is sosmeded fes oa« or SCTGγS.1 xs&g&sis or SSK! sotϊφoaenis which ssg £Q taagRsts knpiaotsd Isetwsea the reoipissst's besβ κ&d aids. Is oέfesr issibodisissts ox t!s$ presses issveatiϋϊs., OSs or ssvsM jsessl isr® ss&gser&c&ily souplsd i& «5tτfiS|x)3iskig msϊgsats that s?s implanted bβtwsss ths tesaplest's boss &nά sksa. Ths> mjsgasts or coisposes^s cossecfed iø the iesasdαcsE srs cossssied susli that &τεe geαsϊstsKi by the h mechaascsliy comasMssioated to th& eoxsssvtsd sitsgneJs sf tsctal eoss^sesis, which Is ΏSΏ saagnsucslly soisisiamcgts ths gesseraie %^;$ ox psrtsosss ifiareof to ths ssspIaMed os5© or se^sral sssgaets «r ssetal sαiapoϊssϊJέs. Tae in rsspa^ss to sppHfiatiøa. of tke sisstrjcai signal rissreϊo, Ths tfassd'acsε has &.a output stroke tliat exceeds tlss <!dibrass£km of && pi«soeisctπo clϋsϊtβϊst tmi&l Th& ύutptxi stmkg of ths tπjjjsdαcer (sorπsiasβs raferred tso hernia as th.e ^ls t.ra _* ss<iacsr 3tK?W) is 'bilked to gssiersts a B3S$bssical Ssrce feaϊ may fee provided so £h& reeφfeπS ^s s skuJi. Tlss mmά. perceived by a rsoij? JSH|: is degemissl, ia part, uputs t&s :ω3.agsϋudϊ? of meehasjϊoai fees gsssrstsd by the asssάuesr. in SOXϊSφ boss sDrtductios dsvisεs, tks issgssmds of £bs fores sssy b«? Hmiέed by Use available ^■ ^aπsdϊsoes: sticks. These lissitatioss ts&y asiss άktQϊύon hi ths soustd ssgxsil pepc-elvsd % ihs rsssφifxst or lbst the popfuktloa of recipient ^* ® that may bssiefit torn Jb.e det'fce. For «xasκpl«, is. ceriain smbodtmssts« ilsώsd traasdassr str^ks results is issαϋxcseiϊέ gsis to τq>rossst s reserved souεd sigε&l &r all indivicbs&. ^" Itas issuft3«?i«:ϊέ gsύi ϊϊ?a.y tsmss a signal to I?© clipped orotljsrwise iktorted.

[MXTi As wt&ά, ih& isj&ξoeiestπc transducer cossprisas a pisssoolsctris sis-sent Tk piesoebe&io slsmssS cos?<srts as, electrical signal applied ifesRffiα hύύ a sseehsitisal dafeøϊsstbs. iie _* axpsnshn or cotjtraeεbs.) of IKs sis∑aeat IS.e aεamsϊt <jf dsfemaiism of s psezodsstrk sisosat is response to aa agpKsd electrical signal άwsa ^ή s os siaκ?rial pπψsriiss of ike skmsπl, oriss-fatbs of the elseirifi αeld with, xsspectiø the pskrizatiøj ^j sf ths efeiussit, geβaadry of tlss eleeseai, «se,

|9δl8| TIϊS ds&rmstiba of the plesαeiectτis; ckisεait tssay slss be ds-ascterissd by tbe S^s stroke SϊSS blocked ibrøs of the slemeaf. The £ ^* ss stroks ofa pie2κjδ!δ«tdc ^ismest rsfes ϊεs ϋjg ss&gϋ≥&de αf dsfbrsxsfJo-i mckeed Is tbs dsmest whes s givsa volϊsgδ is applied t&ersts. Bfedced ibrcs rsfsrs to thss tbnce that msst be applied ts ϊfee plssssslecMo si&ϊϊ>ost t» stop &M ddsrasstbs st the grvea vollags. Ge&sr&Sy speakkg, piszoelsctris efesr-sats tssvs a .high, blocked Ibre-s, mt a bw See sεmkε. In other words, wlisa a wϊltags is applied to the sfernsat,- the ckaaaast will caa αiitpfut s high :%rcs _t Isut wiii øsiy a small

C§δi§] As isotsd, bos* coadacaon dssvfces gassrafe a tasdsscioal sfec-e that ss dsUvεs^sai to tbs skaiL &<κ-φ1sy <sssiag by the τ®s%issi Is sf>ms picsoεfestrfc trassducets, ths iBsxjimsm availεώte fessssdaeer st ^j oka is sφdvaifiδϊ to th« s«s sSsoke of thspfeasefec&ic siemsiϊt. As sαch, mme bon& mnάncύϋtx &svic<ϊ& adlixiag these types of psassoeleetrsc trajssdua-sr Isave a llsuted irasssducsr stocjks ssd correspsαdsjg Emits <ss the S35sgπitκde of the assclssaieai fbrce ώst sssy bs pfovMed to the skaϊL

[08201 HO, I is a view of smfeedsmesεs of a txsss cosdacsioB device 100 ia wfach «iϊsiκsd&ϊ5aists of slis prssasi: mvenεioa m&y b« advastsgeoissly Bapleassaasd. Is a felly fuactbssil feiaas iserøssg asatoisy, OTSESJ* esr 105 somprises as. sariele 105 SSKI Sπ. δjsr ca»al 18$, A as«ad ^SVφ or acosstic pressure 107 is soiiested lsy asπcls 103 aϊicl chajHκd«d is&> aa<1 tbroagh ear osii&l IQδ. Dispossd SSSΌSS the distal esxd o-f δ&r csssi 106 ts s tyϊapank raembrsKe I€4 wlήok vibrates ia rsspoase to acoustic wav« 107. Thϊs vSjratsos is eoapbd to oval wisdow or fenestra ovaiis HS tfe>agh tϊrrse boses of tafddls sar Iδ2, soϊlδc!iv«iy rβSsπsG t<? ss the assiclss 111 sad coB3prisfeg the am&as 112, tins rsoa^ 113 am tha st^^es 314. Bones 113, 113 aaά 114 af tmddis ear 102 scrvfe is liSsr

8s4 δϊϊψϋfy acoustic wve 107 _» causing oval Tvisdσw UQ Io articulate, or vihmte. Ssdi v ^j bisdots. s«is \sp waves of iMd B-sotlsa vϋhis. oochlea I IS, Such ihώi ∞βέHKi, Cs ttsu, ai^vasos tisty Mir cells (sot shows) that lias the issMe of oocbisa IIS. Acϋvaϋoa of the hair cells «s&§ε,-s sppropikts nervs tπψαlses to be transferee- feougii lbs spsrsl gaogliαa cells- sad sudatory serve 11-6 to fes fersm (sot sbøws),. where they are percetvsd as ssxsKd.

{§ ^§ 21} HG. I also Slustrstcs tk§ positioassg of hose cosdsetksB. device 100 felailve to ajiter «ar mi, middle <ssr 102 asd itjser sar Kβ of a rsφisaJ: of drøce 100, As sbøwϊs, b^πe cosdxictksn d&viee K)O m%$ hs pos&hύsά hskmά outer ear 101 of ths rescφisϊst fβi22I M tfes embodiinssts fHustmsa in I ⁷ IG. I, boas oosductios dimes 1.00 cotrspπses a bossώg 125 having s. naiαropkiae (sat shows) positioned tliarsla or Hoassng 325 Is csjspkd to tfe≥ ^" body of tlss πscijsest: ~*ia ooωpϊiag !4δ ;κad fetpi&tsed saagsst 162- As Cϊsscrioαi beiosv ₅ bom coaduc&ts ds-viεe I OS may samprlse s saiaid pmssssor, a tnsssd-Kss-ύ feassdϋcsr drfye soπψδaβats asd/ør "varϋaαs other eleøtπ>τά;

PHB3] Is sccβjdsace wh smbodπae∑sts of &s pnsssm isvesitba, US assckjr system (not shews.) Sisy l>« mψkstβd. m tfee recφiest As dssers&ed kslow, the sjschor sysiesϊi may be fixed So bαae 136. lti ψ<sήom smbodijasstSj the sadsør systeas tmy fe© tmpiastod ssder skis 132 wltbiα ssascle 134 ssά/oz iki 128. Is certsss. sssbodijs&isis, a ccmplϊrsg 140 sfctaehss ώr^c-a 1OQ &> Sk; κack>r systαa,

[S5β24| A fbssjti&ϊjai blo*s!c diagram of case erak>dlrsi«st ox boae cosdosiion 100, rsfetrad k> KS IXϊSS? Oiϊidiimoϊϊ. d-svics 2GO, h slsswsi m FIG, 2A. Ia S&s llkstπstsd esibodiniest, a .ϊossBd 20? is rsselved by a sou&d input sistπ-sπi 202. Is soτitε sjabod-B-saatSj soosd mpyt ^β kmsat 202 ss s tsisrsphosε soπfigtirsd i& recsive sos-ad 2δ7, aad to oonvart sδimd 207 Jnts SSIϊ dsaiπcsi aCgsai 322. As ibsεdbed h&km _t ia stber esabodiπssats m&sά 20? may rec-elvsd by sound sstssJ «kssss3t 202 as SγJ electrical sigasl f§g2S] As sώøws is FIG. 2A, electrical signal 222 is outpat by jsesssd iaptsϊ eksnsat 202 to as efecttDTϊtcs sxjcoils 204. BksdsoHSCs sacxkiie 204 is coπfigared to convert eketscsl signal 222 krø ^g & adjusted electrical signal 224. As described below is 5B5?γS dst&S, ebstmsics niodmle 204 may lnckde & sound pro*^ssøτ _; cαstml electroaiss- tjasssdacer dπvs ooropsnents, asd. a variety of other slsraests.

£&826| As skϊWB in FiG. 2A, trsssctuesr 206 receives adjusted electrical signal 224 ®zιά gsaerafcss a πisoksjica! ααtput lfeeee that is delivered to the akuil of the rsdpisαi via oougsHsg 14S ₃ shows, m. FlG, 2A. as anchor system 2SS; that is cotψlsd Us boss ©ssacfec£is>& devise 200. Bslivety of this ouipt^ &ros causes osse or ϊsose of taotsϊit or vibration. «f the reeφiesfs skull, lbsrshy activsfcg tfcss fessr sells ϊs the cccbJea via cocMea fluid πssiiotL

|&δmτ| FIG. SA a1si> ϋkstrstes a power KϊDSMS 21S. Power saodαle 210 provides δlsctrisϊd -gfswst to oss or asKS somposeats ofboras device 200. For s&$e of illustration power msstMs 210 &as bsca sbws ee-ssacted ssfy to isus&cc isodnle 212 ssi slsctroαics tsssά&b 21)4 Howevsr, It sliouM be sppredstsd that power moduk 219 ϊs&y bs ϊssed to supply p&'s.'sr ^o say dectrioally pswered dstKSl&'csssapaaesfe! of bo^ isorsώictios device 200. p«S«| Boss cQϊsduotbϋ dsvicβ 2Ot Smher includes sa mer&je sso^ule 212 that allows lbs fssoφieat to islsract -a-ilb device 2OCl For βsssψls, aster lace modais 212 tsay allow lbs m sdfust tksj SUa- &e spssch procesjssg sfestβgies, power oϊs/oiϊtlie dr _v iε≤, sis.. Merfac-s jsodida 212 eomsajskaiss wsk sisottυπiss asαdale 204 via sϊgsaL

|iKs2?>i Ia tlie emόαdfmsat Is. MG. 2A, sσxmά pickup device 202, slectroaic® tmdals 204, trassaduoer 206, po-war ssodale 2JQ aad iaterlase ssodals 212 have sil tse^ sfeyλ'π as ∑πi«gjsied iα a $m.gl& hxmdsg, rsfe"δd ss as ksasfsg 225. Howsver, it skmJd be apfrøciated thst i» essrtals sssbo<3iments of the p reset^ oae ©r snore of the tilustratsd co^sfx^assts may b& housed is separate Qγ dsiS?f«s* boissmgs. Sim&dy _* it sbsnύά sJss lχf appreciated tfest k sack smbodijsaat%, direα ajiEisetbsxs Isetwsβs t3as visrisα-s ssøiial&s asid devkss are set aecsrseasy sad that ths wxsψowsM ∑πsy <3oss3sδjicsιt3, Sϊγ example, "vis ws«I.«ss csssiectbss,

|1§3§I lit smfeodissesϊts of tlie present favsatba, sraBSdusss" 2Sδ may bs oss o£ iassy tjφβs sad cosrSgufsabss of trassdacses, aow iasows c<r kέgr dsvebpecL fe. DS.S eanbodtsKKd, Qϊ ihs ψveδssά iιwtssήo% ϊransdacsr 2S6 stay coaψrise a piesxs&ketrfs sleseM v&άah is «>txκgαrsd ts de:δ>rm Is resposse &> ϋb& &ppϊicmhn of sfeeiϊiess sigssl 224. Pfeδekstϊic eSøjnsats tfaat may fee aseά si sεsibαdssisats of the pisssiϊt mvεjstκ>is

m&γ comprise, f&r sχssrϊψls _s piszαelestπε crystals, piezoelectric ceramics, nr some other tsMensϊ sxhϊbidδg a. d&tønmiioω is resfϊøBKϊ is ss, applied dairies! signal Exemplary pfeosfoctrk: crystals include quarts (SJOS) _J BerHrsle {AiPO4} _> CMimm orthopkϊsphsts ζβaP04) ssά Touns&lfes. Exe∑tφlary psssoeJedxk; CSTBSK.CS tactods hsr&rat dlaaaie (8sTiO3ϋ)t lead ήsxxmsaε& ϊri&sate (PZT) _^ or dπsosasm (Zt).

PSS3] Some pi-ssoslectrkr mstari&ls, sscia as iead ;arjχjsmi lkanafe asd PZT ₅ srs pokdxsd materials. Wbsϊt ss electtie βgM h spplied aσnoss ilssss osstsriais^ &s poiεrissd tsiolscales aJiga thεrassives with i&e electric t!aϊd ₅ rasώfeig ia sidisced dholes of mokci-Xes csjsses tiϊs dsϊforstsdδss of the sssterkt

£SSS3j Is. otker eiabodimsals ofihs presezst in.vej-t-oa, QUSSS: typss of transducers may TO USO3, For «s3ts3pis, parous ssjtors configured So operate is i-espssse to sSeocriea! ssgp&l 224 may he assd,

[§«333 1& oae smfemllmcst of Las presssm iavsatsm, trβrssducscr 206 geaesrases mi aixtpst fetes tb&t cssjsss ifSDYssjest of the cocMss ϋsήά so thst a soυssd smy be perceived by th-e rsc%ie∑it- Tke oatpat S?rε© xssay r©sslt ia rαschasiesl vibrstioii of the reeipiesf s skiui or m ^lsysscai ssoveme&t of tK© δksϋl about liss essk of ths secspfent. As sstsd above. Is eertsjs. OTbodϊmKs∑is. ^" boas cotϊdϊjctiaα defies 300 deilyejs έhe outeut thφ Kislpkat w aa «aeb»t S3?stera 208. Xa one emte4iκιejs; of ^ h© prcsest aaKshor sptess 2OS magasis 260 wbiαh sasgjseέicaSy c-sspbs to one or oxjrs lmplsstsd trssgseSs 262, &s illuslrsi®s3 si ElO. IB. Is the essbodisϊsjsi il&sfcsisd ϊπ. FIG.2A _? eatsπ^i ∑ssgαsts 260 ar^ s«>sδ^ιs:ed JO be attadied tø hoiisϊag 225. As such _* m tkb smcαdsssss,. yibxHtios Sυm iπjEsdsyer 206 is preysαed to ξjstδrss! msgsets 260 tfemgh boϊssig 225.

{W$4} lπ esjtaja stπbodsδssiέs of ihs prssεπt isvesstloEi, electronics ssadiils 2δ4 mehates s. pxiiitsd ciϊϊsϊii: board (PCB) to electrically CQsπsct and m«chaaicsUy Jsa|5psrs: tha corxφoxkaaϋs of dacts^dss im>dulφ 204. So^πd iapnt skmεsxk ^" 292 msy coi∑φdse oae or ssrs ssdcsssplssϊsss (act sknva.) ssd Is stt&okxi so &s PCB.

PBS| FIO. 2B providss a mo∑is detailed γ£sw of boas oaaductba dβvfee 200 »f FI-G. 2A. &. &. illasiέrstβd «rsbodimsst, sicctroslcs sneάsJs 204 ootjαgdsss a soued processor

240, trassdsosr drive osssposesis 242 and osmmsl electϊotdes 246, As sxpismsd stxnts, in cεr&ds. esssboviimests s&sαd mp«t dbsssst 202 cotsprbss a ∑sϊsπspsoss smxfigsmi to Go-sved: s. reserved acoustic signal isio eieetrissl signs! 222. In SϊUϊSγ smbofesssiSs as άeisϋsd bek>w _s so"s-sd hψai sfcαssBt 2S2 receives sound 20? ss as electrical ssgssl

IWMj Is OBbcsdussϊϊsts of the prsseat lisve&ii-os, ds&irical sάgsai 222 i» otiip ^y t fe ^; s SDSBKI ϊωpϊJi eksses^ 202 t» scsmd pα>csssor 240, Soϋtsi pϊsacessor 240 uses <SB» or sere of a skr&iily of tedmiqp^ to sdeciivdy psαcess, mψVixy aad/or filter ekctdssl signs! 222. to gsaerate a _j m>cessscd sϊ^iai 224A. In ssrtam ombodkaems. soBad. precesso? 24δ may cosspdse ssbstsatldly ϊiiβ same smsά pvoasmoT as is lϊ≤ed is as. sk ssoBdustte taring aid. Is .iurslier embodfeaats, soimd pπx^ϊ^ot 340 soxsprisex a digital sigs&l

[SS3TI Froce^ed ssgsai 224A is provided to irassdsesf άrτv-« ceaφoseϊsfe 242. drive rasφosssis 242 βaήpπi s ύsbrs. ssgssi 224B, to traisdaαar 206. Based _OS dϊivδ slgaal 224B, trassdacεs: 206 provides the sutp^t JOϊCφ to lhs skαil of the rec∑pjsrit,

I0§3S _j For «sase of dsscφtios the dcstrieal sϊgssl supplied by tssssduces dπvs coxspαasafs 242 is tr∞sdussr 206 Mg been reared to as drrrø ssgssal 224B. HOWCTSS, it should ba aεprcciεtsd tls&t pmcessed s%ssai 224B xaay comprise aα sssaoaMfed w»s «f smos^sd s^aal 224 A.

100591 As seated above, fcsαsάussr 206 gssseruacs ss Oωtpsst S?rs« is ih& skall of J&e reslsiest via snoksr system 208. As sfaowa m FIO. 2B ₅ k oss amfeoάisϊsesi of &s gtessscά invsαtioα, aadsor sj^strs. 208 oαmprfsss as est^smi flssg&ei 260 which jss.gsstisaliy SQUgies ts an to cass or ϊaore sf έrøssducβr 206 «>r hø-asisg 225. For esasa^is, m. esrlsiu stssbodirøssts, ssJ ^g sm! jsaguet 260 is aϋadjssl to feassduces- 206 ssd Yibrsfea Is tt&sfovά dfosctly thssxsSsm. In ollssE smfosdiϊsssis, «&tssiml s&gnet 260 is srtac&s≤ to høusmg 225 &sd vfeats ^j u i& applied SΌϊS trausdBcsr 2δ€ through hαasiπg 225 Io ssterasl msgaet 260. Aooorrflsg to oiis smxxisESBi of the prascωS b.v«stios ss vMch coxψHag 140 sxtesaai πjsgset 260, fhs vifcraέbti rgeeb'sd by eternal amgast 260 &αffi trsnsώics: 286 causes exssmsi siagset 260 & viksts. SuICe ₈ aeoordbg to tMs ss∑skxiϊsieot of the pressst

IO

hvesdos, s&Usmsl magnet 260 is msgaetlcaUy coupled to sπψiasted rsagnet 262, ths ma.gs.etis ibrcss eetϊpimg ss-tsmsl ∑sagsst 260 sad implssteά si&gnei: 262 yfe&ϊss acoorάstgiy. His v&afim, osϊBπs∑oiεaέed iksts ssteπssai magsst 260 io iπφiaEisd s&sgsst 262 ssagnstlesUy, is εhes tmasfened fi-om ∞φkstδd ∑aagasi 262 to ifeφ recrφføai's boss 136,

|S04 ^§ | A-? søέed sfxms _> & tmψkm rsay eoatrol. vsricsss faos&ns of tJss d^>ioe via Hjjsr&ca saødsfc 212, lsssnsce asoduϊe 212 irokάss oas or SSOTS composeats tbst slksw the recipient So pro-vids ispms Js ₅ or rscsive irsfeπsatios S»as, sksssnls of boss soriduetkm defies 200, p ^} $43] .As shows, eosgϊϊϊl slscfe>3ics 246 assy be cossessted to oεs Qtτmr® of iMss^ss ϊsoϊiab 212, mssd pickssp ά&ύcts 292, soυfid frøsessor 24D ssd/or trεassdacssx drive ©ϋsφβtteκ£s 242. Ia «πύκ>diπϊεssts of fee isregest kvsøsioB, based as inputs received at kiter&y© siioβsilδ 212, coBtϊo! deøtπϊafcs 246 may provide isstnsciiom to, st isqusst ssiformsikjs from, ofesr a5jspoi-©nt$ of boae esmdscfckm 4«-?lc« 2δδ. Is c-estds ssύjødlϊssnls, ϊS -the absgnss of ussr jurats, coatml ekxϊrøxtles 246 COMICS! the ypsrsiion sf bθϊJ» cosdassioa dsrsics 200.

[OM≥l HO. 3 Hbstxsfes tlse oaaycssba of as sψst acsyusde soiiM ssgsai isfe a mschsaicai ^srfie fer deli^s^y to ώs lecφle∑a's skall Ia accordsscs with etssadijsssfe of sotss <x5sijictbδ device 200, Ai bJook 382, bone eosdiseUGa device 200 as asxRiSise sosi-sd signal .[a o s^tsϊs emfcodiπsssiSj Use sossad ssgsal is ^-ecaivsd ^a iϊslcmplxsiϊss. hi ϋthsr ambod&seats, ths hψut sound is nseeived -vk sa eSsctrsa^ input Is still Esther <^fsodimsκts, a tdδeoU ktsgrated In, or coπssctsd to, boas cajukssfca device 200 raay be used ixs τeossv» ths acotsstlo m\mά ήgtszl m<m M Uϋck 304, ths asoα&tfo mxmά Mgaal. tscsived by SCSBS coaductios d«-?feϊs 2CM> is pmees&sd by ths §psec!i proosssor m slectroaics πsαdtϊlβ 2i>4, As sxpkssed above, &e spsesli |?π>csssor sjay bs sis3t!a? So speech giααsssors 5κsd is aoo-asdo heaiiag &iάs. Ia ssich eisbodimeπts, ^sesdx processor sssaj^ salβcttvdy smpSfy, filter and/or sxsdϋy actsustϊs SOHBiI signal For «3Kia>pie, speech, processor may be to elmimste? I ^j δ ^β lεgrαuad or olhsr sswasteii Boise signals ssceived by bams cosdsjctios devkss 200.

a

,8φ44| Al BIo=Ck 306, the processed samά sigsal is provided to tnassdusar 206 as SB ikctrkal signal. Ai bbck 3O8, transducer 206 cα∑Lverts the sisϋ&iεal xigsst isto a siechssscai fojos coaSgarcd to bs dδiivered to the redpietϊf & skull vis asckor sjsieai :δS sα as to illicit a hesrxag perseptiøs of the acoustic seysd sigo&L

MS4S] FK3, 4 I&stratas oas embodiment of fee present .πveεέkm is vmsii aschsr systsss 2*38 comprises a smg!© sst^n&l ∑aagad: 408, Bxtexiial aiagseέ ^&S πsagssikaMy coϊipks w&h iϊϊspiaϊsied ϊsag∑tci 462 at)d dβKvaεs the SBSsalssMcal iόϊoe 4?€ fksm trsjssdsicar ϊaoclsie 466 to sfcs reφieat*s sksiil BS _* As wOl 1?© apørecEatsd by psrs&ns tevJBg skill is &s srs: _s hss^iasted ϊaagsst 462 is sitBQ&ec to τ®άpi£i& ^* $ αϊM. 136 in a vsrfeLy of ws _j s. Far «3εa£opi£, iffipkated tssgsxet 462 si&y !>δ bcnsdsa Ss τeφiεmt's skall 136 tisiag Gtϊδ or mars aslissive corspousds. Also _s Sbr sssmpH i∑spiasfei magssi 4-62 m&Y XsQ- fey liomiiαg OTOUSSγ πisims tδ as xsssii or δSbsr atrαcturs ^• vάήch is configured to kiegrate wrfe ths jessipϊe∑it's skuϋ boss- ovesr s perssd of tiaie ^, Fssrthsrπsors, Is otlser embodimrøES of tlispressM kvesiάsπ, impl∞Ssά msgaet 4δ2 msj'- hs sϊϊύsrβϊi sat® plaos, wkers t&» sutoiβ pro'.nd^ sa. fetsrfersiice ρres$5Sre iφoa I∑s^kstεsi ωmgset 462 jϊgalsst the rscψiest's skolL AEeπ^iv«iy _f Isψi'asted ssagsst 4623Bay lϊs% ^j e strϋctisrsi fesusrss which are designed or may addtfesaily be m«d hf & sutans m ksid lmpkstsd s^sst 462 sgaissst ώe ϊsφfesi's skail It is aiss ts> hφ aMersJoosi &z£ as ksφkossd smgaet 463 Is positloaed the sssφisst's tissue 132, 12S _y 134 and the rsoφisss-s sfejli J 36, φs tks rsφksf i tksae aM skull smy be tks _| ϊris5sr _/ to keep implanted ssagset 162 is a ϋxvd positiotu

ISiMuJl Also, 3 is to be ^sde^stoed ^IsM in c«rtam. sBsfedinissls of t&s present kvsalioa, akxύl πmy h® srødifϊsd {sat sisswa) to srsste & bed røsd scrørdfeg to tlϊ≤ cHymfcres-ial disassssloxs of ϊø-φknisd tmiipst 462, wbsre £ba b«d has a ds^Ii tø at ksάi psstiaily or eosspk&sly recsiv« the fell thickness of suplsn&sd π;&gκst 462, A.dds:έioaail3 ^r , ^s wiϋ be dss<xib«d ktsr is eo-ajmictbs wMi ibs ^obadiiasat ϋksfested in HG. 7, jmpkaied tmg&efc 462 may be txisded or αtfϊsr^'iss aitscfesd ϊ© a piste vrMch is stsesf aϊtashod to rεsφis^'s hems sskg _; fet exam^is, SCPS-WX wMah eatsrτec;pi8s ^j . ^! s boos to Sx, fee piste to tb.e bsas. AMsøags. FlG.4 ϋbstates .ψeseh frecassor 404 as \xέ&% i& a separste ho using &om tramdacsr 4Q6, it is to b$ usdc∑stood that trsπ^iuosr 406 s&d

5^5

spsesh processor 404 ssay be feoitsed k a skgfe knisisg met SB hsnismg 125 as ilhistr&tεd ia MG- !.

I®fø7i Is HG, 4, mechanical Sjtce 470 is produced by trsasdacer 406 as & &π?s that is directed k a psrpsπdisulsr saasmer with. jespect &s sssάpimt's skull 136» However, k is tα bs rasdsrsfcsod tis&t is oihssr tssboditBests of the grsssai ssveatiss, rseelBsmsaI feres 470 s&r/ be ptoduosd fey trarssdsser 406 ss a t>r sssaspfe, psrssEsi to xhs ssr&cs βf recψieiϊ∑'s bosus 136. Ii ssiotsld be usdsrsfeod. that t&e vsήsas directioss or prsφodoBs of sissohsjaesl tsrc«; geaersisd mά dfilivsrsd via th.e issgsetic coiφilag d«κsrifeed. soovs to πscipisnt's boae 136 axis cosssϋs^ed a part of the present br^ealio^. fsiusj FIG, 5λ ilissts^tes assthsr erabodtmest of the SODS soϊiduαtsjπ dsvfce 100 of FIG. 1 _; ra&resi so as botjs conώ-ctkss. devkse 500. Js this esnbodmJBSJt, wm sstemal ^; 3i&gjι«is 5DSA sad 5S8B (refeTcd to coilsetsvely as exsarsal msgaeSs 5øS) attacited tύ bousϊsg 525. Is. this ssibodssssst o£th$ prssssasd srvgπϋos, the traasdasβr msώsk (mt ski ^p 's} m housmg 525 gsasr&iβs a siediaaieal mrcsi which is utajs&tred vt& k>usisg 525 to ϊsdeπssl tssgsεrs 50S, .Ssisrtsa! jsagjigts 5SS s?e msgaslicaiiy exmphύ tα k∑φiasited tsssgaeSs 5€2A ssd 562E (mfered tø eslsotiwly ss bspkπted ω5sgs.«is 562). As illustrated sa FIG. S^K ₅ p<^pesdlcalar fores 5?8A is έcaϊ)S!ϊsittcd fesa ssdsiml mapsst 508 A ⁽ v ϊtspisstsd magrst 562A isd petpeadlcuJsr &rcβ 57QB is tnmsssttsii fiom ssx ^j stsat rsa@5βf SQtB to ssspkatsd tsagset 562B, IπφkiSted. jBagssts 562 k torn, trsssnst tise rsceived perpssKlicϊUar skull 136 άs s sasjiasr as dsssHbcd abov& fepkssce Btsgaets 562 mssy ss stta&Sad tα or bessdsd to rscfefeaf s sfexH 136 «s descril>ed above m oaafaactba with HG. 4.

!'3ϊN9? AIUiosgls FICi SA, 5B sad 5C dsplvl boxss cotsiuctbsi device 500 as h&vkg two estSEXssl sad sssψfeated ϊssgssis 50S, 562, It ss t? be asder-δxxwi 1hst 500 xsay c-ϋS3pris« s larger ssjissber or osrsSgwsfeii of ss&gisøjs. Fsmhetsssnj, it is tύ be xisdarsϊood that ia^iastsd Hssgssis 562 may bs sttaeissd Io oa« another sack th&t oaiy a ssώs&t of bsplssieii ϊmgasts 562 may bs Ss,sd to rscipieat's skull )36 tε sack & w*sy ϋsai sir. fixed ϊmplsϊϊέ: asagssss p»vldes fixstj&a ^' to? ths other lϋφlsalisd mag&ets 562. Sa33Usrl^, it Is t& b« ssdsrstood tlsat ia other esibadisxests cf tlio pressπε tSYeaiiDa,

sstsm&S ss&gsess 508 ssay fee aπscked or ottierwise connected to e&cέi ot&er, &r sxsπψie os a shared jsi&ie «r fe&s« whlεh is itself attsebβd or coupled i∑s Irsasdaøα 525,

C08SS] FlQ. SB $x&m & psrspsesive view of αsss eπsbodissssfc of ifas fscssesl kvsπtfea, deasotsstrsfeg cms co^figurslios £a wMffik βxtsαssl la&gsxets SOB are smragsd. to issgsedcally couple to ϋmplsstss niagsds (not skrøϊij _* A cn:sss-$ectba of FϊG» 5B is φύ%m. $$ FKλ 5C, -which, also exksml xnssgssts 50S and kotssiag 525. Is ths δmbodimsπj. illsistratad is FIGS, 5B snd 5C, &s othsr coHspsjassέs of hos& QOpAixoύon device 5δθ Is costsfeed m isousiag S25 _S taefudsig tbs transducer whssh. tr^sπύts πm&hmή&ύ. fees to bousέag 525 suck t&at &xt«π5al tssgs&s 508 issdws a&d tϊsssssfe tljsit feres to kspksi -magaets (sot shown}. m>Sl| FKS, 6 I&ssratss ssothes mbcsdaseafc of tks temε oossluatbs dsvύϊδ 500 of HG. 5 A, re&ααl ks as boϊss cosdactSQti ds^ϊce 600. As m &s srabodimsst illustrate! ss FlG. 5A, ;B Shis embocϋϊfflsπJ _t έms external tssgnet? 608AaEd 6S8B {τe&mfd to ssiieGth'siy as _O Kterasi sisgaeSs 60S) sre stiaclied to boiasing 625. ϊa Shis smbeάtπssπs of the prsseat jmrøatkm, ihs trat3Sdncer msdub (sot skøwπ.) Is ks^sing >12i g≤aemtss a msokssicsl fϊ>~e« sabstafssiaily psra.!M ts ihs surSuse of ϊecφi«3st's skaiϊ 136 wMsk is ttsasibrrsd ^y ia 625 to sxtsπssl sssgsets 60S, Extsraal Bisgaets δl)S s∑s m&gaetϊeslly coapled m mψlsrά&ά ssagssts 662A stsd 662B (s«fe;τesi tø coilsctjvely ss kapkstssd sδagsets £62). As Slsi _δ tratec! m .HO. δ, psMføl S>rc« 670A is tr^Bsmttted fe->ϊs externa! ϊϊmgsjaέ 6S8A to bψl&sstssi magssi €62A, aαd psraibi force 670B is trsnsniSted fiom sstssxsά ϊsisgast δδSB So isnpls _B ted msgact 662B. Mψlsmsd magseis 662 m ϊixm tsrsaMxάϊ. Um vxφ ^t sά psπάhl feroe- to reφiest's sksli 136 ia ϋ sasnsr as described above.

P8S21 As aotscl pre^im-siy, a«?sos<llsg to ecabodsmsss^ of the presasst m.^ ^» ssCioa _s tke kspkπUϊd ssagaets saay be iϊxsd t« fee fscφϊssst's skssl is. vsdoεs w&ys. For ejcsxspie, in ibβ «sfesiϊsiest iUBSkaisd ia HO. 7 _» boss røjώicefeαdsvsce 70S sosrφrfess Eowag 725 ccπipriskg a srajs4acsr SJSJS shown) asaoαg otijβr dsfvice cύmgossxύs- BsJetssi trs≤gssέs ?08A sad 70SS (eoilcs&hreiy rsfSsεsd 1» ϊSS sxterssl msgsats 708) are sϋ&φsά to lsousisg 725 &tκ! εecsive the sssehsωksi fe>?css geserated by trsssdsscss: Tk the sssr^ce of bsusis ^j g 72.5. Esterssl πsagssts 708 are isagnefeaMy soupksd to impisstsd ϊmgaets 762A sad <S72B ooϋesSbdy r«fe.τ(si to ss -kapkssted 762) ssd trsasmϋ &s stsβchaaioal

ihross received to impkst smgnsts 762 ss siagsme forcss 770A and 770B (eeiieettvφ - reibsred to as ssagnstio feces 770). Is t&s ifernssed sssbsmniess, the- forces gaaetBfesi by ths trsssάaesr (sot sksvrø) is. bousmg 725 sre directed in. parallel vrixh respecέ to fee sssdxss of sJss reccspesϊ's sfcsill 136. Tkcrsfets, sxtsπaal tsagsets 70S are eaased to <s>τr ^ζ sspot3άmgfy ∑nøve Is p<ϊra!iei to the reφfεst's sfcall, whiok results ss ^e assg^etic &rse.s 770 taovibg SJ paralfes vsrkh respect to sku?I ! 36. imssi Impla&ied ∑ssgseis 762 sSxs sSadsed to plate 7BO, which m ≤xsά i» rβoψiesat's sbϊl! 136 Bsisg Sssάm screws 7SlA asd 7823 (oαϋsfStively reiferred to as screws 7S2). ϊϊs IBs stBlxsd^seat ϊilasfeatsd is FIG. ?, evsjj. ikσuφ m&gπ&άc ^CCB UQ s?« directed os3y in iπψl&nicά ssagsets 762 ;md not to pf&tg ?S0, bsσsuss tmplaisted ϊS^SSϊS 162 are ail%c^^i to plate ^' 7SO, asagsstfc feces 7?δ SXB irsm&πtά fb&tsx feφlastδd ssssgπ^s 762 JQ pϊais 7SO aεd tkss. to πsαipiest's skull 336.

| ^§ δS41 Altljough ambαάiϊsests of fee prssest iavsstioa hays beea descdbed slxsve wlsars tlie ^Q isjs ox jEsoKs ssdxsoM magnets cotφle to oss or ∑ssrs implatstesi ssa^aetg, it is to be usdsssϊϋod ihsi: aaa. sx^-bassd metal tstay b« xss«d. Ia pises of either the external or irspkatsd ϊss.gaøεs so !eag as ih& xs&gssϋe couplmg betwesas the magϊisri asd rs.etal is of sfsifiϊ ^β feϊi £tf«ug& to esalsls adsquats tχ&x®Bx of ih» meehanlsal δs-ees gcserated by ikv

[ ^§§ 5S) W&ik vsrioas βmtsodi∑ϊssωts of the prsseaϊ kvcsticjs. have bees 4ssesi?>ed abo^ k shøxiM be -αsdei-stood thM ihsy hsvss bssa pt«seassd by %'s.y &£ exajspfe osly, asd _B Oϊ itmitsikss, Ii: -mil be rørss ^y stst ta pδtsoϊs skϋled ia t!is tsfevaai an thsϊ r^rious esasges is ifoπs «ad delail caa b<? ssasb thesrβin the ^plrs sad seops of th& hxvr ^ή miL Thus, the breadUs asd. scope of tfes |a-s$SBt iavetstkm sk>aid sot be issued l>y ss>" of thø sseπsplsrv esiboditssesis, but sbmύά be defined osly isx

discϊjssed ksrβia SϊS iucorporatei m s∑sirsty by srefersssc thereto.

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