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A Polymeric Micro-Cantilever Resonator Array and Its Implications in Auditory Prostheses

Technology Application

This polymeric micro-cantilever resonator array has a great potential for achieving unparalleled real-time processing with a high frequency resolution and extremely low power consumption. Their usage in hearing aid and cochlear implant applications should be seriously explored.

Detailed Technology Description

University of California, Irvine researchers have developed a polymeric micro-cantilever resonator array that mimics the biological front-end processing in the cochlea.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US7444877B2
Application Number: US2003525279A
Inventor: Li, Guann-Pyng | Bachman, Mark | Xu, Tao | Zeng, Fan-Gang | Coffey, Patrick
Priority Date: 20 Aug 2002
Priority Number: US7444877B2
Application Date: 27 Dec 2005
Publication Date: 4 Nov 2008
IPC Current: G01D0005353 | G01H000900 | H04R002502 | G01D002100
US Class: 073651 | 02989621 | 073655 | 381312 | 381313 | 381328 | 398134
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Optical waveguide vibration sensor for use in hearing aid
Usefulness: Optical waveguide vibration sensor for use in hearing aid
Summary: In hearing enhancement apparatus (claimed) such as cochlear implant and hearing aid implanted in human or veterinary patient's middle ear or mastoid cavity. Also applicable for use in remote listening device e.g. wiretaps or bugs and non-acoustic devices e.g. earthquake sensors.
Novelty: MEM type vibration detector/transducer for hearing aid, has resonator to modulate intensity of light passing between LED and photodiode in response to received vibrations

Industry

Biomedical

Sub Category

Medical Device

Application No.

7444877

Others

Tech ID/UC Case

18879/2003-079-0

Related Cases

2003-079-0

*Abstract

Ten percent of the general population suffers from hearing loss and that number rises to thirty five percent for people over sixty-five years of age. However, current digital hearing aids and cochlear implants to ameliorate hearing loss have their disadvantages. Some of these include high power consumption and long processing time associated with a large number of channels which increases its cost and size and limits its utility.

*IP Issue Date

Nov 4, 2008

*Principal Investigator

Name: Mark Bachman

Department:

Name: Patrick Coffey

Department:

Name: Guann Pyng Li

Department:

Name: Tao Xu

Department:

Name: Fan Gang Zeng

Department:

Country/Region

USA