Holding unit for a vibration transmitter and a vibration transmission system using it

Abstract

A holding unit and a vibration transmission system are disclosed. The holding unit comprising a holding plate is configured to be attached to the skin by means of magnetic attraction between a number of external magnets that are either: a) integrated within the holding plate; b) mechanically attached to the holding plate; or c) constituting the holding plate and a number of internal magnets implanted under the skin of a hearing impaired person. The holding unit comprises a transmission member or plate member configured to transfer mechanical vibrations from a vibrator through the skin to the bone of the person. The transmission member or plate member is interconnected by a mechanical flexible coupling to the magnet(s) of the holding plate.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A holding unit, comprising:
 a holding plate configured to be attached to the skin by means of magnetic attraction between a number of external magnets that are either integrated within the holding plate, mechanically attached to the holding plate, or constituting the holding plate; 
 a number of internal magnets implanted under the skin of a hearing impaired person; and 
 a transmission member or plate member configured to transfer mechanical vibrations from a vibrator through the skin to a bone of the person, the transmission member or plate member being interconnected by a mechanical flexible coupling to the magnet(s) of the holding plate, the transmission member or plate member being spatially separated from the magnet(s) of the holding plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding unit comprises a housing or holding plate in which a number of magnets are provided and that the holding unit moreover comprises a transmission member or plate member that is interconnected by a flexible coupling to the magnet(s) of the housing or holding plate. 
     
     
       3. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling comprises a mechanical connection with a spring property and a damping property. 
     
     
       4. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling has a bending flexibility which is 3 times or more flexible than the flexibility of the transmission member or the plate member. 
     
     
       5. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling comprises a polymer body which forms a mechanical interface to both the transmission member or plate member and the magnet(s) of the holding plate. 
     
     
       6. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the external magnets comprise an array of individual magnets provided circumferential to the transmission member or plate member and the internal magnet(s) comprise an array of individual magnets provided circumferential to the transmission member or plate member. 
     
     
       7. The holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling comprises a body arranged circumferentially with respect to the transmission member or plate member whereby the individual magnets are provided in a housing or holding plate arranged circumferentially with respect to the polymer body. 
     
     
       8. The holding unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing or holding plate comprises basically evenly spaced apart three or more spaced apart individual magnets. 
     
     
       9. The holding unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the magnets of the holding plate are individually adjustable in a direction toward and away from a surface of the housing or holding plate. 
     
     
       10. The holding unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding unit comprises a housing provided with a threaded bore into which one or more threaded magnets are rotably mounted, so that the distance from the magnet(s) to the opening of the bore can be changed by turning the magnet(s). 
     
     
       11. A hearing aid system comprising:
 a hearing aid device; and 
 a holding unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the hearing aid device includes a vibrator mechanically connected to the transmission member or plate member by a vibration member. 
 
     
     
       12. The hearing aid system according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a microphone, 
 a signal processor and 
 a battery is provided in a housing, wherein 
 said housing further accommodates the vibrator, and 
 the vibrator is in operational engagement with a proximal end of a rod which extends outside the housing and wherein said rod at a distal end thereof is detachably coupled to the housing or the holding plate.