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EP1323331B1 - Procede de production d'otoplastiques - Google Patents

Procede de production d'otoplastiques Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1323331B1
EP1323331B1 EP00960278.0A EP00960278A EP1323331B1 EP 1323331 B1 EP1323331 B1 EP 1323331B1 EP 00960278 A EP00960278 A EP 00960278A EP 1323331 B1 EP1323331 B1 EP 1323331B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ear
earmold
otoplastic
shell
earmolds
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00960278.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1323331A1 (fr
Inventor
Christoph Widmer
Hans Hessel
Markus Weidmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Sonova AG
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonova AG filed Critical Sonova AG
Publication of EP1323331A1 publication Critical patent/EP1323331A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1323331B1 publication Critical patent/EP1323331B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/11—Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for the production of earmolds according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the present invention is based on problems that have arisen primarily in the manufacture of in-the-ear hearing aids.
  • the resulting solution can basically be applied to the manufacture of all earmolds, which are arranged or applied in a dynamic application region, as will be described below.
  • In-the-ear hearing aids are usually manufactured today, for example by the audiologist creating an impression of the auditory canal of an affected individual, sending it to the company producing the hearing device, where, according to the impression, the hearing aid shell is created. Due to the e.g. likewise diagnostic data determined by the audiologist, the individually required hearing aid is assembled with the hearing aid shell, with the corresponding electronic modules.
  • the outer shape of the hearing aid is adapted exactly to the individual ear canal shaping. This usually requires further fitting of the finished hearing aid and a fine adjustment of the hearing aid outer mold.
  • DE 40 41 105 A1 discloses a method for producing earmolds or earmolds individually adapted to the contours of an ear canal. Since the contours of the ear canal change when speaking, eating, drinking, etc., one obtains in the data acquisition of the contours of the ear canal with time varying samples and can take into account these changing contours. This allows one to achieve a more optimal shape of the earmold or the earmold than with static methods.
  • the least expensive, at least two impressions are taken from the application area of the otoplastic - in the case of an in-ear otoplastic or an in-ear hearing aid , in the case of several positions of the jaw occurring in the chewing movement and thus of the auditory canal.
  • either the earmold shell initially assumed to be rigid, is shaped so that it interferes with the chewing movements that occur at least and still satisfies the requirements regarding positional position in the auditory canal or at the application area.
  • the design of the earmold becomes with the mentioned registration as to their shape behavior, ie with respect to their bending and compression properties, optimized.
  • these optimizations are modeled computer-aided.
  • the three-dimensional, digitized data corresponding to the model found to be optimal are subsequently used to control the further production process, in particular the shell molding.
  • the mapping of the application area to more than two positions, that is to say at several positions, is undertaken in order to cover as far as possible the entire dynamic range of the application area occurring in everyday life.
  • the resting external shape of the otoplastic is optimized with the registrations. This is, as mentioned, especially in the use of relatively hard Otoplastikschalenmaterialien used or as a basic setting for a subsequent refinement of the optimization, taking into account the otoplastic planing, bendable or compressible areas.
  • the design of the earmold is further carried out by computational optimization, and the production of the earmold is controlled by the computationally determined design which has been found to be optimal.
  • the inventive method is particularly suitable for the production of in-ear earmolds, in particular of in-ear hearing aids, but also for headphones, hearing protection devices such as noise protection devices or water protection devices. However, it can also be used for the exact adaptation of outer ear earmolds, in particular of outer ear hearing aids.
  • the embodiments of earmolds described following the manufacturing method are preferably all manufactured with this described manufacturing method.
  • an ear device to mean a device that is applied directly outside the pinna and / or on the pinna and / or in the ear canal.
  • These include external ear hearing aids, in-the-ear hearing aids, headphones, noise protection and water protection inserts, etc.
  • a thin layer of material is deposited on a surface in additive construction process, be it laser sintering or stereolithography over the entire surface, be it as in Thermojet compiler already in the contour of a section of the earpiece under construction or its shell. Then, the desired sectional shape is stabilized or solidified.
  • a new layer is laid over it as described and this in turn solidified and connected to the underlying, already finished layer.
  • the earmold or its shell is created layer by layer by additive layer-by-layer application.
  • the cut layer for an individual otoplastic or its shell is deposited or solidified, but at the same time several individual ones.
  • laser sintering for example, one laser, usually mirror-controlled, successively solidifies the cut layers of several earmolds or their shells before all solidified cut layers are lowered together. Subsequently, after depositing a new powder layer over all already solidified and lowered cut layers, the formation of the several further cut layers takes place again.
  • this parallel production will be the respective earmolds or their shells, digitally controlled, individually manufactured.
  • either a single laser beam is used to solidify the plurality of slice layers and / or more than one jet is operated and driven in parallel.
  • An alternative to this procedure is to solidify a slice with a laser, while at the same time the powder layer is deposited for the formation of another earmold or earmold. Thereafter, the same laser solidifies the prepared powder layer corresponding to the cut layer for the further plastic, while the previously solidified layer is lowered and there a new powder layer is deposited. The laser then intermittently operates between two or more earmolds or earmold shells under construction, wherein the laser insert dead time resulting from the powder deposition during the formation of one of the shells is utilized for the consolidation of a cut layer of another earmold which is being constructed.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows how, in one embodiment, by means of laser sintering or laser or stereolithography several earmolds or their shells are manufactured industrially in a parallel process.
  • the laser with control unit 5 and beam 3 is mounted above the material bed 1 for powder or liquid medium.
  • position 1 it solidifies the layer S 1 of a first otoplastic or its shell, driven by the first individual data set D 1 .
  • a displacement device 7 in a second position, where he created with the individual record D 2, the layer S 2 according to another individual contour.
  • several of the lasers can be moved as a unit and in each case more than one individual earmold layer can be created simultaneously.
  • Fig. 2 be solidified simultaneously at one or more liquid or powder beds 1, with several simultaneously individually controlled lasers 5, layers of individual otoplastics or their shells.
  • powder dispensing unit 9 after completion of this solidification phase and after stopping the laser, a new powder layer is deposited, while in the case of laser or stereolithography the newly solidified layers or already solidified structures are lowered in the fluid bed.
  • Fig. 3 solidifies laser 5 on a powder or fluidized bed 1a, the layer S 1 , then to bed 1b (dashed), whereupon during the solidification phase on the bed 1a, the powder applicator 9b over a previously solidified layer S 1- powder ablates or, at laser or stereolithography, the layer S 1- is lowered. Only when the laser 5 becomes active on the bed 1b does it proceed with the powder dispenser 9a the deposition of a new powder layer over the newly solidified layer S 1 on the bed 1 a or lowering of the layer S 1 is carried out in the fluidized bed 1 a .
  • materials for additive buildup methods are known, which can be formed into a rubber-elastic, yet dimensionally stable shell, which, if desired, can be realized locally differently up to extremely thin-walled and yet tear-resistant.
  • the digitization of the individual application area in particular the application area for a hearing aid, in particular in-ear hearing aid, at a specialized institution, in the last-mentioned case the audiologist, made.
  • the individual form taken there, as digital 3D information is transmitted, in particular in connection with hearing aids, to a production center, be it by way of transmission a data carrier, be it by Internet connection, etc., in the production center, in particular using the above-mentioned method, the earmold or its shell, in the considered case so the in-ear hearing aid shell, individually shaped.
  • the finished assembly of the hearing aid with the functional assemblies is made there as well.
  • in-ear earmolds can be used, for example, as hearing protection devices, headphones, water protection devices, but especially for in-the-ear hearing aids, similar rubber-elastic plug, and it nestles its surface optimally to the application area, the ear canal.
  • the incorporation of one or more ventilation channels in the in-ear earmold is readily possible to ensure unimpaired ventilation to the eardrum in the resulting, possibly relatively tight fit of the earmold in the ear canal.
  • the interior of the plastic can also be optimized and optimally utilized with the individual 3D data of the application area during production, and also individually with regard to the individual aggregate constellation to be accommodated, as in the case of a hearing device.
  • central storage and management of individual data can be performed by the central production of their shells. If, for whatever reason, a shell needs to be replaced, it can easily be re-fabricated by retrieving the individual data sets without the need for laborious readjustment, as before.
  • FIG. 4 For example, and schematically illustrated an in-ear earmold 11, for example, an in-ear hearing aid, in which the acoustic output 13 is protected to the eardrum by means of a cerumen protective cap 15.
  • This protective cap 15 is applied until now in the production as a separate part on the shell 16 of the earmold 11 and fixed for example by gluing or welding.
  • the cerumen protective cap 15a is integrated directly into the shell 16a of the otherwise identical in-ear otoplasty 11a by using the mentioned additive construction method.
  • the material of the shell 16a is homogeneous in that of the cerumen protective cap 15a on.
  • cerumen protection systems and other functional elements can be integrally incorporated by use of the aforementioned manufacturing process.
  • FIGS. 7 (a) to (f) are, by means of perspective, schematic representations of sections of the adjacent outer wall of the ear canal 18 of in-ear earmolds, novel ventilation slot profiles shown in fragmentary form.
  • the profile of the ventilation groove 20a is rectangular or square with predetermined, exactly adhered dimensioning ratios.
  • Fig. 7 (b) is the profile of the ventilation groove 20b circular or elliptical sector-shaped, again with exactly predetermined cross-sectional boundary curve 21b.
  • Fig. 7 (c) to (f) Further ventilation groove profiles are shown, which are additionally cerumen-protected.
  • the profile of the groove 20c according to Fig. 7 (c) is T-shaped.
  • the projecting parts 23c and the constriction 25c resulting therefrom already exert a considerable cerumen protection effect against the wall of the auditory canal. Even if cerumen penetrates into the constriction 25c and hardens there, this does not result in a significant constriction or even blockage of the ventilation groove, which now becomes a closed ventilation channel.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the wide groove portion 27 d to 27 f formed with different shapes, according to Fig. 7 (d) circular sector or according to the sector of an ellipse, according to Fig. 7 (e) triangular, according to Fig. 7 (f) circular or elliptical.
  • the profiles are mathematically modeled in advance, taking into account the mentioned cerumen protection effect and the acoustic effect, and integrated exactly into the manufactured earmoulds.
  • the above-described additive synthesis methods are particularly suitable.
  • a wide variety of acoustic impedances can be realized along the novel ventilation grooves, which, for example, according to Fig. 8 resulting in vent grooves 29, which, progressively in their longitudinal direction, define different profiles, as they are available in Fig. 8 from profiles according to Fig. 7 are shown compiled.
  • the Ventilation provided longer than this is basically given by the longitudinal extent of a considered in-ear earmold.
  • Fig. 9 represented this is achieved by such grooves 31 with training, as shown by the FIGS. 7 and 8
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 For example, be shown in predetermined curves along the surface of the earmold are performed, for example, as in Fig. 9 shown, practically as the otoplastic thread-like enclosing grooves.
  • Further optimization flexibility is achieved in that not only one ventilation groove, but several are guided on the surface of the earmold, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 10 is shown.
  • the high flexibility of the groove design means that depending on the application area in the auditory canal specifically differently dimensioned, with respect to cerumen protection and acoustic transmission ratios respectively optimized ventilation grooves along the earmold surface can be realized.
  • Fig. 11 are in analogy to Fig. 7 different cross-sectional shapes and area ratios of the proposed ventilation channels 33a to 33e shown.
  • the ventilation channel 33a built into the earmold shell 35a has a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape.
  • Fig. 11 (b) he has, 35b, a Kreissektor- or elliptical sector-shaped channel cross-sectional shape.
  • Fig. 11 (c) has the intended ventilation channel 33 c circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape
  • Fig. 11 (d) has a triangular cross-sectional shape.
  • the earmold shell has a complex inner shaping, for example a support section 37 integrated therewith.
  • the ventilation channel 35e provided here is designed with a cross-sectional shape which also uses complex shapes of the earmold shell. Accordingly, its cross-sectional shape extends intricately partially into the mounting bar 37 attached to the tray 35e.
  • a variant of a fully integrated ventilation channel 39 is shown, along its longitudinal extent, as shown
  • the earmold shell 41 having different cross-sectional shapes and / or cross-sectional dimensions, which in the sense of the realization of different acoustic impedance elements, the acoustic transmission behavior can be optimized.
  • ventilation ducts in particular the closed construction shown in this section, at least partially simultaneously as acoustic conductor sections active electromechanical side Transducer, as the output side of microphones, for example, in in-ear hearing aids, can be exploited.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 is in analogy to the FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrated, on the one hand at the respective earmold 43, the explained in this section integrated ventilation ducts extended by appropriate web guide or on the other hand as two and more of the mentioned channels, possibly with different and / or varying channel cross-sections, in analogy to Fig. 12 in which earmolds are integrated.
  • This section is about introducing new earmolds that are optimally adapted to the dynamics of the application areas. It is known, for example, that conventional in-ear earmolds are unable to take into account the relatively large auditory canal dynamics, eg when chewing, because of their essentially uniform shape stability. Likewise, for example, the acoustic conductors between outer-ear hearing aids and auditory canal are not free to follow dynamics of the application area. In in-ear earmoulds the same problem occurs, partially attenuated, even in hearing protection devices, headphones, water protection inserts, etc. on. In particular, their intrinsic function, for example protective effect, is impaired in part if the mentioned application range dynamics are increasingly taken into account. By way of example, reference may be made to known hearing protection devices made of elastically deformable plastics which, to the greatest possible extent, account for the aforementioned application range dynamics, but at the expense of their acoustic transmission behavior.
  • Fig. 15 schematically is a longitudinal sectional view of an in-ear earmold reproduced in Fig. 16 a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of this earmold.
  • the earmold - eg for receiving electronic components - has a shell 45 which is stocking-like, thin-walled made of elastic material.
  • the dimensional stability of the - outside smooth in the illustrated embodiment - shell skin is - where desired - ensured by on the shell integrally inside patch ribs 47, which, with respect to the shell skin, are made of the same material.
  • the course of the wall thickness of shell skin 45 calculates the density and shape of the ribs 47 in advance and then constructed the earmold according to the calculated data. Again, this is the above-mentioned manufacturing process using additive construction process exceptionally well.
  • the just described training of the in-ear earmould can be combined with a ventilation system, as it is based on the FIGS. 7 to 14 was explained.
  • the ribs provided for influencing the dimensional stability or bendability in certain regions of the otoplastic can also be formed with different cross-sectional profile, possibly also progressing in its longitudinal extent from one cross section to the other.
  • Fig. 17 In the form of a perspective view is in Fig. 17 purely schematically, for example, the formation of the outer skin 45 with ribs 47 having varying cross-sectional areas along its longitudinal extent.
  • Fig. 19 This can be used for the considered here earmolds with cavity, but also for earmolds with no cavity, so for example with no electronic components, eg for hearing protection devices or water protection devices.
  • earmold is shown schematically in a cross-sectional view Fig. 20 shown.
  • the interior 53 is made, for example, from a highly compressible absorption material and surrounded by a shaping skin shell 55 with the rib pattern 57.
  • skin 55 and the rib pattern 57 are produced integrally together.
  • the manufacturing method explained above with the aid of additive construction method is suitable. How far in the near future this Additive construction process under changing the processed materials can be realized on a workpiece, remain an open question. If this becomes possible, the web is free, for example, according to the embodiment Fig. 20 Also, to sequentially build up the filler 53 simultaneously with the skin 55 and the ribs 57 in respective building layers.
  • Ventilation channels or clearances can be formed simultaneously with the aid of the outer rib patterns, as shown purely schematically and for example by the path P.
  • the shell skin 55 and 45 may well be made of electrically conductive material, which at the same time an electrical shielding effect for internal electronic components is created. This also applies if necessary for the filling 53 according to Fig. 20 ,
  • an earmold was shown using the example of an in-ear earmold whose shell is dimensionally stabilized with internal and / or external ribs, which results in an extraordinarily lightweight and specifically shapeable design.
  • this design can also be used for outer ear earmolds.
  • a further embodiment of an in-ear earmold is shown, which is selectively bendable or compressible in one area.
  • the shell 61 of an otoplastic in particular the shell of an in-ear hearing device, has a corrugated or corrugated hose formation 63 in one or more predetermined regions, to which it can be bent or compressed according to the respective requirements.
  • Fig. 21 This procedure is based on the shell of an in-ear otoplasty, this procedure can certainly and if necessary for an outer ear otoplasty realize. Again, the manufacturing method explained in the introduction is preferably used for this purpose.
  • the inner volume of the earmold be filled with the requirements of the corresponding filling material or may be integrated therein Built-in embedded in such filler, resulting in a higher stability of the device results and improved acoustics.
  • the conventional problem is that even if the hearing aid internals could be maintained over long periods of life, for example, only the transmission behavior of the hearing aid would have to be readjusted according to the respective hearing, still new hearing aids are designed again and again only because of the fact that the former no longer satisfactorily fit into the ear canal.
  • an in-ear otoplastic 65 is shown schematically and in longitudinal section, of which the formation of the inner space 67 substantially the shape of the in Fig. 23 schematically illustrated, male electronic module 69 corresponds.
  • the earmold 65 is made of rubber-elastic material and can, as in Fig. 23 shown slipped over the electronics module 69.
  • the shaping of the inner space 67 is such that the or possibly the plurality of modules to be accommodated are positively positioned and held directly by the otoplastic 65. Because of this approach, it is easily possible to provide one and the same electronic module 69 with different earmolds 65, so as to take into account, for example, in a growing child of the changing auditory canal training.
  • the earmold is practically an easily replaceable disposable accessory for the in-ear hearing aid. Not only to take account of changing conditions in the application area, namely the ear canal, but also simply for reasons of contamination, the earmold 65 can be easily changed. This concept can even be exploited, if necessary - for example in auditory canal inflammations - to make medical applications, for example by applying drugs to the earmold outer surface or at least to use sterilized earmolds at regular intervals.
  • Fig. 24 is another embodiment of an earmold, again as an example using an in-ear hearing aid, shown, which allows a simple, rapid replacement of the internal fittings.
  • a simple, rapid replacement of the internal fittings Basically, it is proposed here, in an in-ear earmold with internals the earmold shell in several parts and form assemblable, like this Fig. 24 shows.
  • acoustical / electrical transducers or electro-acoustic output transducers on the input side or output side via acoustic conductors assembled as separate parts, namely tube-like structures, to the environment of the hearing aid. or else, especially with input-side acoustic / electrical transducers, these with their recording surface directly in the Place areas of the surfaces of the hearing aid, possibly separated only by small cavities and protective measures from the environment.
  • a converter module 75 has an acoustic input or output 77.
  • the shell 79 of the earmold of an in-ear or an outer-ear hearing device or a headphone has, integrated into it, an acoustic conductor 81. It is at least partially and as in Fig. 25 represented within the wall of the earmold tray 79.
  • the respective acoustic impedance of the acoustic conductor 81 is preferably adjusted.
  • This concept makes it possible to provide acoustical input openings 85 along the hearing aid and, if desired, acoustic input openings 85, which can be integrated into the earmold or its shell 87 Head 89 to the intended acoustic / electrical converter 91 to couple, essentially regardless of where these transducers 91 are installed in the hearing aid. So is in Fig. 26 only shown, for example, to centralize two transducers to a module and to connect their inputs with the desired receiving openings 85 through the mentioned guidance of the acoustic conductors 89. From consideration of FIGS.
  • Ventilation ducts as acoustic conductor ducts, especially if, as in Fig. 25 schematized to be designed by means of acoustic matching elements 83, the acoustic impedance conditions targeted.
  • each manufactured earmold is individually adapted for their respective wearer. Therefore, it would be extremely desirable to identify each manufactured earmold, as mentioned in particular every in-ear earmold, in particular every in-the-ear hearing aid. It is therefore proposed to provide in the ear or in their shell, by indentations and / or by bulges an individual identification, which in addition to the individual purchaser - eg manufacturer - product serial number, left-right application, etc. may contain. Such a marking is produced in a much preferred manner in the manufacture of the otoplastic with the removal method described under 1). This ensures that from the production any confusion Otoplastics is excluded. This is particularly important in the subsequent, possibly automated assembly with other modules, such as the assembly of in-ear hearing aids.
  • Fig. 27 is represented by a simplified functional block / signal flow diagram is taken from the dynamic application area, represented by the block 93, at several of the actual dynamics taking place corresponding positions or film-like, registered the dynamics of the application area itself.
  • the resulting data records are stored in a memory unit 95. Even with conventional procedure by impression taking, this can certainly be realized by taking from the application area in two or more positions corresponding to the practical dynamics impressions.
  • the dynamics of the application area can be detected by X-ray images.
  • the arithmetic unit 97 controls the manufacturing process 99 for the earmold. If, for example, and as is customary to date, in-ear earmolds are manufactured with a relatively hard shell, the arithmetic unit 97 calculates the dynamic data stored on the memory unit 95 and, as shown schematically at K, further manufacturing parameters, the best fit for the earmold, so that optimal comfort in everyday life is achieved, while preserving their functionality.
  • the arithmetic unit 97 determines which earmold areas are to be designed in terms of their flexibility, bendability, compressibility, etc. As mentioned, the arithmetic unit 97 controls the production process 99 on the output side , preferably the manufacturing process, as set forth in section 1) as a preferred process.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Procédé de fabrication d'otoplastiques pour une zone d'application qui bouge selon une dynamique qui lui est propre, et dans lequel on enregistre une représentation en trois dimensions de la zone d'application dans au moins deux positions de son mouvement et dans lequel on tient compte de cet enregistrement pour fabriquer l'otoplastique, caractérisé en ce que la conception de l'otoplastique est optimisée quant au mouvement de la zone d'application en ce que l'enregistrement permet de déterminer au niveau d'une unité de calcul la flexibilité nécessaire au niveau des zones d'otoplastique et de pouvoir fabriquer l'otoplastique avec la flexibilité déterminée spécifique à chaque zone.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est enregistré une reproduction de la zone d'application dans plusieurs positions du mouvement.
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la réalisation de la flexibilité spécifique à chaque zone inclut de prévoir des nervures sur la surface intérieure et/ou sur la surface extérieure de l'otoplastique.
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la réalisation de la flexibilité spécifique à chaque zone inclut de faire varier l'épaisseur de paroi de l'otoplastique.
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la réalisation de la flexibilité spécifique à chaque zone inclut de faire varier la densité et la forme des nervures.
  6. Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que les nervures sont réalisées avec des sections transversales variant dans le sens de la longueur.
  7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la réalisation d'une flexibilité spécifique à chaque zone inclut de fabriquer l'otoplastique à partir de matériaux différents spécifiques à chaque zone.
  8. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 2 à 7, caractérisé en ce que l'intérieur formé par la surface intérieure de l'otoplastique est rempli de matière.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la réalisation de la flexibilité spécifique à chaque zone inclut de prévoir une zone de type soufflet au niveau de l'otoplastique.
EP00960278.0A 2000-09-25 2000-09-25 Procede de production d'otoplastiques Expired - Lifetime EP1323331B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CH2000/000524 WO2002025995A1 (fr) 2000-09-25 2000-09-25 Procede de production d'otoplastiques

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1323331A1 EP1323331A1 (fr) 2003-07-02
EP1323331B1 true EP1323331B1 (fr) 2017-05-03

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EP (1) EP1323331B1 (fr)
AU (2) AU7265900A (fr)
CA (1) CA2424835C (fr)
WO (1) WO2002025995A1 (fr)

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CA2539685A1 (fr) 2003-09-25 2005-05-06 Randal Alan Stevens Procedes de fabrication d'un moule femelle pour prothese auditive
US7162323B2 (en) 2004-04-05 2007-01-09 Hearing Aid Express, Inc. Decentralized method for manufacturing hearing aid devices
US7720243B2 (en) 2006-10-12 2010-05-18 Synygis, Llc Acoustic enhancement for behind the ear communication devices
US8616214B2 (en) 2011-04-06 2013-12-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Earplug having a resilient core structure

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5487012A (en) * 1990-12-21 1996-01-23 Topholm & Westermann Aps Method of preparing an otoplasty or adaptive earpiece individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal
DE4041105A1 (de) * 1990-12-21 1992-06-25 Toepholm & Westermann Verfahren zum herstellen von individuell an die konturen eines ohrkanals angepassten otoplastiken oder ohrpassstuecken
BE1010200A3 (nl) * 1996-04-26 1998-03-03 Variphone Benelux Naamloze Ven Werkwijze en inrichting voor het vervaardigen van oorstukjes.
US6584207B1 (en) * 1999-02-02 2003-06-24 Beltone Electronics Corporation Molded hearing aid housing

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CA2424835A1 (fr) 2003-03-12
AU2000272659B2 (en) 2006-01-19
AU7265900A (en) 2002-04-02
EP1323331A1 (fr) 2003-07-02
CA2424835C (fr) 2010-02-23
WO2002025995A1 (fr) 2002-03-28

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