CN102124757A - 具有分离式电源和信号部件的光机电听觉装置 - Google Patents

具有分离式电源和信号部件的光机电听觉装置 Download PDF

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CN102124757A
CN102124757A CN2009801321045A CN200980132104A CN102124757A CN 102124757 A CN102124757 A CN 102124757A CN 2009801321045 A CN2009801321045 A CN 2009801321045A CN 200980132104 A CN200980132104 A CN 200980132104A CN 102124757 A CN102124757 A CN 102124757A
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wavelength
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audio signal
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苏尼尔·皮瑞亚
乔纳森·P·费怡
李·菲森斯特恩
詹姆士·斯通
米德·C·基林
文森特·皮路维纳吉
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    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R23/00—Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00
    • H04R23/008—Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00 using optical signals for detecting or generating sound
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
    • 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
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/602—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of batteries
    • 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
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36036—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the outer, middle or inner ear
    • A61N1/36038—Cochlear stimulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/31—Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells

Abstract

一种传输音频信号的装置，包括至少一个光源，利用至少一个波长的光传输所述音频信号。至少一个检测器，响应于所述至少一个波长的光检测所述音频信号并生成至少一个电信号。转换器，由耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑并使其振动。有源电路，与至少一个检测器和所述转换器耦接，以响应于所述电信号驱动所述转换器，从而为用户提供高质量的声音。

Description

具有分离式电源和信号部件的光机电听觉装置
相关申请的交叉引用
本申请根据35 USC 119(e)要求2008年6月17日提交的第61/073,281号以及2008年12月19日提交的第61/139,520号美国临时专利申请的优先权，并将其全部内容通过引用合并入本文。
本申请的主题涉及以下临时申请：2008年6月17日提交的标题为“OPTICAL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWER AND SIGNAL ARCHITECTURES(利用由功率和信号组成的结构的光机电听觉设备)”的第61/073,271号临时申请、2008年12月19日提交的标题为“OPTICAL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWER AND SIGNAL ARCHITECTURES(利用由功率和信号组成的结构的光机电听觉设备)”的第61/139,522号临时申请；以及2009年5月11日提交的标题为“OPTICAL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWER AND SIGNAL ARCHITECTURES(利用由功率和信号组成的结构的光机电听觉设备)”的第61/177,047号临时申请，根据本发明的一些实施方式通过引用和结合将以上申请的全部内容并入本文。
背景技术
1.技术领域
本发明涉及听觉系统、装置和方法。虽然是为助听系统定做的，但是本发明的实施方式可以用于利用振动或电流中至少一种来刺激组织的多种应用，例如无线通信、神经障碍(例如帕金森综合症)的治疗以及人工耳蜗。
人们愿意听。听觉装置可利用通信系统和辅助器以有助于听觉障碍。听觉障碍的主体需要助听器以与周围的人进行口头交流。因为提高了舒适度并改进了外观，开放式沟道助听器已经被证明在市场是成功的。开放式沟道助听器受欢迎的另一个原因是减少了耳道的阻塞。阻塞可导致不自然，阻塞耳道的大型助听器可导致隧道式的听觉效果。然而，开放式沟道助听器的可能出现回馈(feedback)问题。传声器的位置距离扬声器太近或放大的声音太大可导致回馈。因此，回馈限制了助听器能够提供的扩音度。在某些情况下，通过使用刺激自然听觉传播路径(例如刺激鼓膜和/或听骨链的骨头)的非传音器件可减小回馈。可将永磁体或多个磁体与耳膜或中耳的听小骨耦接以刺激听觉路径。这些永磁体可以被磁性地驱动以引起听觉传播路径中的运动，从而引起导致感受到听觉的神经冲动。通过利用液体和表面张力可将永磁体与耳膜耦接，例如第5,259,032和6,084,975号美国专利中所描述的。
然而，与本发明相关的工作提出磁性地驱动听觉传播路径可能有局限。为了驱动附接的磁体而生成的磁场的强度可随着从发电机磁场线圈至永磁体的距离而迅速降低。对于植入到听小骨的磁体而言，可能需要入侵性的手术。将磁体耦接至耳膜可避免入侵性手术的需求。然而，需要将驱动器线圈与永磁体对准，并且至少在某些情况下，邻近磁体的驱动器线圈的设置可使用户不舒服。
一个可选的方式是光力学系统，例如，听觉装置可将光用作媒介来传输声音信号。在第7,289,639号美国专利和公开号为2006/0189841的美国专利申请中描述了这样的系统。将光输出信号传送至与耳膜或听小骨耦接的输出转换器。虽然光系统可能改进患者的舒适度，但是与本发明相关的工作提出这样的系统可能导致信号至少部分失真，从而在一些场合下患者感觉到的声音至少在某些情况下可能不理想。
虽然脉宽调制可用于利用光信号传输音频信号，但是与本发明实施方式相关的工作提出，至少某些已知的脉宽调制方案利用现有的听觉装置至少在某些情况下可能不能很好地工作。可以由数字脉冲序列来表示数字信号输出。脉冲可具有随着预期模拟振幅电平而变化的负载周期(工作时间与整体阶段的比值)。可以对脉冲进行积分以得到预期音频信号，预期音频信号的幅度等于负载周期乘以脉冲幅度。当预期音频信号的幅度降低时，可降低负载周期从而使积分的音频信号的幅度成比例地下降。相反地，当预期音频信号的幅度增加时，可以增加负载周期从而使幅度成比例地上升。模拟音频信号可以从0正向或负向变化。至少某些已知的脉冲宽度调制方案可使用由50％负载周期表示的静态电平(quiescent level)、或零音频电平(zero audio level)。负载周期中从静态电平的下降可对应于负音频信号幅度，而负载周期中的增长可对应于正音频信号幅度。因为该静态电平是持续的，因此至少在某些情况下消耗了大量电源。虽然对于大型信号转换系统来说这种大量电源的使用并不是问题，但是对优选是小型的并使用理想地不经常更换的小型电池的听觉装置而言，至少某些情况下这种电源的使用可能造成问题。
由于以上原因，期望提供一种听觉系统，其至少减少甚至避免上述电流听觉装置中的至少部分缺陷。例如，需要提供一种比电流装置失真少且回馈少的舒适听觉装置。
2.背景技术
相关的专利包括：第3,585,416号、3,764,748号、5,142,186号、5,554,096号、5,624,376号、5,795,287号、5,800,336号、5,825,122号、5,857,958号、5,859,916号、5,888,187号、5,897,486号、5,913,815号、5,949,895号、6,093,144号、6,139,488号、6,174,278号、6,190,305号、6,208,445号、6,217,508号、6,222,302号、6,422,991号、6,475,134号、6,519,376号、6,626,822号、6,676,592号、6,728,024号、6,735,318号、6,900,926号、6,920,340号、7,072,475号、7,095,981号、7,239,069号、7,289,639号、D512,979号以及EP 1845919号美国专利。相关的专利公开包括：第WO 03/063542号、WO 2006/075175号PCT公开，第2002/0086715号、2003/0142841号、2004/0234092号、2006/0107744号、2006/0233398号、2006/075175号、2008/0021518号、以及2008/01079292号美国公开。相关的还可以包括以下共有的美国专利：第5,259,032号(代理律师案卷号026166-000500US)、5,276,910号(代理律师案卷号026166-000600US)、5,425,104号(代理律师案卷号026166-000700US)、5,804,109号(代理律师案卷号026166-000200US)、6,084,975号(代理律师案卷号026166-000300US)、6,554,761号(代理律师案卷号026166-001700US)、6,629,922号(代理律师案卷号026166-001600US)，第2006/0023908号(代理律师案卷号026166-000100US)、2006/0189841号(代理律师案卷号026166-000820US)、2006/0251278号(代理律师案卷号026166-000900US)以及2007/0100197号(代理律师案卷号026166-001 100US)美国公开，以上公开的全部内容根据本发明的某些实施方式通过引用和适当的结合并入本文，并要求其权利。潜在相关的期刊发布包括：Ayatollahi等人的“Design and Modeling of Micromachines Condenser MEMS Loudspeaker using Permanent Magnet Neodymium-Iron-Boron(Nd-Fe-B)(使用永磁钕铁硼(Nd-Fe-B)的微型机械冷凝器的设计与建模)”，ISC E，Kuala Lampur，2006；Birch等人的“Microengineered Systems for the Hearing Impaired(听力丧失的微工程系统)”，IEE，London，1996；Cheng等人的“A silicon microspeaker for hearing instruments(用于助听器的硅微扬声器)”，J.Micromech.Microeng.，14(2004)859-866；Yi等人的“Piezoelectric microspeaker with compressive nitride diaphragm(具有可压缩氮化隔膜的压电微扬声器)”，IEEE，2006；以及Zhigang Wang等人的“Preliminary Assessment of Remote Photoelectric Excitation of an Actuator for a Hearing Implant(用于听觉植入的激励器的远程光电励磁的初步评估)”，IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference，Shanghai，China，September 1-4，2005。其他相关的发表包括：Gennum GA3280 Preliminary Data Sheet，“Voyager TDTM.Open Platform DSP System for Ultra Low Power Audio Processing(Voyager TDTM。用于超低功耗音频处理的开放平台DSP系统)”和National Semiconductor LM4673 Data Sheet，“LM4673 Filterless，2.65W，Mono，Class D audio Power Amplifier(LM4673无滤波，2.65W，单声道，D类音频功率放大器)”；以及Lee等人的“The Optimal Magnetic Force For A Novel Actuator Coupled to the Tympanic Membrane：A Finite Element Analysis(用于耦接至鼓膜的新颖激励器的最佳磁力：有限元分析)”Biomedical Engineering：Applications，Basis and Communications，Vol.19，No.3(171-177)，2007。
发明内容
本发明涉及听觉系统、装置和方法。本发明的实施方式可提供至少克服了现有系统的至少某些缺陷的改进的音频信号传输。本文描述的系统、装置和方法可应用于听觉装置，例如开放式耳道助听器。转换器由耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑并使其振动。由光信号供电的有源电路响应于该光信号来驱动该转换器，以便为用户提供高质量声音。因此，用户可获得光学耦接的舒适感和有源电路的高质量声音。
在第一方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种传输音频信号的装置。至少一个光源，利用至少一个波长的光传输所述音频信号。至少一个检测器，响应于所述至少一个波长的光检测所述音频信号并生成至少一个电信号。转换器，由耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑并使所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动。有源电路，与至少一个检测器和所述转换器连接，以响应于所述电信号驱动所述转换器。
在多个实施方式中，功率存储装置，与所述至少一个检测器和所述有源电路耦接，以利用来自所述至少一个检测器的能量为所述有源电路供电。功率存储装置以及所述有源电路的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。至少一个光源以及所述至少一个检测器向所述功率存储装置和所述有源电路供电，以利用来自所述至少一个光源的能量驱动所述转换器。功率存储装置包括电容或小型再充电式电池中的至少一种。
在多个实施方式中，光电检测器包括晶体硅、非晶硅、微结晶硅、黑硅、碲化镉、铜铟、硒化镓或铟硒化镓中的至少一种。
在多个实施方式中，转换器包括压电转换器、弯张转换器、线圈、磁体或声频扬声器中的至少一个。有源电路包括晶体管、放大器、逻辑门或触发器中的至少一个。
在多个实施方式中，从至少一个光源传输至至少一个检测器的音频信号包括脉宽调制信号。脉宽调制(之后称为“PWM”)信号包括ΔPWM信号、差动PWM信号、Δ-∑PWM信号或差动Δ-∑PWM信号中的至少一个。
多个实施方式进一步包括耦接至接收所述音频信号的输入的电路。所述电路耦接至所述至少一个光源，并响应于所述音频信号调节所述至少一个光源的输出以为所述有源电路供电。所述电路测量所述音频信号以确定所述音频信号的能量，并响应于所述音频信号的功率来调节由所述至少一个光源传输的能量总量。例如，所述电路响应于所述音频信号来所述至少一个光源的脉冲的直流偏置或幅度中的至少一个，以向所述有源电路供电。可选地或可结合地，至少一个光源包括：第一光源，传输所述音频信号；以及第二光源，传输能量；所述电路响应于所述音频信号来调节由所述第二光源传输的能量总量。
在多个实施方式中，所述电路包括声音处理器，测量所述音频信号并响应于所述音频信号来调节所述至少一个光源的所述输出，以向所述有源电路供电。
在另一方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种传输音频信号的系统。输入转换器组件包括至少一个用于发射至少一个波长的光的光源。输出转换器组件包括至少一个检测器，检测所述至少一个波长的光；有源电路，耦接至所述至少一个检测器；转换器，点耦接至所述有源电路。所述转换器响应于所述至少一个波长的光来振动所述用户的耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
在多个实施方式中，输出转换器组件由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。所述输出转换器组件包括功率存储装置，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。所述功率存储装置的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为随着所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动。有源电路耦接至所述检测器和所述转换器，以响应于所述至少一个波长的光来驱动所述转换器。所述有源电路的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为随着所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动。
在多个实施方式中，输入转换器将所述至少一个波长的光作为脉宽调制信号进行传输。所述输出转换器组件响应于所述脉宽调制信号来振动所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
在多个实施方式中，至少一个光源包括第一波长和第二波长的光，并且所述至少一个波长的光包括用于发射所述第一波长的光的第一光源，以及用于发射第二波长的光的第二光源。所述至少一个检测器包括第一检测器和第二检测器，所述第一检测器响应于所述第一至少一个波长的光的中第一波长的光以第一运动来移动所述转换器，所述第二检测器响应于所述第二至少一个波长以第二运动所述第一运动来移动所述转换器，所述第二运动与所述第一运动相反。
所述至少一个波长的光包括紫外光、可见光或红外光中的至少一个。
在另一方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种传输音频信号的方法。从至少一个光源发射至少一个波长的光。检测所述至少一个波长的光以生成电信号。响应于所述电信号来振动用户的耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
在多个实施方式中，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑输出转换器组件。输出转换器组件包括功率存储装置，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。当所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个被振动时，所述功率存储装置振动。输出转换器组件包括有源电路，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。所述有源电路耦接至检测器和转换器以响应于所述至少一个波长的光驱动所述转换器。当所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个被振动时，所述有源电路振动。
在另一方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种刺激目标组织的装置。该装置包括至少一个光源，传输包括至少一个波长的光的脉宽调制的光信号。至少一个检测器，耦接至所述目标组织以响应于所述脉宽调制的光信号刺激所述目标组织。
在多个实施方式中，植入式检测器利用振动或电流中的至少一种刺激所述目标组织，并且所述检测器耦接至转换器或至少两个电极中的至少一个。例如，检测器利用电流刺激所述组织，并且所述检测器耦接至所述至少两个电极。所述目标组织包括用户的耳蜗，并且所述调制的光信号包括音频信号。
在另一个方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种刺激目标组织的方法。从至少一个光源发射包括至少一个波长的光的脉宽调制的光信号。响应于所述调制的光信号刺激所述目标组织。
在多个实施方式中，利用振动或电流中的至少一种刺激所述目标组织。利用电流刺激所述目标组织，并且植入式检测器耦接至至少两个电极并响应于包括所述至少一个波长的光的所述调制的信号来刺激所述组织。目标组织包括用户的耳蜗，并且所述调制的光信号包括音频信号。
在本发明的另一方案中，本发明的实施方式提供一种将包括声音的音频信号传输给用户的装置。所述装置包括：传输所述音频信号的器件；以及检测所述音频信号从而使所述用户听到所述音频的器件。
附图说明
图1示出根据本发明实施方式的利用光机电声音转换的听觉系统；
图2是表示图1中听觉系统的部件的示意图；
图2A示出根据本发明实施方式的包括图2中部件的耳道模块；
图3示出用于图1和图2中系统的光机电转换器组件；
图3A示出用于图1和图2中系统的植入式输出组件；
图4A示出了根据本发明的实施方式的第一旋转运动和第二旋转运动，第一旋转运动包括与弯张转换器一起的第一旋转，第二旋转运动包括与第一旋转相反的第二旋转；
图4B示出了根据本发明的实施方式，线圈和磁铁在第一方向的第一平移运动，以及在与第一方向相反的第二方向的第二平移运动；
图5示出图1和图2的听觉系统的电路；
图6示出适用于转换器组件的脉宽调制信号；
图7示出根据本发明实施方式的一对互补数字信号；
图8示出根据本发明实施方式的数字信号；
图9示出用于图8所示的信号的电路；
图10示出用于图1和图2的听觉系统的输出转换器组件的电路；
图10A示出根据本发明实施方式，响应于音频信号的能量而偏置的PWM脉冲；
图10B示出根据本发明实施方式，响应于音频信号能量的经过幅度调节的PWM脉冲；
图10C示出根据本发明实施方式，响应于音频信号能量而传输功率的第二光源的电压；以及
图11示出根据本发明实施方式向用户传输声音的方法。
具体实施方式
本发明的实施方式可以用于利用振动或电流中至少一种来刺激组织的多种应用，例如无线通信、神经障碍(例如帕金森综合症)治疗，以及人工耳蜗。可以将光信号传输至与组织耦接的光电检测器以刺激组织。可利用振动或电流中的至少一种刺激组织。例如，组织可被振动从而使用户感觉到声音。可选地或可结合地，可以利用电流来刺激例如神经组织的组织，从而使用户感觉到声音。本文描述的光信号传输结构在听觉以及听觉损失领域之外可具有多种用途，并可用于治疗神经障碍，例如帕金森综合症。
本发明的实施方式可提供改进音频信号传输的光学耦接地听觉装置。本文描述的系统、装置以及方法可用于听觉装置应用，例如开放式耳道助听器。虽然是为助听系统定做的，但是本发明的实施方式可用于为用户放大声音(例如无线通信，以及例如中耳的外科植入和耳蜗植入)的任何应用场合。
此处使用的有源电路包括能够放大输入信号以产生比输入信号功率更大的输出信号的电路。该有源电路可包括晶体管、放大器、逻辑门或触发器中的至少一个。可从功率存储装置获取输出信号的附加能量。功率存储装置可包括小型可充电电池或电容器中的至少一个。在很多实施方式中，功率存储装置利用来自光源(例如，用于传输音频信号的光源)的光能充电和/或放电。有源电路或功率存储装置中的至少一个可随转换器振动。
图1示出利用光机电转换的助听系统。听觉系统10包括输入转换器组件20以及输出转换器组件30。虽然输入转换器组件可位于很多部位，例如耳廓P中或例如与传声器22一样整体位于耳道EC中，但图1中所示，输入转换器组件20至少部分地位于耳廓P后方。输入转换器组件20接收声音输入，例如音频。对于带有助听器的听觉障碍用户而言，输入是环境声。在这种情况下，输入转换器组件可包括适合的放大器或其他电子接口。在某些实施方式中，输入可以是来自声音发生或接收装置(例如，电话、移动电话、蓝牙连接器、收音机、数字音频单元等)的电子音频信号。
输入转换器组件20包括光源，例如LED或激光二极管。光源基于音频输入产生调制的光输出。光输出包括至少一个波长λ的光，其由横穿耳道EC的光传输元件12传送到靠近或邻近输出转换器组件30的目标区域。光传输元件12可以是光纤或光纤束。包括至少一个波长λ的光输出被选择以耦接至输出转换器组件30，以向输出转换器组件30提供信号，从而产生机械振动。例如，包括至少一个波长λ的光输出可使输出转换器组件30在第一方向40或在第二方向45移动。第二方向45可与第一方向40相反。该至少一个波长λ可包括多个波长，例如在第一方向40上移动转换器组件的转换器的第一波长，以及在第二方向45上移动转换器组件的转换器的第二波长。当与主体的听觉转换路径适当地耦接时，机械振动引起主体内的神经冲动，该机械振动被主体解析为原始音频输入或至少能合理地表示原始音频输入的某物。
输出转换器组件30可耦接至主体的听觉传播路径中的某个点，以引起由主体解析为声音的神经冲动。优选地，输出转换器组件30能够耦接至鼓膜TM。可选地，输出转换器组件15可耦接至听骨链OS中的骨头或直接耦接至耳蜗CO，振动耳蜗CO中的液体。在第5,259,032、5,456,654、6,084,975、6,629,922和7,289,639号的美国专利中描述了具体附接的部位，例如鼓膜、中耳的听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
输入转换器组件20可按照多种方式耦接至输出转换器组件30。例如，输入转换器组件20可包括耳后单元(以下称为“BTE”)，从而使多数电子元件可与延伸入耳道的光传输元件12一起固定在耳后。可选地，输入转换器20可包括用于设置在耳道中的模块，例如第7,289,639号美国专利中描述的。本文描述的输入转换器组件的电路可被确定尺寸并构造为设置在耳道中，从而使用户可利用设置在耳道中的输入转换器组件听到高质量的声音。
图2示意性地示出了听觉系统10的部件。输入转换器组件20可包括输入转换器210、音频处理器220、发射器驱动器240以及发射器250。输出转换器组件30可包括滤波器260、检测器270、转换器驱动器280以及输出转换器290。输入转换器210获取环境声音并将其转换成模拟电信号。输入转换器210通常包括传声器，传声器可设置在耳道中、耳后、耳廓中或一般在耳朵附近。音频处理器220可向模拟电信号提供频率相关增益。通过数字输出230将模拟电信号转换成数字电信号。音频处理器220可包括多个音频处理器，例如可以从Gennum of Corporation of Burlington，Canada获得商业的音频处理器以及可以从Sound Design Technologies，Ltd.of Burlington Ontario，Canada获得商业的GA3280混合音频处理器。数字输出230包括调制器，例如脉宽调制器或Δ-∑转换器。发射器驱动器240处理数字电信号，从而使得数字电信号满足发射器250的光传输和能量要求。
发射器250产生表示电信号的光输出。对于双分量电信号，发射器250可包括两个光源(其中每个光源用于每个部件)并产生两个光输出信号254、256。光源例如可以是LED或激光二极管，光输出可以在红外光、可见光或紫外光波长内。例如，光源可包括LED，该LED发射的光包括中心波长和多个关于中心波长分布的、具有约40nm带宽的波长。光源可以包括发射至少一个波长的光的激光二极管，所述光包括带宽不超过约2nm的中心波长，例如不超过1nm。来自第一光源的至少一个波长与来自第二光源的至少一个波长不同，例如相差至少80nm，从而使至少一个波长可与至少一个波长分离。至少一个波长可包括第一带宽，例如60nm，而至少一个波长可包括第二带宽，例如60nm，并且第一至少一个波长可以与第二至少一个波长相差至少第一带宽和第二带宽，例如120nm。
光输出信号沿着单个或多个穿过耳道的光路传输，例如，通过一根光纤或多根光纤。光输出信号可以在空间上重叠。由可设置在耳道上的输出转换器组件接收信号。
输出转换器组件包括响应光信号的部件，以响应于光信号而振动鼓膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。检测器270接收光输出信号。检测器270包括至少一个用于每个光输出信号的光电检测器。光电检测器例如可以是光电二极管或光伏等。滤波器260可选地沿着光路设置。滤波器260分离光输出信号。例如，可设置第一滤波器以传输输出254的波长，而第二滤波器传输输出256的波长。滤波器可是具有带通、低通或高通特性的薄膜滤波器、光干涉滤波器、二向色滤波器或凝胶型过滤器中的任何一种。例如，带通特性可通过光源的至少一个波长，如上所述，例如30nm带宽通过10nm带宽光源。可结合低通和高通以利用低通滤波器仅通过一个优选的波长，并利用高通滤波器通过其他波长。
每个检测器270可包括至少一个光伏材料，例如晶体硅、非晶硅、微结晶硅、黑硅、碲化镉、铜铟硒化镓等。在某些实施方式中，至少一个光电检测器270包括黑硅，例如第7,354,792号和7,390,689号美国专利中描述的，并可以从SiOnyx，Inc.of Beverly，Massachusetts获得。黑硅可包括由半导体方法制作的浅结光子，该半导体方法利用由高强度激光(例如，在一千万亿分之一秒的短时间将目标半导体暴露与高强度脉冲的飞秒激光)照射的材料中发生的原子能级变换。经受这些强度定域能事件的结晶材料可经受变形变化，从而使原子结构成为瞬时无序的并且新部件被“锁定”为衬底再结晶。当应用于硅时，结果为高掺杂的、可选地不透明的浅结接口，对光的敏感度比现有半导体材料高很多倍。
转换器驱动器280将光输出信号转换为携带音频信息的数字电信号。输出转换器290将表示声音的电信号转换为将被传输至患者听觉转换路径从而引起听觉感应的机械能。转换器可以是压电转换器、弯张转换器、磁体和导线线圈、或传声器。
对于转换器驱动器280，可选地，至少两个电极可耦接至至少一个检测器，从而使用户响应于该至少两个电极对组织的刺激而感受到声音。该至少两个电极可至少部分地设置在用户的耳蜗中，从而使用户响应于光输出而感受到声音。
上述多个部件可以被确定尺寸并被放置，以适合放置在耳后的BTE单元。
图2A示出放置在模块中的输入转换器组件20的部件，该模块的尺寸适于用户的耳道。该模块可包括根据用户耳朵成形(例如利用耳道模具)的外壳246。该模块可包括从输入转换器210所安置的近端向发射光的远端延伸的槽道，从而减小阻塞。
图3示出设置在鼓膜TM(也称为耳鼓)上的输出转换器组件300。输出转换器组件300包括用于将光输出信号转换为电能和机械能的电路。输出转换器组件300包括光电检测器320、325。光电检测器320、325分别检测光输出信号310、315并将光输出转换为电信号。输出转换器组件300包括电源存储部件330。电源存储部件330可包括电容器、小型充电式电池或已知的功率存储装置中的至少一种。电源存储部件可为有源电路部件340提供电源。有源电路部件可包括放大器或触发器中的至少一个。有源电路部件340耦接至光电检测器320、325以分别接收光输出信号320、325。可以使用如上所述的光滤波器。有源电路部件分别响应于输入信号320、325将电能应用于负载。电信号到达负载350，该负载350将电信号转换为机械输出(例如振动)。负载350可包括来自很多已知转换器的负载，例如压电转换器、弯张转换器或耦接至外部磁体的导线线圈中的至少一种。
在一些实施方式中，输出转换器组件和输出电路可位于听小骨上或由听小骨支撑，例如第7,289,639号美国专利中描述的。
图3A示出用于图1和图2中系统的部件的植入式输出组件。植入式输出组件30可包括至少两个电极390和延伸至目标组织(例如耳蜗)的延伸部392。植入式输出组件可置于多个部位并刺激多个组织，例如神经组织。该至少两个电极可耦接至电路以与上述转换器310相似的方式包括负载。电流I响应于光信号在电极之间流动。例如，植入式输出组件可从中耳延伸至耳蜗。植入式输出组件可以多种方式刺激目标组织，例如以治疗帕金森综合症。
负载350可包括弯张转换器450。图4A示出第一旋转运动以及第二旋转运动，第一旋转运动包括与弯张转换器450一起旋转的第一旋转462，第二旋转运动包括与第一旋转相反的第二旋转464。
在一些实施方式中，负载350可包括转换器470，转换器470包括磁性耦接至磁体474的线圈472。图4B示出与包括线圈472和磁体474一起、沿第一方向482的第一平移运动以及沿与第一方向相反的第二方向482的第二平移运动。
图5示出用于听觉系统10的电路500。电路500可利用光信号向输出转换器组件传输光能。电路500包括输入部501和输出部506。电路500可利用比例驱动技术，其中传输两个光信号，一个在A类信号的“低”信号时段期间，另一个“高”时段期间。
PWM驱动器510提供脉宽调制信号701，下面将详细介绍。来自PWM的脉宽调制信号可包括多个已知的PWM信号，例如ΔPWM信号、差动PWM信号、Δ-∑PWM信号或差动Δ-∑PWM信号中的至少一种。
可将逻辑电路耦接至PWM驱动器510的输出。信号701驱动光发射器513和反相器519。反相器519产生驱动光发射器514的输出信号512。由于信号512是信号701的反相，因此每当光发射器514不产生光时，光发射器513产生光。光发射器513产生的光通过光通道510被传送到光电检测器515。光发射器514产生的光通过光通道521被传送到光电检测器516。如图所示，光电检测器515、516是串联连接的。光电检测器515、516可以是光伏电池。电阻532、533分别与光电检测器515、516并联，以在一个检测器的输出电压低于另一个检测器的正向二极管阈值时提供电流通路。功率存储装置，例如电容547，还可与检测器515、516并联以提供恒定电压功率输出545。功率存储装置可包括小型充电式电池或电容中的至少一种。输出545为功率有源电路537提供恒定电压，该功率有源电路537可包括放大器以驱动转换器538。光发射器513和514发射光能以便为输出部506的功率存储装置和有源电路供电，从而使转换器被来自光发射器513和514的能量驱动。
将来自串联的两个检测器515、516的中心连接部544的电压连接以将输入驱动至有源电路537。由于检测器515、516的积分作用，来自中心部544的电压在0和最大电压之间的变化，与通道520中的光和通道521中的光的比率有着直接的关系。可以使用如上所述的光滤波器。因此在连接部54处的模拟电压将表示PWM变换器510的模拟输出。
可选地，将有源电路537的电压耦接至转换器538，有源电路537可耦接至至少部分地设置在用户的耳蜗中的至少两个电极，从而使用户对响应于光输出的耳蜗电刺激进行响应进而感受到声音。
图6示出适用于输出转换器组件的脉宽调制信号601。信号601是数字信号，可有两个电平，高电平或低电平，例如0V或5V。在某些实施方式中，信号601在时间窗603的起始处通常是低电平，在窗603中的可变时间605处转换为高电平。在窗603的末端，信号601返回低电平。通过将脉冲电平输出乘以高电平的时间与窗630的时间的比率可以获得积分的输出。
模拟信号通常可取零以上和零以下的值，并且可将调制信号的零输出条件限定为正好在窗时间的50％处的转换。这类电信号可参照A类信号，其中最大电压的50％的电压电平表示零(或静态)电平。
数字信号可采用零电压电平作为静态，在输入模拟信号偏移时沿正方向和负方向对零电压电平进行相似的偏移。这类信号可参照B类信号。在具有有限功率和电源电压的电子装置中，通过差动技术由输出转换器表示B类信号。在差动技术中，两个彼此反相的输出连接至输出转换器的一个端子。这种方式的连接有效地使提供给输出转换器的信号电压加倍。
在另一端子处利用一个端子的信号的简单反相来驱动输出转换器可导致驱动信号在静态点期间积分为0。驱动信号还将在切换频率处保持有效的能量。虽然可以设置模拟滤波电路来阻隔切换频率处的能量，但是这样的电路可能用到增加装置尺寸的部件。
取代滤波器，通过斜箭头610表示的50％的切换窗可转换反相输出信号602。在静态情况下，信号A的转换点603、605将与信号B的转换点604、606对齐，且信号的电平相等，从而导致对输出转换器的端子施加零电平(A减去B)。
可选地将结果电压施加于输出转换器，如上所述，信号应用于至少部分地设置在用户的耳蜗中的至少两个电极，从而使用户对响应于光输出的耳蜗电刺激进行响应进而感受到声音。
图7示出一对互补的B类信号。当模拟输出电压移动到0以上时，输出信号A 701的转换705较早地移动并且在反相输出信号B 702的固定转换之前发生。反相信号B的从高电平向低电平的转换706将在信号A 701的固定转换603之前发生。
因此，差动输出A-B 713包括宽度等于时间705和604的时间差的正脉冲707，以及宽度等于时间706和603的时间差的负脉冲708。当时间差相等时，脉冲707和708的宽度相等，且如上所述的积分输出电压Vint709是正电压。
当模拟电压信号低于0时，输出信号A 701的转换703在信号B 702的固定转换时间604之后移动，且信号B的转换时间704以相似的方式在信号A 701的固定转换时间603之后移动。在这种情况下，差动输出A-B 713包括负脉冲710、711。脉冲710的持续时间是可变时间703与固定时间604的时间差。脉冲711的持续时间是可变时间704与固定时间603之间的时间差。积分结果Vint远离由脉冲707和708的负载周期限定的正电平709，以及由脉冲710和711的负载周期限定的负电平712。
输出转换器的至少一些实施方式支持电子电路，从而光输出信号利用由每个转换事件触发的转换信号，作为限定脉宽调制信号的转换时间的脉冲传输。基于传输的时间响应与接收路径，传输的脉冲的持续时间可能很小。多个实施方式包括第一高速信号传输路径以及第二路径以传输能量。
如上所述，可选地，将电路耦接至输出转换器、上述信号与传输能量的第一高速传输路径以及第二路径可耦接至至少部分地设置在用户耳蜗中的至少两个电极，从而使用户对响应于光输出的耳蜗电刺激进行相应进而感到声音。
图8示出之前描述的PWM信号701，如上所述，PWM信号701包括PWM驱动器生成的单脉宽调制信号。高电平至低电平的变换812发生在固定的时间，并且低电平至高电平的转换813发生的时间根据模拟输出电平而变化。每个转换从产生信号821的电路发起恒定宽度脉冲815。脉冲的下降沿814在发起之后发生固定的时间，或在进行调整以提供预期效果的时间发生。信号821控制发射器的光发射。在接收器处，光脉冲的上升沿816触发重新产生信号701或信号701的反相826的触发器。
图9示出如上参照图8对光学传输的信号实施逻辑处理的电路。PWM 701触发脉冲生成器902，脉冲生成器902用于为其输入701的每个触发器在其输出904上生成固定带宽脉冲，例如固定带宽脉冲815。脉冲输出904驱动光发射器908，并且生成的光脉冲通过光路909被引导至高速光电检测器910以及包括光伏电池阵列的发电光伏检测器阵列917。
光电检测器910生成的信号911连接至D型触发器912(例如与现有7474型逻辑电路相似)的时钟输入，其中输出914用于根据时钟输入911上升沿来调节输入913的电平。互补输出918用于调节与输出914相反地电平。当输入913连接至互补输出918时，这样的电路包括触发器。在时钟输入911处每次出现上升信号沿时，输出914、918的状态将互换。
通过光电检测器910(图9中示为反相偏置光电二极管)的操作，在时钟输入911处出现上升信号沿。使触发器912运行并为光电二极管910提供反向偏置的能量由光伏检测器阵列917从光流中收集，并被呈现在传输至电路的信号916上。功率存储装置(例如电池或电容919)可与光电检测器917并联，以为触发器912提供电源。功率存储装置可包括小型充电式电池。光伏检测器阵列917呈现的电压可通过调节脉冲生成器902生成的脉冲宽度而改变。
输出转换器915连接在触发器912的输出914及其互补输出918之间。通过转换器915可看出使信号电压加倍的效果。
如上所述，可选地，将电路耦接至转换器915，上述电路可耦接至至少部分地位于用户耳蜗中的至少两个电极，从而使用户对响应于光输出的耳蜗电刺激进行相应进而感到声音。
图10示出用于操作两个光输出通道的输出转换器组件，例如，参照图5所述的第一通道520和第二通道521。每个光输出通道可独占光电检测器1001或1002中的一个。光电检测器1001和1002是并联的。由于光电检测器1001和1002的积分特性，因此产生双极模拟电压。
输出光通道可传输多种光信号，例如上述的信号A 701和信号B 702，以生成双极模拟电压。来自PWM驱动器的脉宽调制信号A和信号B可包括多个已知的PWM信号，例如ΔPWM信号、差动Δ-sigma信号、Δ-∑PWM信号或差动Δ-∑PWM信号中的至少一种。在一些实施方式中，可利用逻辑电路使光能传输最小化。例如逻辑电路用于确定包括信号A和信号B的A与非B的第一条件，以及包括信号B和信号A的B与非A的第二条件。第一条件的输出可驱动第一光源，且第二条件的输出可驱动第二光源，从而使第一光源和第二光源传输的能量最小化。
来自两个光通道的光都适于功率光电检测器1001和1002。功率光电检测器阵列1001的负端子1005被连接为从放大器1008返回的功率。功率光电检测器阵列1001和1002的正端子1005被连接为从放大器1008的正电源。光电检测器阵列的中间端子1004被连接为从输出转换器1012返回的信号，且信号光电检测器1009和1010、电容1006和1007分别与光电检测器1001和1002并联。功率存储装置(例如小型充电式电池或电容器中的至少一个)跨过正端子1002和负端子1005与光电检测器阵列1001并联，以向放大器1008供电。电容1006、1007可提供能源存储能力。
撞击在功率光电检测器阵列1001、1002上的光生成向放大器1008供电的正电压差。撞击在信号光电检测器1009上的光生成至放大器1008的输入1011处的负信号，并且以相同的方式，撞击在光电检测器1010上的光生成至放大器1008的输入1011处的正信号电压。
放大器1008在耦接至转换器1012的输出导体1013上产生信号电压。电流从电容器1006流过正电源导体1003，通过放大器1008进入输出转换器1012，然后在导体1004上流出至电容器1006和1007的接点。该电流为电容1007充电并为电容1006放电。
当输出极性反转时，来自电容1006和1007的接点的电流通过导体1004，通过输出转换器1012，通过放大器1008并返回导体1005至电容1007。该电流为电容1006充电并为电容1007放电。驱动电流通过输出转换器1012时可使充电损耗最小化。
功率光电检测器1001和1002行动以对电容1006和1007再充电。当必要时，功率光电检测器1001和1002可以是串联的阵列以向放大器1008提供足够的工作电压，放大器1008可与必要的电路结合以接收和放大输入1011上的双极输入信号。电容1006可被小型锂离子电池或可再充电池替换和/或结合在一起。第一功率光电检测器1001和第二功率光电检测器1002中的每一个都可包括至少一个光伏材料，例如晶体硅、非晶硅、微结晶硅、黑硅、碲化镉或铜铟硒化镓。如上所述，在多个实施方式中，第一功率光电检测器1001或第二功率光电检测器1002中的至少一个包括黑硅，例如第7,354,792号和7,390,689号美国专利中描述的，并且可以从SiOnyx，Inc.of Beverly，Massachusetts获得。
如上所述，可选地，将上述电路耦接至转换器1012，上述电路可耦接至至少部分地设置在用户的耳蜗中的至少两个电极，从而使用户对响应于光输出的耳蜗电刺激进行响应进而感受到声音。
上述电路可偏置光伏(例如黑硅)，以优化光伏转换器的吸收和效率。例如，偏置的黑硅光伏可用于向用于信号接收的快速光电传感器(例如反向偏置光电二极管)供电。
图10A示出响应于音频信号的能量的偏置PWM脉冲。第一脉冲1060包括对于“直流”偏置变化缓慢(例如响应于音频信号的低通滤波)的低频偏置。脉冲可与偏置结合(例如利用加法)，从而使施加偏置的脉冲的幅度1062基本恒定。响应于第一脉冲1060的能量，电路可调节偏置，例如响应于音频信号的能量(例如功率)的增加而增加偏置。第二脉冲1070包括基本与第一脉冲1060的第一幅度1062相似的第二幅度1072。响应于第一脉冲1060的能量来调节第二偏置1074，从而使第二偏置1074基本上与第一偏置1064区分开，以调节有源电路和转换器部件的电耗。
图10B示出具有响应于音频信号的能量调节的幅度的PWM脉冲。第一脉冲1080包括第一幅度1082，且第二脉冲1090包括与基本上不同于第一幅度1082的第二幅度1092，以调节有源电路和转换器部件的电耗。
图10C示出用于向有源电路部件和转换器传输能量的第二光源的电压，以调节这些部件的电耗。第一幅度1097用于向音频信号的第一能量(例如音频信号的第一电源)提供充足的电源。第二幅度1099用于向音频信号的第二能量(例如音频信号的第二电源)提供充足的电源。
图11示出向用户传输声音的方法100。步骤1105向输入转换器输入音频信号。步骤1100测量音频信号。步骤1115处理音频信号。处理可以是模拟的或数字的或两者的结合。步骤1120确定音频信号的能量总量。例如利用数字音频处理器或模拟低通滤波器。步骤1125响应于音频信号来调节输出。可按照多种方式调节输出，例如利用直流偏置、按比例计算或单独通道的能量总量中的至少一种。步骤1130响应于音频信号确定PWM脉冲。步骤1135响应于PWM信号和调节来驱动至少一个光源。步骤1140传输来自至少一个光源的光。步骤1145利用滤波器过滤传输的光。步骤1150利用检测器检测光。步骤1155利用存储装置为有源电路存储传输的能量。步骤1160响应于PWM信号和存储的能量驱动转换器。通过步骤1165，用户听到传输的音频声音。
如上所述，利用音频处理器可实施方法1100的多个步骤。例如，音频处理器的实体媒介可包括嵌入其中以实施方法1100的多个步骤的计算机程序指令。
应该理解的是，根据本发明的一些实施方式，图11中描述的具体步骤提供了传输音频信号的具体方法。根据可选的实施方式，还可按照步骤的其他顺序执行。例如，本发明可选的实施方式可按照与上述概括不同的顺序执行步骤。而且，图8示出的单独的步骤可包括多个以适合单独步骤的不同顺序执行的子步骤。此外，根据具体应用可增加或去除附加步骤。本领域技术人员理解可存在多种变形、改动和选择。
虽然以上描述了本发明优选的实施方式，但是还可使用多种变形、改动和等价物。因此，上述描述不应限定由权利要求书限定的本发明的范围。

Claims (35)

1.一种传输音频信号的装置，所述装置包括：
至少一个光源，利用至少一个波长的光传输所述音频信号；
至少一个检测器，响应于所述至少一个波长的光检测所述音频信号并生成至少一个电信号；
转换器，由耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑并使所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动；
有源电路，与所述至少一个检测器和所述转换器耦接，以响应于所述电信号驱动所述转换器。
2.如权利要求1所述的装置，进一步包括：
功率存储装置，与所述至少一个检测器和所述有源电路耦接，以利用来自所述至少一个检测器的能量为所述有源电路供电。
3.如权利要求2所述的装置，其中，所述功率存储装置以及所述有源电路的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。
4.如权利要求2所述的装置，其中，所述至少一个光源以及所述至少一个检测器向所述功率存储装置和所述有源电路供电，以利用来自所述至少一个光源的能量驱动所述转换器。
5.如权利要求2所述的装置，其中，所述功率存储装置包括电容或小型再充电式电池中的至少一种。
6.如权利要求1所述的装置，其中，所述光电检测器包括晶体硅、非晶硅、微结晶硅、黑硅、碲化镉、铜铟、硒化镓或铟硒化镓中的至少一种。
7.如权利要求1所述的装置，其中，所述转换器包括压电转换器、弯张转换器、线圈、磁体或音频扬声器中的至少一个。
8.如权利要求1所述的装置，其中，所述有源电路包括晶体管、放大器、逻辑门或触发器中的至少一个。
9.如权利要求1所述的装置，进一步包括：
接收来自输入转换器的所述音频信号的电路，并且其中所述电路利用从所述至少一个光源至所述至少一个检测器的脉宽调制信号传输所述音频信号。
10.如权利要求9所述的装置，其中，所述脉宽调制信号包括ΔPWM信号、差动驱动PWM信号、Δ-∑PWM信号或差动Δ-∑PWM信号中的至少一个。
11.如权利要求1所述的装置，进一步包括：
耦接至接收所述音频信号的输入的电路，所述电路耦接至所述至少一个光源，并响应于所述音频信号调节所述至少一个光源的输出以为所述有源电路供电。
12.如权利要求11所述的装置，其中，所述电路测量所述音频信号以确定所述音频信号的能量，并响应于所述音频信号的功率来调节由所述至少一个光源传输的能量总量。
13.如权利要求11所述的装置，其中，所述电路响应于所述音频信号来调节所述至少一个光源的脉冲的直流偏置或幅度中的至少一个，以向所述有源电路供电。
14.如权利要求11所述的装置，其中，所述至少一个光源包括：
第一光源，传输所述音频信号；以及
第二光源，传输能量，
所述电路响应于所述音频信号来调节由所述第二光源传输的能量总量。
15.如权利要求11所述的装置，其中，所述电路包括
声音处理器，测量所述音频信号并响应于所述音频信号来调节所述至少一个光源的所述输出，以向所述有源电路供电。
16.一种传输音频信号的系统，所述系统包括：
输入转换器组件，包括至少一个用于发射至少一个波长的光的光源；以及
输出转换器组件，包括：
至少一个检测器，检测所述至少一个波长的光；
有源电路，耦接至所述至少一个检测器；
转换器，电耦接至所述有源电路，所述转换器响应于所述至少一个波长的光来振动所述用户的耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
17.如权利要求16所述的系统，其中，所述输出转换器组件由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑。
18.如权利要求17所述的系统，其中，所述输出转换器组件包括：
功率存储装置，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑，并且所述功率存储装置的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为随着所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动。
19.如权利要求17所述的系统，其中，所述有源电路耦接至所述检测器和所述转换器，以响应于所述至少一个波长的光来驱动所述转换器，并且
所述有源电路的尺寸或体积中的至少一个被构造为随着所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个振动。
20.如权利要求16所述的系统，其中，所述输入转换器将所述至少一个波长的光作为脉宽调制信号进行传输，并且
所述输出转换器组件响应于所述脉宽调制信号来振动所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
21.如权利要求16所述的系统，其中，所述至少一个波长的光包括第一波长的光和第二波长的光，并且
所述至少一个光源包括用于发射所述第一波长的第一光源，以及用于发射第二波长的光的第二光源，并且
所述至少一个检测器包括第一检测器和第二检测器，所述第一检测器响应于所述第一至少一个波长的光以第一运动来移动所述转换器，所述第二检测器响应于所述第二至少一个波长以第二运动所述第一运动来移动所述转换器，所述第二运动与所述第一运动相反。
22.如权利要求16所述的系统，其中，所述至少一个波长的光包括紫外光、可见光或红外光中的至少一个。
23.一种传输音频信号的方法，所述方法包括：
从至少一个光源发射至少一个波长的光；
检测所述至少一个波长的光以生成电信号；以及
响应于所述电信号来振动用户的耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个。
24.如权利要求23所述的方法，其中，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑所述输出转换器组件。
25.如权利要求24所述的方法，其中，所述输出转换器组件包括：
功率存储装置，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑，并且，
当所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个被振动时，所述功率存储装置振动。
26.如权利要求24所述的方法，其中，所述输出转换器组件包括：
有源电路，由所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个支撑，并且，
所述有源电路耦接至所述检测器和所述转换器以响应于所述至少一个波长的光来驱动所述转换器，并且
当所述耳膜、听小骨或耳蜗中的至少一个被振动时，所述有源电路振动。
27.一种刺激目标组织的装置，所述装置包括：
至少一个光源，传输包括至少一个波长的光的脉宽调制的光信号；
至少一个检测器，耦接至所述目标组织以响应于所述调制的光信号来刺激所述目标组织。
28.如权利要求27所述的装置，其中，植入式检测器利用振动或电流中的至少一种刺激所述目标组织，并且
所述检测器耦接至转换器或至少两个电极中的至少一个。
29.如权利要求28所述的装置，其中，所述检测器利用所述电流刺激所述组织，并且
所述检测器耦接至所述至少两个电极。
30.如权利要求28所述的装置，其中，所述目标组织包括所述用户的耳蜗，并且，
所述调制的光信号包括音频信号。
31.一种刺激目标组织的方法，所述方法包括：
从至少一个光源发射包括至少一个波长的光的脉宽调制的光信号；以及
响应于所述调制的光信号刺激所述目标组织。
32.如权利要求31所述的方法，其中，利用振动或电流中的至少一种刺激所述目标组织。
33.如权利要求32所述的方法，其中，利用所述电流刺激所述目标组织，并且
植入式检测器耦接至至少两个电极并响应于包括所述至少一个波长的光的所述调制的信号来刺激所述组织。
34.如权利要求32所述的方法，其中，所述目标组织包括所述用户的耳蜗，并且
所述调制的光信号包括音频信号。
35.一种将包括声音的音频信号传输给用户的装置，所述装置包括：
传输所述音频信号的器件；以及
检测所述音频信号从而使所述用户听到所述音频的器件。
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US20160134976A1 (en) 2016-05-12
BRPI0915203A2 (pt) 2016-02-16
EP2301261A1 (en) 2011-03-30
US11310605B2 (en) 2022-04-19
US9961454B2 (en) 2018-05-01
US20140296620A1 (en) 2014-10-02
KR20110058769A (ko) 2011-06-01
EP2301261A4 (en) 2013-03-06
US9591409B2 (en) 2017-03-07
US20100048982A1 (en) 2010-02-25
US20170134866A1 (en) 2017-05-11
DK2301261T3 (en) 2019-04-23
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WO2009155358A1 (en) 2009-12-23
CN102124757B (zh) 2014-08-27

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