EP2587841A1 - Membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid - Google Patents
Membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2587841A1 EP2587841A1 EP20120188609 EP12188609A EP2587841A1 EP 2587841 A1 EP2587841 A1 EP 2587841A1 EP 20120188609 EP20120188609 EP 20120188609 EP 12188609 A EP12188609 A EP 12188609A EP 2587841 A1 EP2587841 A1 EP 2587841A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- membrane
- opening
- hearing aid
- cover
- fibers
- 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.)
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Classifications
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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
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
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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
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
- H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
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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
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24008—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including fastener for attaching to external surface
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
Definitions
- This invention relates to a membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid, a cover of an opening in a hearing aid, and a method of manufacturing a membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid.
- Hearing aids typically have a multiplicity of openings that are prone to water penetration and contamination.
- openings are a microphone opening, a receiver opening, an opening for a switch element or an opening for ventilating a battery.
- hearing aids are known in which parts of the hearing aid are arranged behind the ear, in the ear or in the ear canal.
- hearing aids are e.g. Sweat or - especially in the ear canal - cerumen, ie earwax exposed. If moisture penetrates into the hearing aid, this can lead to corrosion and thus to malfunctions and defects.
- cerumen in particular the acoustic openings for the microphone and the handset - also called receiver - be blocked. In the hearing aid penetrating cerumen can also lead to defects.
- the openings become smaller and can therefore be blocked by relatively small amounts of external contamination and cerumen.
- the dirt and cerumen accumulate over the course of the use, so that the blocking of the openings is initially easily overlooked by the user.
- Microporous membrane which is attached to protect against cerumen and moisture in front of a sound outlet opening of a hearing aid, wherein the membrane, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Screeched polytetrafluoroethylene, also called expanded PTFE (ePTFE), is known under the Gore-Tex® brand.
- PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
- ePTFE expanded PTFE
- electrostatic spinning electrospinning for short, it is possible to produce a membrane with a structure of non-interwoven micro- or nanofibers, which is water and dirt repellent.
- the use of such a membrane to cover an opening in a hearing aid asks for protection against ingress of moisture and dirt into the hearing aid.
- the membrane is made of a polylactic acid, also known as polyactides or PLA for the common English term “polyactic acid” produced.
- a polymer as a starting material allows easy electrospinning.
- the levorotatory L-form of polyactides also called PLLA, is used for the common English term “poly (L-lactide) acid”.
- the fiber is made from a fluoropolymer which is hydrophobic and oleophobic and thus offers particularly good protection against water or cerumen.
- a fluoropolymer examples include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known under the trademark Teflon®.
- Fibers in the form of microfibers with a diameter of 1 ⁇ m and 3 ⁇ m can be easily manufactured, are sturdy and yet allow the production of a membrane that provides protection against water and dirt.
- Nanofibers with a diameter between 200nm and 500nm are particularly suitable for a very dense structure with very small pores, which are particularly water and dirt repellent.
- the membrane for covering an acoustic interface of the hearing aid e.g. a sound outlet opening on the listener or sound inlet opening on the microphone
- the use of a very thin - and thus sound-permeable - membrane with a thickness of less than 50 microns is particularly advantageous.
- the thicknesses increase, water impermeability increases. A good balance of the various requirements is possible in the range between 20 ⁇ m and 80 ⁇ m.
- a membrane diameter between 2mm and 10mm is preferred.
- a separate from the hearing aid cover with a membrane described above allows easy replacement of the membrane in the event of damage.
- a cover for a hearing aid offers the possibility to equip a hearing aid model with different membranes or to change the type of cover.
- the cover next to the membrane itself still has a holding frame which partially surrounds the membrane, and a fastening means for attaching the cover to the hearing aid.
- a cover with a holding frame made of plastic, in which the membrane is cast, is particularly easy to produce.
- a fastener with a click closure By a fastener with a click closure, a simple attachment of the cover to the hearing aid is possible despite the small size of a hearing aid.
- a hearing aid with an embodiment of the aforementioned membrane is protected against ingress of water and protection in the hearing aid.
- the method for producing the membrane is based on the known method for electrospinning, wherein the non-woven structure resulting from the electrospinning is shaped in adaptation to the opening of the hearing device. This shaping can e.g. done by punching or cutting.
- the membrane can either be inserted into the holding frame of the cover which can be fastened to the hearing device or fastened directly to the opening of the hearing device.
- FIG. 1 shows the principle of an arrangement for the electrospinning of fibers.
- a syringe 1 is a molten or dissolved polymer 2, which is pushed out of the syringe 1 through the cannula 3.
- the cannula 3 is aligned with a target plate 4. Both the cannula 3 and the target plate 4 are metallic.
- a voltage source 5 a voltage between the cannula 3 and the target plate 4 is generated, wherein the voltage is typically between 5kV and 35kV.
- the distance between the cannula 3 de target plate 4 may for example be 5cm to 30cm.
- the polymer at the tip of the cannula 3 forms a so-called Taylor cone, from the tip of a thin, initially still liquid polymer thread 6 emerges.
- the polymer thread 6 accelerates on the way to the target plate 4 and hardens increasingly, until it finally accumulates on the target plate 4 as a thin, stiffened fiber. Due to the stress gradient from the tip of the cannula 3 and the target plate 4, the polymer thread 6 accelerates its Movement and assumes an irregularly swirling shape during the solidification process.
- the fibers can have a diameter between 50nm and 10 ⁇ m. Among other things, this depends on the distance between the cannula 3 and the target plate 4, the type of polymer, the form of the liquefaction of the polymer and the applied voltage. This method and the relationships between these production parameters and the resulting thread are basically known per se.
- FIG. 2 shows another arrangement for electrospinning, which differs from the in FIG. 1 illustrated arrangement differs by the type of the target electrode.
- a metallic target drum 7 is arranged, which rotates about its longitudinal axis and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction.
- the fibers can be given a particular orientation in particular. It is also possible, after passing through the roll in one direction, to repeat the process of electrospinning on the same roll with a changed orientation of movement to superimpose fiber layers with different orientations into a total structure.
- FIGS. 3 to 6 show in each case in a plan view and a cross section two examples of non-interwoven structures of fibers 8 as a result of electrospinning.
- These fiber structures are designed to meet certain requirements for a membrane to cover an opening in a Hearing aid meet.
- Such membranes should be water, grease and / or dirt repellent. In addition, they must be mechanically durable enough and easy to handle. To cover sound openings, the membrane must also be sound permeable.
- Suitable polymers are PET, PLA, PLLA and fluoropolymers such as PTFE, ePTFE and PVDF.
- the fibers 8 may have an average diameter between 400 nm and 2 ⁇ m and be arranged to a membrane thickness between 20 ⁇ m and 70 ⁇ m.
- the density of the structure may be, for example, 10% or less, i. the polymer volume corresponds to 10% or less of the total volume of the membrane. With increasing density and increasing membrane thickness, the structure becomes increasingly impermeable to water, but at the same time less permeable to sound. This shows by way of example that the individual manufacturing and material parameters have to be weighed in terms of requirements and coordinated in the context. This is done in the context of the expert trade by a systematic, iterative adaptation process.
- Figures 3 and 4 show in plan view and a cross section of a membrane with a structure of non-interwoven fibers 8 made of PLLA with an average diameter of 2 microns and a thickness of 70 .mu.m. Even thinner membranes of this type with a thickness of 20 microns are conceivable.
- the membrane With a membrane thickness of 60 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m, the membrane withstands a water pressure of 20mbar for more than 12 hours without water penetrating the membrane. A reduction in the membrane thickness increased to 40 ⁇ m significantly increases your water permeability.
- Figures 5 and 6 also show in plan view and in cross-section, respectively, an acoustically improved membrane having an average fiber diameter of 400 nm and an increased fiber density.
- the fibers 8 are as in the in the Figures 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment of the polymer PLLA.
- this membrane With a membrane thickness of 20 ⁇ m, this membrane withstands a pressure of about 10mbar for 60 seconds before water slowly permeates through the membrane.
- the membrane can be produced by stacking fiber structures of different polymers and different fiber properties.
- the individual fiber layers may also differ with regard to their fiber density, the respective thickness and the fiber structure.
- a coarse layer strengthen the stability of the membrane and a thin and dense layer increase the waterproofness.
- the membrane should be as thin as possible, e.g. less than 50 ⁇ m thick yet durable.
- fluoropolymers can be used for grease and water repellent properties.
- the membrane should be easily connected to the hearing aid.
- FIG. 7 shows in a plan view a cover 9 for an opening in a hearing aid.
- the cover 9 comprises a round membrane 10 and a holding frame 11 which encloses the membrane 10 in its full extent.
- the membrane 10 has a diameter of 5mm in this embodiment.
- To cover openings in a hearing aid typically membrane diameters between 2mm and 10mm are useful.
- the holding frame 11 has a radial width of 1mm.
- the membrane 10 is round in this embodiment. Alternative also elliptical, rectangular and any other shapes are conceivable.
- the membrane 10 is made flat here, but may also be curved in one direction, spherically curved or bulged locally.
- the shape of the membrane 10 may be determined by the enclosure in the support frame 11 or may already be predetermined by a shape of electrospinning, e.g. by a corresponding shape of the target electrode.
- FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the cover 9 after FIG. 7 , In this view, it can be seen that the membrane 10 is cast radially into the holding frame 11.
- the holding frame 11 comprises a fastening means in the form of a click fastener 12, whose operation in FIG. 9 is explained.
- FIG. 9 shows schematically a listener housing 13, on which the cover 9 after the FIGS. 7 and 8 by means of the click fastener 12 is attached.
- the click closure 12 has a radially inwardly directed formation, which engages positively in a corresponding counterpart in the receiver housing 13.
- the molding rotates in this embodiment, the full extent of the support frame 11.
- the formation may also have individual punctiform nubs.
- the receiver housing 12 is designed for insertion into an auditory canal. Accordingly, the shape of the receiver housing 12 is anatomically adapted, which is not apparent from this schematic drawing.
- a receiver 14 which is connected by means of an electric line 15 via a cable 16 leading out of the receiver housing 12 to the remaining part of the hearing device, which is e.g. is designed for an arrangement behind the auricle.
- the receiver 14 Depending on an electrical signal via the electrical line 15, the receiver 14 generates an acoustic signal that emerges through the membrane 10 from the receiver housing 12.
- the cover 9 is mounted in front of an opening of the receiver housing 12 so that the membrane 10 seals the opening against ingress of water and foreign particles, e.g. Cerumen and dust, closes.
- the membrane 10 is acoustically transparent, so that the sound generated by the receiver 14 can emerge from the receiver housing 12.
- FIG. 10 shows a grid-like arrangement of a plurality of membranes 10.
- the membranes 10 are each connected via six radially arranged around the respective membranes 10 plastic webs 17 with a plastic mesh 18. This shape is suitable for transporting the membranes 10 in a simple manner and for incorporating them in an automatic further processing process.
- the shape of the membranes 10 is determined after electrospinning by laser ablation or by simple blanking or punching. Then the individual membranes 10 are received in the grid-like arrangement and connected to the plastic webs 17. Arranged in this form, further details of the shape of the membranes 10 can be determined by further laser ablation.
- FIG. 10 merely shows a section of the grid-like arrangement which widens in all directions by repeating the pattern shown.
- a linear arrangement of the membranes 10 in a chain one behind the other also permits simple further processing.
- FIG. 11 schematically shows a behind the ear portable hearing aid 19 with two microphones 20, a signal processing unit 21, a battery compartment 22, a control element 23 and a receiver 14.
- the microphones 20 the battery compartment 22, the control element 23 and the handset 14 is in the housing the hearing aid 19 each provided an opening.
- the membranes 10 are each made by electrospinning, wherein the production parameters are adapted to the respective requirements of the membrane 10.
- an opening which serves to ventilate the battery, which is usually dependent on an air supply for operation.
- the membrane 10 mounted in front of this opening must be particularly watertight.
- the control element may be a switch element for selecting a hearing program or a volume control.
- the associated opening in the housing of the hearing aid 19 must in this case with a mechanically stable and waterproof membrane 10th be covered. However, the membrane 10 does not have to be acoustically permeable.
- FIG. 12 shows a method of manufacturing the membrane 10 to cover an opening of a hearing aid 19.
- a non-interwoven structure is created by electrospinning fibers 8.
- the process of electrospinning has already been linked to the FIGS. 1 and 2 described in more detail.
- the production parameters are systematically adapted to the requirements for covering openings on a hearing aid 19.
- the membrane 10 is shaped to conform to the opening. This shaping is done by laser ablation, cutting or punching.
- a plurality of the membranes 10 are arranged in a regular grid, as shown in FIG FIG. 10 is shown.
- the membrane 10 is attached to the hearing aid 19 to cover the opening. This is done, for example, in two sub-steps, so that the membrane 10 first - as in the context of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 described - is poured into a holding frame 11 and then the resulting cover 9 by means of the click mechanism 12 is attached to the hearing aid 19.
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Abstract
Description
Diese Erfindung betrifft eine Membran zum Abdecken einer Öffnung in einem Hörgerät, ein Abdeckung einer Öffnung in einem Hörgerät und ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Membran zum Abdecken einer Öffnung in einem Hörgerät.This invention relates to a membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid, a cover of an opening in a hearing aid, and a method of manufacturing a membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid.
Hörgeräte weisen in der Regel eine Vielzahl von Öffnungen auf, die anfällig für ein Eindringen von Wasser und für Verschmutzung sind. Beispiele solcher Öffnungen sind eine Mikrofonöffnung, eine Höreröffnung, ein Öffnung für ein Schalterelement oder eine Öffnung zur Belüftung einer Batterie.Hearing aids typically have a multiplicity of openings that are prone to water penetration and contamination. Examples of such openings are a microphone opening, a receiver opening, an opening for a switch element or an opening for ventilating a battery.
Diverse Bauformen von Hörgeräten sind bekannt, bei denen Teile des Hörgeräts hinter dem Ohr, im Ohr oder im Gehörgang angeordnet sind. Durch diese körpernahe Verwendung sind Hörgeräte z.B. Schweiß oder - insbesondere im Gehörgang - Cerumen, also Ohrenschmalz, ausgesetzt. Dringt Feuchtigkeit in das Hörgerät, so kann dies zu Korrosion und dadurch zu Fehlfunktionen und Defekten führen. Durch Cerumen können insbesondere die akustischen Öffnungen für das Mikrofon und den Hörer - auch Receiver genannt - blockiert werden. In das Hörgerät eindringendes Cerumen kann ebenfalls zu Defekten führen.Various types of hearing aids are known in which parts of the hearing aid are arranged behind the ear, in the ear or in the ear canal. By this close-fitting use hearing aids are e.g. Sweat or - especially in the ear canal - cerumen, ie earwax exposed. If moisture penetrates into the hearing aid, this can lead to corrosion and thus to malfunctions and defects. By cerumen in particular the acoustic openings for the microphone and the handset - also called receiver - be blocked. In the hearing aid penetrating cerumen can also lead to defects.
Durch die Miniaturisierung der Hörgeräte werden die Öffnungen zunehmen kleiner und können dadurch bereits durch relative geringe Mengen von äußerer Verschmutzung und Cerumen blockiert werden. Der Schmutz und Cerumen häufen sich im Laufe der Benutzungsdauer an, so dass das Blockieren der Öffnungen zunächst vom Benutzer leicht übersehen wird.Due to the miniaturization of the hearing aids, the openings become smaller and can therefore be blocked by relatively small amounts of external contamination and cerumen. The dirt and cerumen accumulate over the course of the use, so that the blocking of the openings is initially easily overlooked by the user.
Aus dem Europäischen Patent
Es ist Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindungen den Schutz gegen ein Eindringen von Feuchtigkeit und Schmutz in eine Öffnung eines Hörgeräts zu verbessern.It is an object of the present invention to improve the protection against ingress of moisture and dirt into an opening of a hearing aid.
Die Aufgabe wird jeweils gelöst durch eine Membran gemäß Patentanspruch 1 und durch ein Verfahren gemäß Patentanspruch 15.The object is achieved in each case by a membrane according to patent claim 1 and by a method according to
Durch elektrostatisches Spinnen, kurz Elektrospinnen, ist es möglich eine Membran mit einer Struktur aus nicht-verwobenen Mikro- oder Nanofasern herzustellen, die wasser- und schmutzabweisend ist. Der Einsatz einer solchen Membran zur Abdeckung einer Öffnung in einem Hörgerät bittet einen Schutz gegen ein Eindringen von Feuchtigkeit und Schmutz in das Hörgerät.By electrostatic spinning, electrospinning for short, it is possible to produce a membrane with a structure of non-interwoven micro- or nanofibers, which is water and dirt repellent. The use of such a membrane to cover an opening in a hearing aid asks for protection against ingress of moisture and dirt into the hearing aid.
In einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird die Membran aus einer Polymilchsäure, auch Polyactide oder PLA für den gebräuchlichen englischen Fachausdruck "polyactic acid" genannt, hergestellt. Ein solches Polymer als Ausgangsmaterial erlaubt eine einfache Durchführung Elektrospinnens. Vorzugsweise wird die linksdrehende L-Form von Polyactide, auch PLLA genannt für den gebräuchlichen englischen Fachausdruck "poly(L-lactide) acid", verwendet.In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane is made of a polylactic acid, also known as polyactides or PLA for the common English term "polyactic acid" produced. Such a polymer as a starting material allows easy electrospinning. Preferably, the levorotatory L-form of polyactides, also called PLLA, is used for the common English term "poly (L-lactide) acid".
Alternative wird die Faser aus einem Fluorpolymer hergestellt, das hydrophob und oleophob ist und damit einen besonders guten Schutz gegen Wasser bzw. Cerumen bietet. Beispiele für ein geeignetes Fluorpolymer sind Polyvinylidenfluorid (PVDF) und Polytetrafluorethylen (PTFE), das auch unter der Marke Teflon® bekannt ist.Alternatively, the fiber is made from a fluoropolymer which is hydrophobic and oleophobic and thus offers particularly good protection against water or cerumen. Examples of a suitable fluoropolymer are polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known under the trademark Teflon®.
Durch Elektrospinnen können Fasern mit einem durchschnittlichen Durchmesser von 50nm bis zu 10µm hergestellt werden. Fasern in Form von Mikrofasern mit einem Durchmesser von 1µm und 3µm können einfach hergestellt werden, sind robust und erlauben dennoch die Herstellung einer Membran, die einen Schutz vor Wasser und Schmutz bietet. Nanofasern mit einem Durchmesser zwischen 200nm und 500nm eignen sich besonders für eine sehr dichte Struktur mit sehr kleinen Poren, die besonders wasser- und schmutzabweisend sind.By electrospinning fibers with an average diameter of 50nm up to 10μm can be produced. Fibers in the form of microfibers with a diameter of 1μm and 3μm can be easily manufactured, are sturdy and yet allow the production of a membrane that provides protection against water and dirt. Nanofibers with a diameter between 200nm and 500nm are particularly suitable for a very dense structure with very small pores, which are particularly water and dirt repellent.
Insbesondere für den Einsatz der Membran zum Abdecken einer akustischen Schnittstelle des Hörgeräts, z.B. einer Schallaustrittsöffnung am Hörer oder Schalleintrittsöffnung am Mikrofon, ist die Verwendung einer möglichst dünnen - und damit schalldurchlässigen - Membran mit einer Dicke von weniger als 50µm besonders vorteilhaft. Andererseits erhöht sich mit einer zunehmenden Dicken die Wasserundurchlässigkeit. Eine gute Abwägung der verschiedenen Anforderungen ist im Bereich zwischen 20µm und 80µm möglich.In particular, for the use of the membrane for covering an acoustic interface of the hearing aid, e.g. a sound outlet opening on the listener or sound inlet opening on the microphone, the use of a very thin - and thus sound-permeable - membrane with a thickness of less than 50 microns is particularly advantageous. On the other hand, as the thicknesses increase, water impermeability increases. A good balance of the various requirements is possible in the range between 20μm and 80μm.
Je nach Art der abzudeckenden Öffnung am Hörgerät ist ein Membrandurchmesser zwischen 2mm und 10mm bevorzugt.Depending on the type of opening to be covered on the hearing aid a membrane diameter between 2mm and 10mm is preferred.
Eine von dem Hörgeräte separate bzw. separierbare Abdeckung mit einer oben beschriebenen Membran erlaubt einen einfachen Austausch der Membran im Fall einer Beschädigung. Darüber hinaus bietet eine solche Abdeckung für ein Hörgerät die Möglichkeit, ein Hörgerätemodell mit verschiedenen Membranen auszustatten bzw. die Art der Abdeckung zu wechseln. Dazu ist es vorgesehen, dass die Abdeckung neben der Membran selbst noch einen Halterahmen aufweist, der die Membran teilweise umschließt, sowie ein Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen der Abdeckung an das Hörgerät.A separate from the hearing aid cover with a membrane described above allows easy replacement of the membrane in the event of damage. In addition, such a cover for a hearing aid offers the possibility to equip a hearing aid model with different membranes or to change the type of cover. For this purpose, it is provided that the cover next to the membrane itself still has a holding frame which partially surrounds the membrane, and a fastening means for attaching the cover to the hearing aid.
Eine Abdeckung mit einem Halterahmen aus Kunststoff, in den die Membran eingegossen ist, lässt sich besonders leicht herstellen. Durch ein Befestigungsmittel mit einem Klickverschluss ist trotz der geringen Größe eines Hörgeräts eine einfache Befestigung der Abdeckung an das Hörgerät möglich. Ein Hörgerät mit einer Ausführungsform der vorgenannten Membran ist gegen eindringen von Wasser und Schutz in das Hörgerät geschützt.A cover with a holding frame made of plastic, in which the membrane is cast, is particularly easy to produce. By a fastener with a click closure, a simple attachment of the cover to the hearing aid is possible despite the small size of a hearing aid. A hearing aid with an embodiment of the aforementioned membrane is protected against ingress of water and protection in the hearing aid.
Das Verfahren zum Herstellen der Membran basiert auf dem an sich bekannten Verfahren zum Elektrospinnen, wobei die aus dem Elektrospinnen resultierende nicht-verwobene Struktur in Anpassung an die Öffnung des Hörgeräts geformt ist. Dieses Formen kann z.B. durch Stanzen oder einen Zuschnitt erfolgen. In weiteren Verfahrensschritten kann die Membran entweder in den Halterahmen der an dem Hörgerät befestigbaren Abdeckung eingesetzt oder direkt an der Öffnung des Hörgeräts befestigt werden.The method for producing the membrane is based on the known method for electrospinning, wherein the non-woven structure resulting from the electrospinning is shaped in adaptation to the opening of the hearing device. This shaping can e.g. done by punching or cutting. In further method steps, the membrane can either be inserted into the holding frame of the cover which can be fastened to the hearing device or fastened directly to the opening of the hearing device.
Die oben beschriebenen Eigenschaften, Merkmale und Vorteile dieser Erfindung sowie die Art und Weise, wie diese erreicht werden, werden klarer und deutlicher verständlich im Zusammenhang mit der folgenden Beschreibung der Ausführungsbeispiele, die im Zusammenhang mit den Zeichnungen näher erläutert werden.The above-described characteristics, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.
Es zeigen:
- FIG 1
- eine Anordnung zum Elektrospinnen von Fasern mit einer Zielplatte,
- FIG 2
- eine Anordnung zum Elektrospinnen von Fasern mit einer Zieltrommel,
- FIG 3
- eine Draufsicht auf eine Membran aus PLLA-Mikrofasern mit einem Durchmesser von 2µm,
- FIG 4
- einen Querschnitt der Membran gemäß
,Figur 3 - FIG 5
- eine Draufsicht einer Membran aus PLLA-Nanofasern mit einem Durchmesser von 400nm,
- FIG 6
- einen Querschnitt der Membran gemäß
,Figur 5 - FIG 7
- eine Draufsicht auf eine Abdeckung mit einer Membran und einen Halterahmen.
- FIG 8
- einen Querschnitt der Abdeckung gemäß
,Figur 7 - FIG 9
- ein Hörergehäuse mit einer Membran-Abdeckung gemäß den
,Figuren 7 und 8 - FIG 10
- eine gitterartige Anordnung einer Vielzahl von Membranen,
- FIG 11
- ein Hörgerät mit Membranabdeckungen, und
- FIG 12
- ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Membran für ein Hörgerät mittels Elektrospinnen.
- FIG. 1
- an arrangement for electrospinning fibers with a target plate,
- FIG. 2
- an arrangement for electrospinning fibers with a target drum,
- FIG. 3
- a plan view of a membrane of PLLA microfibers with a diameter of 2 microns,
- FIG. 4
- a cross-section of the membrane according to
FIG. 3 . - FIG. 5
- a plan view of a membrane of PLLA nanofibers with a diameter of 400nm,
- FIG. 6
- a cross-section of the membrane according to
FIG. 5 . - FIG. 7
- a plan view of a cover with a membrane and a support frame.
- FIG. 8
- a cross-section of the cover according to
FIG. 7 . - FIG. 9
- a receiver housing with a membrane cover according to the
FIGS. 7 and 8 . - FIG. 10
- a lattice-like arrangement of a plurality of membranes,
- FIG. 11
- a hearing aid with membrane covers, and
- FIG. 12
- a method for producing a membrane for a hearing aid by means of electrospinning.
Durch ein Wechselspiel aus der Oberflächenspannung des flüssigen Polymers 2 und der elektrostatischen Anziehung des Polymers 2 durch die Zielplatte 4 bildet das Polymer an der Spitze der Kanüle 3 einen sogenannten Taylor-Kegel, aus dessen Spitze eine dünner, zunächst noch flüssiger Polymerfaden 6 austritt. Der Polymerfaden 6 beschleunigt sich auf dem Weg zur Zielplatte 4 und härtet zunehmend aus, bis er sich schließlich als dünne erstarte Faser auf der Zielplatte 4 ansammelt. Durch das Spannungsgefälle von der Spitze der Kanüle 3 und der Zielplatte 4 beschleunigt der Polymerfaden 6 seine Bewegung und nimmt im Laufe des Erstarrungsprozesses eine unregelmäßig verwirbelte Form an.Through an interaction of the surface tension of the
Als Ergebnis dieses Prozesses bildet sich auf der Zielplatte 4 eine Matte aus einer nicht-verwobenen Struktur von dünnen Fasern. Die Fasern können einen Durchmesser zwischen 50nm und 10µm haben. Dies hängt unter anderem ab von dem Abstand zwischen der Kanüle 3 und der Zielplatte 4, der Art des Polymers, der Form der Verflüssigung des Polymers und der angelegten Spannung. Dieses Verfahren und die Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Herstellungsparametern und dem resultierenden Faden sind an sich grundsätzlich bekannt.As a result of this process, a mat of non-interwoven structure of thin fibers is formed on the target plate 4. The fibers can have a diameter between 50nm and 10μm. Among other things, this depends on the distance between the
Durch die Anpassung der Bewegungsparameter kann den Fasern insbesondere eine bestimmte Ausrichtung gegeben werden. Es ist auch möglich, nach dem Durchlauf der Rolle in eine Richtung den Prozess des Elektrospinnens auf derselben Rolle mit einer geänderten Bewegungsausrichtung zu wiederholen, um übereinander Faserschichten mit unterschiedlichen Orientierungen zu einer Gesamtstruktur anzuordnen.By adjusting the movement parameters, the fibers can be given a particular orientation in particular. It is also possible, after passing through the roll in one direction, to repeat the process of electrospinning on the same roll with a changed orientation of movement to superimpose fiber layers with different orientations into a total structure.
Die
Als Polymere sind PET, PLA, PLLA und Fluoropolymere wie PTFE, ePTFE und PVDF geeignet. Die Fasern 8 können einen mittleren Durchmesser zwischen 400nm und 2µm aufweisen und zu einer Membrandicke zwischen 20µm und 70µm angeordnet sein. Die Dichte der Struktur kann beispielsweise 10% oder weniger betragen, d.h. das Polymervolumen entspricht 10% oder weniger des Gesamtvolumens der Membran. Mit zunehmender Dichte und mit zunehmender Membrandicke ist die Struktur zunehmen wasserundurchlässig, aber gleichzeitig auch weniger durchlässig für Schall. Dies zeigt beispielhaft, dass die einzelnen Herstellungs- und Materialparameter in Hinblick auf die Anforderungen abgewogen und im Zusammenhang abgestimmt werden müssen. Dies erfolgt im Rahmen des fachmanischen Handels durch einen systematischen, iterativen Anpassungsprozesses.Suitable polymers are PET, PLA, PLLA and fluoropolymers such as PTFE, ePTFE and PVDF. The
Bei einer Membrandicke von 60µm bis 70µm hält die Membran einem Wasserdruck von 20mbar für mehr als 12 Stunden stand, ohne dass Wasser durch die Membran dringt. Eine Verringerung der Membrandicke erhöht auf 40µm erhöht dich Wasserdurchlässigkeit erheblich.With a membrane thickness of 60μm to 70μm, the membrane withstands a water pressure of 20mbar for more than 12 hours without water penetrating the membrane. A reduction in the membrane thickness increased to 40μm significantly increases your water permeability.
Bei einer Membrandicke von 20µm hält diese Membran einem Druck von etwa 10mbar für 60 Sekunden stand, bevor langsam Wasser durch die Membran dringt.With a membrane thickness of 20μm, this membrane withstands a pressure of about 10mbar for 60 seconds before water slowly permeates through the membrane.
Es ist möglich, Polymermischungen zu verwenden, um deren Eigenschaften zu kombinieren. Außerdem kann die Membran durch ein Übereinanderschichten von Faserstrukturen aus unterschiedlichen Polymeren und unterschiedlichen Fasereigenschaften erzeugt werden. Die einzelnen Faserschichten können sich auch hinsichtlich ihrer Faserdichte, der jeweiligen Dicke und der Faserstruktur unterscheiden. So kann z.B. eine grobe Schicht die Stabilität der Membran stärken und eine dünne und dichte Schicht die Wasserdichtigkeit erhöhen.It is possible to use polymer blends to combine their properties. In addition, the membrane can be produced by stacking fiber structures of different polymers and different fiber properties. The individual fiber layers may also differ with regard to their fiber density, the respective thickness and the fiber structure. Thus, e.g. a coarse layer strengthen the stability of the membrane and a thin and dense layer increase the waterproofness.
Folgende Parameter können zur Anpassung der Membran zur Abdeckung unterschiedlicher Öffnungen angepasst werden:
- wasserabweisende Eigenschaften,
- fettabweisende Eigenschaften,
- Faserdurchmesser,
Mischung von Fasern 8 aus unterschiedlichem Materialien,Mischung von Fasern 8 mit unterschiedlichem Faserdurchmesser,- Verwendung von ausgerichteten, bzw. nicht-
ausgerichteten Fasern 8, - mehrere Schichten aus ausgerichteten
Faser 8 mit unterschiedlichen Orientierungen, z.B. zueinander zwei Schichten mit zueinander orthogonal ausgerichteten Fasern 8, - Größe der Poren zwischen
den Fasern 8, - Nachträgliche Härtung der Membran, z.B. durch Tempern,
- Laser-Strukturieren der Membran,
- Einschluss von bioaktiven Materialien in
die Fasern 8, z.B. antibakterielle Wirkstoffe, - Konzentrische
Anordnung von Fasern 8 aus zwei Materialien, z.B. sogenannte core sheet-Fasern. - Benutzung von Materialien, die zur medizinischen Nutzung freigegeben sind.
- water-repellent properties,
- fat-repellent properties,
- Fiber diameter,
- Mixture of
fibers 8 of different materials, - Mixture of
fibers 8 with different fiber diameter, - Use of aligned or
non-oriented fibers 8, - a plurality of layers of aligned
fiber 8 with different orientations, for example two layers with mutually orthogonally orientedfibers 8, - Size of the pores between the
fibers 8, - Subsequent hardening of the membrane, eg by tempering,
- Laser structuring of the membrane,
- Inclusion of bioactive materials in the
fibers 8, eg antibacterial agents, - Concentric arrangement of
fibers 8 of two materials, for example so-called core-sheet fibers. - Use of materials approved for medical use.
Grundsätzlich soll die Membran möglichst dünn, z.B. weniger als 50µm dick, und dennoch strapazierfähig sein. Für fett- und wasserabweisende Eigenschaften können Fluorpolymere verwendet werden. Außerdem soll die Membran leicht an dem Hörgerät verbunden werden können.In principle, the membrane should be as thin as possible, e.g. less than 50μm thick yet durable. For grease and water repellent properties, fluoropolymers can be used. In addition, the membrane should be easily connected to the hearing aid.
Die Membran 10 ist in diesem Ausführungsbeispiel rund. Alternative sind auch elliptische, rechteckige und beliebige andere Formen denkbar.The
Die Membran 10 ist hier flach ausgeführt, kann aber auch in einer Richtung gebogen, kugelförmig gewölbt oder lokal ausgebeult sein. Die Form der Membran 10 kann durch die Einfassung in den Halterahmen 11 bestimmt werden oder bereits durch eine Formgebung beim Elektrospinnen vorgegeben sein, z.B. durch eine entsprechende Form der Zielelektrode.The
Das Hörergehäuse 12 ist für ein Einführen in einen Gehörgang ausgelegt. Dementsprechend ist die Form des Hörergehäuses 12 anatomisch angepasst, was dieser schematischen Zeichnung nicht zu entnehmen ist. In dem Hörergehäuse 12 befindet sich ein Hörer 14, der mittels einer elektrischen Leitung 15 über eine aus dem Hörergehäuse 12 hinausführenden Kabels 16 mit dem übrigen Teil des Hörgeräts verbunden ist, das z.B. für eine Anordnung hinter der Ohrmuschel ausgelegt ist. Abhängig von einem elektrischen Signal über die elektrische Leitung 15 erzeugt der Hörer 14 ein akustisches Signal, das durch die Membran 10 aus dem Hörergehäuse 12 austritt.The
Die Abdeckung 9 ist vor einer Öffnung des Hörergehäuses 12 angebracht, so dass die Membran 10 die Öffnung gegen Eindringen von Wasser und Fremdpartikeln, z.B. Cerumen und Staub, verschließt. In dieser Ausführungsform ist die Membran 10 akustisch durchlässig, damit der durch den Hörer 14 erzeugte Schall aus dem Hörergehäuse 12 austreten kann.The
Die Form der Membranen 10 wird nach dem Elektrospinnen durch eine Laser-Abtragung oder durch einen einfachen Zuschnitt oder ein Stanzen bestimmt. Daraufhin werden die einzelnen Membranen 10 in die Gitterartige Anordnung aufgenommen und mit den Kunststoffstegen 17 verbunden. In dieser Form angeordnet können durch eine weitere Laser-Abtragung weitere Details der Form der Membranen 10 bestimmt werden.The shape of the
Anstelle einer gitterförmigen Anordnung von Membranen erlaubt auch eine lineare Anordnung der Membranen 10 in einer Kette hintereinander eine einfache Weiterverarbeitung.Instead of a lattice-shaped arrangement of membranes, a linear arrangement of the
Diese Öffnungen sind mit verschiedenartigen Membranen 10 abgedeckt, die in dieser schematischen Zeichnung nicht dargestellt sind. Die Membranen 10 sind jeweils durch Elektrospinnen hergestellt, wobei die Herstellungsparameter den jeweiligen Anforderungen an die Membran 10 angepasst sind.These openings are covered with
In dem Batteriefach ist eine Öffnung vorgesehen, die zur Belüftung der Batterie dient, die zum Betrieb in der Regel auf eine Luftzufuhr angewiesen ist. Die vor dieser Öffnung angebrachte Membran 10 muss besonders wasserdicht sein.In the battery compartment, an opening is provided which serves to ventilate the battery, which is usually dependent on an air supply for operation. The
Das Bedienelement kann eine Schalterelement zur Wahl eine Hörprogramms sein oder ein Lautstärkeregler. Die zugehörige Öffnung in dem Gehäuse des Hörgeräts 19 muss in diesem Fall mit einer mechanisch stabilen und wasserdichten Membran 10 abgedeckt sein. Die Membran 10 muss allerdings nicht akustisch durchlässig sein.The control element may be a switch element for selecting a hearing program or a volume control. The associated opening in the housing of the
In einem weiteren optionalen Prozessschritt wird eine Vielzahl der Membranen 10 zu einem regelmäßigen Gitter angeordnet, wie es in
Schließlich wird die Membran 10 an das Hörgerät 19 zur Abdeckung der Öffnung angebracht. Dies erfolgt beispielsweise in zwei Unterschritten, so dass die Membran 10 zunächst - wie im Kontext der
Obwohl die Erfindung im Detail durch die Ausführungsbeispiele näher illustriert und beschrieben wurde, so ist die Erfindung nicht durch die offenbarten Beispiele eingeschränkt und andere Variationen können vom Fachmann hieraus abgeleitet werden, ohne den Schutzumfang der Erfindung zu verlassen.Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims (15)
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DE201110085511 DE102011085511A1 (en) | 2011-10-31 | 2011-10-31 | Membrane for covering an opening in a hearing aid |
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EP2587841A1 true EP2587841A1 (en) | 2013-05-01 |
EP2587841B1 EP2587841B1 (en) | 2015-12-30 |
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EP (1) | EP2587841B1 (en) |
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Cited By (1)
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EP3114858B1 (en) | 2014-03-06 | 2019-06-26 | Sonova AG | Thermoformed acoustic seal |
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KR102201032B1 (en) * | 2014-11-10 | 2021-01-11 | 주식회사 아모그린텍 | Waterproof acoustic apparatus |
KR20160075170A (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-29 | 주식회사 아모그린텍 | Waterproof acoustic apparatus |
CN105812968A (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-07-27 | 桃园创新科技学校财团法人桃园创新技术学院 | Method for manufacturing microphone cover with functions of bacterial resistance, deodorization and excellent tone quality |
US10015602B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2018-07-03 | Cochlear Limited | Systems and methods for improving output signals from auditory prostheses |
CN109563662B (en) | 2016-08-02 | 2020-08-28 | 博爱德国有限公司 | System and method for making polylactic acid nonwoven fabrics |
US11441251B2 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2022-09-13 | Fitesa Germany Gmbh | Nonwoven fabrics comprising polylactic acid having improved strength and toughness |
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CN103096227A (en) | 2013-05-08 |
DK2587841T3 (en) | 2016-04-04 |
DE102011085511A1 (en) | 2013-05-02 |
EP2587841B1 (en) | 2015-12-30 |
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