Martin L Lenhardt

US Patent:

6368267, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/418990

Inventors:

Martin L. Lenhardt - Hayes VA

Assignee:

Sound Techniques Systems, LLC - Arlington VA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25

Abstract:

A system and method for an auditory inner ear prosthesis. A strut connects the medial surface of the stape footplate with the wall of the saccule. The strut spans the 1. 5 mm vestibule between the saccule and the stapes. The strut is a synthetic elastic connector constructed of biocompatible material such as sylastic. The strut converts eardrum or ossicle vibration into saccular stimulation. The saccule is a large otic receptor organ capable of coding sound, and plays a role in reptilian hearing. For human ears, the saccule is so isolated from the eardrum and related elements that sound stimulation is ineffective. The strut allows for better stimulation by direct coupling. In cases of deafness, the saccule can serve as an alternative ear.

US Patent:

6388949, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Aug 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/649991

Inventors:

Martin L. Lenhardt - Hayes VA

Assignee:

Sound Technique Systems LLC - Arlington VA

International Classification:

H04B 102

US Classification:

367139, 116 22 A

Abstract:

A turtle alerting system and method utilizes an acoustic signal that may be provided in a first, low frequency range, a second, mid-frequency range, or a third, high frequency range. One or more of those acoustic signals may be accompanied and/or modulated by either an ultrasonic signal or a MHz signal, so as to provide a carrier for the acoustic signal. Further, a beam of light may be used as another type of alerting sensor. Lastly, a sonar may be used to steer the system in a direction in which turtles may be located.

US Patent:

6394969, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/417772

Inventors:

Martin L. Lenhardt - Hayes VA

Assignee:

Sound Techniques Systems LLC - Arlington VA

International Classification:

A61N 700

US Classification:

601 2

Abstract:

A system and method for tinnitus masking. Ultrasound noise is provided to a head of a patient as a vibration by way of a transducer, to thereby stimulate the auditory cortex. Once stimulated, the auditory cortex will suppress tinnitus. The ultrasound noise may be provided as an ultrasound frequency tone or as a range of frequencies that have been multiplied with an audio frequency. Pulsed ultrasound is utilized for ultrasound noise in the MHz range.

US Patent:

6731769, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/417771

Inventors:

Martin L. Lenhardt - Hayes VA

Assignee:

Sound Techniques Systems LLC - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381316, 381320, 381326

Abstract:

A system and method upper auditory frequency range hearing. A speech signal is filtered, and then modulated to an upper auditory frequency range. The modulated signal is then provided to a transducer, which causes a vibration in the ear canal, the head or the neck of a user, which is received in an inner ear of the user. That vibration is translated as a signal to the brain, which interprets that signal as intelligible speech.

US Patent:

7310427, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/628563

Inventors:

Sheldon M. Retchin - Richmond VA, US
Martin Lenhardt - Hayes VA, US

Assignee:

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381380, 381151, 381376

Abstract:

A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention preferably uses transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.

US Patent:

7616771, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/476158

Inventors:

Martin Lenhardt - Hayes VA, US
Douglas Richards - Virginia Beach VA, US

Assignee:

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381326, 381312, 381380

Abstract:

There is provided hearing device improvements using modulation techniques adapted to the characteristics of auditory and vestibular hearing. One embodiment provides for extending hearing to the infrasonic range by extracting sounds from the high ambient noise in this range and applying them to a carrier in the ultrasonic quiet zone. Further extension of hearing into the ultrasonic range is provided by a modulation scheme which uses a fluid conduction coupler to match impedance for a vibration transducer applied to the skin. A variation on this embodiment integrates this ultrasonic hearing extension with normal acoustic headphones. Another embodiment compensates for high frequency hearing loss by a modulation scheme which uses middle ear resonance as an amplifier. A further embodiment combines ultrasonic transposition with wireless modulation to obtain secure communication.

US Patent:

8107647, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Jan 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/968949

Inventors:

Martin L. Lenhardt - Hayes VA, US

Assignee:

Biosecurity Technologies, Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381151, 381326, 381328, 381380, 381190, 607 56

Abstract:

A ring transducer comprising an outer metal ring and an inner ceramic ring provides a device for the conduction of ultrasonic signals directly in the ear canal, thereby providing an efficient means for the conduction of such signals. In an alternate embodiment, stacks of piezoelectric film, optionally shaped into a ring, may be used for placement in the ear or outside the ear, such as on the ends of eyeglasses.

US Patent:

8111860, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Oct 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/926576

Inventors:

Sheldon M. Retchin - Richmond VA, US
Martin Lenhardt - Hayes VA, US

Assignee:

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381380, 381151, 381376

Abstract:

A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.