OTHER LICENCED OAE SYSTEM MANUFACTURERS

Madsen Danavox AS - Celesta 503 DPOAE external PC unit (serial connection)

Rexton Danplex AS - DPOAE option of software and probe for PortaREM units

Esmed - DPOAE option for Esmed BSER systems

Hortmann GmbH - German agent for Otodynamics

Fischer-Zoth - Manufacturer of the Echoscreen

LICENCE NOTE

  • OAEs were discovered and developed for audiological use at the Royal National TNE Hospital and Institute of Laryngology and Otology (ILO), Gray's Inn Rd, London. Rights to the OAE and the ILO88 technique remain with them.
  • The OAE patent covers all systems which provide sound to the ear, record sound signals in the ear canal and then use processing to separate a sound of cochlear origin from the stimulus sound for the purpose of identifying normal and abnormal cochleas.
  • Due to commercial disinterest, staff at the ILO bought the patent and formed Otodynamics Ltd in 1988 so that OAE technology could be advanced.
  • Both DPOAE and TEOAE systems make use of this generic technique. Otodynamics is grateful to the above companies for accepting an OAE license.
  • From 1980 rights to the OAE patent, including TEOAEs, were also offered to Medelec, Nicolet, Biologic, GSI and Virtual, but no agreements were reached with these companies.
  • Otodynamics and all currently licensed manufactures pay royalties. It is expected that ALL OAE system manufacturers should pay royalties.
  • More than 50% of royalties due on OAE systems go to non-commercial research organisations.
  • NO revenue whatsoever has been recovered from USA manufacturers of OAE systems, including GSI, Biologic, Virtual and Etymotic, despite an unchallenged US patent.
  • Otodynamics Ltd is therefore currently in dispute with these USA manufactures who each claim their OAE products do not come within the above terms of the OAE patent or claim that their OAE products are based on technology available before the discovery of OAEs in 1977/78.

    Your comments or opinions relating to the OAE patent or the intellectual property rights of academic institutions are invited.

    Please email Otodynamics and we will post your comments together with a response.

    OAEs home page.