Apparatus and methods for opposing torque imparted onto cochlear implant magnets by magnetic fields
AssigneeAdvanced Bionics AG
InventorsAustin Charles Davis, James George Elcoate Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, for use with a cochlear implant having a magnet and implanted within a patient having first and second ears, includes a first splint and a strap system, including at least a forehead strap and a chin strap, configured to position the first splint behind the first ear.
Claims11
A method of preventing rotation of a first cochlear implant magnet implanted within the head of a patient having first and second ears, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an apparatus, including a first splint with a relatively stiff splint body and a strap system with at least a forehead strap and a chin strap that are operably connected to the first splint and are less stiff than the splint body, on the patient's head such that the first splint is located behind the first ear and over the first cochlear implant magnet, the forehead strap is on the forehead and the chin strap is on the chin;
- pulling the first splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap;
- and
- while the patient is being exposed to an MRI magnetic field, preventing rotation of the first cochlear implant magnet with the first splint.
A method of preventing rotation of a first cochlear implant magnet implanted within the head of a patient having first and second ears, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first splint behind the first ear and over the first cochlear implant magnet;
- positioning a second splint behind the second ear;
- pulling the first and second splints against the head with a forehead strap and a chin strap;
- fixing the distance between the first splint and the second splint with a rear strap that extends from the first splint to the second splint;
- and
- while the patient is being exposed to an MRI magnetic field, preventing rotation of the first cochlear implant magnet with the first splint.
A method of preventing rotation of a first cochlear implant magnet implanted within the head of a patient having first and second ears, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an apparatus, including a first splint with a relatively stiff splint body and a plurality of strap apertures and a strap system with at least a forehead strap and a chin strap that extend through the strap apertures and are less stiff than the splint body, on the patient's head such that the first splint is located behind the first ear and over the first cochlear implant magnet;
- pulling the first splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap;
- and
- while the patient is being exposed to an MRI magnetic field, preventing rotation of the first cochlear implant magnet with the first splint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.