# US 11,896,825 B2 · Apparatus and methods for opposing torque imparted onto cochlear implant magnets by magnetic fields

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- Number: US 11,896,825 B2
- Document ID: US11896825B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/278,316
- Filed: 2018-10-04
- Published: 2021-10-28
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-10-04
- Assignees: Advanced Bionics AG
- Applicants: Advanced Bionics AG
- Inventors: Austin Charles Davis; James George Elcoate Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896825B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/08: Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating {(for external stimulators A61N1/3603; for implantable neurostimulators A61N1/36128; for heart stimulators A61N1/37; for defibrillators A61N1/3925)}
- A61N 1/36038: {Cochlear stimulation}
- A61F 5/05883: {for the neck or head (A61F5/05816, A61F5/05833 take precedence; cervical supports A61F5/055)}
- A61F 5/05891: {for the head, e.g. jaws, nose (nose correcting A61F5/08)}
- A61F 13/12: specially adapted for the head or neck
- A61N 1/0541: {Cochlear electrodes}
- A61N 1/086: {Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads}
- A61N 1/372: Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
- G01R 33/288: {Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the apparatus includes a second splint; and
the method further comprises the steps of:
positioning the second splint behind the second ear, and
pulling the second splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein
positioning the second splint comprises positioning the second splint behind the second ear and over a second cochlear implant magnet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of:
while the patient is being exposed to the MRI magnetic field, preventing rotation of the second cochlear implant magnet with the second splint.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein
pulling the first splint against the head comprises pulling the first splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap in such a manner that the first splint does not overlap the first ear; and
pulling the second splint against the head comprises pulling the second splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap in such a manner that the second splint does not overlap the second ear.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
pulling the first splint against the head comprises pulling the first splint against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap in such a manner that the first splint does not overlap the first ear.

### Claim 7

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.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein
positioning the second splint comprises positioning the second splint behind the second ear and over a second cochlear implant magnet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of:
while the patient is being exposed to the MRI magnetic field, preventing rotation of the second cochlear implant magnet with the second splint.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein
pulling the first and second splints against the head comprises pulling the first and second splints against the head with the forehead strap and the chin strap in such a manner that the first splint does not overlap the first ear and the second splint does not overlap the second ear.

### Claim 11

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.