Middle ear magnet implant, attachment device and method, and test instrument and method

A middle ear implant that creates mechanical vibrations in response to electromagnetic signals, comprising:

• a housing configured to be disposed in a middle ear;
• a magnet disposed and configured to be in the housing;
• and
• an attachment device configured to connect the housing to at least a partial middle ear ossicle or a prosthesis for the middle ear, the attachment device including:
• a first loop configured to mount around the at least partial middle ear ossicle or the prosthesis;
• and
• a second loop connected to the first loop and disposed around the housing such that the magnet in the housing is oriented to be responsive to electromagnetic signals transmitted into the middle ear when the housing is disposed therein on the attachment device, whereby mechanical vibrations are created, and such that the mechanical vibrations are transmitted to the at least partial middle ear ossicle or prosthesis when the first loop is mounted therearound,
• wherein the first and second loops are not part of an electrical circuit.

A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient, comprising:

• inserting a coil into an outer ear canal of the patient adjacent the middle ear having the magnet;
• selectably aiming the coil within the outer ear canal toward different locations of the middle ear;
• driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each of the aimed locations;
• obtaining at least one indication from the patient regarding the relative strengths of sensations perceived by the patient in response to driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each of the aimed locations;
• and
• determining a location of the magnet from the obtained at least one indication.

A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient, comprising:

• inserting a coil at least into the patient's outer ear canal that is adjacent the middle ear having the magnet;
• selectably aiming the coil relative to the middle ear;
• driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming;
• obtaining at least one indication in response to driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming;
• and
• determining a functional or positional characteristic of the magnet from the obtained at least one indication.

A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient, comprising:

• inserting a plurality of coils at least into the patient's outer ear canal that is adjacent the middle ear having the magnet;
• driving each of the coils one at a time with an alternating current signal;
• obtaining at least one indication in response to driving each of the coils with an alternating current signal;
• and
• determining a functional or positional characteristic of the magnet from the obtained at least one indication.

Attachment device for mounting a magnet in a middle ear, comprising:

• a first loop configured to mount on natural or prosthetic ossicular structure in a middle ear;
• a second loop connected to the first loop and configured to mount around a magnet so that the magnet, the second loop and the first loop mechanically vibrate together in response within the middle ear to an electromagnetic signal;
• and
• wherein the second loop is not part of an electrical circuit.

Attachment device for electromagnetically responsive middle ear implant, comprising:

• a first loop configured to mount on natural or prosthetic ossicular structure in a middle ear;
• a second loop connected to the first loop and configured to mount over an electromagnetically responsive object to mechanically vibrate in response within the middle ear to an electromagnetic signal;
• and
• wherein the second loop is not part of an electrical circuit.

Attachment device for middle ear implant, consisting of:

• a first coiled-wire loop configured to mount on natural or prosthetic ossicular structures in a middle ear;
• and
• a second coiled-wire loop connected to the first loop and configured to hold a transducer;
• wherein the transducer attaches to the natural or prosthetic ossicular structures through the connection of the second loop and the first loop.

Attachment device for middle ear implant, comprising:

• a first loop configured to mount on pre-existing ossicular structure;
• a second loop configured to hold a transducer;
• and
• wherein the first and second loops are formed from a continuous length of biocompatible wire.

An implant for a middle ear, comprising:

• a housing;
• a magnet disposed in the housing;
• and
• an attachment device for connecting the housing to at least a partial middle ear ossicle, the attachment device including:
• non-necrotizing means for mounting at least partially around the at least partial middle ear ossicle such that blood supply to the at least partial middle ear ossicle is maintained;
• and
• holding means connected to the non-necrotizing means and disposed around the housing so that the housing and the magnet therein are attached to the at least partial middle ear ossicle through the cooperative association of the non-necrotizing means and the holding means when the non-necrotizing means is mounted on the at least partial middle ear ossicle.