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.
Claims19
An apparatus for use with a cochlear implant having a magnet and implanted within a patient having first and second ears, the apparatus comprising:
- a first splint including a relatively stiff splint body and defining a plurality of strap apertures;
- and
- a strap system, including at least a forehead strap and a chin strap that are less stiff than the splint body and that extend through the strap apertures, configured to position the first splint behind the first ear.
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;
- pulling the first splint against the head with a forehead strap and a 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.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.