Middle-ear prosthesis

A prosthesis (16) for in vivo implantation in the middle ear cavity for transmitting sound between the tympanic membrane (3) and a constituent part of the stapes (8), which prosthesis (16) comprises a sound transmission means, a fastening means (23) and a flexible elongated suspension means (22), said sound transmission means comprising a first arm (17) representing the malleus (4) adapted to make contact with the tympanic membrane (3) and a second, shorter arm (19) representing the incus (6), the two arms (17, 19), joined together by a connecting member (18), being directed in two planes parallel to one another and being seen to form an acute angle between them when viewed in a direction at right angles to said planes, the free end of the second arm (19) being adapted to be connected to a constituent part of the stapes (8), said fastening means (23) being adapted to be inserted in the middle ear cavity into a bony part of the ear, said suspension means (22) being orientable and adjustable, said sound transmission means being connected to said fastening means (23) by said suspension means (22), one end of said suspension means (22) being connected to said fastening means (23) and the other end of said suspension means (22) being connected to the sound transmission means at a point close to the junction of the two arms (17, 19).