Directionally-controllable mounting apparatus

A method for implanting a hearing aid system for assisting the transmission of vibratory signals within a middle ear, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a channel through a skull from a point external of said skull to a point within said middle ear;
• providing a primary casing having a first end portion and a second end portion, said primary casing comprising a side wall and a first end wall extending from said side wall at said first end portion of said primary casing, said first end wall having an interior surface, said first end wall defining an aperture therethrough, said side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said exterior surface having threads formed thereon, said interior surface of said first end wall and said interior surface of said side wall defining an interior space within said primary casing;
• threadably securing said primary casing into said channel whereby said threads formed on said exterior surface of said side wall threadably engage said channel;
• providing a mounting post having a first end portion and a second end portion, said mounting post having a frictional retention member mounted thereon, said first end portion of said mounting post having a transducer of an implantable hearing aid system mounted thereon, said transducer having a lead extending therefrom;
• placing said mounting post through said primary casing whereby said first end portion of said mounting post extends through said aperture defined through said first end wall, whereby said transducer is external said primary casing, and whereby said frictional retention member abuts said first end wall;
• providing a second end wall defining an aperture therethrough, said aperture being configured to permit said second end portion of said mounting post to pass therethrough, said second end wall being constructed to be secured to said primary casing whereby said second end wall and said first end wall frictionally retain said frictional retention member when said second end wall is secured to said primary casing;
• passing said second end wall over said second end portion of said mounting post whereby said second end portion of said mounting post extends through said aperture defined through said second end wall;
• positioning said first end portion of said mounting post, said transducer, and said lead in a predetermined position using said second end portion of said mounting post;
• and
• securing said second end wall to said primary casing whereby said frictional retention member is frictionally retained between said first end wall and said second end wall and whereby said first end portion of said mounting post and said transducer are retained in said predetermined position.

A mounting apparatus for use in the middle and inner ear comprising:

• a primary casing having a first end portion and a second end portion, said primary casing comprising a side wall and a first end wall extending from said side wall at said first end portion of said primary casing, said side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite said interior surface, said end wall having an interior surface, said interior surface of said side wall and said interior surface of said end wall defining an interior space within said primary casing, said first end wall defining an aperture therethrough such that said interior space is in open communication with an external environment of said primary casing through said aperture;
• a mounting post having a first end portion and a second end portion, said mounting post having a frictional retention member mounted thereon, said mounting post being mounted through said interior space of said primary casing and through said aperture defined through said first end wall such that said frictional retention member is disposed within said primary casing and such that said first end portion of said mounting post extends through said aperture defined through said first end wall;
• a second end wall secured within said primary casing opposite to said first end wall, said second end wall having an interior surface, whereby said interior surface of said second end wall and said interior surface of said first end wall frictionally retain said frictional retention member and said mounting post in a preselected orientation when said second end wall is secured to said primary casing;
• and
• the exterior surface of said side wall having threads formed thereon, whereby said primary casing is adapted to be threadably secured to a bone.

A mounting apparatus comprising:

• a primary casing having a first end portion and a second end portion, said primary casing comprising a side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said primary casing further comprising a shoulder extending from said interior surface of said side wall at said first end portion of said primary casing, said shoulder having an interior surface, said interior surface of said shoulder and said interior surface of said side wall defining an interior space within said primary casing, said shoulder defining an aperture through said primary casing whereby said interior space is in communication with an external environment of said primary casing;
• a first washer disposed within said interior space defined within said primary casing, said first washer having a first surface abutting said interior surface of said shoulder and a second surface opposite said first surface, said first washer defining an aperture therethrough;
• a mounting post having a first end portion and a second end portion, said mounting post having a frictional retention member mounted thereon, said first end portion of said mounting post passing through said aperture defined through said first washer and through said aperture defined by said shoulder, said frictional retention member abutting said second surface of said first washer;
• a second washer having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface of said second washer abutting said frictional retention member, said second washer being disposed within said interior space defined within said primary casing, said second washer defining an aperture therethrough;
• and
• a lock ring defining an aperture therethrough, said lock ring being secured to said primary casing, said lock ring abutting said second surface of said second washer, whereby said lock ring urges said second washer into abutment with said frictional retention member and urges said frictional retention member into abutment with said first washer when said lock ring is secured to said primary casing, and whereby said frictional retention member is frictionally retained between said first washer and second washer when said lock ring is secured to said primary casing.