US 6,275,736 B1 · Hair clip retention system for headpiece of cochlear implant system

Abstract

A hair clip for use with a cochlear implant system retains a headpiece assembly, including a transmitting coil, in an aligned position relative to an implanted stimulator. In one embodiment, the hair clip provides a retention system that uses a magnet which forms part of the transmitting coil. A comb or plurality of prongs forms part of the retention system. In another embodiment, the comb has central teeth that are made from ferromagnetic material, and typically also has a non-central teeth that are made from non-ferromagnetic material. The comb is placed and secured in the patient's hair over the area where a cochlear implant is implanted. The transmitting coil is then placed next to the comb, and the magnet within the transmitting coil attaches to the ferromagnetic teeth of the comb. In another embodiment, the transmitting coil is housed in a headpiece, and the headpiece and comb or hair clip are fastened together, along an edge of the comb or hair clip where the teeth or prongs are bonded, with a hinge attachment spring. In a further embodiment, the hair clip is formed from a single sheet of stainless steel, and a plurality of prongs engage a lower surface of the headpiece while a retaining band, with an integral spring, securely holds the headpiece in place against the prongs. The hair clip is opened by applying a manual force against the spring and retaining band.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus for holding an external transmitting coil against the skin of a patient in an aligned position proximate an implanted receiving coil, comprising:

a comb, with a plurality of central teeth, made from ferromagnetic material, and with a number of other teeth made from a non-ferromagnetic material;
a headpiece assembly having an external transmitting coil and a magnet therein;
whereby hair of the patient may be trapped between the teeth of the comb in order to position and hold the comb in a desired position relative to the implanted receiving coil, and
wherein the magnet in the transmitting coil attaches to the ferromagnetic central teeth of the comb, thereby holding the headpiece assembly in a desired position relative to the comb.

1 more element

A headpiece hair clip for holding a headpiece assembly of a cochlear implant system against the skin of a user in an aligned position proximate an implanted stimulator, the headpiece assembly comprising a circular or oval shaped housing defining a volume wherein electrical and other components of the cochlear implant system may be housed, the headpiece assembly having a pigtail portion extending from one edge thereof, the hair clip comprising:

a plurality of prongs extending from and integrally joined with a base portion;
first and second side arms extending from and integrally joined with the base portion, wherein the first and second arms are folded upwardly and inwardly from the base portion to define a receiving band, wherein when the headpiece assembly is mounted on the hair clip the pigtail of the headpiece assembly may be inserted into the receiving band while a bottom surface of the headpiece assembly is positioned against an upper edge of the plurality of prongs;
a tab cut from the base portion and bent upwardly to extend generally towards the receiving band;
wherein the bent tab engages the pigtail of the headpiece assembly when the headpiece assembly is mounted on the hair clip, and wherein the bent tab functions as a spring that holds the plurality of prongs against the bottom surface of the headpiece assembly, and further wherein a pressing force applied between the base portion and an upper edge of the receiving band opens the hair clip by moving the plurality of prongs away from the bottom surface of the headpiece assembly.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hair clip retention system for headpiece of cochlear implant system

Life of this patent

Hair clip retention system for headpiece of cochlear implant system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11