Air cell mountable support shaft
AssigneeSt. Croix Medical, Inc.
InventorsKai Kroll, Scott C. Meyerson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support shaft for use in supporting a universal connector for use in an implantable hearing assistance system. The support shaft provides an implantation surgeon with several features designed to secure a support shaft within the air cell-filled portion of a temporal bone. The support shaft is further configured to allow the secure attachment of the universal connector, the connector configured to support transducers and other components of an implantable hearing assistance system.
Claims16
A support apparatus for a universal connector used in an implantable hearing assistance system, the support apparatus disposable within bone containing air cells in the middle ear region of a hearing impaired subject, the apparatus comprising:
- a support shaft defining an axial bore and having a first and a second end, the first end configured to securely receive a universal connector, and the support shaft having means, disposed substantially at the second end of the support shaft, for mounting securely within the bone containing the air cells.
The apparatus of clam 6 wherein the wings are pivotable substantially from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the plane of the support shaft.
A method of securing a support apparatus for a universal connector, used in an implantable hearing assistance system, partially within bone containing air cells in the middle ear region of a hearing impaired subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling a hole in the bone containing the air cells, the hole having a radius to accommodate generally a second end of a support shaft;
- inserting the second end of the support shaft into the hole to a predetermined depth;
- and
- securing the generally second end of the support shaft within the bone containing the air cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.