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US 6,554,861 B2Granted
Otologic prosthesis
AssigneeGyrus Ent, L.L.C.
InventorsGlenn W. Knox, Harlan Reitan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Otologic prosthesis of shape memory metal alloy self-secure about an otologic structure when heat is applied to a preformed bight by means of a laser.
Claims30
Apparatus comprising:
- an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end;
- said first end defining a first bight lying substantially in a first plane, said first end being deformable to open said first bight to receive a first otologic structure and configured to substantially close the first bight in response to an applied signal thereby to capture the first otologic structure;
- and
- said second end defining a second bight lying substantially in a second plane transverse to the first plane, said second end being deformable to open said second bight to receive a second otologic structure and being configured to substantially close the second bight in response to an applied signal thereby to capture the second otologic structure with the second bight.
1 more element
Apparatus comprising:
- an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end;
- said first end defining a first bight lying substantially in a plane, said first end being deformable in response to an applied signal to open said first bight to receive a first otologic structure and being configured to substantially close the first bight in response to an applied signal thereby to capture the first otologic structure;
- and
- said second end defining a second bight lying substantially in said plane, said second end being deformable in response to an applied signal to open said second bight to receive a second otologic structure and being configured to substantially close the second bight in response to an applied signal thereby to capture the second otologic structure.
1 more element
Apparatus comprising:
- an elongated member comprising a body, a first end and a second end;
- said first end defining a first bight, said first end being deformable in response to an applied signal to open said first bight to receive a first otologic structure and being configured to substantially close the first bight in response to an applied signal thereby to capture the first otologic structure;
- and
- said second end of said member comprising an enlarged surface area sized and oriented to lie substantially flat against and be secured to a second otologic structure.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing an otologic implant comprising an end defining a bight;
- deforming the end to open the bight to receive an otologic structure;
- and applying a signal to the implant to substantially close the bight and capture the otologic structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.