System and method for reducing effect of magnetic fields on a magnetic transducer
AssigneeMED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
InventorMartin Zimmerling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromagnetic driver transducer free of torque in the presence of an external magnetic field, of any direction and orientation (such as in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment). The transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the housing. A plurality of magnets within the housing are aligned along an axis in an anti-parallel orientation. The magnets are free to move along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing. The transducer may be, for example, fixed to an ossicle.
Claims81
An electro-magnetic transducer comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one coil;
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing;
- and
- a switching element as a function of an orientation of an external magnetic field.
A method of improving hearing in a subject, the method comprising:
- surgically implanting a transducer in the subject, the transducer including:
- a housing;
- at least one coil;
- and
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis;
- and
- causing current to flow through the at least one coil so as to cause a vibration of the magnets, the vibration transferred to the housing.
A method of sensing vibration in a subject, the method comprising:
- surgically implanting a transducer in the subject, the transducer including:
- a housing;
- at least one coil;
- and
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis;
- and
- sensing current generated in the coil caused by vibration of the magnets.
An electro-magnetic transducer comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one coil;
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing;
- and
- a non-magnetic adapter placed between each of the magnets, the non-magnetic adapter free to move along the axis, wherein the non-magnetic adapter is one of a ball bearing and a slide bearing.
An electro-magnetic transducer comprising:
- a housing;
- a plurality of coils, wherein the induced voltage of the plurality of coils arising from an external RF field is zero, and wherein the plurality of coils includes a first and second coil, the first coil wound in a direction opposite the second coil;
- and
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing.
An electro-magnetic transducer comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one coil;
- and
- a plurality of spherical magnets within the housing, the magnets capable of turning in any direction and of movement along an axis, wherein vibration of the magnets causes vibration of the housing, wherein at least one of the magnets and an inner wall of the housing are coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction, wherein the material is Teflon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.