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US 9,849,284 B2Granted
Implanted auditory prosthesis control by component movement
AssigneeCochlear Limited
InventorKoen Erik Van den Heuvel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Operational modes or settings of a totally implantable cochlear implant can be adjusted or changed based on movement of an external element. Sensors in the totally implantable cochlear implant detect one of several positions of the external element as that element is moved near the implant. Depending on the position detected, one of a plurality of operational modes or settings can be selected.
Claims19
An apparatus comprising:
- an implantable auditory prosthesis comprising an implantable magnet and a first proximity sensor, wherein the implantable auditory prosthesis comprises a first operational mode and a second operational mode;
- and
- an external control element configured to communicate with the implantable auditory prosthesis, wherein the external control element comprises an external magnet, and wherein the implantable auditory prosthesis operates in the first operational mode when the external magnet is engaged with the implantable magnet, and wherein the implantable auditory prosthesis operates in the second operational mode when the external magnet is disengaged from the implantable magnet and the first proximity sensor detects a presence of the external magnet,
- wherein the implantable auditory prosthesis further comprises a second proximity sensor, and wherein the presence of the external magnet is characterized by a first signal received at the first proximity sensor being stronger than a second signal received at the second proximity sensor.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- an external control element comprising:
- an external magnet;
- and
- an implantable auditory prosthesis comprising:
- a processor;
- an implantable magnet;
- and
- first and second magnetic sensors in communication with the processor,
- wherein the processor selects a first operational mode when the external magnet is engaged with the implantable magnet;
- wherein the processor selects a second operational mode when the external magnet is disengaged from the implantable magnet and the first magnetic sensor detects a presence of the external magnet;
- and
- wherein the presence of the external magnet is characterized by a first signal received at the first magnetic sensor being stronger than a second signal received at the second magnetic sensor.
9 more elements
A medical device comprising:
- an external component comprising an external magnet;
- and
- an implantable component, wherein the implantable component comprises:
- an implantable magnet;
- a first magnet sensor,
- a second magnet sensor, wherein the second magnet sensor is spaced from the first magnet sensor, and
- a processor connected to the first magnet sensor and the second magnet sensor,
- wherein the processor is configured to select a first operational mode when the external magnet is disengaged with the implantable magnet;
- wherein the processor is configured to select a second operational mode when the external magnet is disengaged from the implantable magnet and the first magnet sensor detects a presence of the external magnet;
- and
- wherein the presence of the external magnet is characterized by a first signal received at the first magnet sensor being stronger than a second signal received at the second magnet sensor.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.