77results about "Ear implants" patented technology

Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.

Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.

To ensure a secure fit of a spring clip (3) of an ossicular prosthesis (1) on an ossicle, the invention proposes a spring clip (6) in the shape of a logarithmic spiral, which preferably integrally connects the clamping jaws (4, 5) of the spring clip (3) at diametrically opposite ends (7, 9) of the clamping jaws (4, 5). Due to this design of the spring clip (3), the clamping jaws (4, 5) move parallel or nearly parallel to each other when the spring clip (3) expands elastically upon being placed on the ossicle.

The systems and methods can be employed for transtympanic access to the middle ear for delivery of therapeutic formulations or implant devices to target locations under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve access and visualization for various otologic surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair, and ossicular chain repair.

The present application relates to the technical field of ossicle prosthesis. An adaptive base plate ossicle prosthesis comprises a base plate structure for connecting with a tympanic membrane and a stem, the base plate structure is fixedly connected with the stem, the base plate structure comprises a connecting part for connecting with the stem and at least six adaptive adjusting branches; all the adaptive adjusting branches are distributed at equal interval angles in a circumferential direction, and the inner sides of all the adaptive adjusting branches are fixedly connected with the outer side of the connecting part; gaps exist between all the adaptive adjusting branches. The present application is convenient for meeting the structure of the tympanic membrane and improving the fitting stability with the tympanic membrane through the adaptive adjusting branches. The independent adaptive adjusting branches will deform according to different regions of the tympanic membrane, so as to adapt to the structure of the tympanic membrane.

To ensure a good fit of a spring clamp (3) of an auditory ossicle prosthesis (1) on an auditory ossicle, the invention proposes a spring clip (6) having the shape of a logarithmic spiral, which connects clamping jaws (4, 5) of the spring clamp (3) preferably integrally at diametrically opposite ends (7, 9) of the clamping jaws (4, 5). By means of this design of the spring clamp (3), the clamping jaws (4, 5) move parallel or almost parallel to each other upon elastic expansion of the spring clamp (3) when placed onto the auditory ossicle.

The invention proposes to construct a one-piece, pincer-like ossicular prosthesis (1) from sheet metal, with two congruent clamps (3) that can be opened and closed by means of a two-part head element (2), the head parts (4) of which function as pincer handles. The ossicular prosthesis (1) can be clamped onto an ossicle without exerting any force on the ossicle.

The present invention relates to a device with a structured coating for adhesion to rough surfaces, particularly biological surfaces, comprising a carrier layer (101) on which a plurality of protrusions are arranged, each of the protrusions comprising at least one stem having an end face facing away from the surface, and a further layer (104) arranged on at least the end faces, said layer having a lower modulus of elasticity and in the form of a film interconnecting the protrusions. The film may be in the form of a removable film.

The subject of the invention is a middle ear prosthesis (1), in particular of the middle ear conductive chain, comprising a first spring element (2) constituting a spring of at least one coil, having a length Lm in the range from 0.2 mm to 10 mm, and possibly a second spring element (3) constituting a spring of at least one coil, having a length Lk in the range from 0.1 mm to 4 mm, wherein the first spring element (2) and the second spring element (3) are made of wire of a material having a Young's modulus E in the range from 7 · 1010 N / m2 to 11.4.1010 N / m2, a density p in the range from 4.103 kg / m3 to 20. 103 kg / m3, a Poisson's ratio v in the range from 0.34 to 0.44, wherein the first spring element (2) is connected to the second spring element (3) in such a way that the rotational symmetry axis of the first spring element (2) is placed at an angle α-ι with respect to the rotational symmetry axis of the second spring element (3), included in the range from 5° to 160°.

The invention belongs to the field of medical instruments, and discloses a hollow microporous prosthesis which is hollow, and the weight of the prosthesis is reduced by controlling the shape and size of an internal cavity; the surface is full of microporous structures, and the aperture range is controlled to be 200-500 microns; the appearance is designed according to the requirements of patients, and auricle shapes or nose bridge shapes can be customized. Through lightweight design and microporous structure improvement, the biocompatibility and the natural effect of the prosthesis are remarkably improved.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. More particularly, the invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing silk fibroin biocompatible polyurethane membranes using a solvent, which have improved biodegradation, mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. More particularly, the invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing silk fibroin biocompatible polyurethane membranes using a solvent, which have improved biodegradation, mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

An electrode array, such as a cochlear implant electrode array, or a retinal prosthesis array, or a vestibular array, comprising a plurality of electrodes and an electrode carrier carrying the plurality of electrodes. The electrodes can be made of platinum, for example, and the carrier can be made of silicone, for example. The electrode carrier includes an artificial muscle component.

An improved total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORR) for the reconstruction of the ossicular chain provides, in combination: a head (C) which is formed by a single cartilaginous block: a synthetic stem (A) of cylindrical shape which is provided, on both sides, with a respective blunt tip (Al, A4); a cartilaginous base (B) having the same thickness as the head (C) but with a smaller surface. Said improved TORR is configured in such a way as to be able to position, respectively, said head (C) under the tympanic membrane (D) and said base (B) above the plate (E) of the stapes (s); thus obtaining that during the healing process, the perichondrium of the head (C) is welded to the tympanic membrane (D) and the perichondrium of the base (B) is welded to the mucosa of the plate (E)

An improved total ossicular prosthesis (TORP) for the reconstruction of an ossicular chain, the combination comprising: a head (C) consisting of a single cartilage block; a cylindrical synthetic handle (A), both ends of which are respectively provided with a blunt tip (A1, A2); and a cartilage base (B) having the same thickness as the head (C) but a smaller surface area. An improved total ossicular prosthesis configured to be able to position the head (C) below the tympanic membrane (D) and the base (B) above the floor (E) of the stapes (S), respectively; therefore, in the healing process, the cartilage membrane of the head (C) and the tympanic membrane (D) form biological fixation, and the cartilage membrane of the base (B) and the mucous membrane of the bottom plate (E) form biological fixation.

A signal processing arrangement generates optical stimulation signals to optical stimulation contacts in an implanted cochlear implant array. An input sound signal is transformed into band pass signals that each represent an associated band of audio frequencies, with each band pass signal includes an envelope component characterizing loudness of the band pass signal, and a fine structure component characterizing temporal details of the band pass signal. One or more of the signal components of each band pass signal is half wave rectified to remove negative phase signals. Signal slope is determined that corresponds to rate of change of the rectified one or more signal components. Then constant-rate optical stimulation pulses are generated for one or more given band signals only when the rectified one or more signal components has a positive signal slope.

A vestibular electrode fixation methodology and device for implantation in a subject is provided. The methodology includes making an opening through both a stapedial footplate and the oval window of the subject, through which the electrode is inserted. The electrode may pass through a flange which contacts the posterior and anterior crus, securely fixing the electrode in a predetermined position so as to stimulate the sensory epithelia in the vestibule. The flange may sit on the stapedial footplate.

The present invention relates to an eardrum regeneration patch. The eardrum regeneration patch of the present invention is thin but has high uniformity and appropriate elongation and tensile strength as an eardrum regeneration patch, and thus has an excellent effect of eardrum regeneration, has excellent adhesion with respect to an affected part, and prevents a patient from feeling discomfort such as that from post-procedure fluttering.

The devices, systems, and methods can be used to facilitate indirect viewing into cavities, such as, but not limited to, the middle ear cavity. Some embodiments have applications, such as, but not limited to, facilitating visualization and procedures in the outer ear, middle ear, and / or inner ear to diagnose and / or treat disorders, including, but not limited to, hearing loss and other ear disorders. In certain implementations, a surgical microscope is used in conjunction with an inverter lens and a distal lens. In some cases, the distal lens traverses a thin membrane or septum, such as, but not limited to, the tympanic membrane. In some embodiments, the distal lens can be an assembly combining two or more lenses. For example, in some cases, the distal lens can use a wide-angle lens, a zoom lens, other variously shaped lenses, and / or a prism.

Ossicular prostheses, and methods for producing such, are disclosed for treatment of middle ear damage caused by a malady of the middle ear such as cholesteatoma. The ossicular prostheses comprises a strut component attached to a disc via a rigid or flexible connecting joint. The strut is attachable to a head or footplate of a subject's stapes. The disc is attachable to the subject's existing tympanic membrane, or, alternatively, to an artificial tympanic membrane graft. In some embodiments, a scaffold is used to support the ossicular prosthesis and the tympanic membrane graft.

An ear implant selection kit is described including a set of semi-transparent or transparent contour templates, a separate set of gradation templates, and a set of three-dimensional ear implant models, all of which may be used to select an ear implant out of a set of implants that best matches the appearance of a contralateral ear of an individual. Related ear implant systems and methods are also described.

Methods for producing a custom-made stapes prosthesis for a patient and stapes prostheses so produced. The methods may include obtaining a three-dimensional image of a natural stapes bone of the patient; and forming a stapes prosthesis that closely approximates a three-dimensional shape of the natural stapes bone via an additive manufacturing technique based on the three-dimensional image. The stapes prosthesis comprises a suitable material that is not osteogenic and is not cytotoxic. The stapes prosthesis may include a plurality of pores having an average size of from about 5 to about 100 micrometers and may exhibit a frequency of sound transmission in a range of from about 2 to about 30 kilohertz.

Implants with fillable reservoirs have been developed that are suitable for rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction, ear reconstruction, and replacement, reconstruction or repair of other soft tissues. The implants can be filled with graft material prior to implantation. The implants are preferably made from resorbable polymers, can be tailored to provide different geometries, mechanical properties and resorption rates in order to provide more consistent surgical outcomes. The implants preferably have an interconnected network of unit cells with microporous outer layers and optionally some or all of the unit cells having at least one macropore in their outer layers. The implants can be loaded by injection with microfat, collagen, DCF, cells, bioactive agents, and other augmentation materials, prior to implantation.

The cochlear implant device provided by the present invention includes a shell, a linear motor, a stepper motor, and a clamping device. A cavity is provided in the shell, and the linear motor is arranged in the cavity. The linear motor drives at least one guide rod to move forward and backward. A guide rod through hole is provided at one end of the shell cavity, and the guide rod extends out from the guide rod through hole; the stepper motor includes a fixed part and a rotor, and the fixed part is installed at one end of the guide rod extending out of the cavity, and can move forward and backward with the guide rod; the rotor rotates around an axis, and the axis is parallel to the movement direction of the guide rod; the clamping device is installed on the rotor and can rotate with the rotor. The present invention is easy to operate, can intelligently and gently complete cochlear implantation in a tiny implantation space, can standardize the cochlear implantation speed, has little damage to the microstructure in the cochlea, and is convenient for protecting the patient's residual hearing.

The disclosure relates to winged graft devices, methods of manufacture, and methods of use to repair, e.g., repair perforations, in tympanic membranes, or to augment defective tympanic membranes.

Devices, systems, and methods can be employed to facilitate indirect viewing of a cavity, such as, but not limited to, a middle ear space. Some embodiments have uses such as, but not limited to, facilitating visualization and surgery in the outer ear, middle ear, and / or inner ear, in order to diagnose and / or treat conditions, including but not limited to hearing loss and other ear conditions. In particular implementations, a surgical microscope is used in conjunction with a reversing lens and a distal lens. In some cases, the distal lens traverses a membrane or septum, such as, but not limited to, the tympanic membrane. In some embodiments, the distal lens can be an assembly that combines two or more lenses. For example, in some cases, wide angle lenses, zoom lenses, other variously shaped lenses, and / or prisms can be used in the distal lens.

The invention proposes providing a partially annular fastening element (2) of an ossicular prosthesis (1) (so-called "stapes prosthesis") for a human middle ear with a window (6) in one piece, which window extends in a circumferential direction of the fastening element (2) and in which a curved spring tab (8) is arranged, which is one piece with the fastening element (2) and projects in an arcuate manner with an inward incline beyond an inner circumference of the fastening element (2). The spring tab (8), which bears against the ossicle with prestress, ensures a play-free fit of the ossicular prosthesis (1) on an ossicle.

The present invention discloses an artificial auricle material with a dual framework of vascularization and chondrogenicity, and a preparation method thereof. The method comprises: 1) performing 3D modeling as needed to obtain an artificial auricle scaffold model with a large pore, and pre-setting a vascularization differentiation framework on the scaffold; 2) using multi-material multi-nozzle light-curing 3D printing technology, simultaneously printing the artificial auricle scaffold with a GelMA solution and printing a vascularization framework within the scaffold using a GelMA solution containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); and culturing the vascularization differentiation to obtain an intermediate-form artificial auricle with the vascularization framework; 3) combining a multiple-immersion light-curing method, introducing a ColMA solution containing MSCs into the pores of the intermediate-form artificial auricle; and culturing the chondrogenic differentiation to obtain an artificial auricle material with both a vascularization and chondrogenicity framework. The simultaneous provision of vascularization and chondrogenicity frameworks within the scaffold provides a design paradigm for an artificial auricle with complete physiological functions.

Presented herein are techniques and devices configured for preserving the residual hearing ability of the recipient while providing vestibular stimulation.