Magnet removal and replacement apparatus and methods for use with cochlear implants

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for installing a MR-compatible magnet apparatus into a cochlear implant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 543,798, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 560,282, filed Sep. 19, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND1. Field[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to the implantable portion of implantable cochlear stimulation (or “ICS”) systems.2. Description of the Related Art[0003]ICS systems are used to help the profoundly deaf perceive a sensation of sound by directly exciting the intact auditory nerve with controlled impulses of electrical current. Ambient sound pressure waves are picked up by an externally worn microphone and converted to electrical signals. The electrical signals, in turn, are processed by a sound processor, converted to a pulse sequence having varying pulse widths, rates and / or amplitudes, and transmitted to an impl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to replace the magnet in a cochlear implant with an MRI-compatible magnet. This is useful when the MRI-compatible magnet is not physically fit into the implant. The method also allows bone screws to be used without damaging the magnet. The technical effects include improved safety for patients and better compatibility with MRI imaging.

Problems solved by technology

For example, removal and reinsertion of the implant magnet by way of the aperture may be required because some conventional cochlear implants are not compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems.

Reorientation of the magnet 28 can place significant stress on the dermis (or “skin”), which cause significant pain.

The present inventors have determined that removal and reinsertion can be problematic because some patients will have many MRI procedures during their lifetimes, and repeated surgeries can result in skin necrosis at the implant site.

The present inventors have determined that although MRI-compatible magnet apparatus are an advance in the art, such magnet apparatus will not physically fit into the magnet pocket of many older cochlear implants that are already implanted in patients, thereby preventing the replacement of a conventional magnet with a MRI-compatible magnet apparatus.

For example, the torque on the magnet generated by the dominant MRI magnetic field B can cause trauma to the bone tissue and discomfort to the patient.

The torque may also break or demagnetize the magnet.

Moreover, bone screws tend to become permanently integrated into the bone, which can be problematic should removal of the cochlear implant become necessary.

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