Hinged enclosure with repelling magnets

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first housing portion having at least one first magnet each with a first magnetization direction and a second housing portion configured to be rotated relative to the first housing portion about a rotation axis. The second housing portion has at least one second magnet each with a second magnetization direction. Each first magnet of the at least one first magnet has a corresponding non-zero first offset from the rotation axis, and each second magnet of the at least one second magnet has a corresponding non-zero second offset from the rotation axis. The at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet are arranged in at least one pair of first and second magnets such that the first magnetization direction and the second magnetization direction of each pair of first and second magnets are substantially parallel to the rotation axis and the first and second magnets of a pair generate a repulsive force therebetween.

Description

HINGED ENCLOSURE WITH REPELLING MAGNETSBACKGROUNDField

[0001] The present application relates generally to hinged enclosures, such as a battery charger for a sound processor of an auditory prosthesis.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Medical devices have provided a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients over recent decades. Medical devices can include internal or implantable components / devices, external or wearable components / devices, or combinations thereof (e.g., a device having an external component communicating with an implantable component). Medical devices, such as traditional hearing aids, partially or fully-implantable hearing prostheses (e.g., bone conduction devices, mechanical stimulators, cochlear implants, etc.), pacemakers, defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, and other medical devices, have been successful in performing lifesaving and / or lifestyle enhancement functions and / or recipient monitoring for a number of years.

[0003] The types of medical devices and the ranges of functions performed thereby have increased over the years. For example, many medical devices, sometimes referred to as “implantable medical devices,” now often include one or more instruments, apparatus, sensors, processors, controllers or other functional mechanical or electrical components that are permanently or temporarily implanted in a recipient. These functional devices are typically used to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat, or manage a disease / injury or symptom thereof, or to investigate, replace or modify the anatomy or a physiological process. Many of these functional devices utilize power and / or data received from external devices that are part of, or operate in conjunction with, implantable components.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect disclosed herein, an apparatus comprises a first housing portion comprising at least one first magnet each having a first magnetization direction. The apparatus further comprises a second housing portion configured to be rotated relative to the first housing portion about a rotation axis. The second housing portion comprises at least one second magnet each having a second magnetization direction. Each first magnet of the at leastone first magnet has a corresponding non-zero first offset from the rotation axis, and each second magnet of the at least one second magnet has a corresponding non-zero second offset from the rotation axis. The at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet are arranged in at least one pair of first and second magnets such that the first magnetization direction and the second magnetization direction of each pair of first and second magnets are substantially parallel to the rotation axis and the first and second magnets of a pair generate a repulsive force therebetween.

[0005] In another aspect disclosed herein, an apparatus comprises a base portion and a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge. The lid portion is configured to be controllably rotated about an axis of the hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation. The apparatus further comprises at least one pair of magnets comprising a first magnet mounted to the base portion and a second magnet mounted to the lid portion. The first and second magnets have magnetic moments that are substantially parallel to the axis and are configured such that a magnetic potential energy of the first and second magnets has a first value with the lid portion at the first orientation, a second value with the lid portion at the second orientation, and a third value with the lid portion between the first and second orientation. The third value is greater than the first value and greater than the second value.

[0006] In another aspect disclosed herein, a method comprises accessing an enclosure comprising a base and a lid rotatably coupled to one another by a hinge having an axis. The base comprises an axially magnetized first magnet offset from the axis and having a first magnetic moment substantially parallel to the axis. The lid comprises an axially magnetized second magnet offset from the axis and having a second magnetic moment substantially parallel to the axis. The first and second magnets mutually repel one another. The method further comprises manually opening the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that a distance between the first and second magnets is reduced. The method further comprises manually closing the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that the distance between the first and second magnets is reduced.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Implementations are described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cochlear implant auditory prosthesis implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example fully implantable middle ear implant auditory prosthesis implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0010] FIG. 3 schematically illustrate a portion of another example transcutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0011] FIGs. 4A-4C schematically illustrate various views of an example apparatus in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0012] FIGs. 5A-5C schematically illustrate three other example apparatus comprising a single first magnet in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0013] FIGs. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate side views of an example apparatus in a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0014] FIGs. 7A-7C schematically illustrate cross-sectional side views of a pair of first and second magnets with the example apparatus of FIGs. 6A-6B in the closed configuration, in an intermediate configuration between the closed and open configurations, and the open configuration, respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0015] FIG. 7D schematically illustrates the magnetic potential energy between the magnetic repulsion of the first and second magnets as a function of the orientation of the second housing portion in accordance with certain implementations described herein; and

[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with certain implementations described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Certain implementations described herein provide an enclosure having a base and a lid hinged to the base with a hinge axis. The lid and base comprise one or more pairs of mutually repelling magnets with the two magnets of each pair offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis from one another and from the hinge axis. Themagnetizations of the two magnets of each pair are substantially opposite to one another and substantially parallel to the hinge axis. The one or more pairs of magnets generate and apply an opening and / or closing force to the lid, providing a relatively small system that can be substantially friction-free system, substantially noise-free, and / or substantially degradation- free over time.

[0018] The teachings detailed herein are applicable, in at least some implementations, to enclosures compatible with any type of implantable or non-implantable stimulation system or device (e.g., implantable or non-implantable sensory prosthesis device or system; implantable or non-implantable auditory prosthesis device or system; hearing device for hearing-impaired recipients; hearing device for non-hearing-impaired recipients). Certain implementations can be used in conjunction with hearing devices that are worn on the recipient’s head, in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE), or off the ear (OTE). For example, such hearing devices can include, but are not limited to: sound processing units for cochlear implant systems, middle ear actuator implant systems, or bone-anchored hearing aids; hearing aids; consumer wireless earbuds.

[0019] Merely for ease of description, apparatus and methods disclosed herein that are compatible for use with certain implementations described herein are primarily described with reference to an illustrative medical system comprising an implantable auditory prosthesis device (e.g., implantable transducer assembly) configured to generate and apply stimulation signals (e.g., electrical and vibrational) that are perceived by the recipient as sounds (e.g., evoking a hearing percept), examples of which include but are not limited to: electro-acoustic electrical / acoustic systems, cochlear implant devices, implantable hearing aid devices, middle ear implant devices, bone conduction devices (e.g., active bone conduction devices; passive bone conduction devices, percutaneous bone conduction devices; transcutaneous bone conduction devices), Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant (DACI), middle ear transducer (MET), electro-acoustic implant devices, other types of auditory prosthesis devices, and / or combinations or variations thereof, or any other suitable hearing prosthesis system with or without one or more external components. Implementations can include any type of auditory prosthesis that can utilize the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof. Certain such implementations can be referred to as “partially implantable,” “semi-implantable,” “mostly implantable,” “fully implantable,” or “totally implantable” auditory prostheses. In someimplementations, the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof can be utilized in other types of prostheses beyond auditory prostheses.

[0020] While certain implementations are described herein in the context of auditory prosthesis devices, certain other implementations are compatible with of other types of sensory prosthesis systems that are configured to evoke other types of neural or sensory (e.g., sight, tactile, smell, taste) percepts are compatible with certain implementations described herein, including but are not limited to: vestibular devices (e.g., vestibular implants), visual devices (e.g., bionic eyes), visual prostheses (e.g., retinal implants), somatosensory implants, and chemosensory implants. Certain other implementations are compatible with other types of medical devices that can utilize the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof to provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients, patients, or other users (e.g., neurostimulators; pacemakers; other medical implants comprising an implanted power source). Certain other implementations are compatible with other non-medical devices or system (e.g., consumer electronic devices).

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cochlear implant auditory prosthesis 100 implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The example auditory prosthesis 100 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising an implanted stimulator unit 120 and a microphone assembly 124 that is external to the recipient (e.g., a partially implantable cochlear implant). An example auditory prosthesis 100 (e.g., a totally implantable cochlear implant; a mostly implantable cochlear implant) in accordance with certain implementations described herein can replace the external microphone assembly 124 shown in FIG. 1 with a subcutaneously implantable microphone assembly, as described more fully herein.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the recipient has an outer ear 101, a middle ear 105, and an inner ear 107. In a fully functional ear, the outer ear 101 comprises an auricle 110 and an ear canal 102. An acoustic pressure or sound wave 103 is collected by the auricle 110 and is channeled into and through the ear canal 102. Disposed across the distal end of the ear canal 102 is a tympanic membrane 104 which vibrates in response to the sound wave 103. This vibration is coupled to oval window or fenestra ovalis 112 through three bones of middle ear 105, collectively referred to as the ossicles 106 and comprising the malleus 108, the incus 109, and the stapes 111. The bones 108, 109, and 111 of the middle ear 105 serve to filter andamplify the sound wave 103, causing the oval window 112 to articulate, or vibrate in response to vibration of the tympanic membrane 104. This vibration sets up waves of fluid motion of the perilymph within cochlea 140. Such fluid motion, in turn, activates tiny hair cells (not shown) inside the cochlea 140. Activation of the hair cells causes appropriate nerve impulses to be generated and transferred through the spiral ganglion cells (not shown) and auditory nerve 114 to the brain (also not shown) where they are perceived as sound.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the example auditory prosthesis 100 comprises one or more components which are temporarily or permanently implanted in the recipient. The example auditory prosthesis 100 is shown in FIG. 1 with an external component 142 which is directly or indirectly attached to the recipient’s body, and an internal component 144 which is temporarily or permanently implanted in the recipient (e.g., positioned in a recess of the temporal bone adjacent auricle 110 of the recipient). The external component 142 typically comprises one or more sound input elements (e.g., an external microphone 124) for detecting sound, a sound processing unit 126 (e.g., disposed in a Behind- The-Ear unit), a power source (not shown), and an external transmitter unit 128. In the illustrative implementations of FIG. 1, the external transmitter unit 128 comprises an external coil 130 (e.g., a wire antenna coil comprising multiple turns of electrically insulated single-strand or multi-strand platinum or gold wire) and, preferably, a magnet (not shown) secured directly or indirectly to the external coil 130. The external coil 130 of the external transmitter unit 128 is part of an inductive radio frequency (RF) communication link with the internal component 144. The sound processing unit 126 processes the output of the microphone 124 that is positioned externally to the recipient’s body, in the depicted implementation, by the recipient’s auricle 110. The sound processing unit 126 processes the output of the microphone 124 and generates encoded signals, sometimes referred to herein as encoded data signals, which are provided to the external transmitter unit 128 (e.g., via a cable). As will be appreciated, the sound processing unit 126 can utilize digital processing techniques to provide frequency shaping, amplification, compression, and other signal conditioning, including conditioning based on recipient-specific fitting parameters.

[0024] The power source of the external component 142 is configured to provide power to the auditory prosthesis 100, where the auditory prosthesis 100 includes a battery or other power storage device (e.g., circuitry located in the internal component 144, or disposedin a separate implanted location) that is recharged by the power provided from the external component 142 (e.g., via a transcutaneous energy transfer link). The transcutaneous energy transfer link is used to transfer power and / or data to the internal component 144 of the auditory prosthesis 100. Various types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), electromagnetic, capacitive, and inductive transfer, may be used to transfer the power and / or data from the external component 142 to the internal component 144. During operation of the auditory prosthesis 100, the power stored by the rechargeable battery is distributed to the various other implanted components as needed.

[0025] The internal component 144 comprises an internal receiver unit 132, a stimulator unit 120, and an elongate electrode assembly 118. In some implementations, the internal receiver unit 132 and the stimulator unit 120 are hermetically sealed within a biocompatible housing. The internal receiver unit 132 comprises an internal coil 136 (e.g., a wire antenna coil comprising multiple turns of electrically insulated single-strand or multistrand platinum or gold wire), and preferably, a magnet (also not shown) fixed relative to the internal coil 136. The internal receiver unit 132 and the stimulator unit 120 are hermetically sealed within a biocompatible housing, sometimes collectively referred to as a stimulator / receiver unit. The internal coil 136 receives power and / or data signals from the external coil 130 via a transcutaneous energy transfer link (e.g., an inductive RF link). The stimulator unit 120 generates electrical stimulation signals based on the data signals, and the stimulation signals are delivered to the recipient via the elongate electrode assembly 118.

[0026] The elongate electrode assembly 118 has a proximal end connected to the stimulator unit 120, and a distal end implanted in the cochlea 140. The electrode assembly 118 extends from the stimulator unit 120 to the cochlea 140 through the mastoid bone 119. In some implementations, the electrode assembly 118 may be implanted at least in the basal region 116, and sometimes further. For example, the electrode assembly 118 may extend towards apical end of cochlea 140, referred to as cochlea apex 134. In certain circumstances, the electrode assembly 118 may be inserted into the cochlea 140 via a cochleostomy 122. In other circumstances, a cochleostomy may be formed through the round window 121, the oval window 112, the promontory 123, or through an apical turn 147 of the cochlea 140.

[0027] The elongate electrode assembly 118 comprises a longitudinally aligned and distally extending array 146 of electrodes or contacts 148, sometimes referred to asel ectrode or contact array 146 herein, disposed along a length thereof. Although the electrode array 146 can be disposed on the electrode assembly 118, in most practical applications, the electrode array 146 is integrated into the electrode assembly 118 (e.g., the electrode array 146 is disposed in the electrode assembly 118). As noted, the stimulator unit 120 generates stimulation signals which are applied by the electrodes 148 to the cochlea 140, thereby stimulating the auditory nerve 114.

[0028] While FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an auditory prosthesis 100 utilizing an external component 142 comprising an external microphone 124, an external sound processing unit 126, and an external power source, in certain other implementations, one or more of the microphone 124, sound processing unit 126, and power source are implantable on or within the recipient (e.g., within the internal component 144). For example, the auditory prosthesis 100 can have each of the microphone 124, sound processing unit 126, and power source implantable on or within the recipient (e.g., encapsulated within a biocompatible assembly located subcutaneously), and can be referred to as a totally implantable cochlear implant (“HCI”). For another example, the auditory prosthesis 100 can have most components of the cochlear implant (e.g., excluding the microphone, which can be an in-the-ear-canal microphone) implantable on or within the recipient, and can be referred to as a mostly implantable cochlear implant (“MIQ”).

[0029] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example fully implantable auditory prosthesis 200 (e.g., fully implantable middle ear implant or totally implantable acoustic system), implanted in a recipient, utilizing an acoustic actuator in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The example auditory prosthesis 200 of FIG. 2 comprises a biocompatible implantable assembly 202 (e.g., comprising an implantable capsule) located subcutaneously (e.g., beneath the recipient’s skin and on a recipient's skull). While FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example implantable assembly 202 comprising a microphone, in other example auditory prostheses 200, a pendant microphone can be used (e.g., connected to the implantable assembly 202 by a cable). The implantable assembly 202 includes a signal receiver 204 (e.g., comprising a coil element) and an acoustic transducer (e.g., a microphone assembly 206 comprising a diaphragm and an electret or piezoelectric transducer) that is positioned to receive acoustic signals through the recipient’s overlying tissue. The implantable assembly 202 may further be utilized to house a number ofcomponents of the fully implantable auditory prosthesis 200. For example, the implantable assembly 202 can include a power storage device (e.g., battery or other power storage circuitry) and a signal processor (e.g., a sound processing unit). Various additional processing logic and / or circuitry components can also be included in the implantable assembly 202 as a matter of design choice.

[0030] For the example auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2, the signal processor of the implantable assembly 202 is in operative communication (e.g., electrically interconnected via a wire 208) with an actuator 210 (e.g., comprising a transducer configured to generate mechanical vibrations in response to electrical signals from the signal processor). In certain implementations, the example auditory prosthesis 100, 200 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 can comprise an implantable microphone assembly, such as the microphone assembly 206 shown in FIG. 2. For such an example auditory prosthesis 100, the signal processor of the implantable assembly 202 can be in operative communication (e.g., electrically interconnected via a wire) with the microphone assembly 206 and the stimulator unit 120 of the main implantable component. In certain implementations, at least one of the microphone assembly 206 and the signal processor (e.g., a sound processing unit) is implanted on or within the recipient.

[0031] The actuator 210 of the example auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2 is supportably connected to a positioning system 212, which in turn, is connected to a bone anchor 214 mounted within the recipient's mastoid process (e.g., via a hole drilled through the skull). The actuator 210 includes a connection apparatus 216 for connecting the actuator 210 to the ossicles 106 of the recipient. In a connected state, the connection apparatus 216 provides a communication path for acoustic stimulation of the ossicles 106 (e.g., through transmission of vibrations from the actuator 210 to the incus 109).

[0032] During normal operation, ambient acoustic signals (e.g., ambient sound) impinge on the recipient’s tissue and are received transcutaneously at the microphone assembly 206. Upon receipt of the transcutaneous signals, a signal processor within the implantable assembly 202 processes the signals to provide a processed audio drive signal via wire 208 to the actuator 210. As will be appreciated, the signal processor may utilize digital processing techniques to provide frequency shaping, amplification, compression, and other signal conditioning, including conditioning based on recipient-specific fitting parameters. The audiodrive signal causes the actuator 210 to transmit vibrations at acoustic frequencies to the connection apparatus 216 to affect the desired sound sensation via mechanical stimulation of the incus 109 of the recipient.

[0033] The subcutaneously implantable microphone assembly 202 is configured to respond to auditory signals (e.g., sound; pressure variations in an audible frequency range) by generating output signals (e.g., electrical signals; optical signals; electromagnetic signals) indicative of the auditory signals received by the microphone assembly 202, and these output signals are used by the auditory prosthesis 100, 200 to generate stimulation signals which are provided to the recipient’s auditory system. To compensate for the decreased acoustic signal strength reaching the microphone assembly 202 by virtue of being implanted, the diaphragm of an implantable microphone assembly 202 can be configured to provide higher sensitivity than are external non-implantable microphone assemblies. For example, the diaphragm of an implantable microphone assembly 202 can be configured to be more robust and / or larger than diaphragms for external non-implantable microphone assemblies.

[0034] FIG. 3 schematically illustrate a portion of an example transcutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis 300 implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein. As schematically illustrated by FIG. 3, the example transcutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis 300 comprises an external device component and an implantable component 306. The auditory prosthesis 300 is an active transcutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis in that the vibrating actuator 308 is located in the implantable component 306. For example, a vibratory element in the form of a vibrating actuator 308 is located in a housing 310 of the implantable component 306. In certain implementations, the vibrating actuator 308 is a device that converts electrical signals into vibration. The vibrating actuator 308 can be in direct contact with the outer surface of the recipient’s bone 196 (e.g., the vibrating actuator 308 is in substantial contact with the recipient’s bone 196 such that vibration forces from the vibrating actuator 308 are communicated from the vibrating actuator 308 to the recipient’s bone 196). In certain implementations, there can be one or more thin non-bone tissue layers (e.g., a silicone layer 324) between the vibrating actuator 308 and the recipient’s bone 196 (e.g., bone tissue; skull bone) while still permitting sufficient support so as to allow efficient communication of the vibration forces generated by the vibrating actuator 308 to the recipient’s bone 196.

[0035] In certain implementations, the external component 304 includes a sound input element 326 that converts sound into electrical signals. Specifically, the auditory prosthesis 300 provides these electrical signals to the vibrating actuator 308, or to a sound processor (not shown) that processes the electrical signals, and then provides those processed signals to the implantable component 306 through the tissue of the recipient (e.g., skin 190, fat 192, muscle 194) via a magnetic inductance link. For example, a communication coil 332 of the external component 304 can transmit these signals to an implanted communication coil 334 located in a housing 336 of the implantable component 306. Components (not shown) in the housing 336, such as, for example, a signal generator or an implanted sound processor, then generate electrical signals to be delivered to the vibrating actuator 308 via electrical lead assembly 338. The vibrating actuator 308 converts the electrical signals into vibrations. In certain implementations, the vibrating actuator 308 can be positioned with such proximity to the housing 336 that the electrical leads 338 are not present (e.g., the housing 310 and the housing 336 are the same single housing containing the vibrating actuator 308, the communication coil 334, and other components, such as, for example, a signal generator or a sound processor).

[0036] In certain implementations, the vibrating actuator 308 is mechanically coupled to the housing 310. The housing 310 and the vibrating actuator 308 collectively form a vibrating element. The housing 310 can be substantially rigidly attached to a bone fixture 318.

[0037] In this regard, the housing 310 can include a through hole 320 that is contoured to the outer contours of the bone fixture 318. The screw 322 can be used to secure the housing 310 to the bone fixture 318. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the head of the screw 322 is larger than the through hole 320 of the housing 310, and thus the screw 322 positively retains the housing 310 to the bone fixture 318. A portion of the screw 322 interfaces with the bone fixture 318, thus permitting the screw 322 to readily fit into an existing bone fixture 318 used in a percutaneous bone conduction device (or an existing passive bone conduction device). In certain implementations, the screw 322 is configured so that the same tools and procedures that are used to install and / or remove an abutment screw from the bone fixture 318 can be used to install and / or remove the screw 322 from the bone fixture 318.

[0038] The bone fixture 318 can be made of any material that has a known ability to integrate into surrounding bone tissue (e.g., comprising a material that exhibits acceptable osseointegration characteristics). In certain implementations, the bone fixture 318 is formed from a single piece of material (e.g., titanium) and comprises outer screw threads forming a male screw which is configured to be installed into the skull bone 196 and a flange configured to function as a stop when the fixture 318 is implanted into the skull bone 196. The screw threads can have a maximum diameter of about 3.5 mm to about 5.0 mm, and the flange can have a diameter which exceeds the maximum diameter of the screw threads (e.g., by approximately 10%-20%). The flange can have a planar bottom surface for resting against the outer bone surface, when the fixture 318 has been screwed down into the skull bone 196. The flange prevents the fixture 318 (e.g., the screw threads) from potentially completely penetrating completely through the bone 196.

[0039] The body of the fixture 318 can have a length sufficient to securely anchor the fixture 318 to the skull bone 196 without penetrating entirely through the skull bone 196. The length of the body can therefore depend on the thickness of the skull bone 196 at the implantation site. For example, the fixture 318 can have a length, measured from the planar bottom surface of the flange to the end of the distal region (e.g., the portion farthest from the flange), that is no greater than 5 mm or between about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm, which limits and / or prevents the possibility that the fixture 318 might go completely through the skull bone 196. The interior of the fixture 318 can further include an inner lower bore having female screw threads configured to mate with male screw threads of the screw 322 to the fixture 318. The fixture 318 can further include an inner upper bore that receives a bottom portion of the abutment 312.

[0040] The example auditory prostheses 100 shown in FIG. 1 utilizes an external microphone 124, the auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2 utilizes an implantable microphone assembly 206 comprising a subcutaneously implantable acoustic transducer, and the example transcutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis 300 of FIG. 3 comprises an external sound input element 326 (e.g., external microphone). In certain implementations described herein, a subcutaneously implantable sound input assembly (e.g., implanted microphone) is used with the auditory prostheses 100, 200, 300 and / or one or more external microphone assemblies is used with the auditory prostheses 100, 200, 300. In certainimplementations, an external microphone assembly can be used to supplement an implantable microphone assembly of the auditory prosthesis 100, 200, 300. Thus, the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof can be utilized with any type of external or implantable microphone arrangement, and the acoustic prostheses 100, 200, 300 shown in FIGs. 1, 2, and 3 are merely illustrative.

[0041] FIGs. 4A-4C schematically illustrate various views of an example apparatus 400 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of the example apparatus 400, FIG. 4B is a perspective assembled view of the example apparatus 400 in an open configuration, and FIG. 4C is a schematic view of selected components of the example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4B.

[0042] The apparatus 400 comprises a first housing portion 410 comprising at least one first magnet 412 each having a first magnetization direction 414 and a second housing portion 420 configured to be rotated relative to the first housing portion 410 about a rotation axis 430. The second housing portion 420 comprises at least one second magnet 422 each having a second magnetization direction 424. Each first magnet 412 of the at least one first magnet 412 has a corresponding non-zero first offset 416 from the rotation axis 430 and each second magnet 422 of the at least one second magnet 422 has a corresponding non-zero second offset 426 from the rotation axis 430. The at least one first magnet 412 and the at least one second magnet 422 are positioned such that the first magnetization direction 414 and the second magnetization direction 424 of each pair 440 of first and second magnets 412,422 are substantially parallel to the rotation axis 430 and the first and second magnets 412,422 of a pair 440 generate a repulsive force therebetween.

[0043] In certain implementations, the first housing portion 410 comprises a base of an enclosure and the second housing portion 420 comprises a lid of the enclosure (see, e.g., FIGs. 4A and 4B). For example, the enclosure can comprise a region configured to receive at least one external component (e.g., external component 142; external component 304; external sound processor; hearing aid) of a stimulation system configured to provide stimulation signals to a recipient when the at least one external component is worn by the recipient. For a sensory stimulation system, the stimulation signals can be configured to be received and perceived by the recipient as sensory information. Examples of sensory stimulation systems include but are not limited to: auditory prosthesis systems (e.g., cochlear implant system; middle ear implantsystem; bone conduction system); sound delivery system (e.g., earbud or wearable speaker); vestibular devices or implant systems; visual prosthesis systems (e.g., bionic eyes; retinal implants). The enclosure can be configured to interact with the at least one external component (e.g., receive and / or transmit instructions, data, and / or information; provide charging power to a battery of the at least one external component) while the at least one external component is not being worn by a recipient.

[0044] In certain implementations, at least one hinge is formed by the first housing portion 410, the second housing portion 420, and / or a portion mechanically coupled to both the first and second housing portions 410,420, and the at least one hinge comprises the rotation axis 430. For example, the apparatus 400 can comprise an elongate structure 432 (e.g., pin; rod) comprising a central axis colinear with the rotation axis 430, the elongate structure 432 extending at least partially through the first and second housing portions 410,420 (e.g., completely through a hole of one of the first and second housing portions 410,420 and partially through at least one hole of the other of the first and second housing portions 410,420). The elongate structure 432 and at least some of the holes can have substantially circular cross- sectional shapes in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430 such that the second housing portion 420 is manually (e.g., controllab ly) rotatable about the rotation axis 430 relative to the first housing portion 410. For another example, at least one of the first and second housing portions 410, 420 can comprise one or more protrusions (e.g., pins; rods) and the other one of the first and second housing portions 410, 420 can comprise one or more corresponding recesses (e.g., holes) configured to receive one or more corresponding protrusions. The one or more protrusions and one or more recesses can have substantially circular cross-sectional shapes in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430 such that the second housing portion 420 is manually rotatable (e.g., controllably) about the rotation axis 430 relative to the first housing portion 410. For another example, the rotation axis 430 can comprise a portion of a flexible structure (e.g., flap) that is mechanically coupled to both the first and second housing portions 410,420. The flexible structure can be configured to allow the second housing portion 420 to be manually (e.g., controllably) rotatable about the rotation axis 430 relative to the first housing portion 410.

[0045] In certain implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 comprises at least one first ferromagnetic material (e.g., selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel,neodymium, cobalt, and steel) and the at least one second magnet 422 comprises at least one second ferromagnetic material (e.g., selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, neodymium, cobalt, and steel). In certain implementations, the at least one first ferromagnetic material and the at least one second ferromagnetic material are substantially identical to one another, while in certain other implementations, the at least one first ferromagnetic material and the at least one second ferromagnetic material are substantially different from one another. In certain implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 and / or the at least one second magnet 422 comprises a permanent magnet, while in certain other implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 and / or the at least one second magnet 422 comprises an electromagnet.

[0046] In certain implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 and / or the at least one second magnet 422 comprises a unitary member (e.g., a single element that cannot be easily separated into multiple portions without damaging the single element), while in certain other implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 and / or the at least one second magnet 422 comprises a plurality of elements (e.g., magnetic portions) that are configured to be reversibly and repeatedly separated from and rejoined to one another without damaging the plurality of elements.

[0047] In certain implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 and / or the at least one second magnet 422 comprises an axially magnetized permanent magnet (e.g., dipole magnet with north and south poles arranged along the axial direction; magnetic moment substantially along a longitudinal axis of the permanent magnet) having a cylindrical shape with a cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular; oval, elliptical; square; rectangular; polygonal; geometric; irregular; symmetric; non-symmetric) and width (e.g., diameter) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the permanent magnet with straight, curved, or irregular sides extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. For example, the at least one first magnet 412 can comprise a first permanent magnet having a right cylindrical shape having a first width Wi substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430 and a first height Hi substantially parallel to the rotation axis 430 (e.g., along a longitudinal axis of the first permanent magnet), and the at least one second magnet 422 can comprise a second permanent magnet having a right cylindrical shape having a second width W2 substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430 and a second height H2 substantially parallel to the rotation axis 430 (e.g., along a longitudinal axis of the second permanent magnet). The firstand second widths Wi, W2 can each be in a range of 2 millimeters to 8 millimeters and / or the first and second heights Hi, H2 can each be in a range of 2 millimeters to 30 millimeters. In certain implementations, the first and second widths Wi, W2 are substantially equal to one another and the first and second heights Hi, H2 are substantially equal to one another, while in certain other implementations, the first and second widths Wi, W2 are substantially different from one another (e.g., the second width W2 less than the first width Wi) and / or the first and second heights Hi, H2 are substantially different from one another. Other shapes and / or sizes of the permanent magnet are also compatible with certain implementations described herein.

[0048] In certain implementations, the at least one first magnet 412 comprises a plurality of first magnets 412, the at least one second magnet 422 comprises a plurality of second magnets 422, and the at least one pair 440 of first and second magnets 412,422 comprises a plurality of pairs 440 of first and second magnets 412,422. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a first pair 440a comprises an axially magnetized first magnet 412a (e.g., dipole magnet having two opposite poles positioned such that the first magnetization direction 414 is substantially parallel to the central axis of the first magnet 412a) and an axially magnetized second magnet 422a (e.g., dipole magnet having two opposite poles positioned such that the second magnetization direction 424 is substantially parallel to the central axis of the second magnet 422a) and a second pair 440b comprises an axially magnetized first magnet 412b and an axially magnetized second magnet 422b. Each of the first pair 440a and the second pair 440b can be arranged such that the first magnetization direction 414 and the second magnetization direction 424 are substantially anti-parallel to one another (e.g., the two opposite poles of the first magnet 412 and the two opposite poles of the second magnet 422 are oriented such a pole of the first magnet 412 substantially faces a pole with the same polarity of the second magnet 422; see, e.g., FIG. 4C) thereby creating a first repulsive force between the first and second magnets 412a, 422a of the first pair 440a and a second repulsive force between the first and second magnets 412b, 422b of the second pair 440b. For example, the north poles of the first and second magnets 412,422 can face one another or the south poles of the first and second magnets 412,422 can face one another.

[0049] In certain implementations, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 4C, the first magnet 412 of a pair 440 of first and second magnets 412,422 has a non-zero first offset 416 from the rotation axis 430 (e.g., distance between the central axis of the first magnet 412 andthe rotation axis 430) and the second magnet 422 of the pair 440 of first and second magnets412,422 has a non-zero second offset 426 from the rotation axis 430 (e.g., distance between the central axis of the second magnet 422 and the rotation axis 430). The first and second offsets 416,426 can each be in a range of 1 millimeter to 12 millimeters. In certain implementations, the first and second offsets 416,426 of a pair 440 of first and second magnets412,422 are substantially equal to one another, while in certain other implementations, the first and second offsets 416,426 are substantially different from one another (e.g., the second offset 426 greater than the first offset 416). In certain implementations, at least two different pairs 440 of first and second magnets 412, 422 have first offsets 416 that are substantially equal to one another and / or second offsets 426 that are substantially equal to one another, while in certain other implementations, at least two different pairs 440 of first and second magnets 412, 422 have first offsets 416 that are substantially different from one another and / or second offsets 426 that are substantially different from one another.

[0050] In certain implementations, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 4B, the at least one first magnet 412 and the at least one second magnet 422 are arranged as a first pair 440a of first and second magnets 412a, 422a positioned in proximity to a first end portion of the elongate structure 432 and a second pair 440b of first and second magnets 412b, 422b positioned in proximity to a second end portion of the elongate structure 432, the second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The one or both of the first and second magnets412,422 can overlap the respective end portion of the elongate structure 432 (see, e.g., FIG. 4C) or one or both of the first and second magnets 412,422 can be positioned beyond the respective end portion of the elongate structure 432.

[0051] FIGs. 5A-5C schematically illustrate three other example apparatus 400 comprising a single first magnet 412 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. As shown in FIG. 5 A, the first magnet 412 and a single second magnet 422 are arranged as a pair 440 positioned in proximity to an end portion of the elongate structure 432. As shown in FIG. 5B, the first magnet 412 and a single second magnet 422 are arranged as a pair 440 positioned in proximity to a center portion of the elongate structure 432. As shown in FIG. 5C, the first magnet 412 extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis 430 (e.g., centered with a center portion of the elongate structure 432) and two second magnets 422a, b are positioned in proximity to corresponding end portions of the elongate structure 432. The firstmagnet 412 and one second magnet 422a are arranged as a first pair 440a of first and second magnets 412,422a and the first magnet 412 and the other second magnet 422b are arranged as a second pair 440b of first and second magnets 412,422b.

[0052] The example apparatus 400 of FIGs. 5 A and 5B can be described as being axially unbalanced (e.g., the summed components in the axial direction of the repelling forces from the one or more pairs 440 is non-zero), while the example apparatus 400 of FIGs. 4B and 5C can be described as being axially balanced (e.g., the summed components in the axial direction of the repelling forces from the one or more pairs 440 is substantially equal to zero). The axially balanced apparatus 400 can produce less abrasion or wear of the elongate structure 432 (e.g., due to the repulsive forces of the first and second magnets 412,422 counteracting one another) during repeated opening and closing of the apparatus 400 as compared to an axially unbalanced apparatus 400.

[0053] FIGs. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate side views of an example apparatus 400 in a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein. In the closed configuration, a region is substantially enclosed by the first and second housing portions 410, 420, and in the open configuration, the region is substantially not enclosed by the first and second housing portions 410,420. FIGs. 7A-7C schematically illustrate cross-sectional side views of a pair 440 of first and second magnets 412,422 with the apparatus 400 in the closed configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 6A), in an intermediate configuration between the closed and open configurations, and the open configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 6B), respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein. In each of FIGs. 7A-7C, the first housing portion 410 and the first magnet 412 are affixed to the elongate structure 432, and the second housing portion 420 and the second magnet 422 are affixed to one another and are configured to rotate (e.g., controllably) about the rotation axis 430 (e.g., the elongate structure 432). While FIGs. 7A- 7C show the first and second magnets 412,422 as being substantially identical to one another with substantially equal first and second offsets 416,426 from the rotation axis 340, in certain other implementations, the first and second magnets 412,422 can differ from one another and / or can have different non-zero offsets from the rotation axis 430 as one another.

[0054] In the closed configuration of FIGs. 6A and 7A (e.g., the second housing portion 420 in a first orientation), the second magnet 422 has a non-zero repulsive force firstmagnitude component 450a generated by the magnetic interaction with the first magnet 412, the first magnitude component 450a in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430. The first magnitude component 450a in the closed configuration applies a first torque (e.g., substantially equal to the vector cross product of the second offset 426 and the first magnitude component 450a) to the second magnet 422 which biases the second housing portion 420 to remain in the closed configuration (e.g., absent sufficiently strong counteracting forces and / or torques being applied to the second magnet 422 and / or the second housing portion 420). In this way, the repulsive force between the first and second magnets 412,422 can hold the second housing portion 420 in the first orientation.

[0055] In the open configuration of FIGs. 6B and 7C (e.g., the second housing portion 420 in a second orientation), the second magnet 422 has a non-zero repulsive force second magnitude component 450b generated by the magnetic interaction with the first magnet 412, the second magnitude component 450b in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430. The second magnitude component 450b in the open configuration applies a second torque (e.g., substantially equal to the vector cross product of the second offset 426 and the second magnitude component 450b) to the second magnet 422 which biases the second housing portion 420 to remain in the open configuration (e.g., absent sufficiently strong counteracting forces and / or torques being applied to the second magnet 422 and / or the second housing portion 420). In this way, the repulsive force between the first and second magnets 412,422 can hold the second housing portion 420 in the second orientation. In certain implementations, the second magnitude component 450b is substantially equal to the first magnitude component 450a, while in certain other implementations, the second magnitude component 450b is substantially different from the first magnitude component 450a.

[0056] In the intermediate configuration of FIG. 7B (e.g., the second housing portion 420 in a third orientation between the first and second orientations), the second magnet 422 has a non-zero repulsive force third magnitude component 450c generated by the magnetic interaction with the first magnet 412, the third magnitude component 450c in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 430, the third magnitude and the third direction dependent on the position of the second magnet 422 relative to the first magnet 412. The third magnitude component 450c in the intermediate configuration applies a third torque (e.g., substantially equal to the vector cross product of the second offset 426 and the third magnitudecomponent 450c) to the second magnet 422. For third orientations in which the second housing portion 420 is closer to the first orientation than to the second orientation, the third torque rotates the second housing portion 420 towards the closed configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 7A). For third orientations in which the second housing portion 420 is closer to the second orientation than to the first orientation, the third torque rotates the second housing portion 420 towards the open configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 7C). In this way, depending on the position of the second magnet 422 relative to the first magnet 412, the repulsive force between the first and second magnets 412,422 rotates the second housing portion 420 either to the first orientation or the second orientation.

[0057] FIG. 7D schematically illustrates the magnetic potential energy between the magnetic repulsion of the first and second magnets 412, 422 as a function of the orientation of the second housing portion 420 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The closed configuration of FIG. 7A and the open configuration of FIG. 7C correspond to local minima of the magnetic potential energy (e.g., local minima of the repulsive force magnitude component 450 and the corresponding magnetically-generated torque) and the intermediate configuration of FIG. 7B corresponds to a local maximum of the magnetic potential energy (e.g., local maximum of the repulsive force magnitude component 450 and the corresponding magnetically-generated torque).

[0058] As an external (e.g., manual) force is applied to the second housing portion 420 in the closed configuration (e.g., the first orientation of FIG. 7A), the corresponding externally-applied torque rotates the second housing portion 420 from the closed configuration towards the open configuration (e.g., the second orientation shown in FIG. 7C) through a range of third orientations. The distance between the first and second magnets 412,422 becomes smaller and the repulsive force magnitude component 450 and the corresponding magnetically- generated torque becomes larger, due to the inverse relationship of distance between two magnets and the magnetic force magnitude, reaching their maximum values in the intermediate configuration of FIG. 7B (e.g., in which the cross-sectional overlap between the first and second magnets 412,422 and the magnetic potential energy are greatest).

[0059] Once the external force and corresponding externally-applied torque overcome the maximum repulsive force magnitude component 450c and maximum magnetically-generated torque such that the second housing portion 420 is rotated to pass theintermediate configuration of FIG. 7B, the repulsive force magnitude component 450c and the corresponding magnetically-generated torque both switch to the opposite direction and continue to rotate the second housing portion 420 further towards the open configuration (e.g., without further application of the external force or the corresponding externally-applied torque), until the second housing portion 420 reaches the open configuration (e.g., the second housing portion 420 “snaps” to the open configuration, driven by the repulsive force and the corresponding torque).

[0060] Similarly, as an external (e.g., manual) force is applied to the second housing portion 420 in the open configuration, the corresponding externally-applied torque rotates the second housing portion 420 from the open configuration towards the closed configuration through the range of third orientations, the distance between the first and second magnets 412,422 becomes smaller and the repulsive force magnitude component 450 and the corresponding magnetically-generated torque becomes larger. Once the external force and corresponding externally-applied torque overcome the maximum repulsive force magnitude component 450c and maximum magnetically-generated torque such that the second housing portion 420 is rotated to pass the intermediate configuration of FIG. 7B, the repulsive force magnitude component 450c and the corresponding magnetically-generated torque both switch to the opposite direction and continue to rotate the second housing portion 420 further towards the closed configuration (e.g., without further application of the external force or the corresponding externally-applied torque), until the second housing portion 420 reaches the closed configuration (e.g., the second housing portion 420 “snaps” to the closed configuration, driven by the repulsive force and the corresponding torque).

[0061] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method 800 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. While the method 800 is described by referring to some of the structures of the example apparatus 400 described herein, other apparatus and systems with other configurations of components can also be used to perform the method 800 in accordance with certain implementations described herein.

[0062] In an operational block 810, the method 800 accessing an enclosure comprising a base (e.g., first housing portion 410) and a lid (e.g., second housing portion 420) rotatably coupled to one another by a hinge (e.g., elongate structure 432) having an axis (e.g., rotation axis 430). For example, the enclosure can comprise a region configured to receive atleast one sound processor of an auditory prosthesis. The base comprising an axially magnetized first magnet (e.g., at least one first magnet 412) offset from the axis and having a first magnetic moment (e.g., first magnetization direction 414) substantially parallel to the axis. The lid comprises an axially magnetized second magnet (e.g., at least one second magnet 422) offset from the axis and having a second magnetic moment (e.g., second magnetization direction 424) substantially parallel to the axis. The first and second magnets mutually repel one another. In certain implementations, the first magnetic moment and the second magnetic moment have magnitudes that are substantially equal to one another, while in certain other implementations, the first and second magnetic moments have substantially different magnitudes.

[0063] In an operational block 820, the method 800 further comprises manually opening the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that a distance between the first and second magnets is reduced. For example, the lid can be manually rotated until the distance between the first and second magnets reaches a minimum value, and the mutual repulsion of the first and second magnets can further rotatably move the lid to a fully open position without further manually-applied force or torque.

[0064] In an operational block 830, the method 800 further comprises manually closing the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that the distance between the first and second magnets is reduced. For example, the lid can be manually rotated until the distance between the first and second magnets reaches a minimum value, and the mutual repulsion of the first and second magnets can further rotatably move the lid to a fully closed position without further manually-applied force or torque.

[0065] Although commonly used terms are used to describe the systems and methods of certain implementations for ease of understanding, these terms are used herein to have their broadest reasonable interpretations. Although various aspects of the disclosure are described with regard to illustrative examples and implementations, the disclosed examples and implementations should not be construed as limiting. Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply thatfeatures, elements and / or steps are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a nonexclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

[0066] It is to be appreciated that the implementations disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and may be combined with one another in various arrangements. In addition, although the disclosed methods and apparatuses have largely been described in the context of various devices, various implementations described herein can be incorporated in a variety of other suitable devices, methods, and contexts. More generally, as can be appreciated, certain implementations described herein can be used in a variety of implantable medical device contexts that can benefit from certain attributes described herein.

[0067] Language of degree, as used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially,” represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within ± 10% of, within ± 5% of, within ± 2% of, within ± 1% of, or within ± 0.1% of the stated amount. As another example, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by ± 10 degrees, by ± 5 degrees, by ± 2 degrees, by ± 1 degree, or by ± 0.1 degree, and the terms “generally perpendicular” and “substantially perpendicular” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly perpendicular by ± 10 degrees, by ± 5 degrees, by ± 2 degrees, by ± 1 degree, or by ± 0.1 degree. The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “said” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “into” and “on,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0068] While the methods and systems are discussed herein in terms of elements labeled by ordinal adjectives (e.g., first, second, etc.), the ordinal adjective are used merely as labels to distinguish one element from another (e.g., one signal from another or one circuit from one another), and the ordinal adjective is not used to denote an order of these elements or of their use.

[0069] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific example implementations herein disclosed, since these implementations are intended as illustrations, and not limitations, of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent implementations are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in form and detail, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the claims. The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the example implementations disclosed herein but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: a first housing portion comprising at least one first magnet each having a first magnetization direction; and a second housing portion configured to be rotated relative to the first housing portion about a rotation axis, the second housing portion comprising at least one second magnet each having a second magnetization direction, each first magnet of the at least one first magnet having a corresponding non- zero first offset from the rotation axis, each second magnet of the at least one second magnet having a corresponding non-zero second offset from the rotation axis, the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet arranged in at least one pair of first and second magnets such that the first magnetization direction and the second magnetization direction of each pair of first and second magnets are substantially parallel to the rotation axis and the first and second magnets of a pair generate a repulsive force therebetween.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be rotated among at least three orientations comprising: a first orientation in which the repulsive force has a first magnitude component in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis; a second orientation in which the repulsive force has a second magnitude component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, the second direction substantially different from the first direction; and a third orientation in which the repulsive force has a third magnitude component in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, the third orientation between the first and second orientations, the third magnitude component greater than the first magnitude component and greater than the second magnitude component.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first magnitude component of the first orientation generates a first torque on the second housing portion about the rotation axis, and the second magnitude component of the second orientation generates a second torque on the second housing portion about the rotation axis, the second torque substantially opposite to the first torque.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first torque biases the second housing portion to remain in the first orientation, and the second torque biases the second housing portion to remain in the second orientation.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the repulsive force of the third orientation generates a third torque on the second housing portion about the rotation axis, the second housing portion responsive to the third torque by rotating towards either the first orientation or the second orientation.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first housing portion comprises a base of an enclosure and the second housing portion comprises a lid of the enclosure, the first orientation corresponding to the enclosure being closed, the second orientation corresponding to the enclosure being open, and the third orientation corresponding to the enclosure being partly open and / or partly closed.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one first magnet comprises a plurality of first magnets, the at least one second magnet comprises a plurality of second magnets, and the at least one pair comprises a plurality of pairs of first and second magnets, the first and second magnets of a pair having the repulsive force therebetween.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a pin extending at least partially through the first housing portion and at least partially through the second housing portion, the pin colinear with the rotation axis.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one first magnet is offset from the rotation axis by a first distance and the at least one second magnet is offset from the rotation axis by a second distance different from the first distance.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one first magnet is offset from the rotation axis by a first distance and the at least one second magnet is offset from the rotation axis by a second distance substantially equal to the first distance.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one first magnet has a first width substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and the at least one second magnet has a second width substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, the second width less than the first width.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one first magnet is axially magnetized and the at least one second magnet is axially magnetized.

13. An apparatus comprising: a base portion; a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge, the lid portion configured to be controllably rotated about an axis of the hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation; and at least one pair of magnets comprising a first magnet mounted to the base portion and a second magnet mounted to the lid portion, the first and second magnets having magnetic moments that are substantially parallel to the axis and configured such that a magnetic potential energy of the first and second magnets has a first value with the lid portion at the first orientation, a second value with the lid portion at the second orientation, and a third value with the lid portion between the first and second orientation, the third value greater than the first value and greater than the second value.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a region is enclosed by the lid portion and the base portion with the lid portion at the first orientation, and the region is not enclosed by the lid portion and the base portion with the lid portion at the second orientation.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the first and second magnets are axially magnetized dipole magnets.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are substantially identical to one another.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet have different dimensions and / or materials from one another.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the first and second values are local minima of the magnetic potential energy and the third value is a local maximum of the magnetic potential energy.

19. A method comprising: accessing an enclosure comprising a base and a lid rotatably coupled to one another by a hinge having an axis, the base comprising an axially magnetized first magnet offset from the axis and having a first magnetic moment substantially parallel to the axis, the lid comprising an axially magnetized second magnet offset from theaxis and having a second magnetic moment substantially parallel to the axis, the first and second magnets mutually repelling one another; manually opening the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that a distance between the first and second magnets is reduced; and manually closing the enclosure by rotatably moving the lid such that the distance between the first and second magnets is reduced.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first magnetic moment and the second magnetic moment have magnitudes that are substantially equal to one another.

21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein enclosure comprises a region configured to receive at least one sound processor of an auditory prosthesis.

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