Reducing effect of magnetic and electromagnetic fields on an implant's magnet and/or electronics
First Claim
1. An implant comprising:
- a housing; and
at least one magnet free to turn in the housing such that the at least one magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts. The body and the implantable magnet are positioned such that the body is shifted to one of the first position and the second position as a function of the external magnetic field resulting in a magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetically soft body.
83 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An implant comprising:
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a housing; and
at least one magnet free to turn in the housing such that the at least one magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An implant comprising:
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a magnet adapted to be magnetically attracted to a non-implanted magnet of an external device so as to hold the external device in a desired position relative to the implant; and
a magnetically soft material partially surrounding the magnet so as to reduce the torque and/or demagnetization of the magnet caused by an external magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A magnetic switch comprising:
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a housing;
at least one spring contact, each contact including a pin for driving the contact; and
a magnet free to rotate in the housing such that the magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field, the magnet including at least one recessed region, the magnet and the pin positioned such that the magnet contacts and drive the pin when the pin is not aligned with one of the at least one recessed regions, the pin not being driven when the pin is aligned with one of the at least one recessed regions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An implant comprising:
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a housing;
a magnet positioned within the housing, the magnet free to rotate such that the magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field; and
a magnetically soft body coupled to the housing, the magnetically soft body positioned adjacent the magnet so as to provide a path of low reluctance to the magnet. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An implant comprising:
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a housing; and
a volume of Ferrofluid located within the housing, wherein the Ferrofluid becomes magnetized in the direction of an external magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification