Adjustable magnetic supercutaneous device and transcutaneous coupling apparatus

• US 4,736,747 A
• Filed: 04/11/1986
• Issued: 04/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Corporation (Cochlear Limited)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Drake, Gerald Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US06/850,868
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 128/654, 128/639, 128/1.3, 128/1 R, 128/419 R, 128/783, 179/107 BC, 179/107 E, 464/29, 128/DIG. 25
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An externally worn body device adapted to be magnetically held in a supercutaneous position having a case, having a first surface adapted to be adjacent the supercutaneous position. A magnetic device is attached to the case for magnetically holding the case in the supercutaneous position. The magnetic device is moveable with respect to the distance of the magnetic device from the first surface of the case thereby allowing for adjustability in magnetic field strength at the first surface of the case. The magnetic device may be threadably attached to the case for screwably allowing movement of the magnetic device with respect to the first surface of the case. Optionally, the magnetic device may be affixed to the case once suitable adjustment has been made. The externally worn body device may further include a transmitting device positioned within the case for transmitting an electrical signal intended for transcutaneous reception. The externally worn body device may be combined with an implanted subcutaneous member which contains a magnetic device for providing an appropriate magnetic attraction to the corresponding supercutaneous magnetic device. The subcutaneous member may contain a receiving coil designed to cooperate with the transmitting coil of the externally worn body device for the reception of transcutaneous electrical signals.

Claims

1. An externally worn body device adapted to be magnetically held in a supercutaneous position in lateral alignment with a subcutaneous first magnetic element, comprising:

a case having a first surface adapted to be adjacent said supercutaneous position;

a second magnetic element attached to said case for magnetically holding said externally worn body device in said supercutaneous position proximate to said subcutaneous first magnetic element, holding said externally worn body device in lateral alignment with said subcutaneous first magnetic element, said magnetic element being axially aligned with said subcutaneous first magnetic element and providing direct axial magnetic attraction to said subcutaneous first magnetic element and being moveable with respect to the distance from said magnetic means to said first surface of said first surface of said case for changing the magnetic field strength attraction between said second magnetic element and said subcutaneous first magnetic element.

2. An externally worn body device as in claim 1 wherein said second magnetic element is attached to said case by thread means for screwably allowing movement of said second magnetic element with respect to said first surface of said case.

3. An externally worn body device as in claim 2 which further comprises securing means applied to said thread means for affixing said second magnetic element in position once suitable adjustment has been made.

4. An externally worn body device as in claim 3 wherein said securing means comprises an adhesive.

5. An externally worn body device as in claim 2 which further comprises transmitting means positioned within said case for transmitting an electrical signal intended for transcutaneous reception.

6. An externally worn body device as in claim 2 wherein said magnetic element comprises at least one permanent magnet.

7. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus, comprising:

a first member adapted to be positioned subcutaneously;

a first magnetic element positioned within said first member for providing an appropriate magnetic attraction to a corresponding supercutaneous magnetic member;

a second member having a first surface adapted to be positioned adjacent said supercutaneous position; and

a second magnetic element attached to said second member for magnetically holding said second member in said supercutneous position with said second magnetic element in lateral alignment with said first magnetic element, said second magnetic element being moveable with respect to the distance from said second magnetic element to said first surface of said second member for changing the magnetic field strength attraction between said second magnetic element and said first magnetic element, said second magnetic element being axially aligned with said first magnetic element and providing direct axial magnetic attraction to said first magnetic element.

8. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said second magnetic element is attached to said second member by thread means or screwably allowing movement of said second magnetic element with respect to said first surface of said second member.

9. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 8 which further comprises securing means applied to said thread means for affixing said second magnetic element in position once suitable adjustment has been made.

10. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises an adhesive.

11. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 8 in which said second member further comprises transmitting means positioned within said second member for transmitting an electrical signal intended for transcutaneous reception and in which said first member further comprises receiving means positioned within said first member for receiving said electrical signal.

12. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element each comprise a permanent magnet.

13. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said transmitting means comprises an electrically conductive coil having a hollow core.

14. A transcutaneous coupling apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said second magnetic element is moveable within said hollow core of said conductive coil.