Reducing effect of magnetic and electromagnetic fields on an implant's magnet and/or electronics

• US 7,976,453 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Hochmair, Erwin, Zimmerling, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrera; Ramon M
• Application Number:
  US12/498,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20100004716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 600/12, 600/25, 607 55- 57, 335302-306
• US Class Current: 600/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/00 Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0073 actuated by relative movement between two magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1868 Measures taken after transmission, e.g. acknowledgments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1877 Measures taken prior to transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

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.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant comprising:

a housing; and

a magnet held by the housing, wherein the magnet is free to turn in any direction without bias and without axial movement.

2. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field.

3. The implant according to claim 1, further including a lubricant between the housing the magnet.

4. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is prevented from rattling against the housing.

5. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is a spherical magnet.

6. The implant according to claim 1, further comprising a first coil adapted to be electromagnetically coupled with a second coil of an external device.

7. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the housing is an encapsulation that hermetically seals the magnet.

8. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a magnetically soft material at least partially surrounding the magnet.

9. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a material selected from the group of materials consisting of titanium, nonmagnetic stainless steel, and ceramic.

10. The implant according to claim 1, wherein one of the housing and the magnet includes a Teflon surface.

11. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is coated with a conductive surface.

12. The implant according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is spherically shaped.

13. A cochlear implant comprising:

a magnet;

holding means for holding the magnet such that the magnet is free to turn in any direction without bias and without axial movement, wherein the magnet is capable of aligning at least partially with an external magnetic field.

14. The implant according to claim 13, wherein the holding means prevents the magnet from substantially rattling.

15. The implant according to claim 13, wherein the magnet is a spherical magnet.

16. The implant according to claim 13, further comprising a first coil adapted to be electromagnetically coupled with a second coil of an external device.

17. The implant according to claim 13, wherein the holding means includes a magnetically soft material at least partially surrounding the magnet.

18. The implant according to claim 13, wherein one of the holding means and the magnet includes a Teflon surface.