US5163957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ossicular prosthesis for mounting magnet
Assignee: Gyrus Ent LLC
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Filing: 1991-09-10
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A prosthesis for use with an intact ossicular chain to allow a magnet to be coupled to the ossicular chain, the magnet being moved by an electromagnetic induction hearing aid. The prosthesis has a body having a first groove which cooperates with the manubrium and a second groove formed by an arm extending from the body and a hooked end, the second groove cooperating with the long process. A magnet is connected to a planar surface developed by the arm and the hooked end and is generally parallel to the tympanic membrane when installed. A conventional disk shaped magnet can be utilized inside a biocompatible housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Yacov Sade
- 👤 T. Manford McGee
- 👤 Harlan J. Reitan
- 👤 Jorgen Heide
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/18; A61F2002/183; H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/60; H04R25/604; H04R25/606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A middle ear prosthesis for contacting the ossicular chain for mounting a magnet used with an electromagnetic induction hearing aid to allow the ossicular chain in the middle ear cavity to remain intact and yet be moved by the magnet, the prosthesis comprising: a body portion which is generally a rectangular parallelepiped and including a groove in one face, said groove shaped to cooperate with the manubrium; an arm portion connected to said body portion and extending from the face opposite said manubrium groove; and a hook portion connected to said arm portion and generally having an inner arc and an outer arc, said inner arc cooperating with said arm portion to form a groove, said groove shaped to cooperate with the long process, said arm portion and said hook portion further cooperating to provide a generally planar surface for receiving the magnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A middle ear prosthesis for contacting the ossicular chain for mounting a magnet used with an electromagnetic induction hearing aid to allow the ossicular chain in the middle ear cavity to remain intact and yet be moved by the magnet, the prosthesis comprising: a body portion which is generally a rectangular parallelepiped and including a groove in one face, said groove shaped to cooperate with the manubrium; an arm portion connected to said body portion and extending from the face opposite said manubrium groove; and a hook portion connected to said arm portion and generally having an inner arc and an outer arc, said inner arc cooperating with said arm portion to form a groove, said groove shaped to cooperate with the long process, said arm portion and said hook portion further cooperating to provide a generally planar surface for receiving the magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said hook portion includes a hole developed in said surface for receiving the magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said arm portion tapers from the connection point to said body portion to the connection point to said hook portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 3, wherein said arm portion is broader at the body portion connection and narrower at the hook portion connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said body portion has a width sized such that said manubrium groove and said long process groove are spaced to approximately match the spacing between the manubrium and the long process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said hook portion is approximately curved to provide clearance between said hook portion and the surface defining the middle ear cavity when the prosthesis is installed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A middle ear prosthesis for contacting the ossicular chain for use with an electromagnetic induction hearing aid to allow the ossicular chain to remain intact, the prosthesis comprising: a magnet; a body portion which is generally a rectangular parallelepiped and including a groove in one face, said groove shaped to cooperate with the manubrium; an arm portion connected to said body portion and extending from the face opposite said manubrium groove; and a hook portion connected to said arm portion and generally having an inner arc and an outer arc, said inner arc cooperating with said arm portion to form a groove, said groove shaped to cooperate with the long process, said arm portion and said hook portion further cooperating to provide a generally planar surface receiving said magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A middle ear prosthesis for contacting the ossicular chain for use with an electromagnetic induction hearing aid to allow the ossicular chain to remain intact, the prosthesis comprising: a magnet; a body portion which is generally a rectangular parallelepiped and including a groove in one face, said groove shaped to cooperate with the manubrium; an arm portion connected to said body portion and extending from the face opposite said manubrium groove; and a hook portion connected to said arm portion and generally having an inner arc and an outer arc, said inner arc cooperating with said arm portion to form a groove, said groove shaped to cooperate with the long process, said arm portion and said hook portion further cooperating to provide a generally planar surface receiving said magnet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said hook portion includes a hole developed in said magnet receiving surface and said magnet includes a projection inserted in said hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said arm portion tapers from the connection point to said body portion to the connection point to said hook portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein said arm portion is broader at the body portion connection and narrower at the hook portion connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said body portion has a width sized such that said manubrium groove and said long process groove are spaced to approximately match the spacing between the manubrium and the long process.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said hook portion is approximately curved to provide clearance between said hook portion and the surface defining the middle ear cavity when the prosthesis is installed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said magnet includes magnetic material and a biocompatible housing surrounding said magnetic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthesis of claim 13, wherein said magnetic material is generally disk shaped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis of claim 13, wherein said magnetic material is generally comprised of samarium cobalt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthesis of claim 13, wherein said housing is comprised of titanium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |