Cochlear implants, magnets for use with same and magnet retrofit methods

1. A cochlear implant exomagnet for use with a cochlear implant, the cochlear implant having an implant housing with an internal magnet pocket and an antenna adjacent to the internal magnet pocket, the exomagnet comprising:

a magnet apparatus; and

a magnet mount configured to secure the magnet apparatus to the cochlear implant in such a manner that the magnet apparatus is not located within the internal magnet pocket.

2. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a MRI-compatible magnet apparatus.

3. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

4. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the magnet mount includes a housing in which the magnet apparatus is located and an anchor configured to occupy the internal magnet pocket.

5. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:

a flexible connector that extends from the magnet mount housing to the anchor.

6. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 4 , wherein

the anchor comprises a disk-shaped anchor.

7. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 4 , wherein

the magnet mount housing includes at least one tab with an aperture that is configured to receive a bone screw.

8. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 4 , wherein

the implant housing is formed from a material having a first hardness; and

the anchor is formed from a material having a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness.

9. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 4 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a positioning magnet apparatus having a first magnetic strength; and

the anchor includes an orientation magnet apparatus having a second magnetic strength that is less than the first magnetic strength.

10. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the implant housing includes an antenna portion; and

the magnet mount is configured to secure the magnet apparatus to the cochlear implant in such a manner that the magnet apparatus is located beyond, but adjacent to, the antenna portion of the implant housing.

11. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in 10 claim 1 , wherein

the magnet mount is formed from a silicone elastomer.

12. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the magnet mount includes an anchor configured to occupy the internal magnet pocket.

13. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 12 , wherein

the implant housing includes an antenna portion with an outer surface; and

the magnet mount is configured to secure the magnet apparatus to the cochlear implant in such a manner that the magnet apparatus is located on the outer surface of the antenna portion of the implant housing and is centered relative to the antenna.

14. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 12 , wherein

the anchor is permanently connected to the magnet apparatus.

15. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 12 , wherein

the anchor and the magnet apparatus are configured to be connected to one another during a surgical procedure.

16. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the magnet apparatus includes a case with at least one tool receptacle and one or more magnets or magnetic material particles within the case.

17. A cochlear implant, comprising

a cochlear lead including a plurality of electrodes;

an implant housing including a magnet pocket in which no implant magnet is located;

an antenna within the implant housing;

a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna and to the cochlear lead; and

an exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 secured to the implant housing at the magnet pocket.

18. A system, comprising

a cochlear lead including a plurality of electrodes;

an implant housing including a magnet pocket in which no implant magnet is located;

an antenna within the implant housing;

a stimulation processor operably connected to the antenna and to the cochlear lead;

an exomagnet as claimed in claim 1 secured to the implant housing at the magnet pocket; and

a headpiece including an antenna defining a perimeter and a headpiece magnet located outside the perimeter that is attracted to the magnet apparatus of the exomagnet.

19. A system as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising

a sound processor operably connected to the headpiece.

20. A cochlear implant exomagnet for use with a cochlear implant, the cochlear implant having an implant housing with an internal magnet pocket and an antenna adjacent to the internal magnet pocket, the exomagnet comprising:

a magnet apparatus; and

means for anchoring the magnet apparatus to the internal magnet pocket in such a manner that the magnet apparatus is not located within the internal magnet pocket.

21. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 20 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a MRI-compatible magnet apparatus.

22. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 20 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a case defining a central axis, a magnet frame within the case and rotatable about the central axis of the case, and a plurality of elongate diametrically magnetized magnets that are located in the magnet frame, the magnets defining a longitudinal axis and a N-S direction and being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the magnet frame.

23. A cochlear implant exomagnet as claimed in claim 20 , wherein

the magnet apparatus comprises a positioning magnet apparatus having a first magnetic strength; and

the exomagnet further comprises an orientation magnet apparatus having a second magnetic strength that is less than the first magnetic strength, and

the means for anchoring anchors the orientation magnet apparatus within the internal magnet pocket.