Cochlear implants, magnets for use with same and magnet retrofit methods
A cochlear implant exomagnet that includes a magnet apparatus and a magnet mount configured to secure the magnet apparatus to a cochlear implant in such a manner that the magnet apparatus is not located within the internal magnet pocket of the cochlear implant.
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
removing an implant magnet from a magnet pocket of a cochlear implant housing; and
replacing the implant magnet with a magnet apparatus that is anchored to, but is not located within, the magnet pocket.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the removing and replacing steps are performed in situ.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
replacing the implant magnet with a magnet apparatus comprises replacing the implant magnet with an exomagnet that includes the magnet apparatus and a magnet mount.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein
the magnet mount includes an anchor; and
replacing the implant magnet with a magnet apparatus comprises positioning the anchor within the cochlear implant magnet pocket.
5. A method 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.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the magnet apparatus comprises a MRI-compatible magnet apparatus.
7. A method 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.
8. A method, comprising the steps of:
disconnecting a magnet apparatus from an anchor that occupies the entire magnet pocket of a cochlear implant housing that is located within a patient; and
removing the disconnected magnet apparatus from the patient.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein
disconnecting the magnet apparatus from the anchor comprises rotating the magnet apparatus relative to the anchor.