Method and apparatus for minimally invasive placement of sensing and driver assemblies to improve hearing loss
Methods and structures for placing sensing and driver assemblies in a middle ear of a patient are disclosed. Methods and structures according to various embodiments of the invention provide minimally invasive techniques and devices that facilitate placement of sensing/driver assemblies in a middle ear using a trans-canal implantation technique. Certain embodiments include placement of a longitudinal body through the ear canal for mounting in the middle ear, and for supporting a sensing/driving assembly subsequently coupled thereto.
1. A method of installing a sensing/driver assembly in a middle ear, the method comprising:
cutting at least a portion of a tympanic membrane comprises removing the tympanic membrane, and wherein the method further comprises reattaching the tympanic membrane after coupling the sensing/driver assembly to the mounting assembly;
placing a mounting assembly through an ear canal into a middle ear space;
affixing the mounting assembly to a bony structure of the middle ear space;
placing a sensing/driver assembly through an ear canal into a middle ear space; and
coupling the sensing/driver assembly to the mounting assembly.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising tunneling leads through an area of skin near the ear canal to provide an electrically coupling to the sensing/driver assembly.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the sensing/driver assembly is sized to fit within an epitympanic cavity.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a sensing/driver assembly to a malleus of a patient to thereby provide sensing of mechanical vibrations.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the malleus has been disarticulated.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the sensing/driver assembly is coupled to the malleus at a portion of a manubrium of the malleus to thereby minimize interference with surrounding structures.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a sensing/driver assembly to an incus of a patient to thereby provide sensing of mechanical vibrations.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
disarticulating the tympanic membrane of a patient from a malleus; and
coupling a sensing/driver assembly to the tympanic membrane of a patient to thereby provide sensing of mechanical vibrations.