Middle ear prosthesis having discrete projections for purposes of ossicular attachment

摘要

A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.

主权项

1. A middle ear prosthesis component, comprising:
an ossicular attachment element that is dimensioned and configured to engage a first ossicle of a middle ear, the ossicular attachment element including
a disc-shaped component having a first face and a second face; anda plurality of discrete projections that project from the first face of the disc-shaped component, each of the plurality of projections having (1) an elongated axis that projects from a surface of the first face of the disc-shaped component, and (2) a free end configured to contact and securely engage with the first ossicle in a manner that secures the middle ear prosthesis component in an operable position with respect to the first ossicle to transmit vibrations and to maintain contact with the first ossicle, the plurality of discrete projections projecting from only a portion of the surface of the first face of the disc-shaped component that describes a discrete area for ossicular contact, and the first face of the disc-shaped component being a substantially planar surface area and the portion of the surface of the first face of the disc-shaped component being a cavity in the substantially planar surface area, the elongated axis of each of the plurality of projections projecting substantially orthogonally from a surface of the cavity.