Auditory ossicle prosthesis

摘要

An auditory ossicle prosthesis, which at one end has a first securing element for mechanical connection to a member of the ossicular chain, which securing element is designed in the form of a loop that encloses the member, is partially open to the outside via a slit-like aperture and engages with a force fit around the member, the slit-like aperture being considerably smaller than the diameter of the member engaged by the loop, wherein, after attachment, the loop bears with a force fit on the engaged member via at least three areas, and that, in the circumferential direction around the engaged member, at least three areas of the loop do not touch the engaged member but instead each extend at a distance from the surface of the latter.

主权项

1. An auditory ossicle prosthesis, comprising:
an elongated shaft having a proximate end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; and a securing loop at the distal end of the shaft and having an outer diameter, the securing loop comprising a flat band material and having at least three inwardly projecting areas spaced apart from each other for providing flat bearing engagement with an oval-shaped member of an ossicular chain in a human ear by being disposed circumferentially around such an oval-shaped member, the securing loop having a central area radially inwardly of each of the three inwardly projecting areas, a first loop end secured to the distal end of the shaft, and a second loop end spaced from the shaft, one of the at least three inwardly projecting areas of the securing loop being disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft and oriented to project inwardly and also being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft for contacting an oval-shaped member of an ossicular chain, the second loop end and the distal end of the shaft together defining a slit-shaped aperture, the size of which is adjustable during installation of the auditory ossicle prosthesis to provide a force fit about an oval-shaped member of an ossicular chain, the auditory ossicle prosthesis being shaped such that an extension of the longitudinal axis of the shaft crosses the central area of the securing loop.