The use of rare-earth magnet couplers in cochlear implants

The cochlear implant is an electronic auditory prosthesis gaining widespread acceptance as a means of restoring partial hearing to the totally deaf. A number of engineering and biological hurdles remain toward the improvement of existing implantable systems and development of multichannel systems. One hurdle concerns reliable transcutaneous coupling of the external electric signal to the implanted device. To date this has been accomplished by inductive means through coils which were mechanically held in place. The incorporation of small, permanent, rare-earth (SmCo5) magnets with the coil assemblies has eliminated the unreliable mechanical supporting devices. Magnetic attachment was simulated in dogs to examine for biological compatibility. Electron micrographs indicated normal subcellular structures in tissue exposed for 10 weeks. Five patients were implanted with magnet-modified coil assemblies and tested for the proper alignment and support of the external coil assembly, as well as efficiency of inductive coupling. Electromagnetic coupling was not interfered with and mechanical support was adequate. We conclude that rare-earth magnets provide an effective means for supporting and positioning in place medical devices, such as the cochlear implant.