Patent ID: 8435291
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
1. A middle ear prosthesis, comprising: a first element, wherein the first element has a first interconnecting end and a first contact end, wherein the first contact end is adapted to contact a first location of a person's middle ear; a second element, wherein the second element has a second interconnecting end and a second contact end, wherein the second contact end is adapted to contact a second location of the person's middle ear, wherein the second interconnecting end is movably connected with the first interconnecting end such that a distance between the first contact end and the second contact end can be adjusted by moving the first interconnecting end with respect to the second interconnecting end; and a clamp, wherein the clamp is capable of releasably securing the first interconnected end to the second interconnected end, wherein the clamp comprises at least one clamp piece positioned on the first interconnecting end, wherein each clamp piece comprises a compliant portion and a clamp head, wherein the compliant portion holds the clamp head against the second interconnecting end when the second interconnecting end is inserted into the first interconnecting end and the compliant portion is in an equilibrium position, wherein each clamp piece comprises a magnetic material, wherein upon exposure of the clamp piece to a magnetic field having a component in a certain direction of at least a threshold value, a force is applied to the compliant portion so as to pull the clamp head away from contact with the second interconnecting end so as to allow the first interconnecting end and second interconnecting end to move with respect to each other.