Patent ID: 8382834

Claim:
A system, comprising: a) an ossicular prosthesis implantable in the middle ear, said prosthesis comprising a shape memory portion, wherein upon heat activation to a phase transformation temperature, said shape memory portion changes from a first configuration to a second configuration; and b) an induction heater system for heat activation of said shape memory portion, said induction heater system comprising, i) a user-manipulable handle, ii) a elongate probe extending from said handle, said probe having a distal tip extending along a longitudinal axis and having a diameter of between 0.3 mm and 2.0 mm to allow insertion into a small surgical opening, iii) an induction coil coupled to said distal tip and displaced from said handle by said probe, said induction coil made of an electrically conductive material, said induction coil having a dimension in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis that does not exceed 4 mm, and iv) a first connector for coupling said induction coil to an alternating current radio frequency induction power supply, wherein said handle is adapted for a surgeon to manually engage the handle to support and manipulate the probe and induction coil during an operation.