Abstract: Components and portions of components of a hearing prosthesis encapsulated in a microorganism-barrier membrane. Methods and apparatus are described for implanting hearing prosthesis components in precise locations, and maintaining the locations, with at least some components or portions of components encapsulated in a microorganism-barrier membrane.

Abstract: A system for cleaning mating parts of an implantable connector includes an implantable connector and a cleaning structure. The implantable connector includes first and second detachable mating parts configured: to be implantable in living tissue; to terminate at least a first segment of a cable; and to have with first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively. The clean structure includes: a cleaning structure configured to clean the first and second interfacing surfaces as the first and second mating parts are being engaged.

Abstract: An implantable component including an implantable body including a functional component of the implantable medical device, and implantable actuator positioning mechanism connected to and extending from the implantable body, the actuator positioning mechanism configured to removably receive an implantable actuator.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis including an implantable component including a vibrator portion configured to vibrate in response to a sound signal to evoke a hearing precept and a screw portion configured to removably attach the implantable component to a recipient, wherein the vibratory portion is rigidly adhered to the screw portion.

Abstract: An implantable connector includes: first and second detachable mating parts configured to be implantable in living tissue, to terminate first and second segments of a cable, and have first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively; and a protection structure configured to protect against contaminant intrusion between the first and second interfacing surfaces. And a device for decoupling and re-coupling the detachable mating parts in an environmentally controllable volume is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device configured to be implanted in a recipient. The implantable medical device includes an implantable assembly, wherein the exterior geometry of the implantable assembly is adapted to inhibit formation of a biofilm thereon after implantation in the recipient.

Abstract: A system for cleaning mating parts of an implantable connector includes an implantable connector and a cleaning structure. The implantable connector includes first and second detachable mating parts configured: to be implantable in living tissue; to terminate at least a first segment of a cable; and to have with first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively. The clean structure includes: a cleaning structure configured to clean the first and second interfacing surfaces as the first and second mating parts are being engaged.

Abstract: An ABI pad having a configuration and composition to provide the ABI pad with sufficient flexibility to permit the pad to be curved, molded or otherwise conformed to the cochlear nucleus, brainstem or other therapeutically-beneficial site, while ensuring the ABI pad maintains structural integrity over the anticipated operational life of the implant. The ABI pads are manufactured from silicone or other biocompatible material having a durometer sufficient to ensure the durability of the ABI pad over the anticipated operational life of the implant. To attain substantial flexibility, the thickness or cross section of the ABI pad is as minimal as possible to increase flexibility while not adversely affecting the noted durability of the pad. In one embodiment, the ABI pads are formed with an aperture in its interior region resulting in an ABI pad having minimal material mass while having sufficient structural integrity to reliably support the electrodes and associated wires.

Abstract: An implantable connector includes: first and second detachable mating parts configured to be implantable in living tissue, to terminate first and second segments of a cable, and have first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively; and a protection structure configured to protect against contaminant intrusion between the first and second interfacing surfaces. And a device for decoupling and re-coupling the detachable mating parts in an environmentally controllable volume is provided.

Abstract: An implantable device is provided. The device is constructed from an open body containing electronic components, a heat-sensitive component, and a sealing component. The device is formed in a moisture controlled environment, such that the heat-sensitive component is attached to the open enclosure after the enclosure has been heated. The sealing component is subsequently affixed to the open enclosure to form a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an implantable device housing assembly, for use in, for example, implantable prosthetic devices. In one aspect, the present invention provides a housing for an implantable device comprising a body portion and a sealing flange. The body portion includes a cavity in which electronic components are disposed on an open side thereof, and at least one feed-through which provides electrical connections between the electronic components and the exterior of the device. The feed-through includes interior and exterior connection points, which are accessible during assembly of the device from a first side of the device. The sealing flange operatively seals the cavity so as to form a sealed housing. A method of forming a sealed housing for an implantable device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for generating a new set of MRI images of a region of a recipient in which an implanted medical device having magnetic properties is located. The method includes scanning a plurality of scan slices of the recipient with an MRI machine set at a first fat shift direction to generate a first set of MRI images and rescanning the plurality of scan slices with a fat shift direction different than the first fat shift direction to obtain a second set of MRI images. At least one of the MRI images of the first set and the second set including an artifact resulting from the implanted medical device. The method further includes comparing respective artifacts of the MRI images of the first and second sets, and selecting one of the compared MRI images based on the distortion to the respective MRI image created by the respective artifact.

Abstract: An implantable component including an implantable body including a functional component of the implantable medical device, and implantable actuator positioning mechanism connected to and extending from the implantable body, the actuator positioning mechanism configured to removably receive an implantable actuator.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis including an implantable component including a vibrator portion configured to vibrate in response to a sound signal to evoke a hearing precept and a screw portion configured to removably attach the implantable component to a recipient, wherein the vibratory portion is rigidly adhered to the screw portion.

Abstract: The implantable medical device including a hermetic enclosure including at least one feedthrough having at least one electrically conductive path through the feedthrough. The at least one feedthrough includes an insulator having an entry face and an exit face, and at least one non-linear conductor is configured to extend, within the insulator, from the entry face to the exit face to provide the conductive path, wherein the entry and exit faces are not substantially parallel opposite faces of the insulator.

Abstract: A method for generating a new set of MRI images of a region of a recipient in which an implanted medical device having magnetic properties is located. The method includes scanning a plurality of scan slices of the recipient with an MRI machine set at a first fat shift direction to generate a first set of MRI images and rescanning the plurality of scan slices with a fat shift direction different than the first fat shift direction to obtain a second set of MRI images. At least one of the MRI images of the first set and the second set including an artifact resulting from the implanted medical device. The method further includes comparing respective artifacts of the MRI images of the first and second sets, and selecting one of the compared MRI images based on the distortion to the respective MRI image created by the respective artifact.

Abstract: An implantable medical device configured to be implanted in a recipient. The implantable medical device includes an implantable assembly, wherein the exterior geometry of the implantable assembly is adapted to inhibit formation of a biofilm thereon after implantation in the recipient.

Abstract: An implantable component of a medical device including an implantable coil including a conductor disposed in a carrier including first and second fold lines, wherein the carrier has at least one structural variation along each of the fold lines such that a substantially straight edge is formed along each of the fold lines when the coil is biased into a folded configuration, and an electronics module electrically connected to the coil and configured to inductively communicate, via the coil, with an external component of the device.

Abstract: An implantable device is provided. The device is constructed from an open body containing electronic components, a heat-sensitive component, and a sealing component. The device is formed in a moisture controlled environment, such that the heat-sensitive component is attached to the open enclosure after the enclosure has been heated. The sealing component is subsequently affixed to the open enclosure to form a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: An implantable antenna (16) for receiving and/or transmitting a signal is provided. The antenna (16) comprises a carrier (14) and an electrical conductor embedded in the carrier (14). The electrical conductor is formed from a foil.