University of Oklahoma

Nanobiomagnetics, Inc.

Xomed, Inc.

Soundtec, Inc.

USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Symphonix Devices, Inc.

Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc.

Vibrant Med-el Hearing Technology Gmbh

Kenneth J Dormer

Christopher Allen Julian

Geoffrey R Ball

Bob H Katz

Charles E Seeney

Jack V Hough

Gordon L Richard

Kenneth E Barton, Jr

Benjamin J Scherlag

Richard Dana Kopke

Tim Dietz

Sunny Po

James M Culp

Robert Y Chow

John D Salisbury

Dan Wallace

Carey N Pope

Jack Van Dorn Hough

Gordon Richard

Craig Mar

The present disclosure describes a method for targeted delivery of permanently-acting or temporarily-acting neurotoxins, neurosuppressants, or other compounds having a neurologic effect to specific locations of the heart, including for example, but not limited to, nodes of the cardiac autonomic nervous system such as the atrial ganglionated plexi (GP). Chemical ablation of the atrial GP as described herein via magnetically-targeted magnetically-susceptible nanoparticles can effectively suppress GP activity and atrial fibrillation related, thereto without permanent damage to either myocardium or intrinsic CANS.

Magnetically-targeted treatment for cardiac disorders

A system and method for affecting the function of a mammalian ear. The system and method uses an oscillating magnetic field to move nanospheres comprised of single-domain nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment a receiving assembly detects sound waves and transmits the sound waves to a processor. The processor drives an electromagnetic coil in response to the detected sound waves. The electromagnetic coil transmits a signal that causes vibration of the nanoparticles and the tissues within which the nanoparticles are implanted.

Method and apparatus for improving hearing

A system for introducing a bioactive substance into a target cell within a body. The bioactive substance is transported to the target cell using a superparamagnetic nanoparticle and a controllable magnetic field generator that is capable of moving the nanoparticle to the target cell through the body in three dimensions. The nanoparticle may be covered with a biocompatible shell that forms a covalent bond with the bioactive substance. In an alternative embodiment, the bioactive substance and a plurality of nanoparticles are supported by a bioerodable matrix that forms a nanosphere. The nanosphere may be moved into the target cell using an external magnetic field that is controllable to move the nanosphere in three dimensions through the body and the bioactive substance is released from the nanosphere once inside the target cell.

Delivery of bioactive substances to target cells

A bio-magnetic system for moving a constituent of a human body includes at least one magnetically responsive member having an attachment mechanism including collagen which is bound with an epithelium of a moveable constituent in the human body. A bio-magnetic drive system for moving a constituent of a human body includes a plurality of magnetic microbeads connected in vivo to a moveable constituent of a human body, and it also includes a magnetic field source disposed in operative association with the microbeads but remote from the microbeads and the moveable constituent to provide a magnetic field to move the microbeads. A method for moving a constituent in a human body includes transmitting a signal to interact with a plurality of microbeads connected to a constituent in a human body such that the connected microbeads and constituent in the human body move in response. A more particular method includes providing a plurality of microbeads in vivo to attach to at least one ossicle in an ear of a human; and processing a sound to drive the microbeads, including transmitting a signal to interact with the microbeads such that the microbeads and the at least one ossicle vibrate in response. Also disclosed are a kit for use in causing a constituent of a human body to move and in vivo methods of connecting microbeads to a constituent in a human body.

Direct drive movement of body constituent

An attachment device for a middle ear implant includes a first loop adapted to mount over structure in a middle ear. A second loop is connected to the first loop and adapted to mount over an object for use in the middle ear. A related method includes sliding a loop along at least part of a middle ear ossicle or prosthesis such that an object connected to the loop is disposed adjacent the ossicle or prosthesis. A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient includes: inserting a coil at least into an outer ear canal of the patient adjacent the middle ear having the magnet; selectably aiming the coil relative to the middle ear; driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; obtaining at least one indication in response to driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; and determining a functional or positional characteristic of the magnet from the obtained indication. This method can be implemented with a plurality of coils. A related test instrument includes: at least one coil; and a connected handle to enable a user of the test instrument to insert the coil(s) into at least the outer ear canal and to direct electromagnetic signals at different directions relative to the middle ear.

Middle ear magnet implant, attachment device and method, and test instrument and method

A floating mass transducer for assisting hearing in a person is provided. Inertial vibration in the floating mass transducer (100) produces vibrations in the inner ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is attached to bone within the middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The floating mass transducer may generate vibrations in the inner ear by being attached to the skull or through a mouthpiece.

Bone conducting floating mass transducers

An implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device is provided which is characterized by being carried entirely in the skull of the user, the absence of electrodes entering the middle-ear, and variability to meet a variety of pathological entities of the hearing impaired user. The device utilizes a sound processing component adapted to be positioned in the skull of the user and to extend from close proximity to the outside of the skull toward and within close proximity to the middle-ear of the user for receiving and converting sound into an electromagnetic signal and for transmitting the electromagnetic signal into the middle-ear of the user. A vibration generating component is adapted to be implanted in the small bones of the ossicular chain in the middle-ear for receiving the electromagnetic signal from the sound processing component and for vibrating the ossicular chain in response to such electromagnetic signal to stimulate the inner ear to create the perception of sound in the hearing impaired user.

Implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device

An implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device is provided which is characterized by being carried entirely in the skull of the user, the absense of electrodes entering the middle-ear, and variability to meet a variety of pathological entities of the hearing impaired user. The device utilizes a sound processing component adapted to be positioned in the skull of the user and to extend from close proximity to the outside of the skull toward and within close proximity to the middle-ear of the user for receiving and converting sound into an electromagnetic signal and for transmitting the electromagnetic signal into the middle-ear of the user. A vibration generating component is adapted to be implanted in the small bones of the ossicular chain in the middle-ear for receiving the electromagnetic signal from the sound processing component and for vibrating the ossicular chain in response to such electromagnetic signal to stimulate the inner ear to create the perception of sound in the hearing impaired user.

Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.

Magnetic transcutaneous mount for external device of an associated

Growing community of inventors

Edmond, OK, United States of America

Kenneth J Dormer