Magnetics Business & Technology - September/October 2021 - 20

PRODUCT NEWS
MED-EL Beefs Up Magnet Power in Cochlear Implants for Hearing Impaired
MED-EL, a maker of medical hearing devices based in Austria,
has beefed up the strength of the diametric magnet in its
cochlear implants while still retaining their ability to pass through
magnetic resonance imaging systems. The company is also
making breakthroughs with the development of totally implantable
magnetic cochlear implants.
In 2014, MED-EL rocked the hearing implant industry with the
launch of Synchrony, the world's first cochlear implant featuring
a patented diametric magnet approved for 3.0T MRI's without
requiring magnet removal. Now the company is taking its innovative
magnet design to the next level by releasing an all-new
diametric magnet with S-Vector technology. Approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the S-Vector magnet
is a feature of Synchrony 2 cochlear implants that began shipping
in March.
" Over the past 25 years, we have continuously developed cutting-edge
magnet designs to tackle the issue of MRI compatibility
and hearing implants for our recipients, " said Raymond Gamble,
president & CEO of MED-EL North America. " We're thrilled to announce
that we've further advanced our magnet design and have
now made the second generation available to the U.S. market. "
" A stronger implant magnet results in a stronger holding force,
providing outstanding flexibility in finding the ideal fit with the
user's audio processor, " said Martin Zimmerling, head of implant
development at MED-EL. " The S-Vector provides more holding
force and provides a great option for adapting to the user's individual
needs. This gives our recipients peace of mind knowing
their audio processors will stay securely in place. "
With a 25% increase in magnetic strength, the new device
is ideal for active recipients with off-the-ear single-unit audio
processors, the company says. Despite increased magnetic
strength, there are no changes to existing MRI scanning instructions.
The S-Vector magnet has the same small MRI artifact
as the first-generation magnet. In a diametric magnet such as
MED-EL employs, the neodymium disc is magnetized across the
diameter. When the disc is sitting flat on a surface, the north and
south poles are located on the curved sides, at opposite side.
First surgeries in Europe with a totally implantable cochlear
implant
Last fall the company reached another milestone when, on
September 24, surgery took place for the first person in Europe
to receive a totally implantable cochlear implant as part of a clinical
feasibility study at the University of Liege medical center in
Belgium. The device is expected to give users great hearing with
even more comfort, though it is expected to take several years
before receiving market approval.
20 Magnetics Business & Technology * September/October 2021
www.MagneticsMag.com
http://www.MagneticsMag.com
Magnetics Business & Technology - September/October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Magnetics Business & Technology - September/October 2021
