Bone conduction magnetic retention system

Abstract

An external component of a medical device, including an actuator including a static magnetic flux path that reacts with a dynamic magnetic flux path to actuate the actuator, and a magnetic retention system configured to retain the external component to a recipient via interaction with a ferromagnetic component attached to a recipient, the magnetic retention system including a magnetic flux path that encircles the static magnetic flux path of the actuator.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An external component of a hearing prosthesis, comprising:
 at least one microphone;   a sound processor configured to process signals based on output from the at least one microphone and output control signals based on the processing;   a first magnet having a North-South polarity axis; and   a second magnet having a North-South polarity axis parallel to the North-South polarity axis of the first magnet and inverted relative to the North-South polarity axis of the first magnet, wherein   the first magnet is spaced apparat from the second magnet in a direction normal to the polarity axis of the first magnet.   
     
     
         23 . An system, comprising:
 the external component of  claim 22 ; and   an implantable component includes   
     
     
         24 . The system  claim 23 , wherein:
 the implantable component includes a diametrically magnetized magnet.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the an implantable component includes:
 a third magnet having a North-South polarity axis; and   a fourth magnet having a North-South polarity axis parallel to the North-South polarity axis of the third magnet and inverted relative to the North-South polarity axis of the third magnet.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the third magnet and the fourth magnet are spaced apart from one another.   
     
     
         27 . An external component of a hearing prosthesis, comprising:
 at least one microphone;   a sound processor configured to process signals based on output from the at least one microphone and output control signals based on the processing;   a retention assembly including at least two separate magnet elements; and   a skin interface surface, wherein   the external component is configured so that respective polarities of first and second magnets of the at least two separate magnets are approximately normal to the skin interfacing surface with vectors extending through the skin interface surface in opposite directions.   
     
     
         28 . The external component of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the overall height of the external component is no more than about 15 mm.   
     
     
         29 . The external component of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the overall height of the external component is no more than about 12 mm.   
     
     
         30 . The external component of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the overall height of the external component is no more than about 9 mm.   
     
     
         31 . The external component of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the overall height of the external component is no more than about 7 mm.   
     
     
         32 . An external component of a hearing prosthesis, comprising:
 at least one microphone;   a sound processor configured to process signals based on output from the at least one microphone and output control signals based on the processing;   a skin interface surface; and   a retention assembly including at least two separate magnet elements, wherein   the external component is configured so that a magnetic circuit travels a path that includes a segment that extends upward, relative to the skin interface surface, through the skin interface surface and then sideways over a distance between a first magnet of the at least two magnets and a second magnet of the at least two magnets, and then extends downward, relative to the skin interface surface, and through the skin interface surface.