Balance disorder treated on an implantable device

Have you ever heard of Meniere's disease? It is an inner ear that about one percent of people in the United States are affected, and is a particularly debilitating disease, since the attacks of vertigo can occur without warning. In order to treat, are ordinary people or subject, for several hours at a time, before you put back on its feet. As he strikes like a thief in the night, the ever present possibility inevitably some patients avoid activities, situations, and perhaps even careers. Both changes in lifestyle and medications do their part to improve the situation, but it does not dissolve completely. Of course there is always the alternative of going under the knife, but tired in general, the results of the consultation and Functions / or balance of the affected ear. It's a good thing for the progress as a team of scientists from the University of Washington Medical Center on a new cochlear implant for their first test work on the people. The basic idea? To remove the symptoms of the patient, without sacrificing functionality in one ear.

Meniere's disease is not heard in its entirety, although his attacks are probably caused mostly by rupture of a membrane in the inner ear. This leads to leakage of the vestibular system, which is of importance, the brain out of balance to get rid of. Many thanks to the new treatment method for the implant is surgically placed in a small established temporal bone of the skull behind the ear of the patient. A trio of electrodes extend it with the right mouse button in the canals of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear. All patients have different investment spots, as it should be recognized by the various tests of the neural signal. Not only that, the patient also has a small processor with the ear, the right fit with the implant.

Whenever the wearer of an impending attack feels, is all what they need the processor can Tosend a signal to the implant that enables the transmission of electrical pulses includes the three electrodes. These pulses are to replace the disorder of the inner ear that the patient in order to keep the balance until the attack passes. Sounds very nice! This equipment has been four years in the making and recently received the green light from FDA approval.

Gizmag



October 25, 2010 to top