[Active middle-ear implants].
Active middle ear implants are classified as piezoelectric implants, which use the properties of piezoelectric materials. There are two types of piezoelectric implants: monomorphic and dimorphic; electromagnetic transduction uses a magnet, usually a rare earth magnet (e.g. samarium cobalt) and an energizing coil. This magnetic field causes the magnet to vibrate, which in turn, through the tympanic-ossicular chain, causes movement of the cochlear fluids. Electromechanical transduction is a variation of electromagnetic transduction.
Manrique Rodríguez
Manuel
M
Departamento de Otorrinolaringología, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España. mmanrique@unav.es
Girón
Laura
L
Huarte Irujo
Alicia
A
D006801:Humans; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis / Q000145:classification*; D011474:Prosthesis Design