METHOD OF ANCHORING AN ACOUSTIC ELEMENT IN A BONE OF THE CRANIOMAXILLOFACIAL REGION AND ACOUSTIC ELEMENT

摘要

An acoustic element is implanted in a human bone of the craniomaxillofacial region with the aid of at least one anchor element including a material having thermoplastic properties, wherein for implantation of the acoustic element an opening is provided in the bone, the anchor element is positioned in the bone and energy is transmitted into the material having thermoplastic properties for at least partly liquefying the material and making it penetrate the bone tissue in the opening and on re-solidification to constitute a positive fit connection between the anchor element and the bone tissue. Depending on the design of the anchor element and/or on the relative dimensions of the opening and the anchor element it is possible to achieve an anchorage which either transmits sound between the acoustic element and the bone tissue or does not do so.