brainstem implant


brainstem implant

Audiology An auditory prosthesis that bypasses the cochlea and auditory nerve, used in Pts who don't benefit from a cochlear implant because of auditory nerve defects

brain·stem im·plant

(brān'stem im'plant) A nonphysiologic structure used to improve or restore audition by stimulation of the cochlear area.

implant

(im'plant?) [ ¹in- + plant] An object inserted into the body, e.g., a piece of tissue, a tooth, a pellet of medicine, a tube or needle containing a radioactive substance, liquid and solid plastic materials used to augment tissues or to fill in areas traumatically or surgically removed, artificial joints, and/or for other therapeutic purposes. See: mammaplasty, augmentation

auditory brainstem implant

An auditory prosthesis that bypasses the cochlea and auditory nerve and partially restores hearing by directly stimulating the cochlear nucleus complex. This type of implant helps those with retrocochlear deafness. The implant electrode is inserted directly into the auditory brainstem and is used for those who cannot benefit from cochlear implants because of lesions of the cochlea and/or auditory nerve. It has been used to treat patients who have undergone surgical excision of an acoustic neuroma. Synonym: brainstem implant

bone implant

An implant to repair bone or to cover implanted objects such as artificial hips or tooth implants.

brain implant

Any substance, tissue, or object placed surgically in the brain.

brainstem implant

Auditory brainstem implant.

breast implant

A surgically inserted object used to change the size and/or contour of the breast or chest wall, either using the patient's own tissue, e.g., a pedicle graft, or a prosthesis.

cochlear implant

An electrical device that receives sound and transmits the resulting signal to electrodes implanted in the cochlea. That signal stimulates the cochlea so that hearing-impaired persons can perceive sound.

CAUTION!

Cochlear implants increase the likelihood of meningitis. Patients with cochlear implants should be vaccinated against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). DENTAL IMPLANT

dental implant

In dentistry, a prosthetic device in any of several shapes. It is implanted into oral tissues beneath the mucosa or the periosteal layer, or within the bone to support or hold a fixed or removable prosthesis. Synonym: tooth implant See: illustration

CAUTION!

Ultrasonic devices should not be used on dental implants.

endosteal implant

A dental prosthesis that is partially submerged and anchored within the bone. The blade form and the cylinder form are the two types of endosteal implants used. The cylinder form, which is most common, consists of a screw, a small titanium cylinder, and an abutment surgically inserted into the bone. The blade form consists of one or more abutments. In both forms, the prosthetic device is placed on the abutment(s).

interstitial implant

An implant consisting of an applicator containing a radioactive source directly into a tumor to deliver a high radiation dose while sparing the surrounding tissues.

intracavitary implant

An implant consisting of an applicator containing a radioactive source directly into a hollow organ to deliver a high radiation dose to the organ while sparing the surrounding tissues.

radioactive implant

See: brachytherapy; interstitial implant; intracavitary implant

staple implant

Transosteal implant.

subperiosteal implant

A prosthesis for edentulous patients who cannot wear dentures (e.g., because of mandibular atrophy). The implant consists of a metal framework that rests on the residual ridge beneath the periosteum but does not penetrate the mandible.

tooth implant

Dental implant.

transosteal implant

A rarely used type of dental prosthesis that completely penetrates the mandible. Its use is complicated by infection and a high rate of implant failure. Synonym: staple implant

wafer implant

A slowly dissolving polymer impregnated with chemotherapeutic drugs. It is placed into the tissue space from which a cancer has been removedto deliver a strong dose of chemotherapy to any residual cancer cells that escaped the resection.