Video by Michael Chorost

In the video I saw the x-ray. Now I have a stupid question probably. I read articles but I am not certain. How does the implant stay in your head and not move? Does it screw into your skull? If so, doesn't that hurt forever? If not, why doesn't the CI move? I never saw a x-ray.

Edit: I used a different search and found articles about "bone glue", "bone cement", and "titanium clips". Reading these make me feel a little sick.

Also I am allergic to glue on athletic tape and surgical tape. Do some have allergies to bone glue?

Edit again: Studies show some are allergic to CIs - silicone etc. And with allergies the CI comes out of the skull.:eek: But very very rare (less than 0.001% I guess)

Example from Otology & Neurotology. 27(8):1078-1082, December 2006: Silicone Allergy: A New Cause for Cochlear Implant Extrusion and Its Management

Objective: We introduce silicone allergy as a rare cause for cochlear implant extrusion and discuss its management. - Results: Three known cases of cochlear implant extrusion as a result of silicone allergy have been noted from 1991 through 2004 in three cochlear implant programs in the United States. All three devices extruded, resulting in explantation of the old device and reimplantation with a new custom-made device eliminating the allergenic silicone component. Wound cultures were negative in all cases. All three patients experienced a delayed extrusion of their devices. Two of these patients had a test-proven allergy to the implant's silicone components, whereas the third patient was presumed to have a hypersensitivity solely on the basis of a clinical presentation.

Conclusion: We propose that silicone allergy is a rare cause of cochlear implant extrusion. Patients experiencing cochlear implant extrusion, particularly with a delayed onset and negative wound culture results, should be tested for silicone allergy.
 
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Kaitin said:
In the video I saw the x-ray. Now I have a stupid question probably. I read articles but I am not certain. How does the implant stay in your head and not move? Does it screw into your skull? If so, doesn't that hurt forever? If not, why doesn't the CI move? I never saw a x-ray.

Edit: I used a different search and found articles about "bone glue", "bone cement", and "titanium clips". Reading these make me feel a little sick.

Also I am allergic to glue on athletic tape and surgical tape. Do some have allergies to bone glue?

Edit again: Studies show some are allergic to CIs - silicone etc. And with allergies the CI comes out of the skull.:eek: But very very rare (less than 0.001% I guess)

Example from Otology & Neurotology. 27(8):1078-1082, December 2006: Silicone Allergy: A New Cause for Cochlear Implant Extrusion and Its Management

Objective: We introduce silicone allergy as a rare cause for cochlear implant extrusion and discuss its management. - Results: Three known cases of cochlear implant extrusion as a result of silicone allergy have been noted from 1991 through 2004 in three cochlear implant programs in the United States. All three devices extruded, resulting in explantation of the old device and reimplantation with a new custom-made device eliminating the allergenic silicone component. Wound cultures were negative in all cases. All three patients experienced a delayed extrusion of their devices. Two of these patients had a test-proven allergy to the implant's silicone components, whereas the third patient was presumed to have a hypersensitivity solely on the basis of a clinical presentation.

Conclusion: We propose that silicone allergy is a rare cause of cochlear implant extrusion. Patients experiencing cochlear implant extrusion, particularly with a delayed onset and negative wound culture results, should be tested for silicone allergy.
Click to expand...

Hi Kaitlin,

Only MRI scans are to be avoided by CI users due to the strong magnet. Other xrays are safe and it will not move around.

I'm not sure about the allergy questions. This is something that should be discussed with a qualified specialist who has your medical history in front of of him or her. As with any surgery, all allergies are noted and the surgical technique would be modified to to accommodate this.
 
Those are good questions, Kaitlin

I don't feel it at all. I know its there and not sure how it stays in place. I was asked all kinds of allergy questions before hand. That might be why some people have the implants removed.

Also if you search around on that site, it gives I think 3 more CI stories.
 
My CI , and the CI surgery I saw - the processor "sits" in a shallow depression carved into the bone (skull) and is anchored with surgical threads through little holes drilled around the cavity.
 
i read this guy's book, and i have to say it was very interesting to read. i never thought i would consider myself to be a cyborg with my implant. you guys should read it if you have a chance. it's called "rebuilt."
 
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