MED-EL: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Multinational medical device company}}
{{Short description|Multinational medical device company}}
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MED-EL is a global medical technology company specializing in hearing implants and devices. They develop and manufacture products including [[Cochlear implant|cochlear implants]], [[Middle ear implant|middle ear implants]] and [[Bone conduction|bone conduction systems]].  
'''MED-EL''' is a global technology company that
researches in the field of [[hearing loss]] and develops
and manufactures implantable hearing systems.
These include [[cochlear implant]]s, [[Middle ear implant|middle ear
implants]], [[bone conduction]] hearing implants,
[[electric acoustic stimulation]] hearing implant
systems and [[auditory brainstem implant]]s. The
company is headquartered in [[Innsbruck]], [[Austria]]
and was founded in 1990. MED-EL is a private company and is managed by its co-owner [[Ingeborg Hochmair]], who is an internationally acclaimed
scientist and researcher.<ref>{{cite web|title=The importance of being flexible|url=http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/pdf/2013_c_hochmair.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909164247/http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/pdf/2013_c_hochmair.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-09|publisher=Lasker Foundation}}</ref>


MED-EL is a privately owned company and is run by its co-founder and CEO [[Ingeborg Hochmair|Dr Ingeborg Hochmair]], an internationally acclaimed scientist and researcher in the field of hearing implants.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sep 9 |last2=Implants |first2=2013 {{!}} Cochlear |last3=People |last4=Research {{!}} 0 {{!}} |date=2013-09-09 |title=MED-EL's Hochmair Among Trio of CI Developers Recognized by Lasker-DeBakey Research Award |url=https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/implants-bone-conduction/cochlear-implants/med-el-s-hochmair-among-trio-of-ci-developers-recognized-by-lasker-debakey-award-2 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=The Hearing Review |language=en-US}}</ref> The company headquarters are in [[Innsbruck]], [[Austria]].
==Background==
Austrian scientists [[Ingeborg Hochmair]] and [[Erwin Hochmair]] developed the first passive single-channel cochlear implant.<ref>{{cite news| last =Henkel |first =Gretchen |title =History of the Cochlear Implant | work =ENT Today | publisher =The Triological Society | date =1 April 2013 | url =http://www.enttoday.org/article/history-of-the-cochlear-implant/ | accessdate =19 July 2016 }}</ref> The implantation of this device took place in 1977 in Vienna and was a milestone in the treatment of deafness .<ref>{{cite web|title=Journey to Developing MED-EL's Cochlear Implant: Interview with Dr. Ingeborg and Professor Erwin Hochmair, Founders of MED-EL|url=http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/journey-to-developing-med-els-cochlear-implant-interview-with-dr-ingeborg-and-professor-erwin-hochmair-founders-of-med-el/|publisher=Cochlear Implant Online|date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
After further developing the technology the Hochmair’s went on to found MED-EL, in Innsbruck, Austria in 1990. Since 2003, the American physiologist and award-winning inventor [[Geoffrey R. Ball]] has become CTO of the company’s business unit VIBRANT MED-EL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prof.Geoffrey Ball|url=http://www.lifeaward.org/wp/prof-geoffrey-ball/|publisher=Life Award Website}}</ref>


==History==
⚫
== Research and development ==
In the mid-1970s, Ingeborg and [[Erwin Hochmair]] were research scientists at the [[TU Wien|Technical University of Vienna]], working on the development of cochlear implants. In 1977, the first microelectronic multi-channel cochlear implant was implanted by Dr Kurt Burian in [[Vienna]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909164247/http:/www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/pdf/2013_c_hochmair.pdf |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> Two years later in 1979, a modified version of that implant enabled a female patient to understand words and sentences without lip-reading via a small, body-worn sound processor used in a quiet environment.<ref name=":0" />
In August 2013, a new building was inaugurated specifically designed for research & development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.din-a4.at/en/dina4-projekte/med-el-erweiterung-west-2/|title=MED-EL Research Center|publisher=DIN A4|access-date=2014-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020132602/http://www.din-a4.at/en/dina4-projekte/med-el-erweiterung-west-2/|archive-date=2014-10-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 1989, the Hochmair’s decided to create their own hearing implant company: MED-EL GmbH. As Erwin Hochmair had been awarded a professorship at the [[University of Innsbruck]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erwin Hochmair Biography {{!}} Ohio University |url=https://www.ohio.edu/engineering/about/russ-prize/recipients/erwin-hochmair-biography |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.ohio.edu}}</ref> they decided to found the company in the city and hired their first three employees in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stadt Innsbruck gratuliert MED-EL |url=http://www.ibkinfo.at/archiv/alte-artikel/stadt-innsbruck-gratuliert-medel/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Innsbruck Informiert |language=de}}</ref> In 1991, they developed the world’s first behind-the-ear (BTE) audio processor.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The History of MED-EL |url=https://www.medel.com/about-medel/our-history |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> Instead of being attached to the body, this audio processor was worn behind the ear in the same way as a conventional [[hearing aid]].
⚫
MED-EL operates in over 100 countries worldwide including Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The headquarters of the company are in Innsbruck, Austria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/29/bc-med-el-nomination-idUKnPn7MhYC+4b+PRN20140429|title=MED-EL Founders Nominated for European Inventor Award 2014|date=29 April 2014|publisher=Reuters UK|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020231409/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/29/bc-med-el-nomination-idUKnPn7MhYC+4b+PRN20140429|archivedate=20 October 2014}}</ref>


In 1995, MED-EL developed the CIS LINK system: an audio processor that allowed users of the Ineraid implant to use the recently developed CIS sound coding strategy, despite the fact that Ineraid had discontinued further development on their implants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CochlearImplantHELP |date=2013-10-15 |title=The Ineraid Cochlear Implant |url=https://cochlearimplanthelp.com/2013/10/15/the-ineraid-cochlear-implant/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=cochlear implant HELP |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
==Awards==

Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair were awarded in 2004 the Honorary Doctorate for Medicine from [[Technical University of Munich]] as “Pioneers of the hearing impaired technology” for developing the first multichannel cochlear implant with hybrid technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fakultät für Medizin der TU München: Ehrendoktorwürde für Pioniere der Gehörlosen-Technik|url=http://idw-online.de/pages/en/news77329?id=77329|publisher=IDW Online|date=16 March 2004}}</ref> In 2013, [[Ingeborg Hochmair]] received the prestigious [[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award]] in New York for her part in developing the modern cochlear implant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ingeborg Hochmair: The modern cochlear implant — global use and challenges|url=http://www.laskerfoundation.org/new-noteworthy/articles/ingeborg-hochmair-modern-cochlear-implant/|publisher=Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation|year=2016|accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref>
In 2003, the company acquired the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE, a new type of active middle ear implant pioneered by American inventor [[Geoffrey R. Ball|Geoffrey Ball]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ball |first=Geoffrey Robert |last2=Rose-Eichberger |first2=Karin |date=2021-03-31 |title=DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE – A 25-YEAR PERSPECTIVE |url=https://www.journalofhearingscience.com/DESIGN-AND-DEVELOPMENT-OF-THE-VIBRANT-SOUNDBRIDGE-A-25-YEAR-PERSPECTIVE,133026,0,2.html |journal=Journal of Hearing Science |language=english |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=9–20 |doi=10.17430/JHS.2021.11.1.1 |issn=2083-389X}}</ref> It was MED-EL’s first non-cochlear implant product. Further non-cochlear implant products followed with the BONEBRIDGE active bone conduction implant in 2012 and the ADHEAR non-surgical bone conduction system in 2017.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
MED-EL operates in over 100 countries worldwide including Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 April 2014 |title=MED-EL Founders Nominated for European Inventor Award 2014 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/29/bc-med-el-nomination-idUKnPn7MhYC+4b+PRN20140429 |url-status=dead |publisher=Reuters UK |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020231409/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/29/bc-med-el-nomination-idUKnPn7MhYC+4b+PRN20140429 |archivedate=20 October 2014}}</ref> There are around 200,000 MED-EL users around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About MED-EL |url=https://www.medel.com/about-medel |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref>

The company opened its own hearing museum, the Audioversum Science Centre, in 2013. The science centre is located in central Innsbruck.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AUDIOVERSUM Science Center - Die akustische Erlebniswelt in Innsbruck |url=https://www.audioversum.at/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Audioversum |language=de-DE}}</ref>

== Products ==

====== Cochlear Implants ======
These were the first products to be designed and manufactured by MED-EL. They electronically stimulate the [[cochlea]], sending sound signals to [[Cochlear nerve|auditory nerve]] and onto the [[brain]]. The current models available are the SYNCHRONY 2 implant with either the SONNET 2 or RONDO 3 audio processor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cochlear Implants from MED-EL |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/cochlear-implants |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> The SYNCHRONY 2 implant can undergo MRI scans of up to 3.0 Tesla.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-09 |title=Children with MED-EL Synchrony cochlear implant can safely undergo MRI without discomfort |url=https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200709/Children-with-MED-EL-Synchrony-cochlear-implant-can-safely-undergo-MRI-without-discomfort.aspx |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=News-Medical.net |language=en}}</ref>

====== Electric acoustic stimulation ======
In 2005, MED-EL released their first [[electric acoustic stimulation]] system (EAS).<ref name=":1" /> This new type of implant combines both cochlear implant and hearing aid technology. The cochlear implant technology helps patients to hear high-pitched sounds, while the hearing aid technology helps them to hear low-pitched sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Racey |first=Allison |title=Who is a Candidate for an Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) Cochlear Implant? |url=https://www.audiologyonline.com/ask-the-experts/who-candidates-for-electric-acoustic-20358 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=AudiologyOnline |language=en}}</ref> The current models are the SYNCHRONY 2 for EAS implant with the SONNET 2 EAS audio processor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electric Acoustic Stimulation |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/electric-acoustic-stimulation |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref>

====== Middle ear implants ======
In 2003, MED-EL acquired the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE, a new type of middle ear implant.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ball |first=Geoffrey Robert |last2=Rose-Eichberger |first2=Karin |date=2021-03-31 |title=DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE – A 25-YEAR PERSPECTIVE |url=https://www.journalofhearingscience.com/DESIGN-AND-DEVELOPMENT-OF-THE-VIBRANT-SOUNDBRIDGE-A-25-YEAR-PERSPECTIVE,133026,0,2.html |journal=Journal of Hearing Science |language=english |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=9–20 |doi=10.17430/JHS.2021.11.1.1 |issn=2083-389X}}</ref> The implant works by vibrating the [[Ossicles|bones of the middle ear]], allowing sound vibrations to pass from the [[middle ear]] to the cochlea. The current models are the VORP 503 implant and the SAMBA 2 audio processor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE Middle Ear Implant |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/vibrant-soundbridge |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> Inventor Geoffrey Ball still works as a technical director at MED-EL.  The company also offer passive middle ear implants — prostheses that replace one or all of the ossicles in the middle ear, again allowing sound vibrations to pass from the middle ear to the cochlea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passive Middle Ear Implants {{!}} MED-EL Pro |url=https://www.medel.pro/products/passive-middle-ear-implants |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.pro |language=en}}</ref>

====== Bone conduction systems ======
MED-EL offers two types of bone conduction systems: an implant and a non-surgical device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hearing Solutions from MED-EL |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> The BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant was the first implant on the market to offer direct drive stimulation of the bone through a transcutaneous device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dec 4 |last2=Solutions |first2=2018 {{!}} Bone-Conduction |last3=Conductive |last4=Products |first4=Hearing |last5=Implants {{!}} 2 {{!}} |first5=Middle-Ear |date=2018-12-04 |title=MED-EL's First BONEBRIDGE Hearing Implant System Surgically Implanted |url=https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/implants-bone-conduction/bone-conduction-solutions/med-els-first-bonebridge-hearing-implant-system-surgically-implanted-2 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=The Hearing Review |language=en-US}}</ref> The current models are the BCI 602 implant and the SAMBA 2 audio processor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BONEBRIDGE Bone Conduction Implant |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/bonebridge |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> The system was first approved in Europe in 2012.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Güldner |first=Christian |last2=Heinrichs |first2=Julia |last3=Weiß |first3=Rainer |last4=Zimmermann |first4=Annette Paula |last5=Dassinger |first5=Benjamin |last6=Bien |first6=Siegfried |last7=Werner |first7=Jochen Alfred |last8=Diogo |first8=Isabell |date=2013-09-03 |title=Visualisation of the Bonebridge by means of CT and CBCT |url=https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-783X-18-30 |journal=European Journal of Medical Research |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=30 |doi=10.1186/2047-783X-18-30 |issn=2047-783X |pmc=PMC3844407 |pmid=24004903}}</ref>

The ADHEAR bone conduction device is the company’s only non-surgical hearing device. It consists of an adhesive adapter, which is placed on the skin behind the ear. The hearing device then snaps onto the adapter and transmits sound vibrations to the bones of the skull.<ref>{{Citation |title=How ADHEAR works |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t13vLzOyvMQ |language=en |access-date=2022-05-13}}</ref> There is currently only one model of the ADHEAR available.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADHEAR Bone Conduction System |url=https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/bone-conduction-system |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref>

====== Auditory brainstem implant ======
MED-EL has been producing auditory brainstem implants since 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of MED-EL |url=https://www.medel.com/about-medel/our-history |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> The ABI is similar in design to a cochlear implant, however the electrode array is placed on the [[cochlear nucleus]] of the [[brainstem]], as opposed to being inserted into the cochlea.

⚫
==Research and development==

====== HEARO ======
A collaboration with Swiss company CAScination helped to develop HEARO, a surgical robot designed to assist with cochlear implantation. It uses image-guided surgical planning software to plan the optimal trajectory to the cochlea. The HEARO received the CE mark in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CMO CRO |date=2020.05.01 |title=HEARO: World's First Cochlear Implant Surgical Robot Receives CE-Mark |url=https://www.cmocro.com/news_detail/HEARO%3A+World%26%23039%3Bs+First+Cochlear+Implant+Surgical+Robot+Re/525284/index.html}}</ref>

====== Vestibular prosthesis ======
[[Vestibular system|Vestibular dysfunction]] can lead to a multitude of balance problems, such as falls. MED-EL is conducting research into a viable vestibular prosthesis with local partners including the [[Medical University of Innsbruck]] and the [[UMIT – Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology|UMIT]] university in [[Hall in Tirol|Hall]]. Investigational devices have already been implanted in patients in Europe and the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Information |url=https://www.medel.com/press-room/press-details/2021/05/17/med-el-collaborates-with-local-partners-to-foster-vestibular-research |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref>

====== DEXEL ======
MED-EL is developing the new DEXEL electrode array, which emits controlled doses of the drug [[Dexamethasone]] into the cochlea to improve healing after implantation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Information |url=https://www.medel.com/press-room/press-details/2021/05/18/on-track-towards-a-new-category-of-cochlear-implants |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.medel.com |language=en}}</ref> The first six patients were implanted with the DEXEL at the [[Hannover Medical School]] in [[Germany]] as part of a [[clinical trial]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dhanasingh |first=Anandhan |last2=Hochmair |first2=Ingeborg |date=2021-03-31 |title=Drug delivery in cochlear implantation |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2021.1888505 |journal=Acta Oto-Laryngologica |volume=141 |issue=sup1 |pages=135–156 |doi=10.1080/00016489.2021.1888505 |issn=0001-6489 |pmid=33818265}}</ref>

====== Improved healing ======
The company is researching different ways to improve healing after cochlear implantation. In 2020, MED-EL and the [[Paracelsus Medical University]] Salzburg announced a joint research agreement for the clinical testing of human umbilical cord cell-derived extracellular vesicles. The first clinical trial will take place at the Hannover Medical School in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MED-EL collaborates with Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg for a phase 1/2a clinical trial on improved healing of cochlear implants |url=https://evtt.pmu.ac.at/en/news/news/article/med-el-pmu-kooperieren-klinischer-studie-einheilung-hoerimplantaten0 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=evtt.pmu.ac.at |language=de}}</ref>

====== TICI ======
MED-EL is developing a [[totally implantable cochlear implant]]. This involves combining all the parts of the audio processor into the internal implant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Themes |first=U. F. O. |date=2016-08-27 |title=Considerations for Devising a Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant |url=https://entokey.com/considerations-for-devising-a-totally-implantable-cochlear-implant/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Ento Key |language=en-US}}</ref> The first patient in [[Europe]] was implanted with a TICI in September 2020 as part of a clinical trial.<ref>{{Cite web |title=hoerakustik.net - Erstes TICI in Europa implantiert |url=https://www.hoerakustik.net/wissen/hoersysteme-technik-zubehoer/3299-erstes-tici-in-europa-implantiert |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.hoerakustik.net}}</ref>

⚫
== Awards ==
2021: Red Dot award for RONDO 3<ref>{{Cite web |title=RONDO 3 |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/rondo-3-53310}}</ref>

2020: Innovator of the Year award for SYNCHRONY cochlear implant system, BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant and AudioKey app<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-19 |title=MED-EL Named Hearing Technology “Innovator of the Year” |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201019005509/en/MED-EL-Named-Hearing-Technology-%E2%80%9CInnovator-of-the-Year%E2%80%9D |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

2020: Trigos award for international engagement, for healthcare projects in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Ivory Coast]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=Kooperationspartner MED-EL gewinnt renommierten TRIGOS-Award |url=https://icep.at/social-impact-medel-trigos/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=ICEP |language=de-DE-formal}}</ref>

2019: Red Dot award for BONEBRIDGE BCI 602 implant<ref>{{Cite web |title=BCI 602 Implant |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/bci-602-implant-44882}}</ref>

2014: Red Dot award for MED-EL audio processor<ref>{{Cite web |title=MED-EL Audio Processor |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/med-el-audio-processor-32177}}</ref>

2013: Red Dot award for VSB QuickCheck<ref>{{Cite web |title=VSB QuickCheck |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/vsb-quickcheck-30921}}</ref>

2004: Honorary Doctorate for Medicine (Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair) from [[Technical University of Munich]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fakultät für Medizin der TU München: Ehrendoktorwürde für Pioniere der Gehörlosen-Technik |url=https://idw-online.de/en/news77329?id=77329 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=idw-online.de}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 08:50, 13 May 2022

MED-EL
Company typePrivate company
Industrymedical device
Founded1990
HeadquartersInnsbruck, Austria
Key people
Ingeborg Hochmair CEO & CTO
ProductsHearing implants
Number of employees
1,500[1]
Websitewww.medel.com

MED-EL is a global medical technology company specializing in hearing implants and devices. They develop and manufacture products including cochlear implants, middle ear implants and bone conduction systems.  

MED-EL is a privately owned company and is run by its co-founder and CEO Dr Ingeborg Hochmair, an internationally acclaimed scientist and researcher in the field of hearing implants.[2] The company headquarters are in Innsbruck, Austria.

History

In the mid-1970s, Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair were research scientists at the Technical University of Vienna, working on the development of cochlear implants. In 1977, the first microelectronic multi-channel cochlear implant was implanted by Dr Kurt Burian in Vienna.[3] Two years later in 1979, a modified version of that implant enabled a female patient to understand words and sentences without lip-reading via a small, body-worn sound processor used in a quiet environment.[2]

In 1989, the Hochmair’s decided to create their own hearing implant company: MED-EL GmbH. As Erwin Hochmair had been awarded a professorship at the University of Innsbruck,[4] they decided to found the company in the city and hired their first three employees in 1990.[5] In 1991, they developed the world’s first behind-the-ear (BTE) audio processor.[6] Instead of being attached to the body, this audio processor was worn behind the ear in the same way as a conventional hearing aid.

In 1995, MED-EL developed the CIS LINK system: an audio processor that allowed users of the Ineraid implant to use the recently developed CIS sound coding strategy, despite the fact that Ineraid had discontinued further development on their implants.[7]

In 2003, the company acquired the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE, a new type of active middle ear implant pioneered by American inventor Geoffrey Ball.[8] It was MED-EL’s first non-cochlear implant product. Further non-cochlear implant products followed with the BONEBRIDGE active bone conduction implant in 2012 and the ADHEAR non-surgical bone conduction system in 2017.[6]

MED-EL operates in over 100 countries worldwide including Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.[9] There are around 200,000 MED-EL users around the world.[10]

The company opened its own hearing museum, the Audioversum Science Centre, in 2013. The science centre is located in central Innsbruck.[11]

Products

Cochlear Implants

These were the first products to be designed and manufactured by MED-EL. They electronically stimulate the cochlea, sending sound signals to auditory nerve and onto the brain. The current models available are the SYNCHRONY 2 implant with either the SONNET 2 or RONDO 3 audio processor.[12] The SYNCHRONY 2 implant can undergo MRI scans of up to 3.0 Tesla.[13]

Electric acoustic stimulation

In 2005, MED-EL released their first electric acoustic stimulation system (EAS).[6] This new type of implant combines both cochlear implant and hearing aid technology. The cochlear implant technology helps patients to hear high-pitched sounds, while the hearing aid technology helps them to hear low-pitched sounds.[14] The current models are the SYNCHRONY 2 for EAS implant with the SONNET 2 EAS audio processor.[15]

Middle ear implants

In 2003, MED-EL acquired the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE, a new type of middle ear implant.[16] The implant works by vibrating the bones of the middle ear, allowing sound vibrations to pass from the middle ear to the cochlea. The current models are the VORP 503 implant and the SAMBA 2 audio processor.[17] Inventor Geoffrey Ball still works as a technical director at MED-EL.  The company also offer passive middle ear implants — prostheses that replace one or all of the ossicles in the middle ear, again allowing sound vibrations to pass from the middle ear to the cochlea.[18]

Bone conduction systems

MED-EL offers two types of bone conduction systems: an implant and a non-surgical device.[19] The BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant was the first implant on the market to offer direct drive stimulation of the bone through a transcutaneous device.[20] The current models are the BCI 602 implant and the SAMBA 2 audio processor.[21] The system was first approved in Europe in 2012.[22]

The ADHEAR bone conduction device is the company’s only non-surgical hearing device. It consists of an adhesive adapter, which is placed on the skin behind the ear. The hearing device then snaps onto the adapter and transmits sound vibrations to the bones of the skull.[23] There is currently only one model of the ADHEAR available.[24]

Auditory brainstem implant

MED-EL has been producing auditory brainstem implants since 1997.[25] The ABI is similar in design to a cochlear implant, however the electrode array is placed on the cochlear nucleus of the brainstem, as opposed to being inserted into the cochlea.

Research and development

HEARO

A collaboration with Swiss company CAScination helped to develop HEARO, a surgical robot designed to assist with cochlear implantation. It uses image-guided surgical planning software to plan the optimal trajectory to the cochlea. The HEARO received the CE mark in 2020.[26]

Vestibular prosthesis

Vestibular dysfunction can lead to a multitude of balance problems, such as falls. MED-EL is conducting research into a viable vestibular prosthesis with local partners including the Medical University of Innsbruck and the UMIT university in Hall. Investigational devices have already been implanted in patients in Europe and the US.[27]

DEXEL

MED-EL is developing the new DEXEL electrode array, which emits controlled doses of the drug Dexamethasone into the cochlea to improve healing after implantation.[28] The first six patients were implanted with the DEXEL at the Hannover Medical School in Germany as part of a clinical trial in 2020.[29]

Improved healing

The company is researching different ways to improve healing after cochlear implantation. In 2020, MED-EL and the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg announced a joint research agreement for the clinical testing of human umbilical cord cell-derived extracellular vesicles. The first clinical trial will take place at the Hannover Medical School in Germany.[30]

TICI

MED-EL is developing a totally implantable cochlear implant. This involves combining all the parts of the audio processor into the internal implant.[31] The first patient in Europe was implanted with a TICI in September 2020 as part of a clinical trial.[32]

Awards

2021: Red Dot award for RONDO 3[33]

2020: Innovator of the Year award for SYNCHRONY cochlear implant system, BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant and AudioKey app[34]

2020: Trigos award for international engagement, for healthcare projects in Bangladesh and Ivory Coast[35]

2019: Red Dot award for BONEBRIDGE BCI 602 implant[36]

2014: Red Dot award for MED-EL audio processor[37]

2013: Red Dot award for VSB QuickCheck[38]

2004: Honorary Doctorate for Medicine (Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair) from Technical University of Munich[39]

References

  1. ^ "MED-EL Founders Nominated for European Inventor Award 2014". Reuters UK. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b Sep 9; Implants, 2013 | Cochlear; People; Research | 0 | (2013-09-09). "MED-EL's Hochmair Among Trio of CI Developers Recognized by Lasker-DeBakey Research Award". The Hearing Review. Retrieved 2022-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). web.archive.org. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  4. ^ "Erwin Hochmair Biography | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  5. ^ "Stadt Innsbruck gratuliert MED-EL". Innsbruck Informiert (in German). Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  6. ^ a b c "The History of MED-EL". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  7. ^ CochlearImplantHELP (2013-10-15). "The Ineraid Cochlear Implant". cochlear implant HELP. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  8. ^ Ball, Geoffrey Robert; Rose-Eichberger, Karin (2021-03-31). "DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE – A 25-YEAR PERSPECTIVE". Journal of Hearing Science. 11 (1): 9–20. doi:10.17430/JHS.2021.11.1.1. ISSN 2083-389X.
  9. ^ "MED-EL Founders Nominated for European Inventor Award 2014". Reuters UK. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014.
  10. ^ "About MED-EL". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  11. ^ "AUDIOVERSUM Science Center - Die akustische Erlebniswelt in Innsbruck". Audioversum (in German). Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  12. ^ "Cochlear Implants from MED-EL". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  13. ^ "Children with MED-EL Synchrony cochlear implant can safely undergo MRI without discomfort". News-Medical.net. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  14. ^ Racey, Allison. "Who is a Candidate for an Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) Cochlear Implant?". AudiologyOnline. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  15. ^ "Electric Acoustic Stimulation". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  16. ^ Ball, Geoffrey Robert; Rose-Eichberger, Karin (2021-03-31). "DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE – A 25-YEAR PERSPECTIVE". Journal of Hearing Science. 11 (1): 9–20. doi:10.17430/JHS.2021.11.1.1. ISSN 2083-389X.
  17. ^ "VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE Middle Ear Implant". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  18. ^ "Passive Middle Ear Implants | MED-EL Pro". www.medel.pro. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  19. ^ "Hearing Solutions from MED-EL". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  20. ^ Dec 4; Solutions, 2018 | Bone-Conduction; Conductive; Products, Hearing; Implants | 2 |, Middle-Ear (2018-12-04). "MED-EL's First BONEBRIDGE Hearing Implant System Surgically Implanted". The Hearing Review. Retrieved 2022-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "BONEBRIDGE Bone Conduction Implant". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  22. ^ Güldner, Christian; Heinrichs, Julia; Weiß, Rainer; Zimmermann, Annette Paula; Dassinger, Benjamin; Bien, Siegfried; Werner, Jochen Alfred; Diogo, Isabell (2013-09-03). "Visualisation of the Bonebridge by means of CT and CBCT". European Journal of Medical Research. 18 (1): 30. doi:10.1186/2047-783X-18-30. ISSN 2047-783X. PMC 3844407. PMID 24004903.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  23. ^ How ADHEAR works, retrieved 2022-05-13
  24. ^ "ADHEAR Bone Conduction System". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  25. ^ "The History of MED-EL". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  26. ^ CMO CRO (2020.05.01). "HEARO: World's First Cochlear Implant Surgical Robot Receives CE-Mark". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Corporate Information". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  28. ^ "Corporate Information". www.medel.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  29. ^ Dhanasingh, Anandhan; Hochmair, Ingeborg (2021-03-31). "Drug delivery in cochlear implantation". Acta Oto-Laryngologica. 141 (sup1): 135–156. doi:10.1080/00016489.2021.1888505. ISSN 0001-6489. PMID 33818265.
  30. ^ "MED-EL collaborates with Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg for a phase 1/2a clinical trial on improved healing of cochlear implants". evtt.pmu.ac.at (in German). Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  31. ^ Themes, U. F. O. (2016-08-27). "Considerations for Devising a Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant". Ento Key. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  32. ^ "hoerakustik.net - Erstes TICI in Europa implantiert". www.hoerakustik.net. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  33. ^ "RONDO 3".
  34. ^ "MED-EL Named Hearing Technology "Innovator of the Year"". www.businesswire.com. 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  35. ^ "Kooperationspartner MED-EL gewinnt renommierten TRIGOS-Award". ICEP (in German). 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  36. ^ "BCI 602 Implant".
  37. ^ "MED-EL Audio Processor".
  38. ^ "VSB QuickCheck".
  39. ^ "Fakultät für Medizin der TU München: Ehrendoktorwürde für Pioniere der Gehörlosen-Technik". idw-online.de. Retrieved 2022-05-13.

External links

47°15′45″N 11°22′26″E / 47.2625°N 11.3740°E / 47.2625; 11.3740

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