1. A method, using a personal computer device having a GPS receiver, of populating a database comprising:
determining, by the personal computer device using its GPS receiver, a location at which the personal computer device becomes relatively immobile;
transmitting, by the personal computer device, the location of at which the personal computer device becomes relatively immobile to a server;
receiving, by the personal computer device, information regarding the location from the server; and
requesting, by the personal computer device, that the server store the information in a database associated with a user of the personal computer device;
wherein determining a location at which the personal computer device becomes relatively immobile comprises:
evaluating the position of the personal computer device using the GPS receiver;
waiting a preselected time period; reevaluating the position of the personal computer device using the GPS receiver; and
determining if the position of the personal computer device before and after waiting the preselected time period is substantially the same.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-10. (canceled)
11. An ossicular prosthesis, comprising:
a flat head portion for mating with the tympanic membrane;
a superelastic metal alloy engagement structure for providing a compressive force about a portion of an ossicle; and
a shaft extending between said head portion and said engagement structure and having a length not exceeding approximately 5 mm,
wherein said engagement structure defines an opening and is deformable to widen the opening to permit the portion of the ossicle to be received therein, and when the engagement structure is deformed to receive the portion of the ossicle the stress in the engagement structure, after a short duration of linear elastic behavior, remains substantially constant.
12. An ossicular prosthesis, comprising:
a first superelastic metal alloy engagement structure for providing a compressive force about a portion of an ossicle; and
a second superelastic metal alloy engagement structure for providing a compressive force about a portion of an ossicle,
wherein each respective engagement structure defines an opening and is deformable to widen the opening to permit the respective portion of the ossicle to be received therein, and when the respective engagement structure is deformed to receive the portion of the ossicle the stress in the respective engagement structure, after a short duration of linear elastic behavior, remains substantially constant.
13. An ossicular prosthesis according to claim 12, wherein:
said first and second engagement structures are provided along different axes of said prosthesis.
14. An ossicular prosthesis according to claim 13, wherein:
openings into both said first and second engagement structure are from a common direction.
15. A method of implanting an ossicular prosthesis, comprising:
a) providing an ossicular prosthesis having a first engagement structure defining a first opening through which a portion of a first ossicle can be received therein and a second engagement structure defining a second opening through which a portion of a second ossicle can be received therein, the first and second engagement structures adapted to apply a compressive force to restrain the respective first and second ossicles received therein, the engagement structure made from superelastic nickel titanium alloy; and
b) implanting the ossicular prosthesis, wherein during the implantation the first engagement structure is deformed to widen the first opening to permit the portion of the first ossicle to be received therein, and the second engagement structure is deformed to widen the second opening to permit the portion of the second ossicle to be received therein, and
when the first engagement portion is deformed to receive the portion of the first ossicle, the stress in the first engagement structure remains substantially constant throughout a majority of its deformation, and after the portion of the first ossicle is received therein the first engagement portion applies a compressive force to the portion of the first ossicle, and
when the second engagement portion is deformed to receive the portion of the second ossicle, the stress in the second engagement structure remains substantially constant throughout a majority of its deformation, and after the portion of the second ossicle is received therein the second engagement portion applies a compressive force to the portion of the second ossicle.
16-17. (canceled)
18. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
said first and second engagement structures are made from superelastic nickel titanium alloy.
19. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
said first and second openings are placed over said portions of said first and second ossicles from a common direction.
20. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
said first and second engagement structures are oriented in a generally L-shape configuration.
21. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
axes extending longitudinally through said first and second engagement structures are oriented transversely to each other.
22. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
axes extending longitudinally through said first and second engagement structures are oriented perpendicularly to each other.
23. A method according to claim 15, wherein:
said implanting replaces a joint between an existing incus and stapes.