Acoustic Metamaterial Lens for Implant Signal Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical acoustic implants face challenges in delivering precise energy to specific body parts using acoustic waves for therapeutic purposes, as existing systems are complex, patient-specific, and risk potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of an acoustic-enhancing system that includes speakers and/or acoustic-controlling patches made of metamaterial with non-uniform material distribution, geometry, or properties, capable of manipulating acoustic signals by focusing, vortexing, transmitting, or absorbing them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated external acoustic generation techniques are used, then acoustic energy can be delivered for therapeutic purposes, but the system becomes complex and varies from patient to patient
Solution Approach 1:
An acoustic lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the external acoustic source and the target tissue. The lens focuses and directs acoustic energy precisely to the desired location, enabling therapeutic effectiveness while using a simpler, more standardized external acoustic generation system that does not require complex patient-specific customization
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic lens utilizes changes in acoustic impedance and refraction parameters across its structure to focus sound waves. By varying the material properties and geometric parameters of the lens, precise acoustic focusing is achieved without requiring complex external acoustic generation techniques
2Reliability
If sophisticated external acoustic generation techniques are used, then acoustic energy can be delivered for therapeutic purposes, but potential damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic lens serves as a protective intermediary that precisely controls acoustic energy distribution. It focuses energy only on the intended target tissue while shielding surrounding healthy tissue from excessive acoustic exposure, thereby reducing the risk of unintended damage while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic lens creates localized acoustic focusing with high energy concentration only at the specific target location. The quality of acoustic energy distribution is spatially differentiated, providing intense therapy where needed while maintaining safe levels in surrounding areas, thus preventing potential tissue damage
3Reliability
If a transducer implant is used, then acoustic waves can be generated internally, but providing power to the implant becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic generation function is extracted from the implant itself and placed in an external device. The implant contains only the passive acoustic lens structure, eliminating the need for power sources, batteries, or electronic control systems within the implant, thereby simplifying the device and avoiding power provision challenges
Solution Approach 2:
The external acoustic generation system serves multiple functions: generating acoustic waves, focusing them through the lens, and controlling the therapy parameters. This universal external system replaces the need for complex internal implant components, achieving acoustic wave generation without the complications of powering an implantable transducer
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables precise control of acoustic signals for therapeutic applications, improving healing processes, reducing the risk of damage, and allowing for targeted drug delivery in response to focused acoustic signals.
Implementation Method 1
manipulating the acoustic signal can include focusing the acoustic signal
Implementation Method 2
The metamaterial can be operable to manipulate an acoustic signal from the one or more speakers directed into a body part of a user
Implementation Method 3
manipulating the acoustic signal can include absorbing the acoustic signal
Implementation Method 4
the acoustic-controlling patch includes an acoustic Fresnel lens or an acoustic Luneburg lens formed onto a substrate
Implementation Method 5
the acoustic-controlling patch includes an acoustic Fresnel lens or an acoustic Luneburg lens formed onto a substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices include one or more acoustics-controlling device(s). The acoustics-controlling device(s) comprise implants, fixations, patches, and/or coatings formed of a metamaterial to create a particular behavior when exposed to sound waves. An acoustic metamaterial manipulates the acoustic waves that reach it. The metamaterial has a non-uniform material distribution, a non-uniform geometry, and/or a non-uniform material property, such as a non-uniform density, a non-uniform modulus of elasticity, a non-uniform bulk modulus, combinations thereof, and so forth. The system(s) include acoustic controlling patches and implants which control a path of an acoustic signal generated by one or more speakers. An acoustic-controlling patch can include an acoustic Fresnel lens or an acoustic Luneburg lens formed onto a substrate. Furthermore, manipulating the acoustic signal includes focusing the acoustic signal, forming an acoustic vortex from the acoustic signal, steering the acoustic signal, guiding the acoustic signal, or bending the acoustic signal.