Middle Ear Prosthesis With Angled Springs for Mobility After Scarring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing middle ear prostheses lack versatility and effectiveness in reconstructing the ossicular chain, failing to adapt to various clinical conditions and requiring multiple expensive models, while posing challenges in surgical reconstruction due to difficult operating fields and tissue scarring.
Innovation Solution
A middle ear prosthesis composed of spring elements with specific material properties and adjustable angles and lengths, allowing for easy modeling and connection to anatomical parts, ensuring effective sound wave transmission without excessive energy absorption or damping, and maintaining mobility despite tissue scarring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple expensive prosthesis models are used to cover different clinical requirements, then the adaptability to various clinical conditions is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal prosthesis system with standardized connection elements that can be used across different clinical scenarios. The prosthesis includes a holder with a universal connection interface that can attach to various anatomical structures (tympanic membrane, ossicles, stapes) and implant types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized models while maintaining adaptability to diverse clinical conditions
2Strength
If rigid connection elements are used in the prosthesis, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to accommodate tissue scarring and maintain mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs connection elements with adjustable mechanical properties, including spring-loaded components and elements with varying degrees of flexibility. These elements can be selected or adjusted to provide optimal balance between structural strength and compliance, allowing the prosthesis to maintain mobility even when tissue scarring occurs around the implant
3Ease of operation
If the operating field is made more accessible through surgical approaches, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of tissue damage and scarring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes self-retaining connection elements that automatically secure themselves to the anatomical structures without requiring extensive surgical manipulation. The holder features self-locking mechanisms and snap-fit connections that minimize surgical handling time and reduce tissue trauma, thereby decreasing scarring while maintaining ease of implantation
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
The prosthesis effectively reconstructs the middle ear conductive chain, providing safe and functional sound wave transmission, adaptable to diverse clinical conditions, and reduces the need for multiple models, ensuring ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the first spring element and the second spring element are made of wire of a material having a Young's modulus E in the range from 7·10^10 Pa to 22·10^10 Pa... ensuring effective sound wave transmission without excessive energy absorption or damping
Data Source
Figure 1~3C
Figure 4A~6
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a middle ear prosthesis (1), in particular of the middle ear conductive chain, comprising a first spring element (2) constituting a spring of at least one coil, having a length Lm in the range from 0.2 mm to 10 mm, and possibly a second spring element (3) constituting a spring of at least one coil, having a length Lk in the range from 0.1 mm to 4 mm, wherein the first spring element (2) and the second spring element (3) are made of wire of a material having a Young's modulus E in the range from 7 · 1010 N/m2 to 11.4.1010 N/m2, a density p in the range from 4.103 kg/m3 to 20. 103 kg/m3, a Poisson's ratio v in the range from 0.34 to 0.44, wherein the first spring element (2) is connected to the second spring element (3) in such a way that the rotational symmetry axis of the first spring element (2) is placed at an angle α-ι with respect to the rotational symmetry axis of the second spring element (3), included in the range from 5° to 160°.