Artificial Vestibular Organ Sensing Rotational Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with a damaged vestibular organ cannot sense equilibrium and rotational motions, hindering normal activities, necessitating an artificial vestibular organ system to mimic the function of a semicircular canal and hair cells.
Innovation Solution
An artificial vestibular organ system comprising an artificial semicircular canal filled with liquid, pressure or speed sensing artificial hair, a signal conversion unit, a body stimulation pulse generation unit, and a power unit, which converts electrical or magnetic signals into body stimulation pulses to simulate natural vestibular function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an artificial vestibular organ system is developed to sense rotational movements, then the ability to maintain balance and perform normal activities is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components including artificial semicircular canals, sensing elements, and signal processing units
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial vestibular organ is divided into multiple functional segments: artificial semicircular canals for housing the sensing elements, separate sensing elements (hair cells or pressure sensors) for detecting liquid movement, and distinct signal processing units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to restore vestibular function.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial vestibular organ system integrates multiple functions into a single implantable device: it includes both the sensing mechanism (artificial hair cells or pressure sensors) and the signal processing capability (conversion unit and pulse generation unit) within one system, eliminating the need for separate external components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensing type artificial hair is used to sense liquid movement, then the sensing capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the sensor elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing structures with pressure sensing elements that convert mechanical pressure from liquid movement directly into electrical signals. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining high measurement precision, as pressure sensors can be fabricated using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques rather than requiring precise mechanical assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sensing parameter from direct mechanical displacement (which would require high manufacturing precision) to pressure detection, which can be measured with high precision using standardized pressure sensor technologies. This parameter change allows for accurate liquid movement detection without stringent manufacturing tolerances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing elements and signal processing units are integrated into the artificial vestibular organ, then the functionality is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensing elements and signal processing units into a single integrated implantable device, eliminating the need for separate external power supplies and signal processing equipment. This merging reduces overall power consumption by minimizing energy loss in signal transmission between separate components and allows the system to be powered efficiently by a single small battery implanted with the device.
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
Enables rehabilitation for individuals with damaged vestibular organs by assisting in sensing rotational movements and maintaining balance, allowing for normal activities by mimicking the natural vestibular system's function.
Implementation Method 1
the artificial hair is formed of pressure sensing type artificial hair for sensing a movement pressure of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric sensor using a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
speed sensing type artificial hair for sensing a flow rate of the liquid according to the movement of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial vestibular organ system includes an artificial semicircular canal; a liquid filled in the artificial semicircular canal; artificial hair for sensing movement of liquid in the artificial semicircular canal; a signal conversion unit for converting an electrical or magnetic signal generated from the artificial hair into a body stimulation signal; a body stimulation pulse generation unit for transmitting the body stimulation pulse converted by the signal conversion unit to the ampulla; and a power unit. The artificial hair can be constituted in a pressure sensing manner or in a speed sensing manner for sensing the flow rate. The pressure sensing type can be formed of flex sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or an FSR sensor, and the velocity sensing type can include rotary wings rotated according to the flow of the liquid or a speed measuring instrument for measuring the rotating speed of the rotary wings.