Auditory Canal Measurement Using CT Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for custom fitting hearing aids are invasive, painful, and time-consuming, particularly for children, as they require physical impression materials that can cause discomfort and increase the risk of ear infections, and may not accurately capture the auditory canal shape due to limitations in existing imaging technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method using computed tomography (CT) scanners to extract measurements of the auditory canal from computerized imaging scans without physical contact or material insertion, allowing for eligibility determination for hearing aid devices and enabling quick production of custom prosthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If physical impression materials are inserted into the auditory canal to capture the ear canal shape, then manufacturing precision of the hearing aid mold is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate due to pain, risk of tympanic membrane damage, and ear infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical impression material insertion system with an optical imaging system (otoscope with camera or optical coherence tomography). Light is used to capture images of the auditory canal instead of physically inserting materials, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating the harmful effects of foreign material contact with the tympanic membrane and ear canal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (photograph or 3D reconstruction) of the auditory canal instead of creating a physical mold copy. The digital image or reconstructed model serves as the template for hearing aid manufacturing, eliminating the need for physical impression materials while preserving the geometric accuracy needed for custom fitting.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional impression materials are used to create a physical mold, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to material mixing, insertion, solidification, and removal steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step mechanical impression process with a rapid optical imaging process. The otoscope with integrated camera or optical coherence tomography system captures the auditory canal geometry in seconds through non-contact imaging, eliminating the time-consuming steps of material mixing, insertion, waiting for solidification, and careful removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an immediate digital copy of the auditory canal through photography or optical scanning, which can be processed and transmitted for manufacturing without delay. This digital copying process occurs in real-time or near real-time, eliminating the mandatory waiting period required for impression material solidification.
3Reliability
If oto-block is inserted to prevent impression material from contacting the tympanic membrane, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical oto-block protection system with a non-contact optical imaging system. The otoscope with integrated camera or optical coherence tomography device can image through or around the oto-block without requiring its removal, capturing the auditory canal geometry safely without needing additional protective components or procedural steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If children are restrained during the impression process to ensure stability, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and cooperation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical restraint system with a rapid optical imaging system that captures images in seconds. The brief exposure time and non-contact nature of the imaging process allow children to remain relatively comfortable and cooperative without requiring physical restraint, while still obtaining stable measurements through quick successive images or rapid optical scanning.
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 approach reduces patient discomfort, minimizes the risk of ear infections, and accelerates the fitting process by providing accurate measurements for hearing aids, enabling faster treatment and improved cognitive auditory development in children.
Implementation Method 1
A method using computed tomography (CT) scanners to extract measurements of the auditory canal from computerized imaging scans
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system is provided, comprising extracting measurements of at least one auditory canal from at least one computerized imaging scan of the at least one auditory canal devoid of physical measurement aids; determining eligibility for at least one auditory canal device at least partly by comparing the measurements of the at least one auditory canal with predetermined measurements of the at least one auditory canal device; and providing an indication of the eligibility determination contemporaneously with the measurement extracting.