Auricular Support System with Curing Mold Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ear repositioning systems for infants face challenges with adhesion issues due to double-sided tape, leading to labor-intensive maintenance and improper application, especially as estrogen levels decrease, reducing the malleability of ear cartilage and making it difficult to correct auricular deformities after three weeks of age.
Innovation Solution
An auricular support system comprising a substrate with an adhesive end and a mold material that cures to support the ear structure, providing mechanical interference to prevent removal and allowing for manipulation of the ear before curing to correct deformities, using a gel-like polymer that attaches to both the substrate and the ear, offering flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If double-sided tape is used to attach fixation devices to the skin surface, then the fixation devices can be applied easily, but the adhesion becomes compromised leading to labor-intensive maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ear well as an intermediary component between the skin surface and the fixation devices. The ear well is adhesively attached to the skin and provides a stable base structure, while the fixation devices are then attached to the ear well rather than directly to the skin. This intermediary structure distributes the adhesive load and prevents direct contact between the fixation devices and skin, thereby maintaining adhesion stability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the ear well (adhesive attachment component), the fixation devices (positioning component), and the support structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the ear well provides stable adhesive attachment to the skin, while the fixation devices can be easily attached and removed from the ear well without compromising skin adhesion.
2Loss of time
If the ear is repositioned after three weeks of life, then the treatment can be delayed, but the success rate decreases by more than 50% due to reduced cartilage malleability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent emphasizes early intervention by providing a fixation device that can be applied immediately after birth or within the first few weeks of life when cartilage is most malleable. The system includes instructions and design features that enable guardians to apply the device at home during the optimal treatment window, performing the repositioning action before cartilage rigidity increases and success rates decline.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device is designed to be applied and maintained by guardians at home without requiring clinical intervention. The device includes clear instructions and features that enable non-medical personnel to properly position and secure the ear, allowing treatment to be initiated and maintained during the critical early period when cartilage is most responsive to repositioning.
3Reliability
If an ear well is adhesively attached to the cranial skin surface, then the ear can be supported in position, but the adhesion degrades due to mandible movement during normal anatomical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the adhesive attachment function from the ear support function. The ear well is adhesively attached to the skin to provide a stable base, while the ear support structure is then attached to the ear well rather than directly relying on the adhesive bond during mandible movement. This segmentation isolates the adhesive bond from the mechanical stresses caused by mandible movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear well acts as an intermediary structure between the skin and the ear support devices. It absorbs and distributes the mechanical stresses from mandible movement, preventing these forces from directly compromising the adhesive bond between the fixation devices and the skin surface.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixation devices are used, then ear repositioning can be attempted, but the devices lack positional flexibility of the auxiliary structure
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device incorporates adjustable and repositionable components that allow the auxiliary structure to be dynamically adjusted to different positions and angles. The device can be manipulated to accommodate various ear deformities and can be repositioned if the initial positioning is not optimal, providing the flexibility needed for different anatomical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device is divided into modular components including the ear well, auxiliary support structures, and positioning elements that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall flexibility in positioning and configuration to address different types of auricular deformities.
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 system effectively maintains the ear in a desired position, correcting deformities by allowing for manipulation before curing, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and improving success rates in ear shaping, as the mold material securely attaches to both the substrate and the ear, enhancing positional stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate can include a substrate body having a first end and an opposed second end. At least a portion of the first end can be configured to carry an adhesive suitable to attach to a dermal surface.
Implementation Method 2
The mold material can be configured to cure after the mold material is applied to the auricular structure and the substrate body so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
An auricular support system can include a substrate and a mold material. The substrate can include a substrate body having a first end and an opposed second end. At least a portion of the first end can be configured to carry an adhesive suitable to attach to a dermal surface. The second end defines at least one void. The mold material can be configured to be applied to both an auricular structure and the second end of the substrate body such that the mold material becomes disposed in the void and molds about the auricular structure. The mold material can be configured to cure after the mold material is applied to the auricular structure and the substrate body so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate. The auricular support system can further include an auxiliary support structure configured to attach to the auricular structure.