Bone Conduction Therapeutic Sound With Tissue Attenuation Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audio devices like speakers and headphones can be inappropriate or disruptive in certain settings and may negatively affect a person's ability to perform tasks or disturb others, while existing bone conduction devices face challenges in compensating for individual tissue attenuation and providing therapeutic sound percepts effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction apparatus that generates vibrations to cause therapeutic sound percepts, compensates for tissue attenuation, and modifies signals based on head movement and ambient noise, using sensors to customize the therapeutic signal for individual recipients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If speakers or headphones are used to provide therapeutic sound, then the sound can be heard clearly, but it may disturb others or be inappropriate in certain settings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the audio transmission path into two independent channels: air conduction for environmental awareness and bone conduction for therapeutic sound delivery. This segmentation allows the therapeutic sound to be delivered privately through the skull to the cochlea without requiring airborne sound propagation that would disturb others.
Solution Approach 2:
The skull acts as an intermediary medium to transmit therapeutic vibrations directly to the cochlea, bypassing the need for airborne sound transmission through the ear canal. This mediator approach enables private sound delivery while maintaining environmental awareness through traditional air conduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bone conduction devices are used to provide therapeutic sound, then they are discreet and do not disturb others, but they face challenges in compensating for individual tissue attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the device monitors the therapeutic sound delivery and adjusts the vibration signal in real-time to compensate for variations in individual skull bone density and tissue attenuation characteristics. This feedback loop enables customization of the therapeutic signal for each user's anatomical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the vibration signal parameters (frequency, amplitude, waveform) based on measured tissue attenuation characteristics of individual users. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system compensates for variations in skull bone density and soft tissue properties across different individuals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bone conduction devices are used, then they can be used in settings where headphones are inappropriate, but they may require more complex signal processing to account for tissue attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of the user's skull bone density and tissue attenuation characteristics before delivering the therapeutic sound. This preliminary action allows the device to pre-calculate and store customized vibration signals that are optimized for each user's anatomical properties, reducing the need for complex real-time signal processing during therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic adjustment capabilities where the device can modify vibration signal parameters in real-time based on user feedback, environmental conditions, and monitored physiological responses. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying conditions without requiring overly complex fixed algorithms.
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
Provides therapeutic sound percepts effectively in various settings, enhancing concentration and treating disorders like ADHD, while being discreet and reducing disruption, with potential for lower cost and improved battery life compared to conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
vibrating, using the therapeutic signal, a vibratory actuator of the bone conduction apparatus to cause the patient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept
Implementation Method 2
a vibratory actuator disposed in the housing and configured to vibrate in response to the therapeutic signal
Implementation Method 3
a coupling apparatus to facilitate transfer of vibrations from the vibratory actuator to a cochlea of a recipient of the bone conduction apparatus via the recipient's skull
Implementation Method 4
generating the therapeutic signal includes compensating the therapeutic signal for soft tissue attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
Therapeutic sound is provided through a bone conduction apparatus. A patient having a mental disorder is selected and provided with a bone conduction apparatus. A therapeutic signal generator generates a therapeutic signal for ameliorating the mental disorder. A vibratory actuator of the bone conduction apparatus vibrates based on the therapeutic signal, which causes the patient to perceive a therapeutic sound percept.