Bone Conduction Hearing Aid Hook and Magnet Compression

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone conduction hearing aid technologies face issues with skin irritation and necrosis due to compression forces from strong magnetic systems used to attach devices to the skull, and require complex transducers and electromagnetic signal transmission through the skin, which can lead to complications and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A listening device with magnetically operated compression parts and a hook design that distributes force over a smaller skin area, using encapsulated magnets implanted in the skull bone for reduced magnetic force and improved vibration transfer, along with a design that positions the hearing aid closer to the ear canal for enhanced sensitivity and natural sound directionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If strong magnetic means are used to attach the device to the skull bone, then the device can be securely held in place, but skin irritation and necrosis may result from compression forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidskin irritation and necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two separate functions: the ear hook provides mechanical support and weight bearing, while the magnet provides only compression for vibration transfer. This segmentation allows the magnet to be much weaker and not cause skin damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weight-bearing function is extracted from the magnetic attachment system and transferred to the ear hook. This removes the harmful compression forces from the skin while maintaining secure device attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If a subcutaneous magnet is used as an attachment point, then the device can be attached to the skull bone, but compression forces on the skin may hamper blood circulation and cause necrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcompression forces on skin

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weight-bearing function is extracted from the magnetic attachment system and transferred to the ear hook. This removes the harmful compression forces from the skin while maintaining secure device attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet is designed to provide only local compression force for vibration transfer, not for supporting the device weight. This localized function reduces the overall compression force on the skin to safe levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the hearing aid is positioned closer to the ear canal, then sensitivity and natural sound directionality are improved, but the device requires secure attachment to prevent feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound sensitivity and directionalityVSAvoidfeedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two separate functions: the ear hook provides mechanical support and weight bearing, while the magnet provides only compression for vibration transfer. This segmentation allows the magnet to be much weaker and not cause skin damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces skin irritation and necrosis risks, minimizes feedback, and improves sound sensitivity and directionality by using a hook to carry the device's weight and positioning it closer to the ear canal, while allowing for easier implantation and removal of the magnet system.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic compression parts (12, 13) which are arranged to provide an attraction force between each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a vibrator (9) is provided as part of the listening device and adapted to vibrationally energize a skin portion (15) through an output coupler (8)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the ear hook carries the weight of the listening device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2592848B1Acoustic transmission method and listening device.

Publication Date: 2019.06.26 OTICON MEDICAL AS

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AI summary

A listening device (1) having an ear hook (11) adapted for carrying the device (1) behind the ear (20) of a user and magnetically operated compression parts (13,12) including a subcutaneous part (13) and a device part (12) is provided, where further a vibrator (9) is provided and adapted to vibrationally energize a skin portion (15,16) through an output coupler (8), wherein the hook (11) carries the weight of the listening device (1) and the magnetic compression parts (13,12) ensures compression between the output coupler (8) and the skin portion(15).