Bone Conduction Headrest for MRI Patient Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication with patients during MRI scans is challenging due to loud noise from gradient coils, and existing systems like earplugs, headsets, and microphones provide inadequate noise isolation or are cumbersome in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic communication system using a headrest with vibration actuators that physically contact noise-isolating earplugs, enabling acoustic conduction of audio signals through bone conduction, and optionally incorporating a bone conduction microphone for two-way communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passive ear protection (earplugs) is provided to reduce ambient noise, then noise isolation is improved (greater than 30 dB), but communication with the patient becomes difficult due to the loud scanner noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bone conduction transducer as an intermediary device that bypasses the air conduction path blocked by earplugs. The transducer converts audio signals into vibrations that travel through the skull bone directly to the inner ear, allowing communication to occur while the earplugs remain in place to block ambient scanner noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional acoustic (air-based) communication system with a mechanical vibration-based system. Instead of transmitting sound waves through air to the eardrum, the system uses a bone conduction transducer to mechanically vibrate the skull bone, directly stimulating the inner ear structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wearable headsets with large cavities or muffs are used to provide noise suppression, then noise isolation is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and cannot be used in confined spaces such as head coils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential noise isolation function from the bulky headset structure and implements it through a different mechanism. Instead of using large physical barriers (muffs/cavities) to block noise, the system uses earplugs combined with bone conduction transducers, eliminating the need for large external structures while maintaining noise protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the noise isolation approach from external physical blocking (three-dimensional space occupation) to internal physiological pathway utilization. By using bone conduction through the skull, the system bypasses the need for external noise barriers, effectively moving the solution from an external spatial dimension to an internal biological dimension.
3Loss of information
If air hoses are used to enable patient hearing, then communication is possible, but passive noise isolation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated system: noise isolation (provided by earplugs) and audio transmission (provided by bone conduction transducers). This combination allows both functions to work simultaneously without compromising either, unlike air hoses which prioritize hearing over noise isolation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If optical microphones are used for patient-to-technologist communication, then noise immunity is improved, but the microphone must be placed close to the patient's mouth limiting use in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/acoustic microphone system with a mechanical bone conduction microphone. This device detects vibrations from the patient's vocal cords through the skull bone, providing noise immunity similar to optical microphones but with the advantage of not requiring placement near the mouth, thus enabling use in confined head coil spaces.
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 clear audio communication with patients during MRI scans by transferring vibrations through the earplug to the temporal bone, providing effective noise isolation and reducing sensitivity to ambient noise.
Implementation Method 1
vibrations produced by the vibration actuator can be acoustically coupled to the earplug via physical contact and acoustically coupled from the earplug to tissues surrounding an ear canal of the subject, thereby enabling the subject to hear the vibrations via bone conduction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides communication systems and devices for use in noise environments, such as during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, a communication headrest is provided that consists of a headrest that supports a patients' head, an optional bone conduction microphone, and one or more vibration actuators. The headset makes contact with noise-isolating earplugs worn by the subject such that vibrations generated by the vibration actuators are transferred through the earplug, via acoustic conduction, to enable the patient to hear audio content while the earplugs provide passive noise protection by occluding the ear canal. In other embodiments, active earplug devices are provided in which an acoustic transducer is contacted and supported by a noise isolating earplug, such that when the earplug is inserted into the ear canal, the acoustic transducer is brought into acoustic conductive communication with tissue surrounding the ear canal, facilitating acoustic communication through bone conduction.