Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant Pedestal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone conduction devices face challenges in providing efficient sound transmission to the cochlea, especially for individuals with middle ear damage, due to the need for percutaneous implants that penetrate the skin.

Innovation Solution

A transcutaneous bone conduction device with an implantable portion and a pedestal attached to it, configured for implantation into the skull bone, providing a stable and efficient mechanism for sound transmission without the need for percutaneous implants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a percutaneous bone conduction implant is used to transmit sound vibrations to the skull, then sound transmission efficiency is improved, but skin penetration is required which causes complications and reduces user comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound transmission efficiencyVSAvoidskin penetration complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into two separate components: an implantable portion that is placed under the skin and a pedestal that is implanted into the skull bone. This segmentation eliminates the need for skin penetration while maintaining sound transmission efficiency, as the implantable portion can be positioned subcutaneously and connected to the pedestal through a magnetic coupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the implantable portion and the pedestal. The magnet embedded in the implantable portion interacts with the ferromagnetic material in the pedestal, enabling force and vibration transmission without direct mechanical connection through the skin, thus avoiding skin penetration complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a percutaneous abutment is used to connect the vibrator to the skull, then a stable connection is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for skin-penetrating components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment component that penetrates the skin is completely removed from the system. Instead, the connection is established between the implantable portion and the pedestal through magnetic attraction and mechanical engagement features, eliminating the complex skin-penetrating abutment structure while maintaining connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of connection and vibration transmission are merged into the magnetic coupling mechanism between the implantable portion and the pedestal. The ferromagnetic material in the pedestal and the magnet in the implantable portion create a unified force transmission path that eliminates the need for separate abutment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If a pedestal with threaded bone interfacing surfaces is used, then secure attachment to skull bone is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone attachment strengthVSAvoidthreaded surface precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with a press-fit insertion system. The pedestal has a smooth outer surface that is pressed into a pre-drilled hole in the skull bone, eliminating the need for precise threading operations. The secure attachment is achieved through the interference fit between the pedestal and bone, along with the magnetic coupling to the implantable portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables effective sound transmission to the cochlea, improving hearing outcomes for individuals with middle ear damage, while eliminating the need for skin-penetrating abutments, thereby reducing complications and enhancing user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

Bone conduction devices mechanically transmit sound information to a recipient's cochlea by transferring vibrations to a person's skull

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an osseointegrating lateral stability device configured for removable attachment to an implantable prosthetic component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsseointegration: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250142267A1Advanced bone conduction implant

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

An apparatus, including an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device and a pedestal attached to the implantable portion, the pedestal configured to be implanted into a skull bone of a recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device that can be fully covered by skin of a recipient.