Bone Conductor Force Indicator with Bladder Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audiometric and auditory brainstem response (ABR) hearing tests face challenges in consistently applying and monitoring the force of bone-conduction oscillators, particularly with infants and young children, due to the lack of regulation and monitoring of static pressure, leading to inconsistent measurements and potential inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
An applied force indication system is integrated with the bone-conduction oscillator, featuring a bladder-based force measurement device and a microcontroller that provides real-time feedback through indicators, ensuring the applied force is within a predetermined acceptable range (e.g., 450-550 grams) for reliable test results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a headband is used to couple the bone-conduction oscillator to the patient's head, then force can be applied and verified, but the amount of force cannot be regulated and monitored, leading to inconsistent measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a force measurement device that provides real-time feedback about the applied force to the operator. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust the headband tension to achieve the predetermined acceptable force range, ensuring consistent and reliable measurements throughout the audiometric testing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical headband coupling system with an integrated measurement system that includes sensors and electronic components. This substitution enables precise measurement and monitoring of the applied force, transforming the manual estimation process into a quantified and controllable system.
2Ease of operation
If hand-held method is used to position the bone-conduction oscillator, then it is more comfortable and faster for infants, but the applied force may be outside appropriate range and vary during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The force measurement device provides continuous feedback during hand-held positioning, allowing the operator to maintain the oscillator within the acceptable force range. This real-time monitoring ensures that the comfort and speed advantages of hand-held positioning do not compromise measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the operator to self-regulate the applied force by displaying feedback information, allowing immediate adjustment without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures consistent force application while maintaining the flexibility of hand-held positioning.
3Device complexity
If no force monitoring system is used, then the device is simpler, but the amount of force applied cannot be verified, resulting in inaccurate thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system provides essential information about applied force in a simple-to-understand format, enabling operators to make immediate adjustments. This feedback mechanism adds minimal complexity while dramatically improving measurement precision by ensuring forces are within the acceptable range for accurate threshold determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and displays force parameters to help operators maintain optimal coupling conditions. By providing information about the physical state of the oscillator coupling, the system enables operators to adjust parameters such as headband tension or positioning to achieve accurate measurements.
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 ensures consistent and accurate force application, enhancing the reliability of audiometric and ABR hearing test results by providing immediate feedback on the applied force, thus reducing measurement uncertainties and improving diagnostic precision.
Implementation Method 1
A bladder is provided which may be operable to compress in response to an external force received at the applied force indication system, the bladder comprising a sealed area
Implementation Method 2
As the external force is applied to the applied force indication system, the bladder compresses against a top surface of the bone-conduction oscillator, increasing the pressure within the area sealed under the bladder
Implementation Method 3
A sensor mounted on a circuit board and located within the enclosed air bladder measures the air pressure and sends the reading as a digital signal to a microcontroller
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a system and method for measurement of the force applied to a bone-conduction oscillator during application to a subject, resolving the measured force relative to a pre-determined criteria, and providing an indication to the user to specify whether an external force applied to an applied force indication system coupled with a bone-conduction oscillator is within a pre-determined acceptable range. A mechanical arrangement is prescribed which allows the full extent of the force applied to be represented onto the pressure measurement apparatus. The system and apparatus may be applied onto or integrated into bone-conduction oscillators.