Non-Surgical Bone Conductor Plate Protrusion for Vibration Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-surgical bone conductive hearing solutions face challenges in achieving efficient vibration transfer and stability, often resulting in inconsistent pressure on the skin, which can lead to dampening of sound and potential device displacement.

Innovation Solution

A connector plate with a protrusion configured to maintain constant contact with the skin, integrated as a single part with the adhesive pad, ensures direct and efficient vibration transfer by providing a rigid surface for sound energy transmission, while the adhesive pad's design allows for breathability and weight distribution through strategically placed legs or fingers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a non-surgical bone conductive device uses a flat plate structure attached to the skin, then the device is simple to manufacture and apply, but the vibration transfer efficiency is reduced due to inconsistent pressure and potential displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidvibration transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat plate structure with a domed or convex surface that protrudes from the plate. This curved surface maintains consistent contact pressure with the skull bone, preventing displacement and improving vibration transfer efficiency while remaining manufacturable as an integrated feature of the plate structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a non-surgical bone conductive device uses a rigid connector plate, then the vibration transfer is improved, but the device may cause discomfort or damage to the skin due to concentrated pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transfer efficiencyVSAvoidskin discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a localized domed protrusion on the connector plate that concentrates the rigid surface only at the specific contact point with the skull bone, while the rest of the plate maintains flexibility or uses adhesive attachment to distribute pressure elsewhere, thus improving vibration transfer at the contact point while minimizing skin discomfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a non-surgical bone conductive device uses a connector plate with increased surface area, then the stability on skin is improved, but the weight of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on skinVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by using a domed protrusion that increases the effective contact surface area with the skull bone through its three-dimensional curved geometry, rather than expanding the overall plate area. This provides enhanced stability and consistent pressure distribution without significantly increasing the device's overall weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design enhances the efficiency of sound vibration transfer, minimizes dampening, and maintains the device's stability on the skin, providing improved sound perception and comfort for hearing-impaired individuals.

Implementation Method 1

The protrusion is configured to abut the skin of a skull when the plate structure is attached to the skin, thereby allowing a vibration transfer to the bone skull

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration transfer: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3534623B1A non surgical bone anchored hearing system with improved vibration transfer
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 OTICON MEDICAL AS
  • EP3534623B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3534623B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3534623B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a plate structure of a non-surgical bone conductive device, configured to be attached to a part of the skin of the skull of a hearing impaired person. The non-surgical bone conductive device is designed such that an optimized vibration transfer is achieved, while at the same time allowing a sufficient leverage of the weight of the sound processor when the sound processor is connected to the plate structure.