Bone Conduction Implant Abutment Geometry for Low-Profile Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional bone conduction implants are aesthetically unpleasing and may have gaps or pockets that can lead to microbial entrapment and growth due to their visible size and design.

Innovation Solution

The design of the bone conduction implant includes a bone fixture with a male screw section and an abutment with an exterior surface diameter equal to or less than the maximum thread diameter of the bone fixture, featuring an hourglass shape or magnetic coupling for improved integration with the skull and reduced visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the abutment exterior surface diameter is reduced to improve aesthetics and reduce visibility, then the aesthetic appearance and user comfort are improved, but the structural stability and strength of the implant may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabutment exterior surface diameterVSAvoidimplant structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment features a tapered geometry where the upper portion (exposed to skin) has a reduced diameter for aesthetics, while the lower portion (embedded in bone) maintains a larger diameter for structural stability. This local variation in dimensions allows the implant to satisfy both aesthetic requirements and mechanical strength requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the implant design is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to prevent gaps and microbial entrapment may be worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant manufacturing complexityVSAvoidmicrobial entrapment and growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment employs a tapered, curved geometry that eliminates sharp corners and flat surfaces where microbes could accumulate. The smooth, continuous curved surface prevents gap formation and microbial entrapment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard machining operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Shape

If the abutment is made smaller to reduce visibility under the skin, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the coupling strength with the bone fixture may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabutment size and visibilityVSAvoidcoupling strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment is functionally segmented into two distinct zones: an upper portion with reduced diameter for aesthetics and minimal skin visibility, and a lower portion with larger diameter for strong coupling to the bone fixture. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260082166A1Bone conduction implant

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

A bone conduction implant, including a bone fixture including a male screw section configured to screw into a skull and an abutment configured to be rigidly attached to the bone fixture, wherein the abutment includes an exterior surface diameter lying on a first plane normal to a longitudinal axis of the bone conduction implant that is less than or substantially equal to the maximum thread diameter of the male screw section of the bone fixture.