Cochlear Implant Carrier Geometric Voids for Variable Therapeutic Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing prostheses, such as cochlear implants, face challenges in delivering therapeutic substances to the cochlea in a controlled and variable manner, affecting the efficacy of sound perception and therapeutic delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrode array carrier with geometric voids or wells of varying depth and width, allowing for a variable elution rate and controlled release of therapeutic substances, such as steroids and biologics, directly into the cochlea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cochlear implant electrode array carrier is used to deliver therapeutic substances, then the therapeutic substance can be delivered to the cochlea, but the delivery rate is not controllable and remains constant
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array carrier is divided into multiple discrete wells, each capable of containing therapeutic substance. This segmentation allows different wells to have different geometries (depth, width, surface area), enabling variable delivery rates across different locations along the array while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wells are designed with different local geometries - varying depths, widths, and cross-sectional areas. These local geometric variations directly control the elution surface area at each well, creating spatially variable therapeutic substance delivery rates that adapt to different cochlear regions without requiring a completely different device architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If geometric voids with varying depth and width are used in the electrode array carrier, then variable elution rate is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array carrier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical stimulation through embedded electrodes and delivers therapeutic substances through its geometric voids. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate delivery devices, offsetting the increased geometric complexity with overall system simplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier geometry is optimized by varying parameters such as well depth, width, and cross-sectional area in a controlled manner. These parameter changes create the desired variable elution profiles while maintaining manufacturability through systematic geometric progression rather than arbitrary complex shapes.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If therapeutic substance is delivered through elution from the electrode array carrier, then continuous delivery is achieved, but the delivery rate cannot be adjusted over time
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier geometry is designed to create dynamic elution characteristics - wells with larger surface areas at shallower depths provide faster initial delivery, while deeper, narrower wells provide sustained slower delivery. This geometric dynamic allows the system to naturally transition from high to low delivery rates over time without active control mechanisms, maintaining continuous delivery with variable rates.
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 approach enables a controlled and variable delivery of therapeutic substances over time, enhancing the effectiveness of cochlear implants by maintaining mechanical integrity and improving sound perception and therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a variable elution rate and controlled release of therapeutic substances
Data Source
AI summary
A device, including an electrode array carrier, that carries one or more electrode arrays, and a therapeutic substance such as for example an anti-inflammatory, wherein the therapeutic substance is located in at least one cavity of the carrier, the cavity having at least one of a non-uniform depth or a non-uniform width with respect to location in a direction of the depth that has an effective impact on a delivery of the therapeutic substance to a human.