Cochlear Implant Electrode Array with Inflatable Straightening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cochlear implant electrode arrays face challenges in accurately positioning electrode contacts due to variability in cochlear size and shape, leading to potential trauma and inefficiency in stimulating auditory nerve fibers, as they often rely on preformed designs that do not account for individual cochlear geometry and are limited by the scala tympani's dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A cochlear electrode array with a pre-curved flexible body that inflates to straighten prior to insertion and gradually reassumes its curved shape during insertion, allowing for precise adaptation to the individual cochlear geometry, reducing trauma and enabling accurate placement of electrode contacts near the neural population.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If preformed electrode array designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but positioning accuracy varies due to individual cochlear geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array incorporates an inflatable member that allows the array to transition from a compressed insertion state to an expanded positioning state. This dynamic structure enables the array to adapt to individual cochlear geometries while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable member changes the physical parameters (volume, shape, rigidity) of the electrode array during insertion and positioning. By controlling the inflation state, the array can conform to different cochlear sizes and shapes, achieving accurate positioning without complex preformed designs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electrode array is made rigid for stable positioning, then positioning stability improves, but insertion trauma increases due to limited cochlear access
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array transitions from a flexible insertion state to a stable expanded state through inflation of the inflatable member. This allows the array to be easily inserted while providing stable positioning once in place, reducing insertion trauma while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array utilizes a flexible inflatable member that can be compressed during insertion and then inflated to provide structural support. This flexible structure reduces trauma during insertion while maintaining stability during operation.
3Reliability
If the electrode array contacts are placed close to the neural population, then stimulation effectiveness improves, but the risk of trauma to delicate cochlear structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable member allows the electrode array to be compressed during insertion to minimize trauma, then expanded to position contacts close to the neural population for effective stimulation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stimulation effectiveness and trauma prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array is prepared in a compressed state for insertion to avoid trauma, then the inflatable member is inflated to achieve the desired positioning close to the neural population. The preliminary compressed state prevents trauma while the subsequent inflation achieves effective stimulation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode array is designed to accommodate various cochlear sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable member provides a simple mechanism for the electrode array to adapt to various cochlear sizes. By controlling the inflation volume, the array can accommodate different cochlear geometries without requiring multiple specialized designs, maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable member enables a single electrode array design to serve multiple cochlear sizes and shapes. This universal design approach improves adaptability while avoiding the complexity of creating multiple specialized arrays for different cochlear types.
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 accurate and trauma-reduced insertion of the electrode array, allowing for precise stimulation of auditory nerve fibers, improving the effectiveness of cochlear implants by adapting to the unique geometry of each patient's cochlea.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable compartment is filled with a bio-compatible fluid, such as saline, which is then pressurized to expand the inflatable compartment against the modiolus
Implementation Method 2
a flexible body (52) having a pre-curved shape so as to conform with the curvature of a human cochlea
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary cochlear electrode array includes a flexible body having a pre-curved spiral shape so as to conform with the curvature of a human cochlea, a plurality of stimulation electrode contacts spaced apart along a first side of the flexible body, a bundle of wires embedded within the flexible body for electrically connecting the electrode contacts to at least one stimulation signal source, at least one inflatable portion extending along at least part of the length of the flexible body, the at least one inflatable portion being adapted to straighten the flexible body, starting from the pre-curved shape, prior to insertion into the cochlea upon being inflated by being filled with gas or liquid, and to allow the flexible body to gradually reassume its pre-curved shape during insertion of the flexible body into the cochlea upon gradual withdrawal of gas or liquid from the at least one inflatable portion.