Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion Tool Anti-Twist Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cochlear implant electrode assemblies tend to twist when exiting conventional insertion guide tubes due to their pre-curved configuration, leading to inconsistent orientation and reduced effectiveness in stimulating auditory nerves.
Innovation Solution
An insertion tool with an anti-twist section in the guide tube, featuring radially-extending flats that maintain the electrode assembly in a substantially straight configuration, preventing twisting by applying counter-forces that offset the bias force, ensuring consistent orientation and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional insertion guide tube is used, then the electrode assembly can be inserted into the cochlea, but the pre-curved electrode assembly twists due to bias forces, resulting in inconsistent orientation and reduced stimulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube incorporates an anti-twist section with radially-extending flats that apply counter-forces to the electrode assembly before it exits the tube. These preliminary counter-forces offset the bias forces that would otherwise cause twisting, maintaining the assembly in a substantially straight configuration throughout insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tube features a localized anti-twist section with specific geometric features (radially-extending flats) that provide differential interaction with the electrode assembly. This local modification creates targeted friction and mechanical constraints only where needed to prevent twisting, while allowing smooth insertion elsewhere.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode assembly is pre-curved to match the cochlear geometry, then it can conform to the cochlear structure, but the pre-curved configuration creates internal stresses that cause twisting when exiting the guide tube
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-twist section applies counter-forces that balance the internal stresses generated by the pre-curved configuration. By providing these preliminary anti-actions within the guide tube, the system maintains the assembly in a stable straight configuration despite the inherent tendency to return to the curved state.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tube structure, particularly the anti-twist section, is designed to preemptively counteract the twisting tendency before the assembly exits. This preliminary action ensures that the assembly maintains its straight configuration and correct orientation throughout the critical insertion phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion tool having an insertion guide tube that maintains a perimodiolar or other pre-curved electrode assembly in a substantially straight configuration while preventing the electrode assembly from twisting in response to stresses induced by the bias force which urges the assembly to return to its pre-curved configuration. This generally ensures that when the electrode assembly is deployed from the distal end of the insertion guide tube, the electrode assembly and insertion guide tube have a known relative orientation.