Cochlear Electrode Array for Real-Time Trauma Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing prostheses and implants face challenges in accurately detecting trauma or blood presence within the cochlea during implantation, which can lead to intra-cochlear inflammation and hearing loss, due to the lack of real-time, non-invasive methods for monitoring electrical properties and impedance changes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of electrical currents to multiple electrodes in the cochlea to induce current flow, measure electrical properties, and analyze impedance changes over time to determine the presence of trauma or blood, using a cochlear electrode array that moves within the cochlea to focus measurements at specific locations, such as the basal turn, and interleaving neural response measurements with impedance measurements during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to the cochlea using a cochlear implant electrode array, then hearing perception is restored for sensorineural hearing loss, but trauma or blood presence may occur during implantation causing intra-cochlear inflammation and hearing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of trauma and blood presence during the implantation procedure by measuring electrical properties and impedance changes in the cochlea before complete implantation is finalized. This allows early identification of complications and immediate intervention to prevent intra-cochlear inflammation and preserve residual hearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electrical properties and impedance changes in real-time during implantation, providing feedback about the health status of the cochlear tissue. This feedback mechanism enables the surgical team to detect trauma or blood presence immediately and adjust the implantation procedure accordingly to minimize harm.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hearing aids using air conduction are used, then hearing amplification is provided, but they are ineffective for sensorineural hearing loss where hair cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air conduction system of conventional hearing aids with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of amplifying acoustic signals that must pass through damaged hair cells, the system directly applies electrical stimulation to the cochlear nerve, bypassing the damaged mechanical transduction pathway and effectively treating sensorineural hearing loss.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring of electrical properties is performed during implantation, then trauma and blood presence can be detected early, but the complexity of the implantation procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cochlear electrode array serves multiple functions: it provides electrical stimulation for hearing restoration and simultaneously acts as a sensing device for measuring electrical properties and impedance changes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring equipment, reducing overall system complexity while enabling real-time detection of trauma and blood presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantation system uses its own electrode array to perform self-diagnosis by measuring electrical properties and impedance changes during the procedure. This self-monitoring capability allows the system to detect complications without requiring external monitoring equipment, simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining high detection precision.
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 allows for real-time detection of trauma or blood presence within the cochlea, enabling immediate intervention to minimize inflammation and preserve residual hearing by providing objective, non-invasive monitoring of electrical properties and impedance changes during the implantation process.
Implementation Method 1
energizing one or more electrodes of a cochlear electrode array to induce a current flow in the cochlea
Implementation Method 2
measuring one or more electrical properties at one or more locations in the cochlea resulting from the induced current flow
Data Source
AI summary
A method, including energizing one or more electrodes of a cochlear electrode array to induce a current flow in the cochlea at a plurality of temporal locations, measuring one or more electrical properties at one or more locations in the cochlea resulting from the induced current flow at the plurality of different temporal locations and determining whether or not trauma has occurred based on a change between the measured electrical properties from the first temporal location to the second temporal location.