Cochlear Implant Antenna Assembly for Eddy Current Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear implants are susceptible to inefficiencies due to eddy currents in the metal electronics case, leading to size constraints and suboptimal communication alignment with external antennas.
Innovation Solution
An electronics and antenna assembly for medical implants featuring a metal case with an internal volume, an electromagnetic shield, and a rotatable magnet assembly, which includes a magnet case and a compact design to minimize eddy currents and enhance alignment with external antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the antenna is spaced apart from the metal electronics case to reduce eddy currents, then energy loss is reduced, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
An electromagnetic shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna and the metal electronics case. This shield acts as a mediator that blocks eddy currents from forming in the metal case while allowing the antenna to remain in close proximity, thus reducing energy loss without increasing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic shield is nested within the metal electronics case structure, with the antenna positioned between the shield and the case. This nested arrangement allows all three components (case, shield, antenna) to occupy minimal space while maintaining the functional separation needed to reduce eddy currents.
2Productivity
If the antenna is aligned with the external headpiece antenna for optimal communication, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning magnet is merged with the magnet aperture structure, and both are integrated into the flexible housing. This combination eliminates separate positioning components and simplifies the overall device while maintaining the alignment function between the implant antenna and external headpiece antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning magnet automatically aligns the implant antenna with the external headpiece antenna through magnetic attraction, without requiring external control mechanisms or complex positioning systems. The system self-adjusts to achieve optimal communication alignment.
3Ease of operation
If the magnet aperture is made accessible for magnet removal, then ease of operation is improved, but device reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible housing material provides a seal that can accommodate the magnet aperture opening and closing actions. The flexible nature of the housing allows the aperture to be opened for magnet removal while maintaining overall device sealing integrity when closed, balancing ease of operation with reliability.
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
The compact design reduces the overall size of the implant while maintaining efficient communication and alignment with external antennas, enhancing the implant's performance and compatibility with MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic shield within the external recess between the antenna and the end wall
Implementation Method 2
Power and in some instances data is supplied to the implanted devices by way of the inductive link between the antenna coils
Implementation Method 3
the cochlear implant 10 includes a positioning magnet 24 that is attracted to a corresponding headpiece magnet to maintain the position of the headpiece antenna over the implant antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics and antenna assembly is disclosed for use with a medical implant.