Connectorized Cochlear Implant Modular Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear implant systems are bulky and aesthetically unpleasing, and upgrading from a conventional to a fully implantable system requires invasive and costly surgical procedures, which can damage auditory structures.
Innovation Solution
A connectorized cochlear implant system with a modular connector that allows for the wireless or wired communication between implanted and external components, enabling minimally invasive upgrades and maintenance without replacing existing implanted components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional cochlear implant system is used, then the system can be implanted within the patient, but the external components are large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The cochlear implant system is divided into separate modular components including an implantable cochlear implant module, an implantable antenna, and an external sound processor. This segmentation allows the implantable components to be miniaturized while maintaining external functionality through wireless communication, resolving the contradiction between compact implant size and reliable system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
An implantable antenna serves as an intermediary component that enables wireless communication between the implantable cochlear implant module and the external sound processor. This intermediary allows the external components to be smaller while maintaining full system functionality through wireless data and power transmission.
2Volume of moving object
If a fully implantable cochlear implant system is used, then external components are minimized, but the surgical procedure is more invasive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic configurability where patients can transition from a conventional configuration with external sound processors to a fully implantable configuration with an implantable sound processor. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to evolve with patient needs and technological advancements without requiring complete surgical replacement, reducing surgical complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular connector is designed to be universal, accommodating different antenna types and configurations. This universality allows the same implantable cochlear implant module to work with various antenna options and external sound processors, simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing costs by allowing component upgrades without complete system replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all implanted components are replaced during an upgrade, then the new fully implantable system can be implemented, but the risk of damaging auditory structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into replaceable modular components connected through a modular connector. This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the sound processor or antenna while leaving the implantable cochlear implant module and electrode lead in place, thereby reducing the risk of damaging auditory structures during upgrade procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular connector is pre-designed and implanted during the initial surgery, establishing a permanent interface that facilitates future component replacements. This preliminary action enables seamless upgrades without requiring re-surgery of the cochlear implant module or electrode lead, minimizing repeated surgical trauma to auditory structures.
4Ease of manufacture
If a modular connector is used to enable component replacement, then upgrade costs are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular connector serves as an intermediary interface that standardizes the connection between different components. While the connector itself has increased design complexity, this complexity is concentrated in a single replaceable component rather than distributed throughout the entire system, making the overall system easier to manufacture and upgrade cost-effective.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method includes cochlear implant circuitry, which is disposed within a cochlear implant module configured to be implanted within a patient, performing the following: 1) detecting that an implantable antenna is connected to a modular connector coupled to the cochlear implant module, 2) operating in accordance with a radio frequency (“RF”) inductive link communication protocol while the implantable antenna is connected to the modular connector, 3) detecting a disconnection of the implantable antenna from the modular connector and a connection of an implantable sound processor to the modular connector, and 4) dynamically switching from operating in accordance with the RF inductive link communication protocol to operating in accordance with a hard wired baseband link communication protocol in response to the connection of the implantable sound processor to the modular connector.