Cranial Implant Transducer with Semi-Permeable Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current implantable devices for mechanical and electrical stimulation and fluid delivery to the brain face challenges in effectively accessing and communicating with the cerebrospinal fluid while preventing leaks and bacterial contamination, especially when not directly adjacent to the brain structures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a cranial implant with an implantable transducer that converts between electrical and acoustic energy, an implantable electronics module, and a fluid-filled catheter that transmits vibrations and delivers therapeutic fluids to the cerebrospinal fluid, using a semi-permeable membrane to prevent contamination and allow pharmacological access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a catheter is used to deliver therapeutic agents to the inner ear, then the ability to deliver therapeutic fluids is improved, but the risk of bacterial contamination and leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic agent delivery capabilityVSAvoidbacterial contamination and leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sterile barrier membrane as an intermediary layer between the catheter lumen and the outer environment. This membrane allows selective passage of therapeutic agents while blocking bacteria and other contaminants, thus resolving the contradiction between therapeutic delivery capability and contamination prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible sterile barrier membrane that conformally covers the catheter distal end. This thin film structure maintains the mechanical flexibility needed for catheter function while providing an effective seal against bacterial contamination and fluid leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If the implantable device is not directly adjacent to brain structures, then the surgical complexity and risk are reduced, but the effectiveness of mechanical and electrical stimulation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical simplicity and safetyVSAvoidstimulation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the implantable device into separate functional modules: an audio processor positioned remotely in the ear, and a stimulator/catheter assembly positioned near but not directly on brain structures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the catheter filled with catheter fluid as an intermediary transmission medium to convey acoustic energy from the remotely positioned audio processor to the brain structures. This intermediary approach enables effective stimulation while maintaining safe distances from critical brain areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a fluid-filled catheter is used to transmit vibrations, then the transmission of acoustic energy is improved, but the risk of fluid leakage and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic energy transmission efficiencyVSAvoidfluid leakage and contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a sterile barrier membrane as a flexible protective shell over the catheter opening. This membrane maintains the fluid-filled structure necessary for acoustic transmission while preventing leakage and blocking external contaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile barrier membrane acts as an intermediary layer that allows acoustic vibrations to pass through the catheter fluid while blocking the passage of bacteria and other contaminants. This resolves the contradiction between maintaining fluid-filled transmission and preventing contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a safe, leak-proof, and bacterial-resistant interface for implantable prosthetics, enabling effective mechanical and electrical stimulation and fluid delivery to the brain without the need for direct proximity to brain structures, facilitating outpatient procedures with local anesthesia.

Implementation Method 1

an implantable transducer for converting between electrical energy and acoustic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

using a semi-permeable membrane to prevent contamination and allow pharmacological access

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSemi-permeable membrane filtration: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP2187852B1Cranial implants

Publication Date: 2019.07.03 MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4

AI summary

An implantable device is described. An implantable transducer (200) converts between electrical energy and acoustic energy. An implantable electronics module (600) is in communication with the transducer and processes electronic data signals associated with the transducer. A fluid filled catheter (202) has a proximal end coupled to the transducer, and a distal end having a distal opening (500) to cerebrospinal fluid in an implanted patient.