DACS Actuator Pressure Compensation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable direct acoustic cochlear stimulation (DACS) actuators are sensitive to variations in environmental pressure, leading to performance degradation due to pressure imbalances between the internal and external environments, affecting hearing aid device efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A compensation system that includes external and internal pressure sensors to determine a compensation factor, which adjusts the actuator's transfer function to maintain optimal performance across varying pressure conditions, using a sealed housing with a driving arrangement and integrating pressure measurement means to adjust the actuator's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is optimized for operation at sea level and normal weather conditions, then the performance is optimal under those specific conditions, but the performance degrades when subjected to variations in pressure conditions such as change of altitude or weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the actual pressure conditions with pressure sensors and using this information to adjust the actuator's transfer function through a lookup table, ensuring consistent performance across varying pressure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the actuator by selecting different transfer functions from a lookup table based on measured pressure conditions, thereby adapting the actuator's behavior to maintain optimal performance across different environmental pressures
2Reliability
If pressure sensors and compensation mechanisms are added to the actuator, then the performance consistency across pressure variations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple transfer functions in a lookup table that correspond to different pressure conditions, allowing the system to quickly select the appropriate function without real-time complex calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure compensation mechanisms with an electronic/software-based solution using pressure sensors, microprocessor control, and lookup table-based transfer function selection
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 compensation system effectively stabilizes the actuator's performance by adjusting for external and internal pressure variations, ensuring consistent hearing aid functionality regardless of altitude or weather changes, thereby enhancing the reliability of implantable hearing aids.
Implementation Method 1
an external pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure outside of the sealed housing
Data Source
AI summary
A compensation system for an implantable actuator is disclosed where the implantable actuator includes a sealed housing containing a driving arrangement for the actuator. The compensation system includes an external pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure outside of the sealed housing and a compensation module for determining a compensation factor for the implantable actuator based on the external pressure. In one embodiment, the compensation is directed to a direct acoustic cochlear stimulation (DACS) implantable actuator.