Dental Aligner-Coupled Wireless Bone-Conduction Audio Transceiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone-anchored hearing aids require invasive surgical procedures and are limited to transmitting sound from a specific side of the head, making them impractical for individuals with single-sided deafness or hearing impairments, and there is a need for discreet, wireless communication technology that functions in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A bone-conduction device using a dental aligner apparatus with a transducer positioned against teeth or bones to transmit and receive audio wirelessly, eliminating the need for external attachments and allowing 360-degree audio capture and clear communication in noisy conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bone-anchored hearing aids are used, then hearing assistance is provided, but invasive surgical procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical implantation system with a wireless acoustic coupling system. Instead of surgically anchoring a device to the skull, the invention uses acoustic waves transmitted through the tooth structure to stimulate the cochlea, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical attachment while maintaining hearing assistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth serves as an intermediary medium for sound transmission. Rather than directly stimulating the cochlea or requiring skull implantation, the invention uses the tooth as a natural bone conductor to transmit acoustic vibrations from the external environment through the jawbone to the inner ear, bypassing the need for surgical intervention.
2Reliability
If bone-anchored hearing aids are positioned on one side of the head, then sound transmission is achieved, but audio reception from all directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the hearing device to function universally for audio reception from any direction by utilizing the tooth's central position in the jawbone structure. The tooth acts as a universal acoustic conduit that can transmit sounds from front, back, left, or right sources through the mandible to the cochlea, providing omnidirectional hearing capability without requiring multiple devices or head positioning.
3Reliability
If external attachments are used for hearing aids, then hearing assistance is provided, but discretion and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hearing aid functionality from external attachments and relocates it within the natural oral cavity structure. By using the tooth as the delivery mechanism, the device eliminates the need for external earpieces, headbands, or skin attachments, providing a discreet and comfortable solution that integrates with the user's natural anatomy.
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 device provides inconspicuous, hands-free, and effective hearing assistance without surgical intervention, enabling clear communication and audio reception from any direction, suitable for individuals with hearing impairments and those without, even in noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
A bone-conduction device using a dental aligner apparatus with a transducer positioned against teeth or bones to transmit and receive audio wirelessly
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to methods for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a user or wearer's tooth, teeth, jaw, and/or other bones. The disclosure is further directed to a system for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a user or wearer's tooth, teeth, jaw and/or other bones. The disclosure is further directed to an oral apparatus for implementation of methods and systems described herein.