Separable Ear Canal Actuator for Direct Eardrum Hearing Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aids, including conventional and implantable devices, fail to provide high-quality sound stimulation comparable to direct drive hearing aids, which directly move the eardrum, and are limited by cost and design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A direct hearing device with an inner actuator element positioned in the ear canal, an outer component housing a microphone, signal processing circuitry, and a battery, where the outer component is removable and separatable, utilizing mechanical transducers like voice coils or electromagnets to drive the tympanic membrane, and energy transfer methods such as radiofrequency, light-based, or electromagnetic coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hearing aids are used to amplify sound, then sound volume is increased, but sound quality remains limited and cannot match implantable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device is divided into two separable components: an outer component containing the microphone and electronics, and an inner actuator element that directly contacts the tympanic membrane. This segmentation allows the actuator to be optimally positioned for direct drive stimulation while keeping the electronics external, achieving implantable-quality sound without full implantation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner actuator element serves as an intermediary between the external electronics and the tympanic membrane. It receives electrical signals from the outer component and converts them to mechanical motion to directly drive the eardrum, bridging the gap between conventional hearing aids and implantable devices.
2Reliability
If implantable hearing devices are used to provide high-quality sound, then sound quality improves, but cost and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components (microphone, signal processing circuitry, battery) are extracted from the ear and placed in an external outer component. Only the small inner actuator element remains in the ear canal to directly drive the tympanic membrane. This extraction eliminates the need for surgical implantation while maintaining the direct-drive mechanism that provides implantable-quality sound.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer component can be designed as a disposable or easily replaceable unit, while the critical inner actuator element remains in place. This approach reduces overall system cost and simplifies maintenance, as the expensive electronic components don't require surgical implantation or replacement.
3Ease of repair
If the outer component is made removable for battery replacement, then ease of maintenance improves, but secure attachment to the eardrum may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a permanent inner actuator element and a removable outer component. The inner element remains securely positioned in the ear canal to maintain continuous contact with the tympanic membrane, while the outer component can be detached for battery replacement or charging without disturbing the actuator's position or attachment security.
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 high-quality sound stimulation, reduces costs, allows for easy battery replacement or recharging, and maintains secure attachment to the eardrum, offering a cost-effective alternative to semi-implantable solutions with improved sound quality.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanical transducer includes a voice coil
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical transducer includes an electromagnet, a first flexure, a second flexure, and at least one magnet positioned between the first flexure and the second flexure, the electromagnet being in electrical communication with the signal processing circuitry such that the at least on magnet is move responsively to the output signal from the signal processing circuitry with motion of the at least one magnet transfer to the tip assembly
Implementation Method 3
energy is transferred from the outer component to the inner actuator element via radiofrequency stimulation
Implementation Method 4
energy is transferred from the outer component to the inner actuator element via a light-based transmission and translation into mechanical motion
Implementation Method 5
energy is transferred from the outer component to the inner actuator element via aligned coils
Implementation Method 6
the outer component can lock in and connect to the inner actuator element using an electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
A direct hearing device includes an inner actuator element that interacts with a subject's tympanic membrane, the inner actuator element sitting in the subject's ear canal. The direct hearing device further includes an outer component that houses a microphone, circuitry that processes a signal from the microphone, and a battery. The outer component is configured to sit laterally in the subject's ear canal. Advantageously, the outer component is separable form the inner actuator element.