Ear Canal Inductive Coil for MRI-Safe Cochlear Implant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear implant systems face challenges with magnetic interference during MRI, skin exposure issues, and accidental removal due to their design, particularly with the use of permanent magnets and external coil placement behind the ear.
Innovation Solution
An inductive coil arrangement where an inner transmitter coil is inserted into the ear canal with curved wire loops and an outer receiver coil is implanted under the skin, both air coils without magnetic cores, allowing for efficient energy and data transfer through the skin with reduced size and increased stability, and optionally including a secondary external coil for backup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If permanent magnets are used to hold the transmitter coil in position, then the coil stability is improved, but magnetic interference during MRI and skin exposure problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes permanent magnets from the transmitter coil assembly, extracting the harmful magnetic field source while preserving the essential function of signal transmission. The coil is held in position through mechanical retention features integrated into the earpiece structure rather than magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-magnetic retaining mechanism as an intermediary between the transmitter coil and the ear canal wall. This mediator provides stable positioning through mechanical means (such as flanges, ridges, or adhesive elements) without creating magnetic interference or skin exposure issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If the transmitter coil is placed behind the outer ear, then the coil positioning is simplified, but the coil becomes exposed to impact and accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the transmitter coil inside the ear canal rather than behind the outer ear, nesting it within the natural protective structure of the ear. The ear canal itself acts as a protective housing, shielding the coil from external impacts and preventing accidental removal while maintaining proper alignment for signal transmission.
3Reliability
If the transmitter coil is inserted into the ear canal, then the coil protection and stability are improved, but the coil size and insertion complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter coil assembly is segmented into modular components: a removable earpiece portion containing the coil and a fixed implant portion. This segmentation allows the external earpiece to be easily inserted and removed by the user without surgical intervention, while the implanted receiver remains permanently secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The earpiece housing containing the transmitter coil is designed as a thin, flexible structure that can be comfortably inserted into the ear canal. The housing may include flexible sealing elements and conformal surfaces that adapt to the ear canal geometry, simplifying insertion while maintaining protection and stability.
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 design enhances stability and safety by eliminating magnetic interference, reducing the risk of accidental removal, and providing efficient energy transfer with smaller, less obtrusive coils, suitable for various patient sizes and compatible with MRI, while minimizing skin contact and potential allergic reactions.
Implementation Method 1
An inductive coil arrangement for the ear canal of a recipient patient includes an inner transmitter coil inserted into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal to an outer receiver coil implanted under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive coil arrangement is described for an ear canal of a recipient patient. An inner transmitter coil inserts into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal. The transmitter coil includes transmission wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal. An outer receiver coil is implantable under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. The receiver coil includes receiver wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal substantially parallel to the transmitter coil.