Localized Ear Cooling Device for Hearing Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved devices and methods for the effective application of therapeutic hypothermia to structures in, on, or around the region of a human ear, particularly to address noise-induced hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
The development of thermal therapy devices that can be placed on the skull near the ear, using either passive or active cooling elements, to apply localized hypothermia effectively. These devices can be integrated with auditory headphones to allow for music or sonic therapy during treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling devices (ice packs, gels) are used for therapeutic hypothermia, then cooling capability is provided, but localization precision to ear structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing a cooling device with a contact surface specifically shaped to match the contours of the ear and surrounding skull structures. The device incorporates thermal coupling elements positioned at specific locations (mastoid process, retroauricular region) to deliver cooling precisely to target structures (cochlea, vestibular system) while avoiding non-target areas. This localized thermal application resolves the contradiction by maintaining cooling capability while achieving precise anatomical localization.
2Reliability
If localized hypothermic therapy is applied to ear structures, then hearing preservation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a cooling device that can be integrated with existing auditory headphones, allowing the same device to serve both audio delivery and therapeutic cooling functions. The device incorporates multiple thermal coupling surfaces that can address different ear structures (outer ear, middle ear region, inner ear region) with a single unified design, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining hearing preservation efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by integrating the cooling mechanism within the structure of auditory headphones. The thermal contact surfaces are positioned to nest against the ear and surrounding skull structures, with cooling elements embedded within the headphone housing. This nested configuration delivers localized hypothermia to deep ear structures while keeping the overall device compact and avoiding excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If cooling therapy is applied to the ear region, then neural structure protection is improved, but treatment specificity to target structures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning thermal contact surfaces at specific anatomical locations (mastoid process, retroauricular region, concha) that are in close proximity to target neural structures (cochlea, vestibular system). The device geometry is designed to concentrate cooling at these specific contact points while minimizing thermal spread to adjacent non-target structures, thereby achieving both neural protection and treatment specificity simultaneously.
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 application of controlled and localized therapeutic hypothermia has shown to conserve residual hearing and preserve sensitive neural structures post-noise trauma, potentially extending the critical time window for cell survival and allowing for synergistic therapies.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer contact element in contact with the head at a localized area
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer device for application of thermal therapy from a contact surface to internal structures of a human ear. One or more device may form an assembly in combination with a pair of auditory headphones to dispose an add-on contact surface for contact with desired portion(s) of a human head at a location spaced-apart from the conventional contact surface of an earpiece of the headphones. A heat transfer device is disposed between a surface of a wearer and the conventional contact surface of an earpiece when the assembly is installed on the wearer. A heat transfer device may be passive (pre-cooled), active (e.g., thermoelectrically active), or include elements of both.