Implantable Middle Ear Transducer with Accelerometer Diagnostic Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing middle ear implantable hearing aid systems face challenges in accurately measuring the vibration of ossicular bones post-implantation due to factors like scar tissue growth, fluid buildup, and decoupling, which complicates the assessment of device functionality and effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of an accelerometer secured to the middle ear bone and electronically or optically coupled to an implantable device allows for the measurement of acceleration signals, enabling the determination of proper coupling and potential decoupling or impedance issues, with the option of self-powered or externally powered sensors and signal conversion to displacement or velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an accelerometer is secured to the middle ear bone to measure vibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer is integrated into the implantable middle ear transducer assembly, merging the diagnostic sensing function with the existing therapeutic device. This combination allows vibration measurement capability to be added without requiring a completely separate device, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer serves as an intermediary sensor that indirectly measures the vibration of the ossicular bone by detecting acceleration signals. This intermediary approach enables precise vibration measurement without requiring direct contact or complex mechanical coupling between the measurement device and the bone.
2Reliability
If diagnostic detection sensor is added to the implantable transducer, then reliability is improved through detection of decoupling, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer provides continuous feedback on the vibrational state of the ossicular bone, enabling real-time monitoring of device functionality. This feedback mechanism allows detection of decoupling or impedance issues, improving reliability by enabling timely intervention while maintaining a relatively simple implementation through existing signal processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic detection sensor enables the device to self-monitor its own functionality and coupling status. The accelerometer continuously assesses whether the implantable transducer remains properly coupled to the ossicular bone, allowing the system to self-diagnose potential failures without requiring external intervention or complex additional components.
3Loss of information
If vibration measurement is performed post-implantation, then loss of information is reduced regarding device effectiveness, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to scar tissue and fluid buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer is implanted and positioned on the ossicular bone during the initial surgical procedure, establishing the measurement capability before scar tissue growth or fluid buildup can occur. This preliminary placement ensures that the sensor maintains proper contact and measurement accuracy throughout the post-implantation period, reducing information loss about device effectiveness despite the development of complicating factors over time.
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 method provides a means to assess the vibrational driving of middle ear bones both during and after surgery, detecting decoupling or impedance issues, thereby ensuring the continued effectiveness of the implantable vibrator and allowing for timely intervention if necessary.
Implementation Method 1
The use of an accelerometer secured to the middle ear bone and electronically or optically coupled to an implantable device allows for the measurement of acceleration signals
Implementation Method 2
sounds produce mechanical vibrations within the ear which are converted by an electromechanical input transducer into electrical signals. These electrical signals are in turn amplified and applied to an electromechanical output transducer. The electromechanical output transducer causes an ossicular bone to vibrate in response to the applied amplified electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.