Multi-Body Earpiece Flexure for Stable EEG Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable sensors for detecting bio-signals, such as EEG, face challenges with comfort and stability, particularly when worn for extended periods, and often obstruct ambient sound, with custom in-ear sensors being costly and difficult to maintain securely.
Innovation Solution
A multi-body earpiece design with two elements connected by a flexure, providing at least three points of contact along the outer ear, minimizes material usage while ensuring a secure and comfortable fit, allowing ambient sound to be heard, and includes sensors for bio-signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cap is worn to capture EEG signals, then multiple data channels can be captured, but the wearer experiences discomfort and inconvenience during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into multiple discrete sensor elements (first sensor element, second sensor element, third sensor element) that can be independently positioned on different parts of the ear. This segmentation allows the sensors to be distributed across the ear canal and outer ear surfaces, maintaining good contact for signal capture while allowing each element to be small and comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor elements are nested within the ear canal structure and outer ear contours. The first sensor element is positioned within the ear canal while the second and third sensor elements contact the outer ear surfaces, creating a nested arrangement that fits naturally within the ear anatomy for comfortable extended wear.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a cap is worn for extended periods, then EEG signals can be captured, but the arrangement becomes difficult to maintain securely
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor elements are designed with flexible mounting structures that allow them to dynamically adapt to the contours of the ear. The elements can flex and move to maintain optimal contact with the ear surfaces during wear, ensuring reliable signal capture throughout extended periods without requiring rigid fixed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor element is designed with specific local contact properties suited to its position on the ear. The elements have customized contact surfaces and mounting mechanisms that provide secure, stable contact at their specific locations (ear canal, outer ear surface), ensuring reliable signal capture throughout extended wear.
3Reliability
If custom-molded in-ear sensors are used, then secure fit can be achieved, but manufacturing becomes costly and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor elements are designed with universal mounting structures and contact mechanisms that can be used across different ear types without requiring custom molding for each user. The elements feature standardized interfaces and flexible mounting that provide secure fit for various ear anatomies, eliminating the need for expensive custom manufacturing while maintaining reliable secure fit.
4Measurement precision
If in-ear sensors are used, then bio-signal detection is enabled, but ambient sound is partially or completely blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system segments the ear canal space with multiple discrete sensor elements positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the sensors to contact the ear canal walls for bio-signal detection while leaving gaps and openings that permit ambient sound to pass through, preventing complete sound occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor elements are designed with localized contact properties that provide sufficient contact for bio-signal detection at specific positions within the ear canal and on the outer ear. The contact areas are optimized for sensor function while minimizing obstruction to ambient sound pathways, allowing selective local contact without global occlusion.
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 design provides a stable, comfortable, and unobtrusive solution for extended wear, maintaining sensor contact and reducing sound occlusion, enabling high-fidelity bio-signal detection with minimal material and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The flexure is arranged to lock the two elements in place... The flexure may be configured to conform to a portion of the concha along an underside of the antihelix of the ear
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides a multi-body earpiece suitable for use as an in-ear sensor system, which can be used for biometrics or a human-computer interface. The multi-body earpiece includes two body elements connected together by a flexure. These components provide at least 3 points of contact along different parts of the outer ear, in which the flexure is tethered to the two bodies and arranged to lock them in place during wear. In addition to having stability from moving while minimizing sound occlusion, this arrangement enables any electrodes for the on-board sensor(s) to remain in contact with the skin of the ear and provide as many contact points in desired areas as the electronics dictate for the signals of interest.