Elastomeric Brake for Tympanostomy Tube Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting pressure equalization tubes into the tympanic membrane often require general anesthesia, which is resource-intensive and carries risks, and existing delivery systems lack efficient mechanisms for minimizing vibration and noise during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A pressure equalization tube delivery device (PETDD) with a hand-held design, utilizing a camshaft mechanism and elastomeric components to deploy the tube without general anesthesia, featuring a torsion spring for rotational bias and an elastomeric brake for reduced vibration and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If general anesthesia is used for tube insertion, then the procedure can be performed reliably, but resource consumption increases and risks to the patient increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for general anesthesia by designing a delivery system that can be safely and effectively deployed under local anesthesia or even without anesthesia. The automated bilateral delivery system performs the critical function of tube insertion without requiring the patient to be fully sedated, thereby removing the harmful association with general anesthesia while maintaining procedural reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device is designed to be self-operating through automated mechanisms that deploy the tubes without requiring complex manual manipulation or sustained human intervention. The system uses spring-loaded mechanisms and automated positioning to perform the insertion function independently, reducing the need for resource-intensive monitoring and control that would otherwise be required under general anesthesia
2Ease of operation
If traditional delivery systems are used, then the tube can be inserted, but vibration and noise during the procedure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system incorporates damping elements and vibration-absorbing features in advance of the tube deployment event. The mechanism includes friction-based braking systems and compliant mounting structures that are pre-positioned to absorb and dissipate vibrational energy and noise generated during the insertion process, protecting the patient and practitioner from harmful acoustic and mechanical disturbances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary damping components between the mechanical drive system and the tube ejection mechanism. These intermediaries include friction brakes and compliant elements that mediate the energy transfer, converting harmful vibrations and noise into heat through controlled friction, thereby reducing the harmful factors while maintaining the essential tube insertion function
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
Enables the insertion of pressure equalization tubes without general anesthesia, reducing procedural noise and vibration, and providing effective fluid communication between the middle and outer ear for drainage and pressure equalization.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric brake for reduced vibration and noise
Implementation Method 2
featuring a torsion spring for rotational bias
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument comprises a handpiece, a boss member, a cylindraceous cam body, a linearly movable member, a cam follower, and a braking member. The cam body is rotatably supported in the handpiece and includes an exterior cam feature. The cam follower couples the linearly movable member with the cam feature of the cam body. The cam feature and the cam follower cooperatively drive the linearly movable member linearly in response to rotation of the cam body within the handpiece. The braking member extends about at least a portion of the exterior of the cam body and is positioned to progressively engage the boss member as the cam body rotates within the handpiece. The braking member and the boss member thus cooperate to provide gradual braking of the cam body. The instrument is operable to deploy a pressure equalization tube in the tympanic membrane of a patient.