Electromagnetic Actuator for Bone Conduction Hearing Aid

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing aids and cochlear implants are inadequate for individuals with conductive hearing loss or those who do not benefit from air conduction methods, as they rely on mechanical pathways or electrical stimulation, which may not effectively convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Innovation Solution

A passive transcutaneous bone conduction device utilizing an electromagnetic actuator with static and dynamic magnetic flux, where an external component generates dynamic magnetic flux interacting with static magnetic flux to actuate vibrations, transferring these vibrations through the skin to the cochlea without penetrating it, using an external device held in place by magnetic coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hearing aids rely on air conduction to transmit acoustic signals to the cochlea, then sound transmission is effective for normal hearing, but they are inadequate for individuals with conductive hearing loss or those who do not benefit from air conduction methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different types of hearing lossVSAvoideffectiveness of sound transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the acoustic air conduction system with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic actuator converts electrical signals directly into mechanical vibrations that are transmitted through bone conduction to the cochlea, bypassing the outer and middle ear mechanical pathways that are impaired in conductive hearing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from air conduction to bone conduction. By using an electromagnetic actuator to generate vibrations that travel through the skull bone directly to the cochlea, the system adapts to different hearing loss types while maintaining effective sound transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If cochlear implants use an electrode array implanted in the cochlea to bypass mechanical pathways, then they provide hearing perception through electrical stimulation, but they do not effectively convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses for conductive hearing loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethod of stimulating the cochleaVSAvoidconversion of sound vibrations into nerve impulses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical stimulation approach with a mechanical vibration approach. The electromagnetic actuator generates mechanical vibrations that are transmitted through bone conduction to stimulate the cochlea, effectively converting sound signals into mechanical vibrations that the cochlea can process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If bone conduction devices transfer vibrations through the skull to the cochlea, then they are suitable for conductive hearing loss, but they have limited sound transmission quality and cut-off frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for conductive hearing lossVSAvoidsound transmission quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic electromagnetic actuator system that can operate across a wide frequency range. The electromagnetic actuator's ability to respond dynamically to electrical signals enables it to generate vibrations with improved frequency response and transmission quality compared to traditional bone conduction devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism parameter from traditional piezoelectric or mechanical oscillators to an electromagnetic actuator. This parameter change enables broader frequency operation and improved sound transmission quality while maintaining suitability for conductive hearing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides effective sound perception for individuals with conductive hearing loss by converting sound into mechanical vibrations that are transmitted through the skull, improving sound transmission quality and extending the cut-off frequency of bone conduction devices, enabling better hearing perception.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic actuator configured such that static magnetic flux of the electromagnetic actuator removably retains the external component to a recipient thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic actuator configured to generate a static magnetic flux and a dynamic magnetic flux that interacts with the static magnetic flux to actuate the actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

converting sound into vibrations. The vibrations are transferred through the skull to the cochlea causing generation of nerve impulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10856091B2Electromagnetic transducer with expanded magnetic flux functionality

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

An apparatus, including an external component of a medical device including an electromagnetic actuator configured such that static magnetic flux of the electromagnetic actuator removably retains the external component to a recipient thereof.