Expandable Ear Canal Seal Using Shape-Memory Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ear protection devices fail to effectively isolate the ear canal from ambient noise, leading to potential hearing damage due to cumulative noise exposure, and often cause discomfort or occlusion effects, especially in varying ear canal shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
An expandable device with a support structure and a deformable membrane that forms an acoustic seal by expanding to fit the ear canal, reducing sound leakage and occlusion effects, while being comfortable and adaptable to different ear shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If static earplugs are used to shield the inner ear from noise, then hearing protection is provided, but comfort and adaptability to varying ear canal shapes are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug device transitions from a static configuration during insertion to an expanded dynamic state that adapts to the ear canal shape, providing both comfort and effective noise isolation through shape-memory polymer material that deforms under body heat
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes in shape-memory polymer material, which transitions from a rigid insertable form at room temperature to a compliant expanded form at body temperature, optimizing both insertion ease and sealing effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional earplugs are designed to fit ear canals, then noise isolation is achieved, but adaptability to different ear canal shapes and sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug transforms from a fixed geometric form to a dynamic shape that conforms to the ear canal, using shape-memory polymer that expands and adapts its geometry based on body temperature, ensuring effective sealing across diverse ear canal configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The device exploits temperature-induced parameter changes in the shape-memory polymer material, transitioning from a compact rigid state for universal insertion to an expanded compliant state that adapts to specific ear canal dimensions and shapes
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expandable devices are used to occlude the ear canal, then acoustic isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug employs self-service expansion utilizing the user's own body heat to activate the shape-memory polymer, eliminating the need for external power sources, pumps, or complex activation mechanisms while achieving effective ear canal 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 expandable device provides significant sound attenuation, up to 40 dB in the human hearing range, and reduces the occlusion effect, ensuring comfort and effective noise isolation across a wide range of ear canal sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
the earpiece comprises a shape memory polymer material that transforms from a first shape at a first temperature to a second shape at a second temperature
Implementation Method 2
The expandable element has an expanded state and an un-expanded state. The expandable element in the un-expanded state minimizes an insert profile of the expandable device
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable device (1100) can be configured to occlude an ear canal to isolate an ear canal volume from an ambient environment. The expandable device includes a support structure (1102). A membrane having a proximal end and a distal end is attached at each end around the support structure (1102) forming an expandable element (1104). The expandable element (1104) has an expanded state and an un-expanded state. The expandable element is adjacent to the support structure (1102) in the un-expanded state. The expandable element (1104) in the un-expanded state minimizes an insert profile of the expandable device (1102).