Flexible Electrode Earpiece for Stable Auricular Vagus Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrodes fail to reliably position and maintain stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in users' ears, particularly due to variations in ear size and shape.
Innovation Solution
An earpiece with flexible arms and electrodes that adjust to accommodate different ear sizes, featuring a pivot element made of resilient material to maintain electrode positioning against the vagus nerve, and a voltage source with a controller for controlled stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrodes are used, then the device structure is simple, but the electrode placement reliability is poor due to inability to accommodate different ear sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece employs flexible arms with pivot elements that enable dynamic adjustment to accommodate different ear sizes and shapes. The flexible portion allows the arms to bend and adapt to the contours of various ear geometries, ensuring reliable electrode placement across diverse users without requiring multiple fixed-size devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible materials with specific mechanical properties that allow the arms to bend and conform to different ear shapes. The flexibility parameter of the arms enables adaptation to varying ear geometries, while the resilient pivot elements provide controlled movement to maintain optimal electrode contact pressure across different user anatomies
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible arms with pivot elements are used, then the adaptability to different ear sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is divided into distinct modular components: rigid headpiece, flexible arms with pivot elements, and electrode assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to overall adaptability, making the complex structure more manageable and manufacturable
Solution Approach 2:
The arms incorporate flexible portions made of elastomeric materials that can bend and conform to different ear shapes. These flexible components provide the necessary adaptability to accommodate various ear sizes and geometries while maintaining structural integrity and electrode contact
3Ease of operation
If fixed electrode positioning is used, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the ease of operation is reduced due to inability to adjust for different ear shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible arms with pivot elements enable the device to self-adjust to different ear shapes and sizes automatically when inserted. The elastomeric materials and flexible structure allow the arms to conform to the ear contours without requiring manual adjustment or precise pre-positioning for each user, simplifying operation while maintaining electrode contact
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 earpiece ensures reliable and adjustable electrode placement for vagus nerve stimulation, accommodating various ear sizes and shapes, and provides controlled voltage application for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot element is flexible and resilient such that the upper arm and lower arm flex toward each other when pressure is applied and return to a rest position when pressure is not applied
Data Source
AI summary
An earpiece including a frame with an over ear portion and a lower portion including an upper arm including at least a first electrode and a lower arm including at least a second electrode, wherein the upper arm and the lower arm are flexible and resilient to mount the earpiece in a user's ear.