Floating Mass Transducer for Cochlear Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable auditory prostheses, such as bone conduction devices and middle ear implants, face limitations in effectively transmitting sound vibrations to the cochlea, particularly for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss or those who do not benefit from traditional acoustic hearing aids.
Innovation Solution
An implantable auditory prosthesis featuring a piezoelectric transducer with a bender element that generates vibrations in response to electrical signals, coupled with additional components like an inductor coil or electromagnetic transducer to enhance vibration delivery, allowing for direct mechanical stimulation of the cochlea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional acoustic hearing aids or single-transducer implantable prostheses are used, then the device structure is simple, but the vibration transmission effectiveness to the cochlea is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a piezoelectric transducer and an electromagnetic transducer into a single integrated implantable prosthesis device. The piezoelectric element generates initial vibrations from electrical signals, while the electromagnetic transducer with floating mass enhances and transmits these vibrations to the cochlea through bone conduction. This merging of two transduction mechanisms resolves the contradiction by achieving superior vibration transmission effectiveness while maintaining a unified device structure rather than requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite transduction technology by integrating piezoelectric materials (for direct electrical-to-mechanical conversion) and electromagnetic components (with floating mass for enhanced vibration generation) within a single prosthesis. This composite approach allows the device to leverage the advantages of both material systems - the piezoelectric element's direct response to electrical signals and the electromagnetic transducer's ability to generate strong mechanical vibrations - thereby improving vibration transmission effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If a piezoelectric transducer alone is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vibration generation and transmission capability is insufficient for sensorineural hearing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a piezoelectric transducer and an electromagnetic transducer into a single integrated implantable prosthesis device. The piezoelectric element generates initial vibrations from electrical signals, while the electromagnetic transducer with floating mass enhances and transmits these vibrations to the cochlea through bone conduction. This merging of two transduction mechanisms resolves the contradiction by achieving superior vibration transmission effectiveness while maintaining a unified device structure rather than requiring separate devices.
3Reliability
If multiple transducer components are combined, then the vibration transmission to cochlea is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating mass component as an intermediary element between the electromagnetic transducer and the cochlea. This floating mass acts as a mediator that receives vibrations from the electromagnetic transducer and efficiently transmits them to the cochlea through bone conduction. The intermediary floating mass simplifies the coupling between the transducer and the cochlea, reducing assembly complexity while improving vibration transmission effectiveness by optimizing the mechanical energy transfer pathway.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bone conduction devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the effectiveness for sensorineural hearing loss is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal implantable prosthesis that can effectively treat multiple types of hearing loss including conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. The dual transducer system (piezoelectric + electromagnetic) provides multi-functional capability: it can deliver vibrations through bone conduction for conductive loss and directly stimulate the cochlea for sensorineural loss. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by expanding adaptability across different hearing loss types while maintaining high sound transmission effectiveness through the combined transduction mechanisms.
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 improved vibration transmission to the cochlea, effectively generating nerve impulses and enhancing sound perception for individuals with various types of hearing loss, including sensorineural hearing loss, by utilizing a combination of piezoelectric and electromagnetic transduction principles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric element configured to deform in response to application of electrical signals thereto so as to generate vibration
Implementation Method 2
one or more components mechanically and electrically connected to the piezoelectric element and are configured to generate additional vibration
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an implantable auditory prosthesis that comprises a transducer configured to be implanted in a recipient. The transducer comprises at least one bender element (e.g., piezoelectric element, magnetorestrictive element, etc.) that is configured to deform in response to application of an electrical signal thereto so as to generate vibration for delivery to the recipient. One or more components are mechanically and electrically connected to the bender element and are configured to generate additional vibration for delivery to the recipient. In certain embodiments, the one or more components mechanically coupled to the bender element comprise an inductor coil operating as a counter-mass. The inductor coil may be configured to drive another mass (e.g., a magnet) so as to operate as an active vibration generation system.