Floating Mass Transducer Pump for Low-Flow Inner Ear Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable hearing devices face challenges in delivering fluids, such as drug solutions, to small compartments like the inner ear without causing substantial pressure increases, as existing pumps are designed for larger spaces and are not suitable for implantation in smaller areas.
Innovation Solution
An implantable fluid delivery system utilizing a floating mass transducer-driven membrane pump with a double chamber configuration, which allows for low flow rates and minimal pressure increase, enabling precise and intermittent fluid delivery suitable for small spaces like the inner ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional implantable pumps designed for larger compartments are used, then they can deliver fluids at sufficient flow rates, but they cause substantial pressure increases in small compartments like the inner ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pump by using a floating mass transducer that operates at low amplitude (less than 10 micrometers) and high frequency (greater than 100 Hz), enabling extremely low flow rates (less than 1 nanoliter per hour) while maintaining minimal pressure increase in the small compartment
2Stress or pressure
If pump flow rate is reduced to suit small compartments, then pressure increase is minimized, but available implantable pumps with such low flow rates are not suitable for implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pump mechanisms with a floating mass transducer that uses acoustic radiation pressure and acoustic streaming effects to drive fluid flow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts and making the device suitable for implantation in small compartments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes acoustic field energy conversion, where acoustic waves transform into acoustic radiation pressure and acoustic streaming, creating a non-mechanical means to drive fluid flow at extremely low rates suitable for implantable applications
3Productivity
If a floating mass transducer is used to drive the membrane pump, then extremely low flow rates are achieved with minimal pressure increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating mass transducer serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuator that drives the membrane and the source of acoustic radiation pressure that generates fluid flow through acoustic streaming, eliminating the need for separate mechanical drive 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
The system effectively delivers fluids at extremely low flow rates, preventing pressure increases in small compartments, making it suitable for implantation in hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, and allowing for the delivery of therapeutic agents like nerve growth factors.
Implementation Method 1
an implantable fluid pump driven by a floating mass transducer
Implementation Method 2
the pump includes a membrane that moves in response to activation of the transducer, and an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber such that the membrane moves fluid from the reservoir through the hearing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An implantable fluid delivery system for use in hearing systems includes an implantable fluid pump having a fluid chamber having at least one wall with a membrane, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a floating mass transducer coupled to the membrane. The membrane is configured to move in a first direction increasing a volume of the fluid chamber and to move in a second direction decreasing the volume of the fluid chamber, and the floating mass transducer is configured to cause the membrane to move in the first and second directions. The system further includes an implantable hearing device having one or more fluid channels in fluid communication with the fluid pump.