Floating Mass Transducer Spring Loading for Middle Ear Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing middle ear implants using electromagnetic transducers require complex surgical procedures, often result in disarticulation of ossicle bones, and have non-reproducible results due to reliance on fascia for stabilization, leading to inconsistent acoustic signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
An implantable electromechanical transducer with a transducer loading structure that develops a spring force to firmly engage against the cochlear surface, using a center spring structure with radially extending spring sections and a biocompatible material like Nitinol, to ensure stable and reproducible mechanical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fascia is used to stabilize the transducer and engagement member, then biocompatibility and damping properties are improved, but surgical execution becomes difficult to reproduce and results become non-reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fascia-based mechanical stabilization system with a magnetic field-based stabilization system. The implantable device includes a magnet that interacts with an external magnet to provide stabilization, eliminating the need for fascia filling and its associated surgical variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary force to stabilize the transducer and engagement member. Instead of relying on fascia as a physical intermediary, the magnetic interaction between internal and external magnets provides the stabilizing force, enabling reproducible results.
2Force
If too little pressure is exerted on the cochlear membrane by the transducer, then acoustic signal distortion is reduced, but mechanical coupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring element that provides dynamic, elastic pressure against the cochlear membrane. This spring mechanism automatically adjusts the pressure to maintain optimal coupling without excessive force, preventing membrane distortion while ensuring reliable mechanical coupling for acoustic signal transmission.
3Reliability
If complex surgical procedures are used to install middle ear implants, then transducer fixation is improved, but surgical risks and ossicle disarticulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fixation procedures with a magnetic field-based fixation system. The magnet within the implant interacts with an external magnet to provide stable fixation without requiring complex surgical disarticulation of ossicles, thereby reducing surgical complexity and associated risks.
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 solution provides a stable and reproducible mechanical stimulation, optimizing sound signal transmission and long-term fixation without disarticulating ossicle bones, reducing surgical complexity and improving hearing aid effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer
Implementation Method 2
An implantable electromechanical transducer with an inner end and an outer end, converts an input electrical stimulation signal into a corresponding output mechanical stimulation signal
Implementation Method 3
A magnet is attached to an ossicle within the middle ear 103 so that the magnetic field of the magnet interacts with the magnetic field of the coil. The magnet vibrates in response to the interaction of the magnetic fields, causing vibration of the bones of the middle ear 103
Data Source
AI summary
A middle ear implant arrangement is described which includes an implantable electromechanical transducer with an inner end and an outer end, for converting an input electrical stimulation signal into a corresponding output mechanical stimulation signal. A cochlear engagement member at the inner end of the transducer has a cochlear engagement surface for coupling the mechanical stimulation signal to an outer cochlear surface of a recipient patient. A transducer loading structure has: i. an inner end adapted to releasably engage the transducer, ii. an outer end elongated along a central end axis for engaging a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient, and iii. a center spring structure connecting the inner end and the outer end and adapted to expand along a central spring axis to develop a spring force between the fixed anatomical structure and the outer end of the transducer.