Hearing Aid Headpiece Battery Segmentation for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable cochlear stimulation (ICS) systems are bulky and heavy due to the external sound processor's power supply requirements, which can be improved by altering the power storage and supply method.
Innovation Solution
A hearing assistance system where the external BTE sound processor does not supply power to the implanted cochlear stimulator, instead, a headpiece with a battery provides power and retransmits stimulation data wirelessly to the cochlear stimulator, allowing for a reduction in the size and weight of the external device and improved comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the external sound processor supplies power to the implanted cochlear stimulator, then the power distribution is integrated, but the external device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power supply function into two separate components: the external sound processor handles sound processing and data generation, while the headpiece contains the battery and handles power transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the weight and complexity of the external device while maintaining integrated power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is extracted from the external sound processor and placed in the headpiece instead. This extraction removes the heavy power supply component from the external device, significantly reducing its weight and improving user comfort while the headpiece serves as the power source for the implanted stimulator.
2Ease of operation
If the headpiece contains the battery for power supply, then the external sound processor weight is reduced, but the headpiece becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The headpiece acts as an intermediary component between the external sound processor and the implanted stimulator. It contains the battery and transmits both power and stimulation data wirelessly to the implant, eliminating the need for the external sound processor to supply power directly. This intermediary role distributes weight and function more effectively, improving user comfort.
3Volume of moving object
If the external device size is reduced by separating power supply, then user comfort improves, but the system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The headpiece merges multiple functions into a single compact unit: it contains the battery for power supply, the coil for wireless power transmission, and the interface for receiving stimulation data from the external sound processor. This merging of functions reduces the overall external device size and improves user comfort while maintaining system functionality.
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 configuration results in a smaller, lighter external device, enhanced user comfort, and the ability to integrate with electric acoustic stimulation systems, while maintaining effective sound processing and power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The headpiece has a coil antenna that is used to connect the headpiece (and BTE sound processor by way of the headpiece) to the implantable device via an inductive link
Implementation Method 2
The components of the headpiece unit may include a battery that supplies power to the coil and other components of the headpiece unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power.