Monolithic Hearing Implant Vibrator and Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing prostheses for conductive hearing loss rely on air conduction, which may not be effective for individuals with damaged ossicular chains or ear canals, and existing bone conduction devices face challenges in preventing bacterial growth and biofilm development due to gaps or seams in their design.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction device with an implantable component featuring a vibratory portion rigidly adhered to a screw portion, which is securely attached to the skull, and an integral vibration isolator in the housing to minimize bacterial growth and enhance vibration transmission, while using a magnetic or mechanical linkage to transfer vibrations through the skull.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an implantable component with gaps or seams is used, then it is easier to manufacture, but bacterial growth and biofilm development occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vibratory portion and screw portion into a monolithic integrally-formed component, eliminating gaps and seams where bacteria could grow. This single-piece construction maintains ease of manufacture through processes like CNC machining or injection molding while preventing bacterial colonization by removing interface surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the implantable component. The external surface is designed to be smooth and seamless to prevent bacterial adhesion, while the screw threads maintain their functional geometry for secure attachment. This localized differentiation addresses bacterial growth prevention without compromising manufacturing feasibility.
2Reliability
If a rigid connection between vibratory portion and screw portion is used, then vibration transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory portion and screw portion are combined into a single monolithic structure, ensuring rigid vibration transmission through direct material continuity. This integration eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maximizing vibration transmission efficiency.
3Reliability
If an integral vibration isolator is added to the housing, then vibration transmission control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator is integrated into the housing as an integral component rather than a separate assembly. This merging approach provides effective vibration transmission control while minimizing the increase in device complexity through unified manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration isolator is positioned at specific locations within the housing where vibration control is most needed. By concentrating isolation features at critical interfaces, the patent achieves effective vibration control without adding complexity throughout the entire device structure.
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 device effectively delivers mechanical vibrations to the cochlea, improving sound perception for individuals with conductive hearing loss while reducing the risk of bacterial growth and biofilm development by eliminating gaps and seams in the implantable component.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrational element attached to a screw portion... configured to vibrate in response to a sound signal... generating vibrational energy indicative of the sound signal
Implementation Method 2
the vibratory portion is rigidly adhered to the screw portion such that there are no gaps or seams between the housing and the screw portion
Implementation Method 3
a housing containing the vibrational element, the housing including an integral vibration isolator... minimizing conduction of the vibrational energy to the recipient via another vibrational path through the hearing prosthesis
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing prosthesis including an implantable component including a vibrator portion configured to vibrate in response to a sound signal to evoke a hearing precept and a screw portion configured to removably attach the implantable component to a recipient, wherein the vibratory portion is rigidly adhered to the screw portion.