Heating Elements for Implantable Micropump Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current auditory prostheses, particularly for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, face challenges in effectively delivering treatment substances to the inner ear due to limitations in controlled and extended delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implantable device with a hermetically sealed region containing circuitry that generates signals to heat elements, which in turn control a flow of liquid through a cannula, allowing for controlled administration of treatment substances internally to the recipient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetically sealed region is used to protect circuitry, then reliability is improved, but heat transmission to flow control elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A hermetic seal assembly acts as an intermediary structure between the hermetically sealed region and the flow control element. This assembly includes a hermetic seal body with a hermetic seal chamber that receives the circuitry, and a wall portion with a thermal interface that transmits heat from heating elements to the flow control element while maintaining hermetic sealing. The thermal interface serves as a mediator that enables both thermal transmission and environmental protection simultaneously.
2Temperature
If heating elements are placed outside the hermetically sealed region, then heat transmission to flow control elements is improved, but protection of heating elements from environmental damage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic seal assembly with its thermal interface wall portion serves as a protective intermediary that extends the protection of the hermetically sealed region to the heating elements. The heating elements are positioned on the outer surface of the wall portion, which transmits heat to the flow control element while the wall portion itself acts as a barrier protecting the heating elements from environmental damage such as moisture and tissue ingrowth.
3Temperature
If flow control elements are positioned outside the hermetically sealed region, then heat transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic seal assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it provides hermetic sealing for the circuitry, serves as a thermal transmission path through its wall portion, and positions the flow control element in direct thermal contact with the heating elements. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate thermal coupling components and simplifying the overall architecture.
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 enables a reliable and long-term controlled delivery of treatment substances to the inner ear, addressing the limitations of existing technologies and providing effective treatment for conditions such as chronic or recurring middle ear infections, progressive age-related hearing loss, and Meniere's disease.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element configured to receive the signals and to generate heat in response to the signals
Implementation Method 2
at least one flow control element outside the hermetically sealed region, the at least one flow control element configured to respond to the heat by controlling a flow of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an enclosure containing a hermetically sealed region, the enclosure configured to be implanted on or within a recipient. The apparatus further includes circuitry within the hermetically sealed region and configured to generate signals. The apparatus further includes at least one heating element configured to receive the signals and to generate heat in response to the signals. The apparatus further includes at least one flow control element outside the hermetically sealed region and configured to respond to the heat by controlling a flow of liquid through at least one cannula to controllably administer the liquid internally to the recipient.