Hidden Cochlear Implant Canal Unit Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cochlear implants have external components that users find cumbersome and may prefer not to use due to visibility concerns, leading to untreated hearing impairments.
Innovation Solution
A hidden cochlear implant system that integrates all components within the ear canal and middle ear, eliminating external devices and allowing for discreet use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external components are used for cochlear implant, then sound processing function is achieved, but user acceptance and treatment adherence deteriorate due to visibility and cumbersome nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the external components (microphone, modulator, transmitting antenna) from the traditional cochlear implant system and relocates them to be implanted within the ear canal and middle ear. This extraction of external elements eliminates the visible and cumbersome aspects while preserving the sound processing function, directly resolving the contradiction between treatment adherence and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the canal unit (containing microphone, modulator, and transmitting antenna) is positioned within the ear canal, and the implanted unit (containing receiving antenna and electrode array) is positioned within the middle ear and cochlea. This nesting of components within the ear's natural structures eliminates external visibility while maintaining functional integrity, thereby improving treatment adherence without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If all components are integrated within the ear, then user acceptance improves by eliminating visible external components, but device complexity and implantation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the implanted system into two distinct units: a canal unit containing the microphone, modulator, and transmitting antenna positioned in the ear canal, and an implanted unit containing the receiving antenna and electrode array positioned in the middle ear and cochlea. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific location and function, improving user acceptance through invisibility while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional external-over-ear configuration to an intra-ear canal and middle ear configuration. By moving components from the external dimension to the internal ear canal dimension, the system achieves invisibility and improved user acceptance while the modular segmented design manages the increased implantation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If canal unit is placed deep in ear canal, then discretion is maximized, but risk of occluding ear canal and affecting natural hearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the canal unit with specific orientation and depth control to optimize discretion while minimizing ear canal occlusion. The canal unit is placed deep enough to be discreet but with controlled positioning to maintain ear canal patency and allow natural sound transmission to the eardrum, resolving the contradiction between discretion and harmful occlusion effects.
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 provides effective sound processing and transmission without visible external components, enhancing user acceptance and treatment adherence for hearing impairments.
Implementation Method 1
a canal transmitting antenna configured to transmit electrical energy to the implanted unit; a cochlear receiving antenna configured to be implanted in a middle ear in a vicinity of the ear drum, aside a cochlea, and receive the electrical energy transmitted by the canal transmitting antenna
Implementation Method 2
at least one canal microphone configured to receive sound signals, convert the sound signals to electrical sound signals, and transmit the electrical sound signals
Data Source
AI summary
A hidden cochlear implant system comprises a canal unit and an implanted unit. The canal unit comprises at least one canal microphone; a canal modulator; a canal transmitting antenna: and a canal electrical power source, wherein the at least one canal microphone is electrically connected to the canal modulator, the canal modulator is electrically connected to the canal transmitting antenna, and the canal electrical power source is electrically connected to any component of the canal unit that requires supply of electrical power. The implanted unit comprises a cochlear receiving antenna; a processor; and an electrode array, wherein the cochlear receiving antenna is electrically connected to the processor, and the processor is electrically connected to the electrode array. Additional embodiments of the hidden cochlear implant are disclosed herein.