Hollow Ear Probe Tip for High-Frequency Tympanometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ear probes used for tympanometry and impedance audiometry face challenges in cleanability, especially at higher frequencies, due to the small dimensions of sound-delivery tubes, which limits their clinical adaptation.
Innovation Solution
The design of an ear probe with a sound tube that allows for easy cleaning while enabling measurements at higher frequencies, featuring a hollow tube structure with the receiver and microphone openings arranged at a distance from the tip opening, allowing for accurate calibration and measurement of middle-ear function parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual narrow sound-delivery tubes are used in the ear-probe tip for higher frequency measurements, then measurement precision at higher frequencies is improved, but cleanability of the ear-probe tip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ear-probe tip is divided into two separate tubes: a first sound-delivery tube for the receiver and a second sound-delivery tube for the microphone. This segmentation allows each tube to be independently cleaned or replaced without disassembling the entire probe, thereby maintaining cleanability while enabling higher frequency measurements through the narrow individual tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound-delivery tubes are designed to be detachable from the ear-probe body, allowing them to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. This extraction principle enables maintenance of the narrow tubes required for high-frequency measurements without compromising the ease of cleaning the ear-probe tip.
2Device complexity
If the receiver and microphone openings are positioned close to the tip opening, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for higher frequencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second sound-delivery tubes are positioned at different locations within the ear-probe tip, with the receiver opening and microphone opening separated along the longitudinal axis. This local arrangement optimizes the acoustic paths for higher frequency measurements while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through the use of two separate tubes rather than complex individual tube arrangements.
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 design provides an easily cleanable ear probe capable of operating at frequencies up to 4 kHz, maintaining accurate measurements and improving clinical utility by addressing the limitations of existing ear probes.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic output unit may comprise an output transducer. The output transducer may comprise or constitute a receiver (also termed a speaker/loudspeaker). The acoustic output unit may be configured to provide a stimulus (a sound) into the ear of the test subject via said receiver.
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic input unit may comprise an input transducer. The input transducer may comprise or constitute a microphone. The acoustic input unit may be configured to receive a reflected part of said stimulus. The acoustic input unit may be configured to receive a reflected part of said stimulus via said microphone.
Implementation Method 3
The ear-probe tip may comprise a sound tube. The sound tube may have a longitudinal axis (A). The sound tube may be a hollow tube. In other words, the sound tube may comprise an inner opening extending at least part of the length of the sound tube.
Implementation Method 4
The ear tip also provides a barometric seal to the ear-canal walls which allows for pressurization of the ear canal between the ear probe and the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument configured to test the middle-ear function of a test subject, such as in tympanometry and impedance audiometry is provided. The instrument comprises an ear probe for insertion in an ear of test subject, the ear probe comprises an acoustic output unit comprising a receiver, the acoustic output unit being configured to provide a stimulus into the ear of the test subject via said receiver, an acoustic input unit comprising a microphone, the acoustic input unit being configured to receive a reflected part of said stimulus via said microphone and provide an electrical input signal, an ear-probe body for accommodating said microphone and said receiver, and an ear-probe tip comprising a tip opening for outputting said stimulus and receiving said reflected part of the stimulus, wherein the ear-probe tip comprises a sound tube with a longitudinal axis (A), where said sound tube provides access between a receiver opening and a microphone opening, respectively, and said tip opening, which receiver opening and microphone opening are arranged at a distance (L) from said tip opening along said longitudinal axis (A), and wherein the instrument is configured to provide said stimulus comprising one or more frequencies above 226 Hz into the ear of the test subject via said receiver.