Horizontal Abutment Extender for Helmet Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with bone conduction auditory prostheses face challenges in wearing both a rigid head covering, such as a helmet, and the external component of the prosthesis system due to insufficient space around the percutaneous implant, preventing simultaneous use of the prosthesis and helmet.
Innovation Solution
An elongate body with offset connectors allows for the external component of the bone conduction auditory prosthesis to be positioned away from its standard location, enabling attachment to the implant while maintaining the ability to transmit acoustic vibrations, thus accommodating the wearing of helmets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the external component is positioned at its standard location directly attached to the percutaneous implant, then efficient sound transmission is achieved, but the recipient cannot wear helmets due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The extender introduces a spatial offset between the implant and external component by extending along the longitudinal axis, moving the external component from the standard proximal position to a distal position. This dimensional change in positioning allows helmets to be worn while maintaining the vibration transmission path through the extender body to the implant.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the external component is offset from the implant to accommodate helmets, then helmet compatibility is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct components: the implant, the extender (with body and connectors), and the external component. This segmentation allows the extender to function as an independent intermediary element that provides the necessary offset while maintaining simple connection interfaces at each end, minimizing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender serves as an intermediary component between the implant and external component. It mediates the spatial relationship by providing the offset distance while maintaining the functional connection for vibration transmission, thereby resolving the conflict between helmet compatibility and system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid connection is used to maintain vibration transmission over the offset distance, then sound transmission is preserved, but the device becomes more complex and harder to attach/detach
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed with universal attachment features that provide both mechanical connection and vibration transmission functions. The magnetic attachment mechanism simultaneously achieves secure coupling, easy attachment/detachment, and maintains the rigid connection necessary for vibration transmission, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
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
Enables recipients to safely wear helmets while using the auditory prosthesis by offsetting the external component, ensuring effective sound transmission and compatibility with existing implant systems.
Implementation Method 1
The extender is configured to transmit acoustic vibrations generated by the component to the abutment
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided that includes an elongate body, a first connector, and a second connector. The first connector has a first axis and is configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from a percutaneous implant of a bone conduction acoustic prosthesis system. The second connector has a second axis and is configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from a component of the acoustic prosthesis system, the component external to the recipient. The first axis and the second axis are offset from one another along a first direction.