Inner Ear Catheter Fluid Coupling for Leak-Proof Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inner ear implant technologies face challenges in effectively delivering mechanical and electrical stimulation and therapeutic agents to the inner ear while maintaining a safe and leak-proof interface, as they often require direct proximity to the inner ear structures, which is difficult to implement and prone to bacterial contamination.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an inner ear catheter with a lumen filled with a vibration-transmitting fluid, connected to an acoustic transducer, which converts electrical energy to mechanical energy, and includes a semi-permeable membrane for therapeutic fluid delivery, allowing for safe and convenient access to the inner ear fluid while preventing leaks and bacterial contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct proximity to inner ear structures is used for stimulation and drug delivery, then effectiveness of treatment is improved, but risk of bacterial contamination and leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidbacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: an external drug reservoir, a catheter with lumen for fluid delivery, and a semi-permeable membrane interface. This segmentation allows the external components to be sterilized and sealed separately while only the membrane interface contacts the inner ear, reducing contamination risk while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A semi-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the inner ear fluid. This membrane allows selective passage of therapeutic agents while preventing bacterial contamination and fluid leakage, resolving the contradiction between effective drug delivery and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If direct implantation into inner ear is performed, then mechanical and electrical stimulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and surgical difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation effectivenessVSAvoidimplantation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter with lumen acts as an intermediary conduit that transmits mechanical vibrations and therapeutic fluids from an external transducer to the inner ear without requiring direct implantation of complex devices into the cochlea. This simplifies the implantation procedure while maintaining stimulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex direct mechanical implantation systems with an acoustic transducer that converts electrical energy to mechanical vibrations transmitted through the catheter fluid. This substitution simplifies the device while maintaining the ability to deliver effective mechanical stimulation to the inner ear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If semi-permeable membrane is used for therapeutic delivery, then selective drug delivery is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic delivery capabilityVSAvoidmembrane integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The semi-permeable membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a barrier to prevent bacterial contamination, enables selective drug delivery through its permeability properties, and maintains fluid pressure balance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple therapeutic benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 a safe, leak-proof, and bacterial-resistant interface for mechanical and electrical stimulation and therapeutic delivery to the inner ear, enhancing the effectiveness of implantable devices by isolating the inner ear fluid and allowing for efficient transmission of mechanical energy and drug delivery.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic transducer, which converts electrical energy to mechanical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

a lumen filled with a catheter fluid for coupling vibratory signals between the distal end and the proximal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration transmission through fluid: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

includes a semi-permeable membrane for therapeutic fluid delivery, allowing for safe and convenient access to the inner ear fluid while preventing leaks and bacterial contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSemi-permeable membrane filtration: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP2040654B1Remote sensing and actuation of fluid of inner ear

Publication Date: 2012.10.24 MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A system for communicating with the inner ear is described. An acoustic transducer converts between electrical energy and mechanical energy. An inner ear catheter (202) has a distal end in vibratory communication with the fluid of the inner ear, a proximal end in vibratory communication with the acoustic transducer, and a lumen filled with a catheter fluid for coupling vibratory signals between the distal end and the proximal end.