Inner Ear Fluid Circulation Pump for Meniere's Disease Pressure Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Menière's disease and similar disorders fail to effectively manage excess pressure within the inner ear, leading to symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss due to inadequate fluid circulation.
Innovation Solution
An implantable inner ear fluid circulation system featuring a pump with a pump inlet and outlet in direct communication with inner ear fluid, controlled by a pump controller that adjusts based on fluid pressure and flow rate sensors to restore and maintain targeted fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments for Menière's disease are used, then existing therapeutic approaches are applied, but excess pressure within the inner ear cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excess fluid from the inner ear using a pump system. The pump is implanted within the inner ear and actively pumps fluid out through a catheter that drains into the middle ear or external environment, directly addressing the harmful excess pressure condition by removing the problematic fluid accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a middle ear cavity or external drainage system as an intermediary pathway. The catheter serves as a mediator that connects the inner ear fluid space to the middle ear or external environment, providing a controlled route for fluid removal without direct external access to the inner ear structures.
2Ease of operation
If fluid circulation in the inner ear is inadequate, then symptoms like dizziness and hearing loss occur, but current treatments fail to restore proper circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous fluid circulation within the inner ear through an implanted pump system. The pump continuously or periodically moves fluid through the inner ear compartments, maintaining constant circulation to prevent symptom recurrence. This continuous action ensures sustained pressure management and fluid distribution throughout the inner ear structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a self-regulating fluid circulation system where the implanted pump automatically maintains fluid balance within the inner ear. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring and adjusting fluid movement to maintain optimal circulation patterns, reducing the need for external medical intervention and managing symptoms proactively.
3Reliability
If an implantable pump system is introduced to manage inner ear fluid, then fluid circulation can be restored, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pump, catheter, and control systems into a single integrated implantable device. The pump is positioned within the inner ear and connected to drainage catheters, combining multiple functional components into one cohesive system that can be implanted through a single surgical procedure, thereby managing complexity through integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the implantable pump system to perform multiple functions: it pumps fluid, drains excess pressure, and can be controlled through various modes (continuous, intermittent, or on-demand). The system serves as both a therapeutic device for symptom management and a diagnostic tool for monitoring inner ear fluid dynamics, maximizing utility while managing complexity through 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 effectively reinstates and maintains fluid circulation within the inner ear, alleviating symptoms of Menière's disease and autoimmune disorders by matching preoperative target flow rates, enhancing fluid transfer without introducing external fluids or agents.
Implementation Method 1
An implantable circulation pump has a pump inlet and a pump outlet both in direct fluid communication with inner ear fluid of an implanted patient. The circulation pump is configured to drive the inner ear fluid in from the pump inlet and out through the pump outlet.
Implementation Method 2
A pump controller is coupled to the circulation pump and one or more sensing elements for measurement of one or more fluid conditions and wherein the pump controller configured to control operation of the circulation pump as a function of one or more fluid conditions within the inner ear of the implanted patient.
Implementation Method 3
there also is transfer of endolymph fluid to perilymph fluid at certain locations (e.g. along the Reissner's membrane and/or basilar membrane) as well as transfer of perilymph to cranial fluid in both the vestibular and the cochlear system of the inner ear at certain locations
Data Source
AI summary
An inner ear fluid circulation system includes an implantable circulation pump that has a pump inlet and a pump outlet both in fluid communication with inner ear fluid of an implanted patient. The circulation pump is configured to drive the inner ear fluid in from the pump inlet and out through the pump outlet. A pump controller is coupled to the circulation pump and one or more sensing elements for measurement of one or more fluid conditions within the inner ear of the implanted patient, and is configured to control operation of the circulation pump as a function of the measured one or more fluid conditions. Also disclosed is a cochlear implant arrangement and a vestibular implant arrangement comprising such a fluid circulation system.