Intracutaneous Bone Conduction Implant via Inductance Coil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aids and cochlear implants have limitations in effectively addressing conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, particularly for individuals who do not benefit from traditional air conduction methods or have damaged inner hair cells in the cochlea.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction device with an implanted inductance coil assembly is placed intracutaneously above the mastoid bone, using an external sound processor to generate vibrations that are transmitted through the skull, allowing for effective sound perception without damaging the skin or penetrating the bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hearing aids using air conduction are used, then sound transmission is maintained, but they are ineffective for individuals with conductive hearing loss or damaged hair cells
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the sound transmission function into two independent pathways: air conduction (external hearing aid) and bone conduction (implanted device). This segmentation allows the system to address different types of hearing loss through different conduction methods, improving both reliability and adaptability across various hearing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted inductance coil assembly acts as an intermediary device that receives acoustic signals from an external source and converts them into mechanical vibrations through electromagnetic induction. These vibrations are then transmitted through the skull bone to the cochlea, providing an alternative transmission pathway that bypasses damaged ear structures.
2Reliability
If cochlear implants are used to bypass hair cells, then sound perception is restored, but they require surgical implantation into the cochlea which is complex and invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of bone conduction from the complex cochlear implant system. Instead of implanting electrodes directly into the cochlea, the device uses a simple inductance coil assembly that converts electromagnetic signals into mechanical vibrations through the skull bone, achieving sound perception restoration with significantly reduced surgical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex electrical stimulation system of cochlear implants with a simpler electromagnetic-mechanical conversion system. The inductance coil assembly uses electromagnetic induction to generate mechanical vibrations that are transmitted through the skull bone, substituting the need for direct cochlear electrode insertion while maintaining sound perception capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inductance coil assembly is placed intracutaneously above the mastoid bone, then skin damage and bone penetration are avoided, but the implantation procedure is simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by creating a subcutaneous pocket above the mastoid bone before inserting the inductance coil assembly. This preparatory step allows the device to be placed in the correct position without requiring skin incisions or bone penetration during the actual implantation, thereby avoiding tissue damage while maintaining procedural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a skin-level interface that copies the function of traditional percutaneous bone conduction devices without requiring actual skin penetration. The inductance coil assembly is positioned subcutaneously, creating a non-invasive interface that transmits vibrations through the skull bone while avoiding skin damage and infection risks associated with penetrating implants.
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 solution provides an alternative for individuals with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss by converting sound into mechanical vibrations, bypassing damaged hair cells and improving sound perception, with potential applications beyond traditional hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive inductance circuit supported by a support structure, wherein the assembly is configured to be placed in soft tissue of a human recipient
Implementation Method 2
The vibrations are transferred through the skull to the cochlea causing generation of nerve impulses
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method, comprising generating an inductance signal utilizing an external component held against skin of a recipient, and receiving the inductance signal via an implanted inductance coil implanted in the recipient, wherein a layer of skin is located between the inductance coil and a skull a recipient in which the inductance coil is implanted.