ITE Coil Alignment via RF Scan and Anatomical Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, particularly cochlear implants, face challenges in consistently and optimally positioning the in-the-ear (ITE) coil relative to the implantable coil for efficient inductive coupling, which affects the reliability and efficiency of power and data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve obtaining anatomical data of the recipient's ear, performing a radio-frequency scan to determine the optimal placement of the ITE coil within the ear canal, and manufacturing an ear mold with the ITE coil positioned for optimal alignment with the implantable coil, ensuring consistent and efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manual positioning methods are used for ITE coil placement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy between ITE coil and implantable coil deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by obtaining anatomical data of the ear canal and performing radio-frequency scans to determine the optimal coil placement position before manufacturing the ear mold. This preliminary determination of the optimal position ensures high alignment precision is achieved automatically during manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated system that uses anatomical data processing and radio-frequency scanning to determine optimal coil placement. This substitution eliminates manual alignment operations, achieving high precision without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the ITE coil placement is not optimized for inductive coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of power and data transfer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the optimal coil placement position using anatomical data and radio-frequency scans before manufacturing. This ensures that when the ear mold is manufactured and used, the ITE coil is automatically positioned for optimal inductive coupling, achieving high reliability without requiring user adjustment or complex operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to self-determine and self-position the optimal coil alignment through automated processing of anatomical data and radio-frequency scanning. The ear mold is manufactured to inherently provide the correct positioning, eliminating the need for user intervention to achieve reliable power and data transfer.
3Manufacturing precision
If radio-frequency scanning and anatomical data processing are performed, then the manufacturing precision of coil alignment is improved, but the loss of time for alignment determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all alignment determination actions preliminarily before manufacturing the ear mold. By obtaining anatomical data and performing radio-frequency scans in advance, the system determines the optimal coil placement position beforehand, ensuring high precision is built into the manufacturing process itself rather than requiring time-consuming adjustments during or after manufacturing.
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 approach ensures repeatable and efficient alignment of the ITE coil with the implantable coil, enhancing the reliability of power and data transfer, improving the operational efficiency of the cochlear implant system and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
performing a radio-frequency scan of the ear canal with the test coil assembly to generate telemetry data characterizing an inductive coupling between the test coil assembly and the implantable coil at a plurality of different relative positioning there between
Implementation Method 2
an inductive coupling between a test coil assembly inserted into the ear canal of the recipient and the implantable coil
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are techniques for determining an optimal or selected placement for an in-the-ear (ITE) coil configured to be removably positioned within an ear canal of a recipient of an implantable auditory prosthesis that comprises an implantable coil positioned adjacent to the ear canal of the recipient. The optimal placement for the ITE coil is used to fabricate/produce an ITE component that is configured to be worn within the ear canal of the recipient. The ITE component is constructed with an arrangement such that, when the ITE component is fittingly inserted into the ear canal, the ITE coil will be situated at the optimal placement within the ear canal. At the optimal placement, the ITE coil is configured to efficiently communicate with the implantable coil positioned adjacent to the ear canal of the recipient.