Leadless Cochlear Implant Using Ultrasonic Vibrational Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear implant systems face complications such as infection, lead failure, and electrode dislodgement due to the use of lead wires for electrical stimulation, and existing solutions like self-contained microstimulators face constraints in size and energy limitations, while non-percutaneous connection methods like RF and electromagnetic coupling suffer from inefficiency and limited power transfer.
Innovation Solution
The use of vibrational energy, particularly at ultrasonic frequencies, to transmit energy and signal information from a controller-transmitter device to a receiver-stimulator in the cochlea, eliminating the need for direct connections and lead wires, and allowing for simultaneous or sequenced stimulation of multiple sites within the cochlea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead wires are used for electrical stimulation in conventional cochlear implant systems, then electrical energy can be transmitted to electrodes, but complications such as infection, lead failure, and electrode dislodgement occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lead wire component from the cochlear implant system. The transceiver-stimulator is implanted directly in the cochlea, removing the need for lead wires that connect external components to internal electrodes, thereby eliminating the source of infections and lead-related complications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic coupling as an intermediary mechanism for wireless energy and data transmission between external and internal components. Magnetic fields serve as the mediator to transfer power and signals without physical lead wire connections, eliminating direct pathways for infection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If self-contained microstimulators are used to eliminate lead wires, then infection risk is reduced, but device size and energy limitations become constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic energy supply system where the implanted transceiver-stimulator can receive wireless power transfers from external sources. The device can operate in different modes: using its own battery when power is available, or receiving supplemental power wirelessly, providing flexible energy management that overcomes static battery limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver-stimulator serves multiple functions: it acts as both a stimulus generator using its internal battery and a wireless power receiver when external energy is available. This multi-functional design allows the device to adapt to different energy availability conditions without compromising performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If RF and electromagnetic coupling are used for non-percutaneous connection, then direct connections are eliminated, but power transfer efficiency and capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based power transfer (RF and electromagnetic coupling) with magnetic coupling technology. This substitution provides stronger, more efficient magnetic field coupling that enables adequate power transfer for stimulating the cochlea without requiring percutaneous connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the wireless power transfer system by using magnetic coupling at optimized frequencies and field strengths. This allows the system to achieve sufficient power transfer capability for cochlear stimulation while maintaining non-percutaneous operation
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 enables effective electrical stimulation of the cochlear nerve without the drawbacks of conventional lead-based systems, providing robust site and region-specific stimulation, reducing infection risks, and enhancing the capability for environmental sound and speech recognition.
Implementation Method 1
The use of vibrational energy, particularly at ultrasonic frequencies, to transmit energy and signal information from a controller-transmitter device to a receiver-stimulator in the cochlea
Implementation Method 2
The use of vibrational energy, particularly at ultrasonic frequencies, to transmit energy and signal information
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed to enable hearing in the deaf by stimulating sites in the cochlea. The invention uses electrical stimulation in the cochlea, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the cochlear nerve. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which contains multiple electrodes to stimulate along selected sites in the cochlea.