Middle Ear Prosthesis with Lorraine Cross Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Middle ear prosthetic devices face high functional failure rates due to postoperative displacement of ossicular prostheses and inadequate sound wave transmission, particularly when the tympanum and ossicular chain are lacking, as the prosthesis is not securely fixed to the neotympanum, leading to irreversible damage if attempted to be anchored into the stapes footplate.
Innovation Solution
A middle ear prosthetic device featuring a columellate prosthesis with a Lorraine cross-shaped connection element that securely attaches to a tensostructure within the auditory tube, allowing for stable connection between the neotympanum and the prosthetic, preventing retraction and enhancing sound wave transmission by distributing vibration effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the columellate prosthesis is connected to the stapes footplate to improve sound wave transmission, then sound transmission is optimized, but the prosthesis sinks into the inner ear causing irreversible damage to the cochlea
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate connection structure (the columellate prosthesis connected to the neotympanum rather than directly to the stapes footplate) that mediates between the sound source and the inner ear, allowing sound transmission while preventing direct contact that would cause damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the columellate prosthesis is not fixed to the neotympanum to avoid damage to the inner ear, then safety is maintained, but the prosthesis displaces postoperatively due to gravity and pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a resorbable fixation element (such as a resorbable screw or clip) that provides temporary stabilization during the critical healing period, then gradually disappears as the neotympanum becomes sufficiently adherent to the auditory tube wall, transferring the load to the healed structure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the end of the prosthesis rests on the stapes ossicle to maintain safety, then damage to the inner ear is avoided, but sound wave transmission is insufficient due to little transmission power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact between prosthesis and stapes with an alternative transmission path through the neotympanum and auditory tube wall, achieving sound transmission through a different mechanical route that avoids the harmful direct stapes contact
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 solution ensures stable positioning and effective sound wave transmission by preventing neotympanum retraction and reducing the energy required for vibration transmission, maintaining sound conduction without risking irreversible damage to the inner ear.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated elastic element of bioinert metal, a first end of the elongated element being rigid with the annular element while its second end is free, at or in the vicinity of this second end there being connected the other end of the columellate prosthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The middle ear prosthetic device comprises: a columellate prosthesis arranged to replace the ossicular chain of the middle ear with the exception of the stapes footplate or the entire stapes, a first end of this prosthesis being intended to be inserted into a hole provided in the footplate or to rest on the footplate itself, or to be connected to the stapes capitellum respectively; an annular element of bioinert metal insertable into the auditory tube at the position in which the neotympanum is to be formed; a tensostructure of non-reabsorbable bioinert material, which extends into the interior of the annular element and is fixed to this latter, the tensostructure presenting apertures which provide the surgeon with a sufficient view of the surgical field and allow the required surgical manoeuvres; first and second means for connecting the second end of the columellate prosthesis and the neotympanum to the tensostructure respectively.