Magnetic Retention System for Bone Conduction Hearing Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conductive hearing loss often do not benefit from traditional air-conduction hearing aids and may not derive sufficient benefit from cochlear implants, as these technologies rely on mechanical pathways that can be impaired, leading to a need for alternative sound transmission methods.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction system utilizing a transducer with a static magnetic flux circuit and a magnetic retention system that interacts with a ferromagnetic component, allowing for the attachment of an external component to a recipient via a permanent magnetic field, enabling sound vibrations to be transmitted through the skull to the cochlea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional air-conduction hearing aids or cochlear implants are used, then sound transmission is provided through mechanical pathways, but the effectiveness is reduced when the ossicular chain or ear canal is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional air-conduction mechanical pathway (ear canal, eardrum, ossicles) with a bone-conduction mechanical pathway. The external component uses a magnetic actuator to generate vibrations that are transmitted directly through the skull bone to the cochlea, bypassing the damaged ossicular chain and ear canal structures.
2Reliability
If a magnetic retention system is added to attach the external component, then secure attachment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnetic retention system with the magnetic actuator assembly into a single integrated external component. The permanent magnets serve dual functions: generating the magnetic field for actuator operation and providing the magnetic attraction force for secure attachment to the implantable component, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic flux circuit in the external component performs multiple functions: it generates the magnetic field necessary for the magnetic actuator to convert electrical signals to mechanical vibrations, and simultaneously provides the magnetic retention force to securely attach the external component to the implantable component through the skin.
3Force
If the magnetic flux circuit is designed to encircle the static magnetic flux path, then the retention force is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the magnetic retention circuit into the external component housing during the manufacturing process, before final assembly. The housing is designed with integrated magnetic elements that pre-establish the retention field geometry, ensuring proper alignment with the implantable component without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments.
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 transmits sound vibrations to the cochlea, allowing individuals with conductive hearing loss to perceive sound, even when traditional methods are ineffective, providing a viable solution for those who cannot benefit from air-conduction aids or cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet separate from the actuator, wherein the permanent magnet generates a permanent magnetic field having substantial components located outside the actuator on substantially opposite sides of the actuator for removably attaching the external component to a recipient via interaction of the permanent magnetic field with ferromagnetic material of an implanted component
Implementation Method 2
interaction of the permanent magnetic field with ferromagnetic material of an implanted component
Implementation Method 3
a transducer including a static magnetic flux circuit that interacts with a dynamic magnetic flux circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An external component of a medical device, including an actuator including a static magnetic flux path that reacts with a dynamic magnetic flux path to actuate the actuator, and a magnetic retention system configured to retain the external component to a recipient via interaction with a ferromagnetic component attached to a recipient, the magnetic retention system including a magnetic flux path that encircles the static magnetic flux path of the actuator.