Magnetic Switching Device for Implantable Hearing Aid Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable hearing aids face high electric power consumption due to inevitable losses in the inductive link during energy transmission through the skin, leading to short battery life, and existing automatic power control solutions are sensitive, bulky, and costly, posing challenges for patients with impaired dexterity.
Innovation Solution
An electric switching device that automatically activates and deactivates power consumption using the static mechanical force between retention magnets, employing a pressure or pull-activated electric switching contact to turn the power on when the external unit is attached and off when removed, minimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automatic power control solutions are used, then power consumption is managed automatically, but the device becomes sensitive, bulky, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic automatic power control systems with a simple mechanical switching mechanism. The magnetic switch uses magnetic field interaction between the external unit magnet and implanted unit magnet to mechanically open/close electrical contacts, eliminating the need for bulky electronic sensors and control circuits while maintaining automatic power management functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic switch system uses the inherent magnetic attraction force between the external and implanted units to automatically control power consumption without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. When the external unit is attached, the magnetic force automatically closes the circuit to enable power supply; when detached, the magnetic force automatically opens the circuit to cut power
2Device complexity
If manual power switching is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates for patients with impaired dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic switch automatically performs the power switching function based on the physical attachment state of the external unit, eliminating the need for patients to manually operate switches or buttons. The system serves itself by using the magnetic coupling between units to automatically enable power when attached and disable power when detached, making it fully accessible to patients with impaired dexterity
3Device complexity
If power is not automatically managed, then device complexity is reduced, but energy consumption increases leading to short battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic power management through a simple magnetic mechanical switch rather than complex electronic control systems. The magnetic switch automatically closes the power circuit when the external unit is attached to the implanted unit, and automatically opens the circuit when detached, ensuring power is consumed only when the device is in use and extending battery life without requiring complex power management electronics
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 a reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly method to manage power consumption in implantable hearing aids, extending battery life and simplifying operation for patients, while reducing unnecessary power usage when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
one or more external magnets creating a mutual static mechanical retention force with one or more retention magnets in the implanted unit which retains said housing in place
Implementation Method 2
The static mechanical retention force thus created affects an electric switching device such that said electric switching device directly or indirectly activates the power supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An electric switching device for an implantable hearing aid is disclosed. The device automatically, directly or indirectly activates the power consumption for an implantable hearing aid when an outer sound processor is installed on the patient and turns off/reduces the power consumption when the sound processor is removed.