Middle Ear Transducers for Otosclerosis via Round Window Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with otosclerosis suffer from severe conductive hearing loss due to ossification of middle ear structures, including the oval window membrane, which prevents effective sound transmission to the cochlea, and existing treatments like round window membrane stimulation or stapetectomy pose risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A pair of surgically implantable mechanical transducers are positioned in the round window niche of the cochlea, operating in opposite phases, with drive faces smaller than half the diameter of the round window membrane, to stimulate the round window membrane without engaging the center, allowing for acoustic signal generation and compensating for volume changes in the cochlea.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single transducer engages the center of the round window membrane, then acoustic stimulation is provided, but volume changes in the cochlea cannot be compensated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic stimulation effectivenessVSAvoidcochlear fluid pressure imbalance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stimulation function into two separate transducers: one transducer provides acoustic stimulation by engaging a first section of the round window membrane, while a second transducer compensates for volume changes by engaging a second section of the round window membrane. This segmentation allows independent control of stimulation and volume compensation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a fluid-filled chamber as an intermediary mechanism between the transducers and the cochlear fluid. The chamber allows the second transducer to compensate for volume changes by accommodating fluid displacement without directly engaging the cochlear structures, thereby maintaining pressure balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the oval window membrane is ossified, then conductive hearing loss occurs, but traditional middle ear implants cannot effectively stimulate the cochlea

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing improvementVSAvoidcompatibility with ossified structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to stimulate through the ossified oval window membrane (the traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by stimulating through the round window membrane, which remains flexible and accessible even when the oval window is ossified. This allows effective acoustic stimulation to reach the cochlear fluid despite ossification of traditional transmission pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Area of stationary object

If transducer drive faces are large, then coverage of the round window membrane is improved, but cochlear volume compensation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane engagement areaVSAvoidvolume change compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the round window membrane engagement into two distinct areas: a first section engaged by the acoustic stimulation transducer with optimized drive face size for effective stimulation, and a second section engaged by the volume compensation transducer. This allows each transducer to have appropriately sized drive faces for their specific functions without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides significant hearing improvement for patients with otosclerosis by effectively generating acoustic stimulation signals through the round window membrane, even with an ossified oval window, while minimizing the risk of infection and maintaining cochlear fluid balance.

Implementation Method 1

A pair of adjacent mechanical transducers are surgically implantable into a fixed position in the round window niche of the patient cochlea... The transducers... operate in opposite phase to each other... to generate an acoustic stimulation signal for perception as sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

A drive face is on an outer surface of each transducer having a diameter less than half the diameter of the round window membrane. The fixed position of the transducers engages each drive face against a different side section of the round window membrane without engaging the center point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact constraint:

Data Source

PatentEP2681931B1Middle ear implant for otosclerosis

Publication Date: 2015.09.09 VIBRANT MED EL HEARING TECH

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Figure 4A~4B

AI summary

A middle ear transducer arrangement is described for engaging a round window membrane of a patient cochlea. A mechanical transducer is surgically implantable into a fixed position in the round window niche of the patient cochlea adjacent to the round window membrane. A drive face on the outer surface of the transducer has a diameter less than half the diameter of the round window membrane. The fixed position of the transducer engages the drive face against a side section of the round window membrane without engaging the center point to generate an acoustic stimulation signal for perception as sound.