Multilayer Piezoelectric Bone Conduction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conductive hearing loss often face challenges with traditional hearing aids due to chronic inflammation, malformed ears, or single-sided deafness, and existing solutions like cochlear implants can damage residual hair cells, making them unsuitable for all cases of hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction device utilizing a multilayer piezoelectric element with stacked piezoelectric layers and a flexible passive layer, coupled with a mass component, which converts sound signals into mechanical forces transmitted through the skull, reducing power requirements and providing effective sound perception without damaging hair cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cochlear implant is used to treat hearing loss, then sound perception ability is improved, but residual hair cells in the cochlea are destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical stimulus approach of cochlear implants with a mechanical vibration approach. A piezoelectric element converts electrical signals into mechanical vibrations that travel through the skull bone to the cochlea, avoiding direct electrical stimulation that damages hair cells. This mechanical substitution enables sound perception while preserving residual hearing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the skull bone as an intermediary medium between the sound source and the cochlea. Instead of directly stimulating the cochlea with electrodes, the device transmits vibrations through the bone to the cochlea, allowing the natural mechanical pathways to remain intact while still achieving sound perception.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hearing aids are used for conductive hearing loss, then sound amplification is achieved, but they are unsuitable for individuals with chronic ear inflammation, malformed ears, or single-sided deafness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air conduction-based hearing aids with bone conduction technology. By transmitting sound through mechanical vibrations of the skull bone, the device eliminates the need for ear canal plugging and avoids exposing the ear canal to moisture and debris that cause inflammation and infection, while still achieving effective sound transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone conduction device provides universal applicability across different types of hearing loss including conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, and cases with ear canal abnormalities. The device can be worn without requiring a functional ear canal, making it suitable for individuals who cannot use traditional hearing aids.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single-layer piezoelectric element is used in the bone conduction device, then device simplicity is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the piezoelectric element into multiple stacked layers, with each layer contributing to the overall mechanical output. This segmentation allows the device to achieve higher vibration amplitude and more efficient energy conversion, thereby reducing total power consumption while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite piezoelectric structure combining multiple piezoelectric layers with a flexible passive layer in between. This composite configuration optimizes the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical vibrations, improving energy efficiency and reducing power requirements compared to a single-layer design.
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 device effectively transmits sound to the skull, offering a suitable alternative for conductive hearing loss cases, reducing power consumption and preserving residual hearing, and is suitable for individuals unsuitable for traditional hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
a multilayer piezoelectric element comprising two stacked piezoelectric layers, and a flexible passive layer disposed between and mounted to the piezoelectric layers, wherein the piezoelectric layers are configured to deform in response to application thereto of electrical signals generated based on the received sound signals
Implementation Method 2
a mass component attached to the multilayer piezoelectric element so as to move in response to deformation of the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
a coupling configured to attach the device to the recipient so as to transfer mechanical forces generated by the multilayer piezoelectric element and the mass component to the recipient's skull
Data Source
AI summary
A bone conduction device comprising a multilayer piezoelectric element. The multilayer piezoelectric element comprises two stacked piezoelectric layers, and a flexible passive layer disposed between the piezoelectric layers. The device also comprises a mass component attached to the multilayer piezoelectric element; and a coupling attached to the multilayer piezoelectric element configured to transfer mechanical forces generated by the multilayer piezoelectric element and the mass component to a recipient's skull.