Optical Ear Shape Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for three-dimensional measurements of the outer ear shape, such as traditional silicon impressions, inflatable membranes, and optical in-ear probes, are time-consuming, costly, inaccurate, uncomfortable, and potentially unsafe, failing to provide reliable data for customized hearing aids and ear devices.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system using a projector to illuminate the ear surface and a multi-camera system to capture and process 3D images, eliminating the need for consumable materials and tracking targets, allowing for more accurate and comfortable measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional silicon impression material is injected into the ear canal, then the ear shape can be captured, but the process becomes time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection and hardening process of silicon impression material with a non-contact optical scanning system. The optical scanner uses light projection and capture to create 3D ear models, eliminating the need for physical material injection, waiting for hardening, and manual extraction, thus dramatically reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the ear shape through optical scanning instead of using physical silicon copies. The optical scanner captures multiple 2D images from different angles and reconstructs them into an accurate 3D digital model, which can be immediately used for hearing aid customization without the time-consuming physical impression process.
2Measurement precision
If silicon impression material is used to capture ear shape, then measurements can be obtained, but the process becomes costly due to consumable materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the consumable silicon impression material with a reusable optical scanning system. The optical scanner uses light sources and cameras that do not require consumables, eliminating the recurring cost of disposable impression materials while providing equally accurate or superior measurement capabilities through digital 3D reconstruction.
3Measurement precision
If inflatable membrane is inserted and inflated in the ear canal, then ear shape can be measured, but the system becomes complex requiring fluid handling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical fluid handling system required for inflatable membranes with a non-contact optical scanning system. The optical scanner uses light projection and digital image processing to capture ear canal geometry without requiring any physical insertion, inflation, or fluid management, dramatically simplifying the system while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If optical in-ear probe with tracking targets is used, then 3D measurements can be captured, but the system becomes complex requiring periodic calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tracking targets and calibration requirements from the measurement system. The optical scanner uses intrinsic geometric relationships and photogrammetric techniques to achieve accurate 3D reconstruction without external tracking markers, removing the complexity of target affixing, tracking sensor synchronization, and periodic calibration procedures.
5Measurement precision
If silicon impression material is injected into the ear canal, then ear shape can be captured, but it becomes potentially unsafe for the patient's ear drum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the potentially harmful mechanical injection process with a completely non-contact optical scanning method. The optical scanner captures ear shape data from outside the ear canal using light, eliminating any risk of material contact with the ear drum while maintaining measurement accuracy through advanced image processing and 3D reconstruction algorithms.
6Measurement precision
If inflatable membrane is inflated inside the ear canal, then ear shape can be measured, but it becomes uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the uncomfortable physical insertion and inflation process with a non-contact optical scanning system. The optical scanner captures ear canal geometry from outside the ear using light, eliminating the discomfort of having foreign objects inserted and inflated inside the sensitive ear canal while maintaining measurement precision through photogrammetric techniques.
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 speeds up the measurement process, enhances accuracy, and reduces discomfort for patients while eliminating the need for disposable materials and complex systems, providing reliable data for customized ear devices.
Implementation Method 1
a projector configured to project a light pattern onto a surface of the ear
Implementation Method 2
a multi-camera system to capture and process 3D images
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for three-dimensional measurements of the outer ear shape, including the auditory canal and the concha. The apparatus may include a handpiece providing an earpiece dimensioned and shaped to occupy the auditory canal. The earpiece projects pattern lights, that can be selectively modulated onto an ear surface. The earpiece also provides flood illuminators and wide field-of-view imagers for capturing images generated by the projected light patterns. The handpiece provides a user interface for receiving one or more feedback modalities indicative of the location of a tip of the earpiece within the ear. A control unit located in the handpiece and a processing unit allow forming the three-dimensional measurements and their associated visualization.