Optical Hearing Transducer Eliminates Magnetic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices face limitations such as feedback, discomfort due to invasive placement of magnets, and signal distortion, particularly in open canal hearing aids, which affect sound amplification and comfort for users.
Innovation Solution
A photo-electro-mechanical system that uses light to transmit audio signals, where a light source emits a pulse width modulated signal that is detected by a photodetector, driving a transducer to vibrate the eardrum, ossicle, or cochlea, with active circuitry and power storage devices optimized for size and mass to provide high-quality sound with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent magnet is coupled to the eardrum or ossicles to stimulate the hearing pathway, then the hearing transduction pathway can be stimulated magnetically to cause motion and neural impulses, but invasive surgery may be needed for ossicle placement and alignment of the driver coil with the permanent magnet can cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field generator coil with a light source and photodetector system. Instead of using magnetic fields to drive the permanent magnet, optical energy is transmitted through the ear canal to a photodetector that converts light to electrical energy, which then drives the transducer. This substitution eliminates the need for alignment between a driver coil and permanent magnet, reducing discomfort and avoiding invasive surgery for ossicle placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transmit energy and information from the external source to the implanted transducer. The optical signal serves as a mediator that carries both power and audio information without requiring direct electrical or magnetic coupling between external and internal components, thereby avoiding the alignment issues and discomfort associated with magnetic systems.
2Ease of operation
If open canal hearing aids are used to reduce occlusion and improve comfort, then cosmetic appearance and comfort are improved, but feedback occurs when the microphone is placed in close proximity with the speaker or when sound amplification is too great
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional acoustic feedback path with an optical signal transmission system. The audio signal is converted to optical energy, transmitted through the ear canal, and converted back to electrical energy at the transducer. This optical pathway does not suffer from acoustic feedback issues, allowing the microphone and speaker to be placed in close proximity without generating harmful feedback, thus maintaining the benefits of open canal design.
3Reliability
If the driver coil is placed near the permanent magnet to achieve magnetic coupling, then the hearing transduction pathway can be stimulated, but this placement can cause discomfort for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the magnetic coupling system with an optical coupling system. Instead of placing a driver coil near the permanent magnet for magnetic coupling, the invention uses a light source to transmit optical energy through the ear canal to a photodetector that is positioned near the transducer. This optical approach eliminates the need for close placement of electromagnetic components, thereby removing the source of user discomfort while maintaining effective hearing stimulation.
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 reduces feedback and distortion, providing comfortable and high-quality sound transmission with improved power efficiency, suitable for open ear canal hearing aids and other applications like cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting optical energy and information with a light source through an ear canal
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector in response to the optical signal so as to stimulate tissue
Implementation Method 3
driving a transducer to vibrate the eardrum, ossicle, or cochlea
Implementation Method 4
An optical signal can be transmitted to a photodetector coupled to tissue so as to stimulate tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.