Optomechanical Eardrum Transducer for Full-Range Hearing Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids face limitations in reproducing the entire audible frequency range due to the use of miniature electromagnetic loudspeakers, which are limited to approximately 8 kHz, and require sealing the ear canal, reducing comfort and increasing infection risk.
Innovation Solution
An auditory stimulation system utilizing an optomechanical transducer that is stimulated by light signals to induce thermal deformation, causing a change in curvature and vibrating the eardrum, allowing for a wider frequency range of sound reproduction without blocking the ear canal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If miniature electromagnetic loudspeakers are used as sound transducers, then the hearing aid can be compact and portable, but the reproduction frequency range is limited to approximately 8 kHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic loudspeaker system with a piezoelectric transducer system. The piezoelectric element converts electrical signals directly into mechanical vibrations of the eardrum, eliminating the limitations of electromagnetic transducers while maintaining device compactness. This substitution enables full audible frequency range reproduction (20 Hz to 20 kHz) without compromising hearing aid size.
2Productivity
If the ear canal is sealed to reproduce sound at sufficient levels below 1 kHz, then sound reproduction quality improves, but wearing comfort decreases and infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses piezoelectric transduction to directly vibrate the eardrum mechanically, eliminating the need for acoustic coupling and ear canal sealing. This direct mechanical stimulation approach achieves excellent low-frequency sound reproduction (below 1 kHz) without requiring a sealed ear canal, thereby maintaining ear hygiene and preventing infections while preserving wearing comfort.
3Productivity
If electromechanical contact transducers are placed on the eardrum, then the playback bandwidth increases to cover almost the entire audible frequency range, but the practicality and long-term stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biocompatible interface layer as an intermediary between the piezoelectric transducer and the eardrum. This interface layer ensures stable, long-term adhesion while maintaining the mechanical coupling necessary for effective eardrum vibration. The piezoelectric element itself remains external to the ear canal, improving reliability by eliminating the need for permanent implantation while achieving full audible frequency range playback.
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 system enables effective sound reproduction across the entire audible frequency range (20 Hz to 20 kHz) while maintaining ear comfort and reducing infection risk by using an optomechanical transducer that couples with the eardrum through light-induced thermal deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The signal transmitter is designed to emit a light signal such that the light signal strikes the optomechanical transducer and triggers thermal deformation in the optomechanical transducer
Implementation Method 2
the light signal strikes the optomechanical transducer and triggers thermal deformation in the optomechanical transducer. The optomechanical transducer is designed such that the thermal deformation causes a change in the curvature
Implementation Method 3
The optomechanical transducer is designed such that the thermal deformation causes a change in the curvature of the optomechanical transducer, thereby deflecting a surface section of the optomechanical transducer
Implementation Method 4
The optomechanical transducer is designed to excite vibrations of the tympanic membrane. The signal transmitter is designed to emit a light signal such that the light signal strikes the optomechanical transducer and triggers thermal deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A hearing stimulation system for a tympanic membrane (16) comprising a signal generator (17) and an optomechanical transducer (18) for exciting a vibration of the tympanic membrane (16). The signal generator (17) is designed to emit a light signal (20) such that the light signal (20) strikes the optomechanical transducer (18) and triggers a thermal deformation in the optomechanical transducer (18). The optomechanical transducer (18) is designed such that the thermal deformation causes a change in the curvature of the optomechanical transducer (18), thereby deflecting a surface section (30, 31) of the optomechanical transducer (18). The invention also relates to a method for operating a hearing stimulation system.