Ossicle Prosthesis Backing Section Stapes Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passive ossicular prostheses fail to achieve optimal coupling with the stapes, leading to incomplete sound transmission due to anatomical differences among patients, resulting in conductive deafness, and are prone to material damage and infection in the contaminated middle ear environment.

Innovation Solution

The ossicular prosthesis features a second coupling element with a backing section that projects into the receiving space to prevent hollow space formation between the stapes and the prosthesis, offering a slip-resistant and positionally stable connection, and can be designed with various shapes and materials for individualized adaptation, including slots, blades, and joints for flexibility, and a biologically active coating to prevent damage and infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional passive ossicular prostheses are used with standard fastening elements, then the prosthesis structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the coupling with the stapes is insufficient leading to incomplete sound transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound transmission completenessVSAvoidprosthesis structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second coupling element is divided into a receiving space and a backing section. The backing section is further segmented into multiple support surfaces (first, second, and third support surfaces) that can independently contact different regions of the stapes head, allowing adaptive coupling without increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backing section is pre-configured with multiple support surfaces during manufacturing, positioned to project into the receiving space. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon implantation, the support surfaces automatically adapt to the stapes head geometry without requiring additional adjustment steps or complex positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second coupling element is designed to fit various stapes anatomies, then adaptability improves, but the precision of coupling decreases due to anatomical variations among patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical adaptation to stapesVSAvoidcoupling precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the backing section have different local qualities - the first support surface provides a broader contact area for stability, while the second and third support surfaces provide localized contact points for precise positioning. This local differentiation allows the single component to adapt to various stapes anatomies while maintaining coupling precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The backing section is designed with variable geometric parameters - the curvature, orientation, and position of the support surfaces can be adjusted during manufacturing to match specific patient anatomies. This parameter variability enables both adaptability to different stapes shapes and maintenance of precise coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the prosthesis uses a built-up backing section with multiple support surfaces, then coupling stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The backing section integrates multiple support surfaces (first, second, and third support surfaces) into a single monolithic structure. This merging of multiple functional surfaces into one component achieves stable coupling through multiple contact points while simplifying manufacturing compared to assembling separate elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The backing section serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides structural support, creates sealing against the stapes head, and offers multiple contact surfaces for stable coupling. This multi-functionality in a single component achieves coupling stability without requiring multiple separate parts, maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9259311B2Ossicle prosthesis comprising a built-up attaching element

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 HEINZ KURZ MEDIZINTECHN

AI summary

An ossicular prosthesis formed as a sound-conducting, elongated prosthesis body has a first coupling element designed as a tympanic membrane top plate or a clip or a connecting piece to an actuator end piece of an active hearing implant and a second coupling element provided with an access opening into a receiving space designed as a bell or a clip for a mechanical connection of the prosthesis to the head of the stapes. The second coupling element has a backing section on an inner surface of the receiving space as an axial extension of the prosthesis body. The backing section protrudes from the prosthesis body into the receiving space. In an implanted state, the backing section bears against a head of the stapes and prevents a formation of a hollow space between the stapes and an inner surface of the receiving space in an axial extension of the elongated prosthesis body. As a result, additional degrees of freedom are obtained for individualized adaptation to anatomical circumstances of a specific patient in terms of shape, size and position of the patient's stapes bone.