Ossicle Prosthesis Elastic Clip with Arcuate Bulges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ossicular prostheses face challenges in effectively transmitting sound between the eardrum and inner ear due to limited anatomical replacement capabilities and difficulties in implantation, including tilting during surgery and potential damage to surrounding vessels.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a double-walled fastening element with outwardly curved bulges for improved elasticity and secure attachment, allowing for easier implantation and reduced vessel impairment, along with a biologically active coating for infection prevention and potential postoperative adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple clip structure is used for fastening, then ease of implantation is improved, but the prosthesis may tilt during implantation making surgery more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing arcuate bulges on the clip structure. These bulges create a softer spring characteristic that allows the clip to conform to the ossicle geometry, preventing tilting during implantation while maintaining ease of application. The curved geometry enables the clip to wrap around the ossicle process more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the clip by introducing arcuate bulges that change the spring characteristic. This parameter change makes the clip 'softer' and more compliant, allowing it to adapt to anatomical variations without tilting, while still providing sufficient holding force for secure attachment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid clip structure is used to prevent tilting, then prosthesis stability is improved, but handling during surgery becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate bulges introduce curvature that creates a softer, more compliant clip structure. This curvature allows the clip to flex and adapt during handling while maintaining stability once implanted, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for stability and flexibility for ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic compliant structure through the arcuate bulges. The bulges allow the clip to deform elastically during implantation for easy handling, then maintain stable attachment once in place, providing both handling ease and implant stability.
3Device complexity
If a single-walled clip is used, then device complexity is reduced, but vessel impairment occurs due to insufficient elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clip wall into multiple layers (double-walled structure) with arcuate bulges between them. This segmentation increases elasticity and compliance, allowing the clip to conform to anatomical structures without constricting vessels, while maintaining relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The double-walled structure with arcuate bulges changes the mechanical parameters of the clip, specifically increasing its elasticity and compliance. This parameter change allows the clip to exert sufficient holding force on the ossicle while being soft enough to avoid impairing adjacent vessels.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the clip is made softer to avoid vessel damage, then vessel impairment is reduced, but attachment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The double-walled segmented structure with arcuate bulges creates a compliant yet secure attachment mechanism. The segmentation allows the clip to be soft enough to protect vessels while maintaining sufficient gripping force through the multi-layered elastic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the mechanical parameters of the clip by creating a double-walled structure with controlled elasticity. The arcuate bulges provide compliance to protect vessels while the overall structure maintains adequate holding force for secure ossicle attachment, balancing softness and strength.
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 design enhances sound conduction by providing a secure and flexible attachment mechanism, minimizing vessel constriction risks and promoting long-term implant stability and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a fastening element trained first elastic clip (11; 21; 31) for mechanical connection with a link (17; 27; 37) in the ossicular chain
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
An ossicle prosthesis (10) has a securing element embodied as a first elastic clip (11) on one end for connection with an ossicle chain. The element is in the form of a clamp, open toward the outside on one side, with an outer opening for receiving the chain, with which the connection is to be made. The clamp after the implantation of the prosthesis form-lockingly embraces the chain with two regions, on their ends opposite the outer opening, via a portion (18a) extending at a spacing from the chain. The portion connecting the regions has two recesses outward in a circular arc from the chain. An ossicle prosthesis which replaces or spans a human ossicle chain comprises have a securing element embodied as a first elastic clip on one end for mechanical connection with the ossicle chain. The element is in the form of a clamp, open toward the outside on one side, with an outer opening (14) for receiving the chain, with which the mechanical connection is to be made. The clamp after the implantation of the prosthesis form-lockingly embraces the chain with two regions which are joined together, on their ends opposite the outer opening, via a portion extending at spacing from the chain. The portion connecting the two regions has two circular recesses (19a) curved outward in a circular arc from the chain with which the mechanical connection is to be made.