Auditory Ossicle Prosthesis Jigsaw Assembly Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auditory ossicle prostheses face challenges in adapting to individual anatomical variations in the middle ear, requiring a large number of different geometries and sizes, and often result in pressure peaks and complications due to rigidity, limiting sound conduction and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A middle ear prosthesis with a plate-shaped securing element designed as jigsaw pieces that can be assembled and reconfigured during surgery to adapt to specific anatomical needs, providing flexibility and variability without the need for multiple prostheses, using a geometric configuration that allows for local movement without transmitting it to remote areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the prosthesis is designed to be rigid for stable sound conduction, then sound transmission stability is improved, but the prosthesis cannot adapt to individual anatomical variations and causes pressure peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The headplate is divided into multiple individual elements (first headplate element, second headplate element, third headplate element) that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows the prosthesis to be configured in different geometries and sizes to match individual anatomical variations while maintaining stable sound conduction through the connected elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamically configurable structure. The headplate elements can be assembled in different arrangements during surgery to adapt to the specific anatomical conditions, providing the needed versatility while maintaining structural integrity for sound transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prostheses with different geometries are prepared for surgery, then adaptability to individual anatomy is improved, but device complexity and surgical preparation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal prosthesis design comprises multiple headplate elements that can be assembled in various configurations. This universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized prostheses, as the same set of elements can be arranged to match different anatomical requirements, simplifying surgical preparation while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the headplate into reusable individual elements, the system allows one set of components to serve multiple functions and configurations. The same segmented elements can be reassembled in different patterns to accommodate various anatomical variations, reducing the total number of different prosthesis types needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the headplate is designed to tilt relative to the connection element for flexibility, then postoperative adaptability is improved, but pressure peaks occur during local movements
Solution Approach 1:
The individual headplate elements can be selectively positioned and configured to match the local anatomical quality and requirements. This localized configuration allows the prosthesis to adapt to postoperative changes in specific areas without causing excessive pressure peaks, as the elements can be arranged to distribute forces appropriately across the tympanic membrane.
Data Source
AI summary
An auditory ossicle prosthesis (10) which comprises, at one end, a plate-shaped first securing element (11) for bearing on the tympanic membrane or on the footplate of the stirrup, and, at its other end, a second securing element (12) for mechanical connection to the ossicular chain or to the inner ear, and also a connection element (13) that connects the two securing elements so as to conduct sound, wherein the first securing element has a radially inner coupling area (14) for coupling the first securing element to the connection element, and also a plurality of web elements (15, 15′, 15″) for radial connection of the coupling area to radially outer portions (16, 16′) of the first securing element, is characterized in that the coupling area and/or the web elements and/or the radially outer portions are of such a geometric configuration that they together form pieces of a jigsaw from which the first securing element can be assembled in its entirety, wherein the individual jigsaw pieces can be joined to one another or removed from one another, and wherein the first securing element is inherently mechanically stable in the state with the jigsaw pieces joined together. This means that the number of different prostheses to be kept ready during an operation can be reduced to a single standard prosthesis, without losing the possibility of optimal adaptation of the prosthesis to the specific case of use.