Auditory Ossicle Prosthesis Loop with Segmented Bearing Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auditory ossicle prostheses face challenges in securely connecting to the ossicular chain without damaging surrounding tissue, particularly due to complete encirclement of attachment points which can lead to strangulation and necrosis, and struggle with variability in patient anatomy and post-operative material durability in the contaminated middle ear environment.
Innovation Solution
The auditory ossicle prosthesis features a loop design that engages the ossicular chain with a force fit via multiple inner areas, avoiding contact with non-bearing areas to prevent tissue damage and using a biologically active coating to enhance durability and reduce infection risk, while allowing flexibility and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a loop completely encloses the ossicular chain member to ensure secure attachment, then the connection strength is improved, but the risk of strangulation and necrosis of surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loop is divided into multiple bearing areas (at least three) that are distributed around the ossicular chain member, with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the loop to maintain multiple contact points for secure attachment while creating non-contact zones that prevent complete encirclement and strangulation of the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the loop have different functions: bearing areas provide secure contact with the ossicular chain member, while non-bearing areas (gaps) allow tissue passage. This local differentiation enables the loop to simultaneously achieve strong attachment and avoid tissue damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the loop is made rigid to ensure permanent connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate anatomical variations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The loop is designed with flexible properties that allow it to adapt to different anatomical configurations. The flexible material enables the loop to bend and conform to various shapes and sizes of ossicular chain members while maintaining secure attachment through multiple bearing areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop's flexibility allows it to change its geometric parameters (shape, curvature) to accommodate different anatomical variations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single prosthesis design to fit multiple patient anatomies while maintaining connection stability.
3Strength
If the loop contacts the ossicular chain member continuously to maximize attachment, then the connection strength is improved, but the risk of post-operative complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous contact is segmented into discrete bearing areas separated by gaps. This segmentation maintains sufficient attachment strength through multiple contact points while creating non-contact zones that reduce the risk of tissue damage and post-operative complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of complete encirclement is converted into a benefit by intentionally creating gaps in the loop. These gaps prevent tissue strangulation and reduce infection risk while the distributed bearing areas maintain adequate attachment strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An auditory ossicle prosthesis, which at one end has a first securing element for mechanical connection to a member of the ossicular chain, which securing element is designed in the form of a loop that encloses the member, is partially open to the outside via a slit-like aperture and engages with a force fit around the member, the slit-like aperture being considerably smaller than the diameter of the member engaged by the loop, wherein, after attachment, the loop bears with a force fit on the engaged member via at least three areas, and that, in the circumferential direction around the engaged member, at least three areas of the loop do not touch the engaged member but instead each extend at a distance from the surface of the latter.