Ceramic Ossicular Prosthesis Head Plate with Segmented Web Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ossicular prostheses face challenges in achieving postoperative flexibility and variability, leading to limited sound conduction and potential complications such as pressure peaks and tissue adhesions due to rigid tilting and insufficient ventilation in the middle ear.

Innovation Solution

The ossicular prosthesis features a head plate with a thickness between 0.01mm and 0.25mm, a minimum diameter of 2mm to 5mm, and web elements with a maximum width of 0.01mm to 0.2mm, allowing local twisting to accommodate medial eardrum movements without transmitting these movements to distant areas, ensuring optimal sound transmission and avoiding rigid tilting. Additionally, the prosthesis can include a network of web elements, interruptions, and a serpentine outer contour for enhanced flexibility and a biologically active coating to prevent infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the head plate is designed to be rigid and tiltable relative to the connecting element, then the prosthesis can follow postoperative movements of the eardrum, but pressure peaks are generated on the eardrum causing tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepostoperative flexibilityVSAvoidpressure peaks on eardrum

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The head plate is segmented into multiple web elements (至少两个径向连接的web元素) that connect the central coupling area to the outer peripheral area. These web elements allow localized deformation and twisting without transmitting forces across the entire head plate, thus accommodating eardrum movements while preventing pressure peak transmission to distant areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The web elements are designed with specific dimensional parameters (width b between 0.01mm and 0.2mm, length l between 0.1mm and 2mm) to create localized flexibility zones. The thin web elements provide controlled compliance at specific locations where needed, while maintaining overall structural integrity and sound conduction functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the connection between headstock and shaft is stiff, then the prosthesis structure is stable, but increased pressure peaks occur between the headstock edge and eardrum or graft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis structural stabilityVSAvoidpressure peaks at headstock-eardrum interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The head plate utilizes thin web elements (thickness t between 0.01mm and 0.25mm) that function as flexible films. These thin structures provide the necessary compliance to reduce interface pressure peaks while maintaining sufficient rigidity for structural stability and sound conduction. The web elements act as flexible connectors that distribute forces evenly across the head plate structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the web elements are made thicker or wider, then the head plate structural strength is improved, but the local flexibility to follow eardrum movements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead plate structural strengthVSAvoidlocal flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The web elements are designed with optimized dimensional parameters within specific ranges: width b between 0.01mm and 0.2mm, length l between 0.1mm and 2mm, and thickness t between 0.01mm and 0.25mm. These parameter ranges balance structural strength requirements with flexibility needs, allowing the web elements to be sufficiently strong while maintaining local compliance for eardrum movement accommodation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 postoperative flexibility and sound conduction quality, reducing pressure peaks and tissue adhesions while maintaining the advantages of existing prostheses, ensuring long-term implant stability and preventing bacterial entry.

Implementation Method 1

the web elements have a maximum width b between 0.01mm and 0.2 mm, so that the web elements follow this medial movement locally in the case of local medial movement of the eardrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a connecting element that connects the two fastening elements to one another in a sound-conducting manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound conduction: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP1972307B1Auditory ossicle prosthesis with sensitive head plate.

Publication Date: 2010.10.27 HEINZ KURZ MEDIZINTECHN

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AI summary

The prosthesis has a fixing element (11) formed as head plate for mechanical connection with the ear-drum at one end, and another fixing element (12) for the connection with a member or parts of member of ossicular chain at other end. The inner ear and sound are provided with connecting element (13) conductively connecting both fixing elements. Bar elements (15) are geometrically so arranged that it follows with local medial movement of the ear-drum of these medial movement. The movement does not pass on distant ranges of the head plate. The prosthesis is manufactured from ceramic material.