Prenatal Audio Clip With Sound Attenuation for Safe Fetal Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing sound to fetuses in the womb often fail to ensure safe volume levels, potentially harming the fetus with excessive decibel levels, and lack innovative audio delivery mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A prenatal sound device using audio earplugs with an attenuating mechanism, attached to clothing via a clip, transmits sound to the fetus while ensuring safe decibel levels through in-line signal processing and using earbuds instead of loudspeakers, with optional simultaneous audio for the mother or father.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If loudspeakers are used to transmit sound to the fetus, then sound delivery is achieved, but the volume may exceed safe decibel levels for the fetus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attenuating mechanism between the audio earplug and the fetus. This mechanism physically reduces the sound intensity before it reaches the fetus, acting as a mediator that allows sound transmission while protecting against harmful volume levels. The attenuating mechanism is integrated into the earplug assembly, creating a controlled pathway for sound delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the sound intensity parameter through the attenuating mechanism. The system dynamically adjusts or pre-configures the attenuation level to ensure the sound reaches the fetus at safe decibel levels. This parameter modification resolves the contradiction by transforming the sound output to meet safety requirements while maintaining audio delivery functionality.
2Reliability
If in-line signal processing is used to attenuate sound volume, then safe volume levels are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, integrated attenuating mechanism within the earplug rather than complex external signal processing systems. The attenuation function is built into the earplug structure itself, using straightforward acoustic or electronic attenuation methods that are reliable but not overly complex. This approach balances safety requirements with device simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If audio earplugs are used instead of loudspeakers, then sound transmission to fetus is improved, but the device requires new attachment mechanisms to clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the earplug assembly: the audio earplug itself, the attenuating mechanism, and the clothing attachment feature are combined into a single integrated unit. The clip or attachment mechanism is incorporated directly into the earplug housing, allowing it to be secured to maternity clothing while delivering sound. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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
Effectively transmits sound to the fetus at safe levels, promoting cognitive development and bonding while preventing potential harm, and allows for parental involvement in the experience.
Implementation Method 1
a thin layer of material that attenuates the volume of the sound from the audio ear plug to safe levels for the fetus
Data Source
AI summary
An audio attenuation device for attenuating audio for transmission to an unborn baby includes a body and an attachment mechanism for attaching the body to an article of clothing of an expectant mother. The body is configured to receive at least one audio earbud that includes an audio producing side from which an audio signal is transmitted from the earbud. The body further includes a layer of material configured to be positioned in contact with the audio producing side to receive the audio signal from the earbud and to attenuate an intensity of the audio signal. The layer of material is configured such that, when the audio signal that is received by the layer of material has a maximum sound level of approximately 90 decibels or greater, the attenuated audio signal exiting the layer of material has a maximum sound level between approximately 45 and 85 decibels.