Prosthesis Adapter for Bone Conduction Vibration Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bone conduction hearing aids face challenges in efficiently transferring vibrations to the cochlea, especially for individuals with middle ear damage, as they require direct skin penetration and specific compatibility between the abutment and the operationally removable component.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction device with an adapter that indirectly couples a coupling apparatus of an operationally removable component to a coupling apparatus of a body interfacing prosthesis, allowing for the attachment of incompatible components without removing the existing abutment, using a mechanism that secures the adapter to the abutment screw or directly to the abutment, enabling effective vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct skin penetration with abutment is used, then vibration transfer efficiency is improved, but compatibility between abutment and operationally removable component is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that couples the abutment to the operationally removable component. The adapter includes a first coupling mechanism that interfaces with the abutment and a second coupling mechanism that interfaces with the operationally removable component, enabling compatibility between components that would otherwise be incompatible while maintaining the direct skin penetration configuration for efficient vibration transfer.
2Reliability
If abutment is fixed to recipient, then stable vibration conduction is achieved, but conversion between different coupling mechanisms requires abutment removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling system into three distinct components: the abutment (fixed to the recipient), the adapter (with convertible coupling mechanisms), and the operationally removable component. This segmentation allows the adapter to be independently modified or converted between different coupling mechanisms without affecting the implanted abutment, thereby maintaining stable vibration conduction while enabling easy conversion between different component types.
3Device complexity
If direct coupling between abutment and operationally removable component is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different component types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal coupling capabilities, where the first coupling mechanism can interface with various abutment types and the second coupling mechanism can interface with different operationally removable components. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to accommodate multiple component types and coupling mechanisms, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
Enables effective vibration transfer and hearing perception without the need for direct compatibility between the abutment and the operationally removable component, maintaining the integration of the abutment with the skin and reducing skin feedback, thus improving the usability of bone conduction devices for individuals with middle ear issues.
Implementation Method 1
enabling effective vibration transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthesis including an abutment, an operationally removable component including a coupling apparatus, and an adapter, wherein the abutment is connected to the adapter and the coupling apparatus of the operationally removable component is releasably coupled to the adapter.