Removable Middle Ear Implant Sensor for Real-Time Placement Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current middle ear implant surgeries rely on intuitive placement, leading to sub-optimal outcomes and repeated procedures due to the lack of real-time monitoring of prosthetic implant placement and adjustment, which increases costs and may deter patients from further interventions.
Innovation Solution
A removable sensor system integrated into the middle ear implant provides real-time feedback on static pressure and frequency response, allowing surgeons to optimize placement during surgery using a test set with a meter to interface with the sensor, ensuring proper adjustment and positioning without leaving a sensor in the body post-surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is integrated into the middle ear implant for real-time monitoring, then placement accuracy and surgical outcomes are improved, but the risk of leaving a foreign object in the body and regulatory complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is divided into permanent components (implant body, interface portions, shaft) and temporary components (removable sensor, carrier plate). The sensor is segmented as a separate removable element that can be inserted during surgery for monitoring and then removed, eliminating the foreign object risk while maintaining measurement precision during the critical placement phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is installed temporarily during the surgical procedure to perform preliminary monitoring and verification of implant placement. This preliminary action allows real-time feedback on placement accuracy before finalizing the implant position, ensuring optimal outcomes before the sensor is removed.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring is implemented during surgery, then surgical outcomes and placement optimization are improved, but surgical complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides real-time feedback during surgery by measuring static pressure (DC signal) and frequency response (AC signal) to indicate proper placement and adjustment of the implant. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to make immediate adjustments based on objective data, improving surgical outcomes without requiring complex iterative procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable sensor acts as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the surgeon's intuitive placement and objective measurement. The sensor temporarily mediates the placement process by providing measurable data, then is removed to complete the procedure, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the sensor remains in the implant permanently, then continuous monitoring is enabled, but regulatory approval and patient acceptance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor's presence in the system is dynamic rather than static - it is inserted during surgery for monitoring and then removed afterward. The carrier plate mechanism allows the sensor to be temporarily mounted and then easily removed, providing continuous monitoring only when needed during the surgical procedure while maintaining regulatory compliance and patient acceptance.
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 real-time monitoring and adjustment of implant placement during surgery, improving outcomes and reducing the need for repeat procedures by providing immediate feedback on static pressure and frequency response, thus enhancing hearing restoration and patient satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures
Implementation Method 2
provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant
Data Source
AI summary
A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.