Rotatable Bone Conduction Transducer Fixation Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone conduction implants face challenges in stable fixation to the skull bone due to limited adjustability and space requirements, often necessitating extensive surgical procedures and pre-operative examinations to accommodate individual anatomical variations.
Innovation Solution
An implantable bone conduction transducer arrangement featuring independently rotatable fixation projections with bone screw openings, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure locking, enabling customizable attachment to the skull bone without requiring extensive surgical adjustments or additional bone drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard screw fixation is used to attach the transducer to the skull bone, then the transducer can be securely fixed, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming due to the need for precise hole geometry and potential additional bone drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation projections are designed to be independently rotatable relative to the transducer housing, allowing the surgeon to adjust the angular position of each projection to match the patient's anatomy. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for precise pre-drilled holes and complex surgical planning, while maintaining secure fixation through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is divided into separate rotatable projections that can be independently positioned and locked. Each projection with its bone screw opening can be adjusted separately, allowing flexible adaptation to various skull bone geometries without requiring complex integrated fixation structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixation projections are made adjustable to accommodate anatomical variations, then the implant can fit different patients, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable projections provide adjustability through simple rotational movement around the transducer housing, rather than complex mechanical adjustments. Each projection can be rotated to different angular positions and locked in place, providing anatomical adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of the angular position parameter of each fixation projection to match different anatomical configurations. By changing only the angular parameter through rotation, the device adapts to various patient anatomies without requiring changes to the overall device structure or additional complex components.
3Volume of moving object
If the transducer housing is made compact to reduce space requirements, then the implant is more compact, but there is less space for fixation features and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation projections extend radially outward from the transducer housing in a different dimension, rather than increasing the housing volume. This allows the fixation features to be positioned away from the compact housing body, providing adjustment capability and bone engagement surface area without increasing the overall implant volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable projections are nested around the transducer housing, with the bone screw openings positioned on the outer periphery. This nested arrangement allows the fixation features to be integrated within the compact housing dimensions while still providing sufficient space for adjustment mechanisms and bone engagement.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An implantable bone conduction transducer arrangement includes a transducer housing having an outer surface with a side wall and opposing ends. A pair of fixation projections are connected to the transducer housing at one end. Each fixation projection includes a bone screw opening configured for insertion of a bone fixation screw to engage underlying skull bone. At least one fixation projection is configured to be independently moveable relative to the transducer housing to form an adjustable relative position between the fixation projections.