Round Window Coupler with Flexible Membrane for Cochlear Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional round window stimulation devices for treating conductive and mixed hearing losses are inefficient and unstable, often causing trauma to the delicate structures due to their design for middle-ear ossicular stimulation rather than direct cochlear stimulation.
Innovation Solution
The development of round window coupler devices with flexible membranes that conform to the anatomy of the cochlea, allowing for safer and more efficient sound transmission, using a hollow housing with a flexible membrane interface and a liquid or gel material to transmit vibrations, and accommodating various actuators for optimal stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional actuators designed for middle-ear ossicular stimulation are used for round window stimulation, then the device can be transmitted to the cochlea, but the transmission of sound is inconsistent and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane as an intermediary element between the actuator and the round window membrane. This membrane conforms to the anatomy of the round window region and efficiently transmits vibrational energy from the actuator to the cochlea, resolving the inconsistency and inefficiency of direct actuator-to-cochlea transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can conform to the curved anatomy of the round window region. This flexible interface improves the stability and efficiency of sound transmission by maintaining consistent contact with the round window membrane while accommodating anatomical variations.
2Productivity
If conventional actuators are used for round window stimulation, then sound transmission to the cochlea is achieved, but trauma to the delicate RW membrane and intra-cochlear structures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane serves as a compliant interface that conforms to the delicate round window membrane, distributing mechanical stress and preventing trauma to the intra-cochlear structures while still enabling effective sound transmission to the cochlea.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as a cushioning element between the actuator and the round window membrane, protecting the delicate intra-cochlear structures from direct mechanical contact and potential trauma while maintaining effective vibrational transmission.
3Reliability
If a rigid interface is used for actuator contact, then stable mounting is achieved, but trauma to the delicate RW membrane occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane provides both stable mounting for the actuator and protection against trauma to the round window membrane. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the anatomy and distribute forces, while its structural integrity maintains stable device positioning.
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
The new coupler devices improve sound transmission to the cochlea with minimal trauma, providing a stable and efficient interface that adapts to the anatomy, allowing for improved stability and reduced volume velocity leakage, and enabling the use of different actuator orientations for enhanced effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid or gel material filling or to be filled into the interior of the hollow housing within the interior of the hollow housing and contacting the flexible membrane
Data Source
AI summary
To account for the anatomical variability of the round window, and its surrounding bony structure, and ensure the safety of the delicate round window membrane (RWM) and structures in the cochlea closely adjacent to the RWM, the disclosure provides devices and methods that safely and effectively couple the motion of a variety of actuators to the RWM.