Round Window Coupling Support for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices face challenges such as feedback, occlusion, distortion, and invasive surgery due to their placement on the ossicles or cochlea, which affect sound quality and user comfort, and prior optically coupled systems suffer from noise and distortion issues.
Innovation Solution
A support system configured to couple a transducer to the round window in the middle ear, allowing safe removal without damaging the window, using electromagnetic energy to vibrate the transducer, which can be decoupled from the ear for imaging and is designed to minimize tissue growth and interference from magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transducer is securely fixed to the round window using a permanent magnet, then the transducer can be held in place to transmit sound, but the round window may be damaged and cochlear fluid may leak
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic bridge component is introduced as an intermediary between the permanent magnet and the round window. The magnetic bridge is attracted to the permanent magnet through magnetic force, providing secure transducer retention, while the barrier layer prevents direct contact between the magnetic bridge and the round window, eliminating damage risk. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by decoupling the retention function from the potential harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a permanent magnet for generating magnetic force, a magnetic bridge component for transmitting the force, and a barrier layer for protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling secure retention while preventing round window damage through the protective barrier.
2Reliability
If a magnet is positioned on the structures of the ear, then the transducer can be held in place, but external electromagnetic fields may cause perceptible noise
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic bridge component serves as a mediator that is attracted to the permanent magnet but isolated from external electromagnetic fields by the barrier layer. This intermediary structure maintains the retention function while protecting the system from electromagnetic interference that would otherwise cause perceptible noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer provides beforehand protection by preventing direct contact between magnetic components and the round window, and by isolating the magnetic system from external electromagnetic fields. This prior cushioning effect prevents electromagnetic interference from causing perceptible noise while maintaining transducer retention.
3Reliability
If the transducer is securely fixed to the round window, then sound can be transmitted, but the device cannot be removed for imaging studies
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system provides dynamic retention that can be adjusted or released as needed. The magnetic bridge component is held in place by magnetic attraction during normal operation, but can be removed when imaging studies are required. This dynamic system resolves the contradiction by allowing both secure retention during use and removability when needed.
4Ease of operation
If open canal hearing aids are used, then comfort and cosmetic appearance are improved, but feedback occurs limiting sound amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic feedback problem of open canal hearing aids with a direct mechanical coupling system. The transducer is mechanically coupled to the round window through the magnetic bridge and barrier layer, bypassing the ear canal acoustic path that causes feedback. This mechanical substitution eliminates feedback while maintaining the comfort benefits of open canal design.
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 solution provides a safe, comfortable hearing device with natural sound quality and reduced occlusion and feedback, maintaining the integrity of the hearing pathway while allowing for easy transducer removal and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
using electromagnetic energy to vibrate the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A support can be configured for placement in the middle ear to couple a transducer to the round window, such that the transducer can be removed from the round window without damaging the round window. The support can be configured to couple the transducer to the sound window such that the support can be removed from the round window. The support may be configured to decouple the transducer from the round window such that the transducer can be removed from the middle ear of the user, for example when the support is affixed to the middle ear. Removal of the transducer from the middle ear without damaging the round window can allow safe removal of the transducer, for example when the patient wishes to receive MRI imaging.