Stapes Prosthesis Bulge Clip Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auditory ossicle prostheses lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental slippage or retraction of the clip closure after implantation, leading to potential damage and disruption of sound transmission, with complex and costly solutions like cams posing production challenges and risks during implantation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design featuring a bulge on the clip fastener that protrudes to form an outer surface of the receiving part, providing a secure friction-lock and preventing unintentional retraction, made from materials like wire with a bead-shaped bulge or rectangular cross-section for enhanced stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable U-shaped clip fastener is used to attach the prosthesis to the incus, then the prosthesis can be securely attached during implantation, but the clip closure may accidentally slip back after implantation due to post-operative scar formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a bulge on the clip fastener that protrudes toward the receiving part before implantation. This bulge creates a pre-positioned friction-lock mechanism that engages with the receiving part's outer surface, preventing the clip from slipping back after the implantation procedure is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the clip fastener by adding a bulge with specific dimensional characteristics. The bulge protrudes by a defined distance (at least one-fifth of the wire thickness) and has a controlled radius, transforming the clip from a simple U-shaped fastener into a friction-locking mechanism that maintains reliable attachment while preventing accidental slippage.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms like cams are used to prevent clip slippage, then attachment reliability improves, but production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential retention function from complex cam mechanisms and implements it through a simple bulge feature on the wire fastener. This eliminates the need for elaborate cam structures while maintaining the reliability of preventing clip slippage, thereby reducing device complexity and production difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple wire-based clip fastener with a bulge feature that can be manufactured cost-effectively. This simpler, more economical design replaces expensive and complex cam mechanisms, making the prosthesis more affordable and easier to produce while still achieving the desired retention reliability.
3Reliability
If complex cam mechanisms are used to prevent slippage, then attachment security improves, but production cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential retention function from complex cam mechanisms and implements it through a simple bulge feature on the wire fastener. This eliminates the need for elaborate cam structures while maintaining the reliability of preventing clip slippage, thereby reducing device complexity and production difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple wire-based clip fastener with a bulge feature that can be manufactured cost-effectively. This simpler, more economical design replaces expensive and complex cam mechanisms, making the prosthesis more affordable and easier to produce while still achieving the desired retention reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the clip fastener is made from elastic material to allow pivoting, then ease of attachment improves, but the risk of accidental retraction increases without additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the clip fastener by adding a bulge with specific dimensional characteristics. The bulge protrudes by a defined distance (at least one-fifth of the wire thickness) and has a controlled radius, transforming the clip from a simple U-shaped fastener into a friction-locking mechanism that maintains reliable attachment while preventing accidental slippage.
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 ensures reliable attachment and prevents the clip closure from slipping back, reducing the risk of damage during and after implantation, while being less complex and cost-effective compared to prior art, ensuring secure sound transmission and improved patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
The clip fastener (11b; 21b; 31b; 41b; 51b; 61b) is rotatably mounted in the receiving part (11a; 21a; 31a; 41a; 51a; 61a) and for attachment of the free end section of the process of the incus (A) via the receiving part (11a; 21a; 31a; 41a; 51a; 61a) recorded free end portion of the incus process (A) can be pivoted
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 6
AI summary
An ossicular prosthesis includes a sound-conducting prosthesis body with a first coupling element designed for the mechanical connection to the limb of incus (A) at one end and a second coupling element for the mechanical connection to parts of a component of the ossicular chain or directly to the inner ear, The first coupling element has a receiving part rigidly connected to the prosthesis body to accommodate the free end section of the limb of incus, including a U-shaped cliplock rotatably supported in the receiving part and swivellable over the free end section of the limb of incus in order to secure the limb of incus. The cliplock has at least one bulge directed toward the receiving part that protrudes from the cliplock so far that said bulge touches an outer surface of the receiving part when swivelled.