Vibrating Insertion Tool for Cochlear Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insertion of cochlear implant electrode assemblies can cause trauma to the cochlea, leading to temporary or permanent changes in residual hearing characteristics due to physical stress on the basilar membrane, which is not effectively addressed by existing methods.

Innovation Solution

A vibrating insertion tool with a user-controllable vibration source and elongate rigid spine that transfers vibrations to minimize insertion force and trauma, featuring a decoupling mechanism to maintain optimal vibration profiles for efficient implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional insertion methods are used to implant cochlear electrode assemblies, then the implantation process can be completed, but significant trauma is caused to the cochlea and basilar membrane due to high insertion forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecochlear traumaVSAvoidinsertion force

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion tool incorporates a vibration source that generates mechanical vibrations during the insertion process. These vibrations reduce the insertion force required to advance the electrode assembly through the cochlea by facilitating smoother passage through tissue, thereby minimizing trauma to the basilar membrane and other cochlear structures while maintaining implantation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Reliability

If high insertion forces are applied to ensure proper placement of the electrode assembly, then the device can be securely implanted, but the basilar membrane suffers physical damage including bruising, puncturing, or tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement securityVSAvoidbasilar membrane damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration source generates mechanical vibrations that reduce the peak insertion forces required to advance the electrode assembly. By distributing the mechanical stress over time through vibrational motion, the system achieves secure implant placement without concentrating force that would cause basilar membrane damage such as bruising, puncturing, or tearing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration source operates with periodic oscillations during the insertion process, creating a rhythmic vibrational pattern that facilitates gradual tissue displacement. This periodic action allows the electrode assembly to advance through the cochlea with reduced peak forces, maintaining implant security while preventing membrane damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a vibration source is integrated into the insertion tool, then insertion forces are reduced and cochlear trauma is minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecochlear traumaVSAvoidinsertion tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration source is integrated directly into the insertion tool structure, merging two previously separate functions (insertion and vibration generation) into a single unified device. This integration reduces the need for separate external vibration devices and simplifies the overall surgical workflow, offsetting the added complexity of the vibration mechanism itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 vibrating insertion tool reduces insertion forces and minimizes cochlear trauma by delivering vibrations that facilitate implantation with lower force requirements, allowing for more precise and gentle placement of medical devices.

Implementation Method 1

a user-controllable vibration source for generating vibrations in accordance with a selected vibration profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an elongate rigid spine, connected to the vibration source and the receiving region, configured to deliver the vibrations to the receiving region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration transfer: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10118028B2Vibrating insertion tool

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for insertion of implantable medical devices, and more particularly to insertion of implantable devices with a vibrating insertion tool. More specifically, a vibrating insertion tool is described, the insertion tool comprising an insertion tool controllable by a user to support and guide movement of an object, the insertion tool comprising an elongate arm having a proximal end region and a distal end region, the distal end region having a receiving region, a user-controllable vibration source for generating vibrations in accordance with a selected vibration profile, and an elongate rigid spine, connected to the vibration source and the receiving region, configured to deliver the vibrations to the receiving region.