Viscoelastic Fixation for Auditory Prostheses Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direct acoustic cochlear implants are contraindicated for recipients with growing anatomy, such as juveniles and teens, as the increasing distance between skull and inner ear attachment points can lead to dislocation and misalignment, reducing therapy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a part of the fixation system made from a viscoelastic material that responds elastically to short-term loads and viscously to long-term loads, allowing the device to accommodate anatomical growth without disconnection or misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid fixation system is used to securely attach the implant to the skull and cochlea, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the device cannot accommodate anatomical growth in pediatric recipients, leading to dislocation and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of anatomical growth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt to changing anatomical conditions. The viscoelastic material allows the device to accommodate gradual anatomical growth in pediatric recipients while maintaining secure attachment, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and adaptability to growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to viscoelastic, enabling the fixation system to exhibit different mechanical properties under different loading conditions. This allows the device to maintain stable connections while accommodating gradual positional changes due to anatomical growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between skull surface attachment point and inner ear attachment point increases due to skull growth, then the device can accommodate growth, but the connection becomes weaker and may loosen or disconnect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of skull growthVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The viscoelastic material's time-dependent mechanical properties allow it to maintain connection strength while accommodating increasing distances. The material exhibits viscous behavior under slow growth loads, allowing gradual adaptation, while maintaining elastic properties for immediate load bearing, thus preserving connection strength during anatomical growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The viscoelastic material acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs the stresses of anatomical growth before they can cause disconnection or misalignment. This beforehand cushioning protects the connection from the harmful effects of growth-related stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a deformable viscoelastic material is used in the fixation system, then the device can accommodate anatomical growth, but the response to inertial loads may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of anatomical growthVSAvoidresponse to inertial loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The viscoelastic material exhibits different behavioral responses based on the frequency and duration of applied loads. For slow, periodic growth loads, the material behaves viscously to accommodate displacement. For high-frequency inertial loads, the material behaves elastically to provide immediate structural support, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and force response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The material's effective mechanical parameters change based on the timescale of the applied load. Under slow growth conditions, the material exhibits higher compliance to accommodate displacement. Under rapid inertial loading, the material exhibits higher stiffness to maintain structural integrity, effectively adapting its properties to the specific loading scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of viscoelastic materials in the fixation system enables the direct acoustic cochlear implant to maintain alignment and functionality as the recipient's anatomy grows, ensuring consistent therapy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a part of a fixation system (e.g., a part that holds an actuator) is manufactured from a deformable material, such as a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material responds elastically to loads that are applied in a short time, but responds viscously when loads are applied over an extended period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12323771B2Systems for accommodating separation of body parts in auditory prostheses

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

An auditory prosthesis includes a fixation system manufactured in whole or in part from a deformable material, such as a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material responds viscously to loads applied over an extended period of time. Thus, the material is able to accommodate growth of a recipient's anatomy without becoming disconnected or misaligned from any attachment points. This allows the device to accommodate growth of a recipient over time.