Wireless Cochlear Implant External Ear Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear systems are bulky, conspicuous, and uncomfortable due to separate components connected by wires, which hinders their adoption for users with hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
An external electronic ear device with a housing containing an external magnet, microphone, processing circuit, and wireless signal transmitter circuit, designed to be wire-free and customizable to match the user's head shape, transmitting electrode driving signals to a cochlear implant device via electromagnetic induction for improved comfort and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components (external magnet, processing circuit, microphone) are used in conventional cochlear systems, then functional requirements are met, but device size becomes large and conspicuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the external magnet, processing circuit, and microphone into a single integrated housing that conforms to the user's ear shape. This merging of previously separate components eliminates the bulkiness and conspicuous appearance while maintaining all necessary functions for auditory reconstruction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate components connected by wires are used, then functional requirements are met, but user comfort deteriorates due to wire constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wire connection from the system by implementing wireless communication between the external electronic ear device and the cochlear implant device. This extraction of the wire constraint eliminates discomfort and limitation while preserving all functional requirements through wireless signal transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional external electronic ear device with separate components is used, then functional requirements are met, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to conspicuous design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the housing to conform specifically to the user's ear shape and texture, creating a customized appearance that blends with the user's natural anatomy. This local customization approach maintains functionality while dramatically improving aesthetic appearance by eliminating the conspicuous look of separate components.
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 compact, comfortable, and aesthetically integrated cochlear system that enhances auditory reconstruction by transmitting sound signals wirelessly, allowing users to hear more naturally and participate in social activities without drawing attention to the device.
Implementation Method 1
The external magnet is disposed in the housing and configured to attract a receiver magnet disposed under a scalp of a user
Implementation Method 2
The wireless signal transmitter circuit is disposed in the housing and configured to transmit the electrode driving signal to a cochlear implant device in the cochlear system
Data Source
AI summary
An external electronic ear device includes a housing, an external magnet, a microphone, a processing circuit and a wireless signal transmitter circuit. The external magnet is disposed in the housing and attracts a receiver magnet disposed under a scalp of a user. The microphone is disposed in the housing and receives an external sound and generates a sound signal corresponding to the external sound. The processing circuit is disposed in the housing and converts the sound signal into an electrode driving signal. The wireless signal transmitter circuit is disposed in the housing and transmits the electrode driving signal to a cochlear implant device in the cochlear system. The cochlear implant device converts the electrode driving signal into a plurality of electrode currents, and a plurality of electrical pulses are generated in a cochlear nerve of the user through a plurality of electrodes according to the electrode currents.