Re-design & Fabrication of Sensor “Gripper” For Use in Middle Ear Prosthesis

Abstract

Hearing loss is a significant problem globally. There are currently over 1.5 billion people that suffer from hearing loss, with this number projected to increase to over 2.5 billion by 2030 [1]. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the cochlea in the inner ear is damaged and cannot send signals corresponding to sound to the brain. Our main project focuses on replacing a cochlear implant, the current solution to severe sensorineural hearing loss. A piezo-MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) accelerometer is being developed to replace external components of a cochlear implant. The accelerometer measures middle ear ossicle bone vibrations and relays sound information to an internal processor. It holds the promise of giving more accurate sound information to the processor than current cochlear implant external microphones, increasing user safety, and removing the social stigma associated with wearing an audible prosthesis. For the accelerometer to function properly, an attachment mechanism, or a “gripper”, must also be designed to attach the accelerometer to the incus bone in the middle ear. Here we show the gripper design process, which securely attaches to the incus but is not so tight as to damage the bone or cause necrosis. Included below is information about fabricating the gripper, including the initial fabrication methods brainstormed and the final fabrication method used, validation of the final gripper model, and recommended next steps for future teams. The results of the design process were promising, as the final gripper model successfully attached a Vesper’s Disruptive PEBL™MEMS Technology VA1200 Bone Conductor Sensor - Analog Piezoelectirc MEMS Voice Accelerometer [2] to the incus bone, but methods should be developed to further validate the model. Keywords: Sensorinueral Hearing Loss, Piezo-MEMS accelerometer, Gripper, Incus, Fabricate [1] Deafness and Hearing Loss. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss. Accessed 14 Oct. 2022.