Implantable Transducer Systems for Auditory Prostheses

项目概要： 在这种应用中，我们寻求设计，制造和测试可植入的，封装的加速度计， 通过转换中耳（ME）骨（听小骨）的运动来接收传入的声音。我们将测试 使用台式校准和量化测试以及使用声学 刺激植入尸体颞骨制备的加速度计。我们试图创造一种装置 通过使用多功能，满足假肢严格的几何、声学、重量和功率要求， 谐振（多频带）压电-微机电系统（压电-MEMS）传感器， 具有可寻址滤波和放大电路的专用集成电路（ASIC）。一个新奇的翻转- 提出了一种芯片封装策略，该策略可以通过以下方式提供5毫克的压电MEMS ASIC封装器件： 消除了对印刷电路板安装的需要。最先进的压电薄膜材料和 将探索沉积以进一步减小器件尺寸并提高性能。单独的，组成部分- 在台式环境中，结合系统级测试， 使整个系统的特性。受试传感器系统将植入男性和女性 尸体颞骨样本，以及声学灵敏度和本底噪声的特点。我们会考虑 沿着听骨链的位置，以减少器械对ME力学的影响，便于手术植入 （最小化侵入性），并最大化灵敏度（因为加速度计对平移和 旋转）。本申请的目的是开发可植入传感器，因为实现了传感器的可植入性。 这一目标是实现我们的长期目标--完全植入式听觉假体--的必要步骤 (e.g.,助听器和耳蜗植入物，所有组件都隐藏在无形中）。这项研究旨在 提供新的植入式选择来治疗听力损失，从而增加听觉假体的数量 通过增强器械的可用性、安全性、外观吸引力和性能， 患者的生活质量。

PROJECT SUMMARY: In this application, we seek to design, fabricate, and test implantable, packaged accelerometers that sense incoming sound by transducing the motion of the middle ear (ME) bones (ossicles). We will test the performance of these devices using benchtop calibration and quantification tests as well as using acoustic stimulation of accelerometers implanted in cadaveric temporal bone preparations. We seek to create a device that meets the stringent geometric, acoustic, weight, and power requirements for prostheses by using a multi- resonant (multi-band) piezoelectric-micro-electro-mechanical systems (piezo-MEMS) sensor co-designed with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with addressable filtering and amplifying circuitry. A novel flip- chip packaging strategy is proposed which can deliver a 5-milligram piezo-MEMS-ASIC packaged device by eliminating the need for printed circuit board mounting. State-of-the-art thin piezoelectric film materials and deposition will be explored to further reduce the device size and improve performance. Separate, component- level piezo-MEMS die and ASIC testing in combination with system-level testing in a benchtop setting will enable characterization of the complete system. Tested sensor systems will be implanted in male and female cadaveric temporal bone samples, and the acoustic sensitivity and noise floor characterized. We will consider locations along the ossicular chain to reduce device impact on the ME mechanics, ease surgical implantation (minimize invasiveness), and maximize sensitivity (as the accelerometer is sensitive to both translation and rotation). The objective of this present application is to develop implantable sensors, because accomplishing this objective is a necessary step in achieving our long-term goal of a totally implantable auditory prosthesis (e.g., hearing aids and cochlear implants with all components housed invisibly). This line of research aims to provide new implantable options to treat hearing loss, thereby increasing the number of auditory prosthesis users by enhancing the usability, safety, cosmetic appeal, and performance of the device and improving patient quality of life.