Technical Description Osia Cochlear Implant

Technical Description of Osia 2 Cochlear Implant

Cindy Aurelio

City College of New York

ENGL 21007

Prof. Jacobson

4/15/24

Table of Contents

I. History Page 3

    II. Internal components (Skin Side)… Page 3

    1. Coil Page 4
    2. Removable Magnet Page 4
    3. Waist Page 4
    4. Actuator Page 4
    5. Fixation Number Page 5

    III. Internal Components (Skull Side)… Page 5

    1. Serial Number and QR Code Page 5
    2. Fixation Screw Page 5

    IV. External Components… Page 6

    1.  Indicator Lights Page 6
    2.  Control Button Page 6
    3.  Dual Microphone Ports Page 7
    4.  Battery Door Page 7
    5.  Tamper Proof Lock Page 7
    6.   Attachment point for safety line Page 7
    7.  Transparent window for L/R Marking on a magnet Page 7

    V. Conclusion… Page 8

    VI. References… Page 9

    1. The History of the Osia 2 Sound Processor:

    The Osia 2 Sound Processor has come a long way from previous iterations of hearing aid technology. The Osia 2 consists of two different components: an internal that is surgically installed inside the base of the skull and an external component that consists of a transmitter with a microphone (Hainarosie, Hainarosie, and Zainea). The history of the hearing aid first began in 1800 when Alessandro Volta managed to stimulate his internal ear by using an electrical current. By the early 60s Willam House and John Doyle developed an electrode that they placed through the round window in two patients. These reported auditory percepts, also noticed the change of loudness when the level of stimulation varied and the change of the pitch with the variation in the rate of stimulation (Hainarosie, Hainarosie, and Zainea).

    1. The Internal Components (skin side):

    As stated the Osia 2 has two main components the internal system and an external system. The first thing that will be discussed will be the internal system consisting of 7 sub-components that comprise the main components. These 7 sub-components are the coil, removable magnet, waist, actuator, fixation interface, the serial number and QR code, and the fixation screw. 

    1. Coil

    The coil of the Osia 2 is made out of copper and its main purpose is to boost the magnetic signals between the internal component and external component. As the Osia manual states, “It includes a coil to receive and forward the electrical signal to the actuator where the signal is decoded and transmitted via the BI300 Implant to the cochlea using bone conduction.” (Osia 8). The coil helps relay sound from the internal implant to the actuator to help relay sound to the processor.

    1. Removable magnet

    It is located in the middle of the internal component where the external component (cochlear implant) connects to the removable magnet. As Nation Wide Children’s Hospital states, “The purpose of the cochlear (COKE le ar) implant (CI) magnet is to hold the headpiece (coil) in place to transmit sound to the internal device”  (NWC 1). This helps keep the coil and internal device in place. It is also MRI safe which means that anyone with this implant can go through an MRI machine and would be fine.

    1. Waist

    The waist is a thin material connecting the coil and removable magnet to the Actuator.  

    1. Actuator

    The actuator is the rectangle located at the end of the cochlear implant where the waist connects both the coil and removable magnet. The purpose of the actuator is to help achieve physical movement by converting energy, often electrical, air, or hydraulic, into mechanical force. (Progressive Automations). The actuator takes sound oscillates with the bone and processes the sound. 

    1. Fixation Interface

    The Fixation Interface is the hole located in the middle of the actuator where a fixation screw is used to fasten the actuator to the base of the skull. 

    III. Internal Components (Skull side)

    1. Serial Number and QR Code

    The serial number and QR code are used to identify what model you have and the year the component was made.

    1. Fixation Screw

    The Fixation Screw is used to screw the implant into the base of the skull. It is drilled where the fixation interface is located.

    IV. External Components:

    The external part of the cochlear implant consists of 7 different components that consist of indicator  LED lights, the control button, the dual microphone ports, the battery door, the tamper-proof lock, and the attachment point for the safety line. 

    1. Indicator Lights

    The Indicator lights are used to show when the sound processor is on when the battery will run out, if the processor is connected properly, and what mode it is on based on the amount of flashes the LED shines.

    1. Control button 

    The control button, a tiny button that may be found where the indicator lights are, allows one to choose which sound setting to utilize. For instance, an audiologist can assist if someone goes with them and desires a different audio setting. It allows a switch between all of the installed settings on the user’s device.

    1. Dual Microphone ports

    The Dual Microphone ports are used to receive sound just like a normal microphone where it translates sound vibrations into electronic signals and a processor in this case is the actuator (Tech Target).

    1. Battery Door

    This is where the battery is located and there is a small ledge to put your thumb/or nail to tug the door open and replace the battery.  

    1. Tamper proof lock

    The tamper-proof lock is used to prevent the battery door from falling out from the sound processor.

    1. Attachment point for safety line

    The attachment point is used to tie a safety line on the Osia sound processor. Some people use this as a way to keep their sound processor secure since the clip is attached at the hem of the shirt collar. 

    1. Transparent window for L/R Marking on a magnet

    This is used to see what side of the ear the processor is meant to go. Some people might need both left and right and other people need one that can go for either one.

    V. Conclusion

    The Osia 2 sound processor is a vital device that was made from various iterations of its previous models and devices. With this device it incorporates new features that its old counterparts didn’t have, for example, using a magnet that would not conflict with any MRI machine. This device has helped multiple people regain their hearing to an extent and gave these patients a better quality of life. The future of this device is certain and there will be even more features and further improvements to the new version of the Osia.

    References

    CochlearTMOsia®Osi200 Implant. (n.d.). https://mss-p-007-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/fe674c54e8d24db8bd4859f4655bc03e?v=1335a390&MOD=AJPERES&CVID=nmVf1Ub&CVID=nmVf1Ub 

    Cochlear Implant (CI) magnet. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/cochlear-implant-ci-magnet#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20cochlear,the%20size%20of%20a%20dime. 

    Hainarosie, M., Zainea, V., & Hainarosie, R. (2014). The evolution of Cochlear Implant Technology and its clinical relevance. Journal of medicine and life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391344/ 

    Hanna, K. T. (2022, April 20). What is a microphone?. WhatIs. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/microphone#:~:text=A%20microphone%20is%20a%20device,vocals%2C%20speech%20and%20sound%20recording.