Completely Digitizing the Custom-Fit Hearing Aid Shell Manufacturing Process

定制助听器外壳制造流程完全数字化

基本信息

批准号：
7995276
负责人：
Steven Yi
金额：
$ 2.98万
依托单位：
ALTRUM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
财政年份：
2010
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2010-08-01 至 2010-10-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7995276
关键词：
Address Air Algorithms Architecture Cellular Phone Collaborations Computer software Computers Custom Detection Developing Countries Development Devices Direct Costs Ear Economics External auditory canal Goals Grant Hearing Hearing Aids Image Imaging Techniques Imaging technology Industry Infection Internet Iowa Lead Legal patent Manuals Manufacturer Name Marketing Measurement Mechanics Medical Modeling Molds Motion Navigation System Occupations Optics Patients Phase Price Process Reporting Research Rest Sales Scanning Shapes Silicon Small Business Innovation Research Grant Speech Structure System Technology Testing Three-Dimensional Image Three-Dimensional Imaging Time United States National Institutes of Health Universities Vision Work base cost data modeling design digital digital models experience image reconstruction impression improved innovation irritation light weight manufacturing process member miniaturize next generation novel optical imaging programs prototype public health relevance reconstruction repaired research and development research study satisfaction sensor simulation sound three-dimensional modeling

项目摘要

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The average hearing aid costs $1,500, but prices can go up to $5,000 each. Yet Consumer Reports indicates that 40 percent of hearing aid users are unhappy with their devices. Between 25 percent and 30 percent of custom-fit hearing aids are returned and/or need to be remade and another 20 percent end up sitting unused in a bureau drawer. Just as disturbing, of the 300 million people in the world who need hearing aids, less than 20 percent of people in developed countries and less than 1 percent of the rest actually have hearing aids. The main reason for this dilemma lies in the dated technology that still involves manual process for 3D acquisition of hearing aid shell. In fact, creating each aid typically involves squirting into the ear silicon-based goop that hardens to create a mold for the aid. The process is however imperfect: molds can deform or even damage the ear during extraction, and if the resulting hearing aid does not fit perfectly, it can lead to irritation, scratching, or infection. This can also decrease the sound quality for the wearer. Fitting aids well and quickly has been a real bottleneck in the industry. Developing an easy to use and low cost direct 3D scanning of the ear canal technology is the "holy grail" of digital hearing aid industry and is urgently needed to improve shell manufacturing quality and revolutionize current situations. The proposed 3DScope camera system completely eliminates the need of the manually obtaining hearing aid mold process. Instead, it completely digitizes the hearing mold acquisition, data modeling, and fabrication process with much lower cost and higher accuracy. 3DScope design leads to the following major innovations: " Innovative Direct Intra-ear 3D Modeling Process that Totally Eliminates Physical Impressions; " Innovative Miniature 3D and 3600 Imaging Optics Never Reported Before; " A Unique Multi-Sensor Fusion Based Hardware Platform; and " Innovative IMU Augmented 3D Shape from Motion (SFM) Algorithms. The technological breakthrough will reduce retail prices for custom hearing aids by $500 to $800, or up to $4 billion annually. Combine lower prices with greater satisfaction, and it is not unreasonable to assume that the sale of hearing aids could double from 15 percent of potential users to 30 percent, a vast expansion of patient base to benefit this technology and an increase of almost $10 billion annually, bringing with it additional jobs and ripple-economic benefits. In addition to the hearing aid industry, the proposed system can also pave the way for the creation of optimally fitting audio devices for the next generation of cell phones and "wearable" computers potentially PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The three-dimensional digital acquisition system and technology developed under this SBIR project will provide great benefit to hearing impaired patients by providing much lower cost and higher accuracy hearing aid device. The proposed system provides an innovative three- dimensional and panoramic imaging technique leading to less discomfort to patients, much shorter hearing aid fabrication time yet with much higher accurate results. We anticipate the device will significantly reduce the infamous 3R (return/repair/remake) problem in the hearing aid industry. The technological breakthrough could reduce retail prices for custom hearing aids by $500 to $800, or up to $4 billion annually. Combine lower prices with greater satisfaction, and it is not unreasonable to assume that the sale of hearing aids could double from 15 percent of potential users to 30 percent, a vast expansion of patient base to benefit this technology and an increase of almost $10 billion annually, bringing with it additional jobs and ripple-economic benefits. Non-medical fields to benefit this technology include cell phone headsets and entertainment industry - another multi-billion market.

描述（由申请人提供）：助听器的平均价格为 1,500 美元，但每个助听器的价格可能高达 5,000 美元。然而《消费者报告》表明，40% 的助听器用户对其设备不满意。 25% 到 30% 的定制助听器被退回和/或需要重新制作，另外 20% 最终被闲置在抽屉里。同样令人不安的是，世界上有 3 亿需要助听器的人，而在发达国家，只有不到 20% 的人真正拥有助听器，而其他国家的人则不到 1%。造成这种困境的主要原因在于技术过时，仍然需要手动处理助听器外壳的3D采集。事实上，制作每种辅助器具通常需要将硅基粘稠物喷射到耳朵中，然后硬化以形成辅助器具的模具。然而，这个过程并不完美：在拔牙过程中，模具可能会使耳朵变形甚至损坏，如果最终的助听器不完美贴合，可能会导致刺激、抓伤或感染。这也会降低佩戴者的音质。快速准确地安装辅助工具一直是该行业的真正瓶颈。开发一种易于使用、低成本的耳道直接3D扫描技术是数字助听器行业的“圣杯”，迫切需要提高外壳制造质量并彻底改变现状。所提出的 3DScope 摄像头系统完全消除了手动获取助听器模具过程的需要。相反，它以更低的成本和更高的精度将听力模具采集、数据建模和制造过程完全数字化。 3DScope 设计带来了以下重大创新：“创新的直接耳内 3D 建模过程，完全消除物理印象；”以前从未报道过的创新微型 3D 和 3600 成像光学器件；“ “基于独特的多传感器融合的硬件平台；以及”创新的 IMU 增强 3D 运动形状 (SFM) 算法。这项技术突破将使定制助听器的零售价格降低 500 至 800 美元，即每年高达 40 亿美元。将更低的价格与更高的满意度相结合，可以合理地假设助听器的销售额可能会从潜在用户的 15% 翻倍至 30%，受益于这项技术的患者基础将大幅扩大，并且每年增加近 100 亿美元，带来更多的就业机会和连锁经济效益。除了助听器行业之外，所提出的系统还可以为下一代手机和“可穿戴”计算机创建最适合的音频设备铺平道路公共健康相关性：该 SBIR 项目开发的三维数字采集系统和技术将通过提供成本更低、精度更高的助听设备，为听力受损患者带来巨大益处。所提出的系统提供了一种创新的三维全景成像技术，可以减少患者的不适，缩短助听器的制造时间，同时获得更高的准确度结果。我们预计该设备将显着减少助听器行业臭名昭著的 3R（退货/维修/重制）问题。这项技术突破可以将定制助听器的零售价格降低 500 至 800 美元，即每年高达 40 亿美元。将更低的价格与更高的满意度相结合，可以合理地假设助听器的销售额可能会从潜在用户的 15% 翻倍至 30%，受益于这项技术的患者基础将大幅扩大，并且每年增加近 100 亿美元，带来更多的就业机会和连锁经济效益。受益于这项技术的非医疗领域包括手机耳机和娱乐行业——另一个价值数十亿美元的市场。