DESIGN NAME: Neuro 2
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Hearing Aid
INSPIRATION: The intention when designing Neuro 2 was to create a premium cochlear implant sound processor with a high quality and durability. This meant creating smooth surfaces in high quality materials and eliminating unnecessary parting lines in the design. The aim was additionally to design a compact device, which was aesthetically attractive and had a good ergonomic fit behind the ear.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Neuro 2 is a cochlear implant sound processor. One of the most revolutionary aspects of Neuro 2 is its small size, achieved without compromising quality or functionality. Size is especially important for children with hearing loss, as a big sound processor easily becomes bulky and uncomfortable on the ear.
The organic shape of the Neuro 2 sound processor has been designed to comfortably match the contours of the ear. This means it fits snugly behind the ear, which makes it both comfortable and discreet.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Neuro 2 has a voice activated light indicator that tests the whole electronic system at every start up. Parents, caregivers or teachers can simply ask a simple question and the light indicator integrated in the ear hook will show whether the electronics, the microphones of the sound processor and the connection to the antenna are working optimally. This feature completely removes the need for additional buttons or other extra equipment.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in November 2013 in Copenhagen and Nice and finished in January 2018 in Copenhagen and Nice.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The highest level of craftsmanship has gone into each and every detail of Neuro 2 with the aim of making it thin and small, but at the same time robust and reliable. Neuro 2 has undergone extensive testing so it complies with the highest safety standards. A hardwearing hydrophobic repellent coating, effectively protects the sensitive electronic board and its components so users do not need to worry if they are caught in a rain shower or accidentally splashed.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Dimensions:
Sound processer: Width 9.1 mm x Depth 39.3 mm x Height 43.5 mm
Antenna: Width 29 mm x Depth 5.8 mm x Height 34 mm
TAGS: Hearing Aid, Cochlear Implant, Sound Processor, Premium, Medical Device
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The first step in designing the Neuro 2 was to divide the product into sub-concepts like microphone inlet, battery connection, LED, antenna connection etc., and examine the solution space. By finding solutions to different sub-concepts and combining them in different ways, some concepts emerged. The process from having a concept of Neuro 2 to the actual product was an iterative process, where prototypes were developed and tested. The feedback from each iteration was once again used to reevaluate the concept, which enabled the team to improve the design.
CHALLENGE: The most significant challenge in designing Neuro 2 was to reach the small and compact design without compromising the strength and reliability of the product. To reach this compact design a great design challenge existed in finding ways of fitting in the electrical and mechanical components and connecting them to each other in the most optimized way. An additional design challenge have been to examine different wall thicknesses and materials to reach this compact design.
ADDED DATE: 2017-12-20 14:41:26
TEAM MEMBERS (5) : Christian Lockenwitz, Axelle Mirigay, Per Petersen, Claus Tipsmark and Morten Friis Karlsen
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Oticon Medical
Image #2: Oticon Medical
Image #3: Oticon Medical
Image #4: Oticon Medical
Image #5: Oticon Medical
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