Headband cochlear implant

Abstract

The present invention discloses a headband type cochlear implant, which includes an external device and an implant thereof, wherein the external device includes a hoop sleeve, a microphone, a speech processing module, a battery, and a transmitting coil, wherein the hoop sleeve is in a circular hoop shape, the microphone, the speech processing module, and the battery are respectively arranged on the hoop sleeve, and the transmitting coil is in a circular hoop shape; the implant includes a receiving coil, a decoding module, and a stimulation electrode, wherein the receiving coil is in a circular hoop shape, the size of which matches the transmitting coil, and the receiving coil, the decoding module, and the stimulation electrode are sequentially connected from top to bottom. The headband type cochlear implant eliminates magnets and connecting cables by integrating various components of the external device into a headband type design, thereby increasing the reliability of the external device, making it difficult to fall off, difficult to be damaged, and convenient to wear. At the same time, the large-sized transmitting coil and receiving coil make the coupling efficiency of the two higher and reduce power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cochlear implant, in particular to a headband type cochlear implant. Background Art

[0002] Cochlear implants are currently recognized worldwide as the only effective method and device for restoring hearing in patients with bilateral severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss. A cochlear implant (also known as the bionic ear, electronic cochlear implant, or cochlear implant) is one of the wonders of modern medicine, designed to restore hearing and speech communication abilities in patients with profound hearing loss. A rapidly developing new technology for deaf rehabilitation, cochlear implants allow patients with severe hearing and speech impairments to say goodbye to sign language and lip reading through speech rehabilitation training, enabling them to communicate with others using hearing and speech like normal people and integrate into their families and society.

[0003] Existing cochlear implants primarily consist of an external unit and an implant. The external unit includes a microphone, speech signal processing circuitry, a magnet, and a transmitting coil; the implant includes a decoding chip, stimulating electrodes, a magnet, and a receiving coil. Speech is first captured by the microphone and converted into an electrical signal. After undergoing specialized digital processing, it is encoded according to a specific strategy and transmitted into the body via the transmitting coil located behind the ear. The implant's receiving coil senses the signal, which is then decoded by the decoding chip, causing the implant's stimulating electrodes to generate an electrical current, thereby stimulating the auditory nerve and producing hearing.

[0004] Existing cochlear implants and external cochlear units are connected by magnets at the center of their respective coils, ensuring a secure connection. When worn, the external cochlear unit hangs on the auricle, and the unit is connected to the transmitting coil via a connecting cable. This approach has several drawbacks: first, it interferes with movement; the external coil can easily fall off during strenuous exercise like running; and second, the connecting cable is prone to damage due to frequent bending and twisting with head movement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a headband-type cochlear implant that eliminates the need for magnets and connecting cables.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a headband-type cochlear implant, which includes an external device and an implant thereof, wherein the external device includes a hoop, a microphone, a speech processing module, a battery, and a transmitting coil, wherein the hoop is in the shape of a circular hoop, and the microphone, the speech processing module, and the battery are respectively placed on the hoop, and the transmitting coil is in the shape of a circular hoop and is placed in a surrounding manner on the hoop; the implant includes a receiving coil, a decoding module, and a stimulation electrode, wherein the receiving coil is in the shape of a circular hoop and its size matches that of the transmitting coil, and the receiving coil, the decoding module, and the stimulation electrode are connected in sequence from top to bottom.

[0007] The implant includes two decoding modules and two stimulation electrodes, which are arranged opposite to each other.

[0008] The external device includes two microphones.

[0009] The voice processing module adopts a flexible circuit board arc design.

[0010] The battery adopts an arc-shaped design.

[0011] The headband-type cochlear implant of the present invention integrates the various components of the external device into a headband-type design, eliminating magnets and connecting cables, thereby increasing the reliability of the external device, making it less likely to fall off or be damaged, and easier to wear. At the same time, the large-sized transmitting coil and receiving coil increase the coupling efficiency between the two and reduce power consumption.

[0012] The concept, specific structure and technical effects of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to fully understand the purpose, characteristics and effects of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the headband type cochlear implant of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of wearing the headband type cochlear implant of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the implant of the present invention when it is provided with two decoding modules and two stimulation electrodes.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of wearing the implant of the present invention when it is provided with two decoding modules and two stimulation electrodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a headband-type cochlear implant, comprising an external device 1 and an implant 2 thereof, wherein the external device 1 is in the form of a headband and can be worn directly on the user's head, which is convenient to wear, and the implant 2 is implanted in the human body.

[0019] The external device 1 includes a cuff 11, a microphone 12, a voice processing module 13, a battery 14, and a transmitting coil 15. The cuff 11 is in the shape of a circular hoop, conforming to the contour of the top of the human head. The microphone 12, the voice processing module 13, and the battery 14 are respectively placed on the cuff 11. The transmitting coil 15 is in the shape of a circular hoop and is arranged in a surrounding manner on the cuff 11, that is, the transmitting coil 15 is arranged along the entire circumference of the cuff 11. The microphone 12 is used to collect sound. When multiple microphones 12 are arranged in different directions on the cuff 11, the distance between the microphones 12 is relatively large, so that the sound collection process has the advantages of directionality and noise reduction. It is worth noting that the voice processing module 13 can adopt a flexible circuit board arc design, and the battery 14 can also adopt an arc design, so that both are hidden within the cuff 11. The connection lines between the various components can also be hidden within the cuff 11, eliminating the conventional exposed connection cables and improving the reliability of the device.

[0020] The implant 2 includes a receiving coil 21, a decoding module 22, and a stimulation electrode 23. The receiving coil 21 is in the shape of a circular hoop, conforming to the contour of the top of the human head, and its size matches the transmitting coil 15. The receiving coil 21, the decoding module 22 and the stimulation electrode 23 are connected in sequence from top to bottom.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, before using the headband cochlear implant, the receiving coil 21 must be surgically placed under the skin on the top of the head, the decoding module 22 must be placed under the skin of the skull, and the stimulating electrode 23 must be inserted into the scala tympani of the cochlea through the posterior tympanic cavity. After the operation is completed, the cuff 11 is put on the user's head. During operation, the microphone 12 collects sound, and the voice processing module 13 filters, amplifies, extracts features, converts amplitude, neural encodes, and communicates the sound, and then sends it to the receiving coil 21 through the transmitting coil 15. After the receiving coil 21 receives the signal, it is decoded by the decoding module 22, and finally the corresponding auditory nerve is stimulated by the stimulating electrode 23 to produce hearing.

[0022] Further, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the implant 2 includes two decoding modules 22 and two stimulation electrodes 23, positioned opposite each other, corresponding to the individual's ears. This allows the user to simultaneously provide hearing for both ears using only one headband-style cochlear implant, providing convenience for the user. Furthermore, the external device 1 includes two microphones 12, positioned opposite each other, corresponding to the individual's ears. The collected sound is processed separately. The two decoding modules 22 each receive the sound signal from the microphone 12 on the same side and filter out the sound signal from the microphone 12 on the opposite side, allowing the user to perceive the directionality of the sound.

[0023] Because this headband cochlear implant is placed on top of the head, the diameters of the transmitting coil 15 and receiving coil 21 are significantly larger than in existing technologies, resulting in higher coupling efficiency and lower power consumption. Furthermore, this headband cochlear implant can be equipped with a large, curved battery 14, extending its operating life and reducing the frequency of battery replacement.

[0024] The above describes in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concepts of the present invention without inventive effort. Therefore, any technical solutions that can be derived by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation based on the concepts of the present invention and the prior art should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A headband type cochlear implant, characterized in that: The invention comprises an external device and an implant, wherein the external device comprises a cuff, a microphone, a voice processing module, a battery, and a transmitting coil, wherein the cuff is in the shape of a circular hoop, the microphone, the voice processing module, and the battery are respectively arranged on the cuff, and the transmitting coil is in the shape of a circular hoop and is arranged on the cuff in a surrounding manner; the implant comprises a receiving coil, a decoding module, and a stimulating electrode, wherein the receiving coil is in the shape of a circular hoop, the size of which matches that of the transmitting coil, the receiving coil, the decoding module, and the stimulating electrode are connected in sequence from top to bottom, and two decoding modules and two stimulating electrodes are respectively provided and arranged opposite to each other.

2. The headband type cochlear implant according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external device includes two microphones.

3. The headband type cochlear implant according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voice processing module adopts a flexible circuit board arc design.

4. The headband type cochlear implant according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery adopts an arc-shaped design.

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