A laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity

Abstract

The present invention provides an arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker, comprising a recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode, a bioelectric signal acquisition system, a bioelectric signal conversion power system and an arytenoid cartilage driving system connected in sequence; the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is used to acquire the original neural electrical signal of the recurrent laryngeal nerve; the bioelectric signal acquisition system is used to process the original neural electrical signal; the bioelectric signal conversion power system is used to convert the processed neural electrical signal into power to drive the arytenoid cartilage driving system; the arytenoid cartilage driving system is used to move under the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system to drive the arytenoid cartilage to move. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided by the present invention can convert kinetic energy with electrical signals to drive the associated arytenoid cartilage linkage muscle movement, thereby solving the voice, breathing and airway problems of patients with laryngeal muscle paralysis, and avoiding further stimulation of the laryngeal muscles to aggravate the degree of injury.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity. Background Art

[0002] Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis can cause vocal cord movement disorders or incomplete glottis closure, leading to persistent timbre changes, hoarseness, dyspnea, coughing when drinking water and other symptoms, which seriously reduce the patient's quality of life and even endanger his life. At present, surgeries such as injection laryngoplasty, thyroid cartilage plasty or arytenoid adduction are mainly used in clinical practice to improve glottis closure, but these surgeries cannot make the affected vocal cords "move". Laryngeal pacemakers use functional electrical stimulation of the laryngeal muscles to drive the vocal cords to adduct and abduct, thereby improving pronunciation and breathing. In related technologies, research has been conducted on the energy intensity, power, frequency, amplitude and other aspects of functional electrical stimulation. However, since the muscles are already in a damaged and abnormal state at this time, continuous stimulation of the muscles cannot achieve the desired effect on the one hand, and will also cause further damage on the other hand. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem that the existing laryngeal pacemaker further stimulates the muscles and aggravates the damage when the muscles are denervated and atrophied, the present application provides a laryngeal pacemaker that regulates the activity of arytenoid cartilages, which can improve the pronunciation, breathing, and airway protection of patients with laryngeal muscle paralysis and avoid further damage to the laryngeal muscles.

[0004] The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] Provided is an arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker, comprising a recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode, a bioelectric signal acquisition system, a bioelectric signal conversion power system, and an arytenoid cartilage drive system;

[0006] The recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode includes a head end and a tail end, the head end is connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and the tail end is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system; the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal conversion power system, the output end of the bioelectric signal conversion power system is connected to the arytenoid cartilage drive system, and the arytenoid cartilage drive system is connected to the arytenoid cartilage;

[0007] The recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is used to acquire the original neural electrical signal of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and send the original neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal acquisition system;

[0008] The bioelectric signal acquisition system is used to process the original neural electrical signal and send the processed neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal conversion power system;

[0009] The bioelectric signal conversion power system is used to convert the processed neural electrical signal into power to drive the arytenoid cartilage drive system;

[0010] The arytenoid cartilage driving system is used to move under the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system to drive the arytenoid cartilage to move.

[0011] In some embodiments, the head end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is provided with a preset number of electrode contacts;

[0012] The head end is connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve by an attachment method to form a semi-encapsulation or encapsulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the tail end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system through a bioelectric signal conduction wire;

[0014] The bioelectric signal conducting filaments include bio-nanotubes and conducting filament bundles;

[0015] The biological nanotubes wrap the conductive filament bundles, and the conductive filament bundles are evenly distributed in the biological nanotubes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal conduction wire is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system via a card slot.

[0017] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal acquisition system includes a collection module, a first filtering module, and an amplification module;

[0018] The input end of the collection module is the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system, the output end of the collection module is connected to the input end of the first filtering module, the output end of the first filtering module is connected to the input end of the amplification module, and the output end of the amplification module is the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system;

[0019] The collecting module is used to collect the initial neural electrical signal and send the collected neural electrical signal to the first filtering module;

[0020] The first filtering module is used to filter the collected neural electrical signals, generate filtered target neural electrical signals, and send the target neural electrical signals to the amplification module;

[0021] The amplification module is used to amplify the target neural electrical signal, generate an amplified neural electrical signal, and send the amplified neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal conversion power system.

[0022] In some embodiments, the target neural electrical signal comprises a phonatory neural electrical signal.

[0023] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal acquisition system further includes a second filtering module;

[0024] The input end of the second filtering module is connected to the output end of the amplifying module, and the output end of the second filtering module is connected to the input end of the amplifying module;

[0025] The second filtering module is used to filter the amplified neural electrical signal to generate a secondary filtered neural electrical signal; and send the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to the amplifying module.

[0026] In some embodiments, the amplification module is further used to:

[0027] amplifying the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to generate a secondary amplified neural electrical signal;

[0028] The secondary amplified neural electrical signal is sent to the bioelectric signal conversion power system.

[0029] In some embodiments, the arytenoid drive system comprises:

[0030] Artificial cricoarytenoid joint, arytenoid cartilage prosthesis and machine arm;

[0031] The two ends of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint are respectively connected to the bioelectric signal conversion power system and the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis; the two ends of the machine arm are respectively connected to the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis and the arytenoid cartilage;

[0032] The artificial cricoarytenoid joint is used to move based on the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system;

[0033] The arytenoid cartilage prosthesis is used to move based on the drive of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint;

[0034] The machine arm is used to move based on the driving of the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis and drive the arytenoid cartilage to move.

[0035] In some embodiments, the artificial cricoarytenoid joint is articulated with the arytenoid side prosthesis.

[0036] The beneficial effects brought by the technical solution provided by the present application include at least: the embodiment of the present invention provides an arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker, including a recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode, a bioelectric signal acquisition system, a bioelectric signal conversion power system and an arytenoid cartilage driving system connected in sequence; the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is used to acquire the original neural electrical signal of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and send the original neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal acquisition system; the bioelectric signal acquisition system is used to process the original neural electrical signal and send the processed neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal conversion power system; the bioelectric signal conversion power system is used to convert the processed neural electrical signal into power to drive the arytenoid cartilage driving system; the arytenoid cartilage driving system is used to move under the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system to drive the arytenoid cartilage to move. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided by the embodiment of the present invention can convert kinetic energy with electrical signals to drive the associated arytenoid cartilage linkage muscle movement, thereby solving the problems of voice, breathing and airway in patients with laryngeal muscle paralysis, and avoiding further stimulation of the laryngeal muscles to aggravate the degree of injury. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of a laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear, the implementation methods of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The arytenoid cartilage activity-regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided in the present application can improve the voice, breathing, and airway conditions of patients with laryngeal muscle paralysis.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0043] See also Figure 1The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided in the present application includes a recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronization signal acquisition electrode 100, a bioelectric signal acquisition system 200, a bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 and an arytenoid cartilage driving system 400 connected in sequence.

[0044] The recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 includes a head end and a tail end, the head end is connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and the tail end is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200; the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300, and the output end of the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 is connected to the arytenoid cartilage drive system 400, and the arytenoid cartilage drive system is connected to the arytenoid cartilage.

[0045] The recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 is used to acquire the original neural electrical signal of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and send the original neural electrical signal to the bioelectrical signal acquisition system 200 .

[0046] The bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 is used to process the original neural electrical signals and send the processed neural electrical signals to the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 .

[0047] The bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 is used to convert the processed neural electrical signal into power to drive the arytenoid cartilage driving system 400;

[0048] The arytenoid cartilage driving system 400 is used to move under the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system to drive the arytenoid cartilage to move.

[0049] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of the arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0050] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, a preset number of electrode contacts are provided at the head end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronization signal acquisition electrode 100; the electrode contacts are connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve by attaching, forming a semi-encapsulation or encapsulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

[0051] In a specific example, the head end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 is 15 mm long, 3 mm wide, and 1 mm thick, with 20 electrode contacts evenly distributed. The diameter of each electrode contact is 0.5 mm, the average lateral spacing is 1 mm, the longitudinal spacing is 1 mm, and the distance from the electrode edge is 0.5 mm. The tail end has a diameter of 1-2 mm and is about 20 mm long.

[0052] In some embodiments, the tail end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 through the bioelectric signal conduction wire 102 .

[0053] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal conducting filament 102 includes a biological nanotube and a conducting filament bundle; wherein the biological nanotube wraps the conducting filament bundle, and the conducting filament bundle is evenly distributed in the biological nanotube.

[0054] Specifically, the bioelectric signal conducting wire 102 is made of a biological medium, is capable of signal transmission, and has soft and tensile properties, so it can be implanted in the human body.

[0055] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal conduction wire 102 includes a head end and a tail end, and the head end of the bioelectric signal conduction wire 102 is integrally connected to the tail end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 .

[0056] In some embodiments, the tail end of the bioelectric signal conducting wire 102 is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system via a card slot.

[0057] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 includes a collection module 103, a first filtering module 104, and an amplification module 105;

[0058] The input end of the collection module 103 is the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200, the output end of the collection module 103 is connected to the input end of the first filtering module 104, the output end of the first filtering module 104 is connected to the input end of the amplification module 105, and the output end of the amplification module 105 is the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200.

[0059] In some embodiments, the bottom of the card slot of the collection module 103 is a metal electrode sheet with a diameter of 3 mm and grooves on both sides.

[0060] The collecting module 103 is used to collect initial neural electrical signals and send the collected neural electrical signals to the first filtering module 104 .

[0061] In some embodiments, the collection module 103 may collect discharge activities in the frequency range of 10 KHz to 30 KHz, power frequency signals in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 60 Hz, and background noise.

[0062] The first filtering module 104 is used to filter and collect neural electrical signals, generate filtered target neural electrical signals, and send the target neural electrical signals to the amplifying module 105 .

[0063] In some embodiments, the first filtering module 104 can collect clutter and background noise in the neural electrical signal for filtering, leaving electrical activities of 10KHz to 30KHz that are consistent with the electrical signal of the healthy recurrent laryngeal nerve, and a working electrical signal of approximately 50Hz.

[0064] In some embodiments, the target neural electrical signal comprises a phonatory neural electrical signal.

[0065] The amplification module 105 is used to amplify the target neural electrical signal, generate an amplified neural electrical signal, and send the amplified neural electrical signal to the bioelectrical signal conversion power system 300.

[0066] In some embodiments, the amplification module 105 is capable of amplifying the target neural electrical signal by 10 to 200 times.

[0067] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 further includes a second filtering module 106 .

[0068] The input end of the second filtering module 106 is connected to the output end of the amplifying module 105 , and the output end of the second filtering module 106 is connected to the input end of the amplifying module 105 ;

[0069] The second filtering module 106 is used to filter the amplified neural electrical signal to generate a secondary filtered neural electrical signal; and send the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to the amplifying module 105.

[0070] In some embodiments, the secondary filtering module 106 can further remove impurities in the signal to obtain a more accurate neural electrical signal, and at the same time verify the effect of the first filtering.

[0071] In some embodiments, the amplification module 105 is also used to amplify the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to generate a secondary amplified neural electrical signal; and send the secondary amplified neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300.

[0072] In some embodiments, the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 can convert electrical signals into mechanical motion through a motor component.

[0073] In some embodiments, the arytenoid drive system 400 includes:

[0074] Artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108, arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109 and machine arm 110;

[0075] The two ends of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108 are respectively connected to the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 and the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109; the two ends of the machine arm 110 are respectively connected to the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109 and the arytenoid cartilage;

[0076] Specifically, the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108 includes a motor side and a cartilage side, the motor side is connected to the motor in the arytenoid cartilage drive system 400, and the cartilage side is connected to the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109. The motor side is the arm structure of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108, which is a hollow tubular metal. In a specific example, the arm structure has a length of 20 mm, an inner diameter of 5 mm, and an outer diameter of 6 mm. The cartilage side is the joint head structure, which is a hollow sphere with a smooth surface, an inner diameter of 6 mm, and an outer diameter of 7 mm.

[0077] Specifically, the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109 simulates a joint capsule and is a hollow hemisphere with an inner diameter of 7.2 mm and an outer diameter of 8.2 mm.

[0078] The arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis 109 can semi-enclose the joint head structure of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108. The artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108 is driven by the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 to drive the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis 109 to rotate or vibrate in all directions.

[0079] One end of the arm 110 is connected to the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109, and the other end is the implant end, which is used to connect to the arytenoid cartilage. Specifically, the implant end has a diameter of 6mm, a length of about 10mm, and a surface threaded area of ​​about 6mm to 8mm, so that the arm can be implanted into the arytenoid cartilage.

[0080] The artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108 is used to move based on the drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300;

[0081] The arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109 is used to move based on the drive of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108;

[0082] The machine arm 110 is used to move based on the driving of the arytenoid cartilage prosthesis 109 and drive the arytenoid cartilage to move.

[0083] In some embodiments, the artificial cricoarytenoid joint 108 is articulated with the arytenoid side prosthesis 109 .

[0084] In some embodiments, the arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker filters and amplifies the neural electrical signals, converts the electrical signals into the power of artificial cricoarytenoid joint movement, thereby pulling the arytenoid cartilage and moving the vocal cords, thereby achieving the effect of treating unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

[0085] In a specific application scenario, the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode 100 is close to the healthy recurrent laryngeal nerve, the bioelectric signal conduction wire 102 avoids the patient's nerves and blood vessels and goes from the subcutaneous to the affected side, the bioelectric signal acquisition system 200 and the bioelectric signal conversion power system 300 are fixed on the thyroid cartilage plate on the affected side, and the implant end of the arm 110 is connected to the arytenoid cartilage.

[0086] In summary, the arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker provided in the embodiment of the present invention can convert kinetic energy with electrical signals to drive the movement of the associated arytenoid cartilage linkage muscles, thereby solving the problems of voice, breathing, and swallowing difficulties in patients with laryngeal muscle paralysis, and avoiding further stimulation of the laryngeal muscles to aggravate the degree of injury.

[0087] The above are only optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A laryngeal pacemaker for regulating arytenoid cartilage activity, characterized in that: include: A recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode, comprising a head end and a tail end, wherein the head end is connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is used to acquire and send the original neural electrical signal of the recurrent laryngeal nerve; A bioelectric signal acquisition system, the input end of which is connected to the tail end, for receiving the original neural electrical signal, processing the original neural electrical signal and sending the processed neural electrical signal; A bioelectric signal conversion power system, whose input end is connected to the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system, is used to receive the processed neural electrical signals sent by the bioelectric signal acquisition system and convert the processed neural electrical signals into power; An arytenoid cartilage driving system is connected to the output end of the bioelectric signal conversion power system and the arytenoid cartilage, and is used to move under the drive of the power to drive the arytenoid cartilage to move; The arytenoid cartilage drive system comprises: An artificial cricoarytenoid joint, two ends of which are respectively connected to the bioelectric signal conversion power system and the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis, and are used to move based on the power drive of the bioelectric signal conversion power system; A arytenoid cartilage prosthesis, used for movement based on the drive of the artificial cricoarytenoid joint; The machine arm has two ends connected to the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis and the arytenoid cartilage respectively, and is used to move based on the drive of the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis and drive the arytenoid cartilage to move.

2. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The head end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is provided with a preset number of electrode contacts; The preset number of electrode contacts are connected to the recurrent laryngeal nerve by attaching, forming a semi-encapsulation or encapsulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

3. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The tail end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve synchronous signal acquisition electrode is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system through a bioelectric signal conduction wire; The bioelectric signal conducting filaments include bio-nanotubes and conducting filament bundles; The biological nanotubes wrap the conductive filament bundles, and the conductive filament bundles are evenly distributed in the biological nanotubes.

4. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bioelectric signal conducting wire is connected to the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system through a card slot.

5. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bioelectric signal acquisition system includes a collection module, a first filtering module, and an amplification module; The input end of the collection module is the input end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system, the output end of the collection module is connected to the input end of the first filtering module, the output end of the first filtering module is connected to the input end of the amplification module, and the output end of the amplification module is the output end of the bioelectric signal acquisition system; The collecting module is used to collect the original neural electrical signals and send the collected neural electrical signals to the first filtering module; The first filtering module is used to filter the collected neural electrical signals, generate filtered target neural electrical signals, and send the target neural electrical signals to the amplification module; The amplification module is used to amplify the target neural electrical signal, generate an amplified neural electrical signal, and send the amplified neural electrical signal to the bioelectric signal conversion power system.

6. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The target neural electrical signal includes a phonatory neural electrical signal.

7. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bioelectric signal acquisition system also includes a second filtering module; The input end of the second filtering module is connected to the output end of the amplifying module, and the output end of the second filtering module is connected to the input end of the amplifying module; The second filtering module is used to filter the amplified neural electrical signal to generate a secondary filtered neural electrical signal; And send the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to the amplification module.

8. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The amplification module is also used for: amplifying the secondary filtered neural electrical signal to generate a secondary amplified neural electrical signal; The secondary amplified neural electrical signal is sent to the bioelectric signal conversion power system.

9. The arytenoid cartilage activity regulating laryngeal pacemaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The artificial cricoarytenoid joint is hinged to the arytenoid cartilage side prosthesis.

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