A non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of tinnitus treatment equipment technology, specifically to a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal. The device includes a panel with a shell fixedly connected to its top. An electrical stimulation circuit is located on one side of the panel, as are an acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module and a power supply and programming module. This invention allows the device to be directly inserted into the external auditory canal for operation, eliminating the need for implantation and causing no trauma or hearing loss. Acoustic-electric stimulation parameters can be adjusted, configured, and stored via a magnetic induction coil. A deformable electrode holder moves a spherical metal electrode to the tympanic membrane, forming a closed loop with a grounding electrode. Electrical stimulation of the malleus handle is achieved, and a microphone receives external sounds. The output from the receiver provides hearing aids and tinnitus masking. Music signals, noise, and environmental signals stored in a chip are played to divert central attention and mask tinnitus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tinnitus treatment equipment technology, and in particular to a non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal. Background Technology

[0002] The incidence of tinnitus is rising year by year, driven by environmental factors (noise), viral infections (COVID-19, shingles), genetic mutations, the stress of a fast-paced life, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and poor dietary preferences. The age range of tinnitus patients is widening, and tinnitus significantly impacts their quality of life and overall well-being. Long-term tinnitus can also affect speech clarity, sleep, emotions, social interactions, and even cognitive abilities. While improved sleep quality, medication, and sound masking with hearing aids can often help some patients alleviate tinnitus, others cannot benefit from existing rehabilitation methods.

[0003] By stimulating patients with profound tinnitus with cochlear implantation, the treatment efficacy rate was found to be as high as 92%. However, cochlear implantation requires damaging the cochlear structure and impairing hearing. If the tinnitus patient has no hearing loss or only mild hearing loss, the cost of cochlear implantation to treat tinnitus at the expense of hearing is too high, and the appearance of the large external device is unacceptable. At the same time, the implantation surgery carries the risks of infection and secondary damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, which require the destruction of the cochlear structure and damage to hearing for cochlear implantation. At the same time, the cost of cochlear implantation for tinnitus treatment at the expense of giving up hearing is too high, and the appearance of the device is huge and unacceptable. In addition, the implantation surgery carries the risk of infection and secondary damage.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal, comprising a panel, a shell fixedly connected to the top of the panel, an electrical stimulation circuit disposed on one side of the panel, the electrical stimulation circuit suppressing tinnitus by stimulating the malleus handle of the tympanic membrane with current, an acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module disposed on one side of the panel, the acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module serving to aid hearing and mask tinnitus, and a power supply and programming module disposed on one side of the panel, the power supply and programming module serving to power the treatment device and also serving to encode electrical stimulation parameters and debug the acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module.

[0006] The present invention is further configured such that the electrical stimulation circuit includes a chip fixedly connected to one side of the panel, a deformable electrode bracket fixedly connected to one side of the panel, and a grounding electrode provided on the side wall of the panel.

[0007] The present invention is further configured such that a spherical metal electrode is fixedly connected to the top of the deformable electrode bracket, a storage groove is provided on the top of the outer shell, the spherical metal electrode is slidably connected to the inner wall of the storage groove, and a slot is provided at the bottom of the spherical metal electrode.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that a fixing ring is fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the deformable electrode bracket inside the panel, a connecting rod is hinged inside the fixing ring, a card plate is provided at the top of the connecting rod, and the card plate is slidably connected to the inner wall of the card slot.

[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the bottom end of the connecting rod passes through the panel and is slidably connected, one end of the connecting rod passing through the panel is fixedly connected to a rotating disk, and a plurality of positioning blocks are provided on the side wall of the panel near the rotating disk.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that the sound stimulation hearing aid amplification module includes a receiver fixedly connected to one side of the inner shell near the top position, and also includes a microphone fixedly connected to the top of the panel.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that a sound outlet is provided on the top of the housing directly above the receiver, and a sound inlet is provided on the bottom of the panel directly below the microphone.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that the power supply and programming module includes a magnetic induction coil disposed on one side of the top of the panel, and also includes a rechargeable battery disposed on the other side of the top of the panel.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the magnetic induction coil is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention, a non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal, are as follows:

[0016] The device can be placed directly into the external auditory canal for operation, requiring no implantation, is non-invasive, does not damage hearing, and is easy to wear and remove. It does not require an external unit, is aesthetically pleasing, invisible, and comfortable. It can adjust, configure, and store acoustic stimulation parameters according to the frequency and loudness of the user's tinnitus through a magnetic induction coil. A deformable electrode holder drives a spherical metal electrode to be attached to the tympanic membrane, forming a closed loop with the ground electrode, electrically stimulating the hammer handle. On the other hand, it uses a microphone to receive external sounds, amplifies them, and outputs them through a receiver to provide hearing aids and tinnitus masking. It can also use music signals, noise, and environmental signals stored in the chip to play and divert central attention and mask tinnitus, effectively avoiding the noise-induced hearing loss side effects of long-term sound therapy and effectively compensating for the deficiency of the tinnitus target frequency that cannot be reached in the sound frequency range. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely for this invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a front view of a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an internal structural diagram of a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This invention provides a non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal. Figure 4 Detailed structural diagram of section A.

[0023] The following are labeled in the diagram: 1. Panel; 2. Outer shell; 3. Grounding electrode; 4. Storage slot; 5. Spherical metal electrode; 6. Slot; 7. Receiver; 8. Sound outlet; 9. Fixing ring; 10. Deformable electrode bracket; 11. Connecting rod; 12. Card plate; 13. Rotary disc; 14. Positioning block; 15. Rechargeable battery; 16. Magnetic induction coil; 17. Chip; 18. Microphone; 19. Sound inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 , 2 3 and Figure 4 , 5 A non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal includes a panel 1, with a shell 2 fixedly connected to the top of the panel 1. An electrical stimulation circuit is provided on one side of the panel 1, which suppresses tinnitus by stimulating the tympanic membrane and malleus handle with current. An acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module is provided on one side of the panel 1, which is used for hearing aid and tinnitus masking. A power supply and programming module is provided on one side of the panel 1, which is used to power the treatment device and also to encode electrical stimulation parameters and debug the acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, the electrical stimulation circuit suppresses tinnitus by stimulating the tympanic membrane and malleus handle with current. At the same time, it can also receive external sounds through the microphone 18 of the acoustic stimulation hearing aid amplification module, amplify them, and output them through the receiver 7 to play the role of hearing aid and tinnitus masking. The power supply and programming module is used to power the therapeutic device and adjust, configure, and store the acoustic and electrical stimulation parameters through the magnetic induction coil 16.

[0028] The electrical stimulation circuit includes a chip 17 fixedly connected to one side of panel 1, a deformable electrode bracket 10 fixedly connected to one side of panel 1, a grounding electrode 3 provided on the side wall of panel 1, a spherical metal electrode 5 fixedly connected to the top of deformable electrode bracket 10, a storage groove 4 provided on the top of outer shell 2, the spherical metal electrode 5 slidingly connected to the inner wall of storage groove 4, a slot 6 provided at the bottom of spherical metal electrode 5, a fixing ring 9 fixedly connected to the inner side wall of deformable electrode bracket 10 inside panel 1, a connecting rod 11 hinged inside fixing ring 9, a locking plate 12 provided at the top of connecting rod 11, the locking plate 12 slidingly connected to the inner wall of slot 6, the bottom end of connecting rod 11 penetrating panel 1 and slidingly connected, a rotating disk 13 fixedly connected to one end of connecting rod 11 penetrating panel 1, and several positioning blocks 14 provided on the side wall of panel 1 near the rotating disk 13.

[0029] By adopting the above technical solution, the deformable electrode bracket 10 unfolds and drives the spherical metal electrode 5 to fit tightly against the hammer handle of the tympanic membrane, forming a closed loop with the ground electrode 3 to electrically stimulate the hammer handle. When the therapeutic device is not in use, simply put the spherical metal electrode 5 back into the storage slot 4, and then use the rotating disc 13 to lock the card plate 12 into the slot 6 for fixation.

[0030] The sound stimulation hearing aid amplification module includes a receiver 7 fixedly connected to one side of the inner shell 2 near the top, and a microphone 18 fixedly connected to the top of the panel 1. A sound outlet 8 is provided on the top of the shell 2 directly above the receiver 7, and a sound inlet 19 is provided on the bottom of the panel 1 directly below the microphone 18.

[0031] By adopting the above technical solution, the microphone 18 receives external sounds, amplifies them, and outputs them through the receiver 7, which can play the role of hearing aid and tinnitus masking. The chip 17 can also be used to store and play sounds to divert central attention and mask tinnitus.

[0032] The power supply and programming module includes a magnetic induction coil 16 disposed on one side of the top of panel 1, and a rechargeable battery 15 disposed on the other side of the top of panel 1. The magnetic induction coil 16 and the rechargeable battery 15 are connected by a circuit.

[0033] By adopting the above technical solution, the magnetic induction coil 16 can be used to charge the rechargeable battery 15, and can also be used to adjust, configure, and store acoustic stimulation parameters.

[0034] The working principle of this invention is that cochlear implantation requires damaging the cochlear structure and impairing hearing. If the tinnitus patient has no hearing loss or only a mild degree of hearing loss, it is too expensive to treat tinnitus by giving up hearing and implanting a cochlear implant. In addition, the appearance of the device is huge and unacceptable. At the same time, the implantation surgery carries the risk of infection and secondary damage. The outer shell 2 can be customized according to the needs. This device can adjust, configure and store the acoustic stimulation parameters according to the frequency and loudness of the user's tinnitus through the magnetic induction coil 16, and charge through the magnetic induction coil 16. The device will automatically turn on after leaving the charging base.

[0035] When in use, place the device into the external auditory canal so that the grounding electrode 3 is in contact with the human body. Then, pull the rotating disc 13. The rotation of the rotating disc 13 will drive the locking plate 12 to rotate through the connecting rod 11. When the rotating disc 13 is locked to another positioning block 14 by one positioning block 14, the locking plate 12 will disengage from the slot 6. Then the deformable electrode bracket 10 will unfold. The deformable electrode bracket 10 is a super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy bracket, which can achieve 150% axial elongation and 50% radial compression.

[0036] When the deformable electrode holder 10 unfolds, it will cause the spherical metal electrode 5 to detach from the storage slot 4, and then cause the spherical metal electrode 5 to adhere tightly to the malleus handle of the tympanic membrane, forming a closed loop with the grounding electrode 3 to electrically stimulate the malleus handle. It uses bidirectional square wave stimulation with charge balance to avoid charge residue in the tissue. The stimulation period is adjustable from 0.1 to 5 ms, the frequency is 100 to 300 Hz, and the stimulation electrode has high impedance (>300 KΩ).

[0037] On the other hand, the microphone 18 can be used to receive external sounds, which are then amplified and output through the receiver 7 to aid hearing and mask tinnitus. Music signals, noise, and environmental signals stored in the chip 17 can also be played to divert central attention and mask tinnitus. The sound stimulation can be targeted at the frequency of the user's tinnitus, providing a maximum sound output of 120 dBSPL in the frequency range of 200-6500 Hz.

[0038] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples; within the framework of the invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of the different aspects of the invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity.

[0039] This invention is intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A non-invasive acoustic-electric stimulation tinnitus treatment device for the external auditory canal, comprising a panel (1), characterized in that: The top of the panel (1) is fixedly connected to the outer shell (2). An electrical stimulation circuit is provided on one side of the panel (1). The electrical stimulation circuit suppresses tinnitus by stimulating the malleus handle of the tympanic membrane with current. An acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module is provided on one side of the panel (1). The acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module is used for hearing aid and tinnitus masking. A power supply and programming module is provided on one side of the panel (1). The power supply and programming module is used to power the therapeutic instrument and is also used to encode electrical stimulation parameters and debug the acoustic stimulation hearing amplification module. The electrical stimulation circuit includes a chip (17) fixedly connected to one side of the panel (1), a deformable electrode bracket (10) fixedly connected to one side of the panel (1), and a grounding electrode (3) provided on the side wall of the panel (1). The deformable electrode bracket (10) is fixedly connected to the top of a spherical metal electrode (5), the top of the outer shell (2) is provided with a storage groove (4), the spherical metal electrode (5) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the storage groove (4), and the bottom of the spherical metal electrode (5) is provided with a slot (6). A fixing ring (9) is fixedly connected inside the panel (1) to the inner side wall of the deformable electrode bracket (10). A connecting rod (11) is hinged inside the fixing ring (9). A card plate (12) is provided on the top of the connecting rod (11). The card plate (12) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the card slot (6). The bottom end of the connecting rod (11) passes through the panel (1) and is slidably connected. One end of the connecting rod (11) that passes through the panel (1) is fixedly connected to a rotating disk (13). Several positioning blocks (14) are provided on the side wall of the panel (1) near the rotating disk (13). When in use, place the device into the external auditory canal so that the grounding electrode (3) is in contact with the human body. Then, pull the disc (13). The rotation of the disc (13) will drive the card plate (12) to rotate through the connecting rod (11). When the disc (13) is moved to another positioning block (14) by one positioning block (14), the card plate (12) will be disengaged from the slot (6). Then the deformable electrode bracket (10) will unfold, which will drive the spherical metal electrode (5) to disengage from the storage slot (4). Then the spherical metal electrode (5) will be driven to stick to the tympanic membrane hammer handle, forming a closed loop with the grounding electrode (3). The hammer handle is electrically stimulated. The bidirectional square wave stimulation with charge balance is used to avoid charge residue in the tissue. The stimulation cycle is adjustable.

2. The non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus therapy device for the external auditory canal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sound stimulation hearing aid amplification module includes a receiver (7) fixedly connected to one side of the inner shell (2) near the top, and also includes a microphone (18) fixedly connected to the top of the panel (1).

3. The non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus therapy device for the external auditory canal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the outer casing (2) is provided with a sound outlet (8) directly above the receiver (7), and the bottom of the panel (1) is provided with a sound inlet (19) directly below the microphone (18).

4. The non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus therapy device for the external auditory canal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply and programming module includes a magnetic induction coil (16) disposed on the top of the panel (1) near one side, and also includes a rechargeable battery (15) disposed on the top of the panel (1) near the other side.

5. The non-invasive acoustic-electric combined stimulation tinnitus therapy device for the external auditory canal according to claim 4, characterized in that: The magnetic induction coil (16) is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery (15).

Images