Cochlear implant system and method of controlling the same

Abstract

This invention provides a cochlear implant system and its control method, more specifically, an implantable device including a primary coil, which is externally implanted into a user; and can provide a cochlear implant system including a sound processor that modulates sound signals according to the user's hearing characteristics and transmits the modulated signals to the implantable device in a non-contact manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an antenna cochlear implant system and control method, and more specifically to a cochlear implant system and control method that can improve a user's voice recognition ability and detect the status of the implanted device in the cochlea. Background Technology

[0002] The human ear, which is responsible for recognizing sounds, consists of the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

[0003] External sound is transmitted from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane in the middle ear via air vibrations, and then to the oval window of the cochlea via the vibrations of the auditory ossicles. The corti organs generate electrical signals through fluid vibrations within the snail, and the movement of the corti tectorial membrane generates receptor potentials in the hair cells, which are then transmitted to the spiral ganglion via dendrites.

[0004] The signals from the spiral ganglion stimulate neurons in the auditory nerve, which are then transmitted to the brain to recognize external sounds.

[0005] At this time, if there is a problem with the lactoblasts in the cochlea, it may lead to hearing loss and difficulty in recognizing external sounds.

[0006] To address this hearing loss problem, a technique was developed to transplant a cochlear implant into the body to provide electrical signals generated by breast cells to the outside world.

[0007] A cochlear implant can consist of an internal device that is implanted inside the skin of the outer ear and a sound processor that transmits external sound to the internal device.

[0008] At this time, the in-body device includes electrodes for non-contact transmission of electrical signals to the sound processor, and pressure ulcers may occur at the implantation site.

[0009] In addition, the frequency band of cochlear implants is lower than that of normal users' hearing frequencies, and each user may have different audible frequency bands for recognizing sounds, thus making it difficult to process sounds according to the user's hearing characteristics.

[0010] The following are prior patent documents related to this invention.

[0011] Patent document 001 is an energy testing unit responsible for testing the energy generated around a hearing aid that is inserted into or attached to the human body and is related to the hearing aid; and proposes a technology that includes a battery charging unit for charging the hearing aid battery, based on using the downlink energy to power the hearing aid.

[0012] Patent document 002 proposes a technique for equalizing audio signals using standard hearing characteristic curves in order to increase the routing of audio signals in communication repeaters, communication equipment and audio equipment.

[0013] Patent document 003 describes a sound input section that detects sound and converts it into a first sound signal; it is electrically connected to a pitch input terminal and includes a processor that receives the first sound signal and performs predetermined signal processing to generate a second sound signal. The signal processing performed includes detecting a frequency band with a predetermined level above a first frequency band exceeding a predetermined cut-off frequency of the first sound signal; generating a harmonic signal containing multiple frequency bins of the same level as the detected frequency band signal; and proposing a technique for superimposing the acoustic signal onto the first sound signal.

[0014] Patent document 004 includes a housing for mounting a cochlear implant audio processor, a receiver built into the housing for receiving and converting electrical signals from an external speaker through the audio processor in a non-contact manner, and an electrical contact terminal for transmitting the electrical signals from the receiver to the outside. The housing contains a magnet for non-contactly fixing the cochlear implant audio processor and proposes a technology including an interface board for interconnecting electrical components.

[0015] Existing technical documents

[0016] Patent documents

[0017] (Patent Document 001) KR10-2021-0008644A (January 25, 2021)

[0018] (Patent Document 002) KR10-2007-0113799A (November 29, 2007)

[0019] (Patent Document 003) KR10-2017-0136362A (December 11, 2017)

[0020] (Patent Document 004) KR10-2010-0026298A (March 10, 2010) Summary of the Invention

[0021] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0022] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cochlear implant system and control method that can reflect the user's hearing characteristics and improve sound recognition ability.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a cochlear implant system and control method that can detect the status of the implanted device.

[0024] means for solving problems

[0025] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention is implanted into the user's outer ear and includes an in-body device comprising a primary coil; and can provide a cochlear implant system comprising a sound processor that modulates sound signals according to the user's hearing characteristics and transmits the modulated signals to the in-body device in a non-contact manner.

[0026] The sound processor exchanges signals with a secondary coil via mutual conduction with the primary coil; a microphone receives external sound signals; a sound modulator separates the sound signals into multiple frequency bands and modulates the signal of each frequency band according to the user's hearing characteristics; a transmitter transmits the modulated signal from the sound modulator through the secondary coil; a characteristic detector determines the user's hearing characteristics or the status of the in-body device by detecting the induced signal guided to the secondary coil by a test signal; and a controller controls the sound modulator, the transmitter, and the characteristic detector.

[0027] The test signal is a first test signal for detecting the user's hearing characteristics; and may include a second test signal for detecting whether the in-body device is malfunctioning.

[0028] The first test signal can be validated during the initial action following the implantation of the in vivo device.

[0029] The second test signal can be accepted within a certain periodic interval.

[0030] Based on the user's hearing characteristics detected by the first test signal, the sound modulator can separate the sound signal into a user identification signal within the user identification frequency range and a user identification signal with a user identification frequency outside the user identification frequency range.

[0031] The sound modulator can modulate the user-unidentified signal to the range of the user-identified frequency.

[0032] The sound modulator can modulate the user-unidentified signal to overlap with the user-identified signal.

[0033] The sound modulator can reduce the user identification signal by a certain ratio and modulate the user identification signal in an idle frequency region where the reduced user identification signal does not exist.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for controlling a cochlear implant system, comprising an implantable device and a non-contact transceiver sound processor. The first step involves sending a test signal to the implantable device to detect the user's hearing characteristics; determining a modulation algorithm for the sound signal based on the user's hearing characteristics; receiving the sound signal through a microphone; modulating the sound signal according to the modulation algorithm; and providing a control method for the cochlear implant system, including the step of transmitting the modulated sound signal to the implantable device.

[0035] The control method of the cochlear implant system includes a stage of sending a second test signal to the in-body device and detecting the status information of the in-body device; and may also include a step of generating a notification signal based on the status information of the in-body device.

[0036] Based on the user's hearing characteristics detected by the first test signal, the step of modulating the sound signal may include separating the sound signal into a user identification signal within the user identification frequency range and a user identification signal outside the user identification frequency range.

[0037] The step of modulating the sound signal can modulate the user-unrecognized signal into the range of the user-recognized frequency.

[0038] The step of modulating the sound signal can modulate the unidentified user signal to overlap with the identified user signal.

[0039] The step of modulating the sound signal is the step of reducing the user identification signal by a certain ratio; and the idle frequency region where the reduced user identification signal does not exist may include the step of modulating the user identification signal.

[0040] Invention Effects

[0041] According to the present invention, the user's hearing characteristics can be reflected, thereby improving the ability to recognize sounds.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the state of an in vivo device implanted in the body can be detected and controlled. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a drawing of an in-body device in a cochlear implant system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 3This is a block diagram representing a sound processor in a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the control method of the cochlear implant system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a signal waveform diagram shown as an example of the process of determining a user's hearing characteristics in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This figure illustrates a method for modulating sound signals in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating another method for modulating sound signals in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0051] 100: In-body devices;

[0052] 110: Active electrode;

[0053] 120: Reference electrode;

[0054] 130: Main coil;

[0055] 200: Sound processor;

[0056] 210: Secondary coil;

[0057] 220: Microphone;

[0058] 230: Sound modulator;

[0059] 240: Controller;

[0060] 250: Transmitter;

[0061] 260: Feature detector. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The following describes some embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to example drawings. When adding reference symbols to components in each drawing, the same symbols can be used as much as possible for the same component, even if it is displayed in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of the composition or function of the invention may be omitted if it is believed that such detailed descriptions might obscure the essence of the invention. If terms such as "comprising," "owning," or "implementing" are used in this listing, other parts may be added unless "~" is used. If a component is indicated as a singular number, it may include cases where multiple components are included, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0063] Furthermore, when describing the constituent elements of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are merely for distinguishing one component from another and are not limited by the nature, order, sequence, or number of the components.

[0064] In the description of component positional relationships, if two or more components are recorded as "connected," then the two or more components can be directly "connected," but it must be understood that the two or more components may be more "intervened," "connected," or "linked" with other components. Here, other components may be contained within two or more components that are "connected," "merged," or "linked" to each other.

[0065] In descriptions of time-related relationships such as components, action methods, or production methods, phrases like "after" or "before" may be used to indicate the sequence of events or the order of events. However, this may also include situations where "immediately" or "directly" is not used or is discontinuous.

[0066] On the other hand, if the numerical value of a component or its corresponding information (such as level) is mentioned, even without other explicit documentation, the numerical value or its corresponding information can be interpreted as including the range of errors that may be caused by various factors (such as process factors, internal or external impacts, noise, etc.).

[0067] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cochlear implant system may include an in-body device 100 implanted into the user's outer ear, and a sound processor 200 that transmits and receives signals from the in-body device 100 and signals in a non-contact manner.

[0069] The sound processor 200 and the internal device 100 are connected non-contactly via coils, and can wirelessly send and receive signals to each other.

[0070] The internal device 100 directly transmits electrical stimulation to Wawu based on the electrical signals emitted by the sound processor 200.

[0071] The sound processor 200 may include a sound modulator for modulating external sound signals, a transmitter for transmitting the modulated signal from the sound modulator to the in-body device 100, a characteristic detector for determining the state of the in-body device 100 or the user's hearing characteristics by detecting the signals generated by the in-body device 100, and a controller.

[0072] Figure 2 This is a drawing of an in-body device in a cochlear implant system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, in the cochlear implant system of this embodiment, the in vivo device 100 may include an active electrode 110, a standard electrode 120, and a primary coil 130.

[0074] The active electrode 110 can extend from the primary coil 130 through a micro-slit between the outer ear skin and the ear bone, across the tympanic membrane of the middle ear, and into the cochlea. At this point, the end of the active electrode 110 is spiral-shaped and can be connected to the spiral ganglion that communicates with the choroid plexus.

[0075] In addition, the standard electrode 120 can be extended from the primary coil 130 and inserted into the skin of the outer ear.

[0076] The primary coil 130 can convert the electrical signals sent by the sound processor 200 and transmit them to the spiral ganglion through the active electrode 110.

[0077] The in-body device 100 of the present invention can receive electrical signals emitted by the sound processor 100 through the primary coil 130, so that the user can identify external sounds. In addition, the in-body device 100 of the present invention can detect the characteristic values ​​of the in-body device 100 by retransmitting the electrical signals of the sound processor 200 and the induction signals generated by the electrodes 110 and 120 back to the sound processor 200.

[0078] Figure 3 This is a block diagram representing a sound processor in a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, in the cochlear implant system of this embodiment, the sound processor 200 may include a secondary coil 210, a microphone 220, a sound modulator 230, a controller 240, a transmitter 250, and a feature detector 260.

[0080] The secondary coil 210 can exchange electrical signals with the primary coil 130 of the body device 100 in a non-contact manner through mutual inductance.

[0081] Microphone 220 receives externally generated sound signals. At this time, microphone 220 can be integrated into the sound processor 200 or it can be separate so that it can be connected to the sound processor 200.

[0082] The sound modulator 230 can separate the sound signal received through the microphone 220 into multiple frequency bands and modulate the signal of each frequency band according to the user's hearing characteristics.

[0083] The controller 240 can transmit the modulated signal from the sound modulator 230 to the in-body device 110 via the transmitter 250 and the secondary coil 210. In addition, the controller 240 can control the transmitter 250 to generate test signals for detecting the user's hearing characteristics or the status of the in-body device 100.

[0084] The characteristic detector 260 sends a test signal to the first coil 130 of the in-body device 100 and detects the induction signal induced by the test signal to the second coil 210, which can determine the user's hearing characteristics or the state of the in-body device 100.

[0085] For example, the controller 240 can use the first test signal to detect the user's hearing characteristics through the characteristic detector 260, and control the modulation algorithm of the sound modulator 230 to modulate the sound signal according to the user's hearing characteristics.

[0086] In addition, the controller 240 can use the second test signal to detect the status information of the in vivo device 100 through the characteristic detector 260, and generate a notification signal to replace or check the in vivo device 100 based on the status information of the in vivo device 100.

[0087] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the control method of the cochlear implant system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] like Figure 4 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control method of the cochlear implant system is as follows: a stage of detecting the user's hearing characteristics using a first test signal (S100); a stage of determining a sound signal modulation algorithm based on the user's hearing characteristics (S200); a stage of receiving a sound signal through a microphone 220 (S300); a stage of adjusting the sound signal according to the modulation algorithm (S400); a step of sending the modulation signal to the in-body device (S500); a step of detecting the status information of the in-body device 100 using a second test signal (S600); and a step of generating a notification signal based on the status information of the in-body device 100 (S700).

[0089] The stage (S100) of detecting the user's hearing characteristics using the first test signal is the process of exploring the user's hearing characteristics after the in-body device 100 is transplanted into the user's outer ear in order to determine the algorithm for modulating the external sound signal.

[0090] Figure 5 This is a signal waveform diagram shown as an example of the process of determining a user's hearing characteristics in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] like Figure 5 As shown, the stage (S100) of detecting the user's hearing characteristics using the first test signal can be performed when the sound processor 200 is first started, assuming that the in-body device 100 is implanted inside the user's outer ear.

[0092] In this scenario, the sound processor 200 can explore the user recognition frequency F1, which can be recognized by the user, within the audible frequency range (F2: approximately 20Hz to 20000Hz). To this end, the sound processor 200 sends first tests of frequencies near 20Hz and near 20000Hz to the internal device 100, and determines the range of the user recognition frequency F1 based on whether the user recognizes it.

[0093] For example, a user can use this process to explore the range of user identification frequency F1 from 40 Hz to 17000 Hz. In this case, the range of user identification frequency F1 in clearing frequency F2 from 20 Hz to 20000 Hz can be determined as 40 Hz to 17000 Hz.

[0094] The stage (S200) of determining the modulation algorithm of the sound signal based on the user's hearing characteristics is the process of determining the modulation algorithm of the sound signal based on the user's hearing characteristics.

[0095] For example, if the user-identified frequency F1 ranges from 40Hz to 17000Hz, a modulation algorithm for the audio signal can be determined to modulate audio signals from 20Hz to 40Hz and 17000Hz to 20000Hz, which are unrecognizable to the user, into the user-identified frequency F1 range. In this case, audio signals contained within the user-identified frequency F1 range of 40Hz to 17000Hz can remain unchanged, or the frequency can be changed proportionally, taking into account the modulation signal.

[0096] The stage of receiving sound signals via microphone 220 (S300) is the process by which the user listens to external sound signals while wearing sound processor 200. At this time, the sound signals contained in the audible frequency range F2 will include user-identified signals within the user identification frequency range F1 and user-unidentified signals outside the user identification frequency range F1.

[0097] The stage (S400) in which the sound signal is modulated according to the modulation algorithm is the process of modulating the external sound signal by applying the modulation algorithm determined according to the user's hearing characteristics.

[0098] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This figure illustrates a method for modulating sound signals in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] First, refer to Figure 6 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sound processor 230 of the cochlear implant system can distinguish from the sound signal received from the microphone 220 a user identification signal S1 within the user identification frequency F1 range and a user identification signal S2 outside the user identification frequency F1 range.

[0100] Here, the user-unidentified signal S2 is outside the range of the user-identified frequency F1, but can be regarded as a signal that is included in the range of the audible frequency F2.

[0101] In this case, if the sound signal is sent to the internal device 100, the user can listen to the user identification signal S1 within the user identification frequency F1 range, but cannot listen to the user identification signal S2 outside the user identification frequency F1.

[0102] Therefore, the cochlear implant system of the present invention can modulate the user identification signal S2 in the audio F2 sound signal that the user cannot recognize to the user identification frequency F1 range, thereby controlling the user to identify through the in-body device 100.

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control method of the cochlear implant system can modulate the user identification signal S2, which is unrecognizable by the user, into the range of the user identification frequency F1.

[0104] For example, user identification signal S1, which is contained within the range of user identification frequency F1, can have its frequency changed from that of user identification signal S2 to the range of user identification frequency F1 while remaining unchanged.

[0105] In this situation, the unidentified user signal S2 may overlap with the identified user signal S1 within the range of the identified user frequency F1. If a high-level sound signal is repeatedly present in the overlapping region of the unidentified user signal S2 and the identified user signal S1, the user may perceive it as noise.

[0106] To address this issue, another control method for the cochlear implant system of the present invention is to change the frequency of the user identification signal S1 during the process of changing the frequency of the user identification signal S2 to the range of the user identification frequency F1, so as to avoid overlapping with the user identification signal S1.

[0107] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating another method for modulating sound signals in the control method of a cochlear implant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] like Figure 8 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control method of the cochlear implant system can modulate the user identification signal S2, which is unrecognizable by the user, into the range of the user identification frequency F1.

[0109] For example, user identification signal S1, which is contained within the range of user identification frequency F1, can have its frequency changed from that of user identification signal S2 to the range of user identification frequency F1 while remaining unchanged.

[0110] At this time, during the process of changing the frequency of the user identification signal S2 to the range of the user identification frequency F1, the frequency of the user identification signal S1 can be changed to avoid overlapping with the user identification signal S1.

[0111] For example, by scaling down the user identification signal S1, which is contained within the range of user identification frequency F1, a free frequency region where the user identification signal S1 does not exist can be generated, and the frequency of the user identification signal S2 can be changed to the free frequency region.

[0112] This allows users to hear clearer, higher-quality sound.

[0113] The stage (S500) of transmitting the modulated signal to the in-body device 100 is the process of transmitting an audio signal modulated to the user recognition frequency range F1 to the in-body device 100 via the secondary coil 210.

[0114] At this point, the in-body device 100 transmits the received electrical signal to the active electrode 110 through the primary coil 130, allowing the user to hear through the stimulation of "waa".

[0115] The stage (S600) of detecting the status information of the in vivo device 100 using the second test signal is a process of detecting the malfunction of the in vivo device 100 implanted in the user's body.

[0116] The sound processor 200 can send a second test signal to the body device 100 at a certain period and detect the mutual inductance signal generated on the secondary coil 210 thereby detecting the status information of the body device 100.

[0117] For example, if inflammation or ulceration occurs near the active electrode 110 or standard electrode 120 of the in vivo device 100, the level of the mutual inductance signal generated by the second test signal on the second coil 210 may change significantly.

[0118] Therefore, the sound processor 200 can determine the state of the internal device 100 based on the level of the mutual inductance signal.

[0119] The stage (S700) of generating a notification signal based on the status information of the internal device 100 is the process of determining that the internal device 100 has a malfunction and generating a notification signal when the mutual inductance signal generated by the second test signal changes to below the reference level.

[0120] As a result, the cochlear implant system invented by our institute can send a prompt signal to the user by judging whether the implanted device 100 is faulty, making it easier for the user to judge when to replace or repair the implanted device 100.

[0121] The above description and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the technical concept of this invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations, such as combining, separating, replacing, and altering the structure, without departing from the essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the technical concept of this invention, but rather to illustrate it. These embodiments do not limit the scope of the technical concept of this invention. That is, within the scope of this invention, all components can be selectively combined and operated together. The scope of protection of this invention should be interpreted according to the following claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as included within the scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant system, wherein, The cochlear implant system includes: An internal device, including a primary coil, implanted into the user's outer ear; and The sound signal is modulated according to the user's hearing characteristics, and the modulated signal is sent to the sound processor of the in-body device in a non-contact manner.

2. The cochlear implant system according to claim 1, wherein, The sound processor includes: The secondary coil exchanges signals with the primary coil; A microphone that receives external sound signals; A sound modulator that separates the sound signal into multiple frequency bands and modulates the signal of each frequency band according to the user's hearing characteristics; The signal modulated in the sound modulator is transmitted to the transmitter through the secondary coil; A characteristic detector that determines the user's hearing characteristics or the state of the in-vivo device by detecting the induced signal guided to the secondary coil by the test signal; and The sound modulator, and the controller that controls the transmitter and the characteristic detector.

3. The cochlear implant system according to claim 2, wherein, The test signal includes: The first test signal for detecting a user's hearing characteristics; and A second test signal to detect whether the in vivo device is malfunctioning.

4. The cochlear implant system according to claim 3, wherein, The first test signal is recognized during the initial action after the in vivo device is implanted.

5. The cochlear implant system according to claim 3, wherein, The second test signal is recognized at certain periodic intervals.

6. The cochlear implant system according to claim 4, wherein, The sound modulator separates the sound signal into a user identification signal contained within the user identification frequency range and a user identification signal contained outside the user identification frequency range, based on the user's hearing characteristics detected by the first test signal.

7. The cochlear implant system according to claim 6, wherein, The sound modulator modulates the user identification signal to the user identification frequency range.

8. The cochlear implant system according to claim 7, wherein, The sound modulator modulates the user identification signal by overlapping it with the user identification signal.

9. The cochlear implant system according to claim 7, wherein, The sound modulator reduces the user identification signal by a certain ratio and modulates the reduced user identification signal to a non-existent idle frequency region.

10. A control method for a cochlear implant system, comprising an implantable device and a non-contact sound processor for transmitting and receiving signals, wherein... The cochlear implant system and its control method include: The step of sending test signals to the in-body device to detect the user's hearing characteristics; The steps for determining the modulation algorithm of the sound signal based on the user's hearing characteristics; The steps of receiving sound signals through a microphone; The steps of modulating the sound signal according to the modulation algorithm described above; and The step of transmitting the modulated sound signal to the in-body device.

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