Cochlear implant binaural control system

Abstract

A cochlear implant binaural control system, comprising a remote control device and two speech processors, wherein the remote control device is separately connected to the two speech processors by means of BLE and is configured to send control signals to the two speech processors; when one of the speech processors is connected to an audio source, an audio signal from the audio source is transmitted to the speech processor, and the speech processor establishes an radio frequency connection with the other speech processor and transmits the audio signal to the other speech processor. The one remote control device of the cochlear implant binaural control system can simultaneously control the two speech processors on both sides. This not only reduces costs but also facilitates the implantee to control both processors simultaneously, avoiding the need to carry or operate two remote control devices. The implantee's bilateral processors can receive audio from a unified audio source, thereby enabling stereophonic hearing and providing a better listening experience.

Description

A cochlear implant binaural control system Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, and specifically relates to a cochlear implant binaural control system. Background Technology

[0002] Cochlear implants are currently the only technology that can restore hearing for patients with severe or total deafness. They work by converting sound signals into electrical pulses carrying sound information, which directly stimulate the auditory nerve located in the cochlea to produce hearing. A remote control or app maintains a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connection with the speech processor and sends control commands to change the speech processor's operating parameters. Mobile phones and other devices maintain a classic Bluetooth connection with the speech processor to transmit audio data, allowing the user processor to directly connect to the phone, thus meeting the user's needs for listening to music and making phone calls.

[0003] Currently, the control of the bilateral speech processors is one-to-one with the remote control or app; one remote control or app corresponds to one speech processor, and one audio source also corresponds to one speech processor. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the current binaural speech processor control system. Two remote controls are required to control the bilateral speech processors. When using the app, the app must be disconnected from the currently connected processor and reconnected to the other processor to control it. Classic Bluetooth direct connection to a mobile phone can only connect to one speech processor; the other speech processor cannot hear the phone's audio, and the patient with bilateral implants cannot experience stereo sound.

[0004] In summary, currently, for patients with bilateral implants, controlling both processors simultaneously requires two remote controls or time-sharing operation via an app, which is relatively cumbersome and provides a poor user experience, making it impossible to perceive stereo sound when listening to music.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a cochlear implant binaural control system that can simultaneously control both speech processors, reducing costs while eliminating the need to carry or operate two remote control devices, thus effectively improving the user experience.

[0007] The technical solution of a cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention is as follows: A cochlear implant binaural control system includes two speech processors and a remote control device; wherein,

[0008] The remote control device is connected to two speech processors via BLE respectively, and is used to send control signals to the two speech processors;

[0009] When one of the speech processors is connected to an audio source, the audio signal from the audio source is transmitted to that speech processor. The speech processor establishes a radio frequency connection with another speech processor and transmits the audio signal to that other speech processor.

[0010] Preferably, the remote control device includes a first control module and a second control module. The first control module establishes a BLE connection with one of the speech processors to send a first control signal to it; the second control module establishes a BLE connection with the other speech processor to send a second control signal to it.

[0011] Preferably, both speech processors include a DSP module, a BLE module, and a classic Bluetooth module. The BLE module is connected to the DSP module and is used to transmit first / second control signals to the DSP module. The classic Bluetooth module is connected to the DSP module and is used to transmit audio signals to the DSP module.

[0012] Preferably, it further includes a tuning device, a server, and two implants, each of which is connected to a corresponding speech processor; wherein:

[0013] The server is connected to the tuning equipment and is used to receive data update commands sent by the tuning equipment and send the updated data to the tuning equipment.

[0014] The tuning device is wirelessly connected to the two speech processors respectively, and is used to transmit tuning control signals to the two speech processors; the two speech processors receive the tuning control signals, process them, and then transmit them to the corresponding implants respectively.

[0015] The implant receives the processed adjustment control signal and generates a stimulation signal; and sends the implant status information to the adjustment device via the corresponding speech processor.

[0016] Preferably, the server includes a service storage module and a network transmission module. The service storage module receives data update commands sent by the device adjustment equipment through the network transmission module and transmits the updated data to the device adjustment equipment; and receives and stores implant status information transmitted by the device adjustment equipment through the network transmission module.

[0017] Preferably, the equipment includes a network transmission module, two storage modules, two control modules, and two transmission modules; the network transmission module is connected to the server; and the storage modules are used to store updated data transmitted by the server.

[0018] The tuning control module reads the updated data from the tuning storage module and generates a tuning control signal, which is then sent to the corresponding speech processor by the tuning transmission module.

[0019] Preferably, the speech processor includes a transmission module, a control module, and a stimulation module connected in sequence; it also includes a storage module, which is connected to the control module and the stimulation module respectively.

[0020] Preferably, the speech processor further includes a reverse transmission module connected to the storage module, the reverse transmission module being used to receive implant status information sent by the implant and transmit it to the storage module.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0022] 1. The cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention allows one remote control device to simultaneously control two speech processors on both sides, reducing costs and making it convenient for the implant recipient to control both processors at the same time, avoiding the need to carry or operate two remote control devices.

[0023] 2. The cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention relays the information from one speech processor to another, enabling simultaneous control of two speech processors. Furthermore, when adjusting parameters, it is not necessary to disconnect the BLE connection after adjusting one speech processor and then reconnect to the other speech processor for parameter adjustment, greatly improving the user experience.

[0024] 3. The cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention allows the implant recipient's bilateral processors to receive a unified audio source, thus enabling stereo sound. Compared to existing technologies that only allow mono sound, the audio listening experience is significantly improved.

[0025] 4. Compared with existing wired adjustment solutions, the cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention allows clinicians to perform unilateral or bilateral wireless adjustment of the device, reducing the discomfort of wired adjustment for users, simplifying the adjustment process, and reducing adjustment costs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the connection of a prior art binaural control system;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a cochlear implant binaural control system according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wired cochlear implant control system in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a binaural wireless tuning system in a specific embodiment of the present invention for a cochlear implant. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2, the cochlear implant binaural control system includes two speech processors and a remote control device 2. The remote control device 2 is connected to the two speech processors via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to send control signals to them. For ease of explanation, the two speech processors are named the first speech processor 3 and the second speech processor 4. When the first speech processor 3 is connected to the audio source 1, the audio signal from the audio source 1 is transmitted to the first speech processor 3. The first speech processor 3 then establishes a radio frequency connection with the second speech processor 4 and transmits the audio signal to the second speech processor 4.

[0032] The remote control device 2 includes a first control module 21 and a second control module 22. The first control module 21 establishes a BLE connection with the first speech processor 3 to send a first control signal to it; the second control module 22 establishes a BLE connection with the second speech processor 4 to send a second control signal to it. The remote control device 2 can be a remote control or a mobile app. The first / second control signals can be settings for speech processor operating parameters, etc.

[0033] The above setup allows a single remote control device 1 to simultaneously operate two speech processors on both sides, reducing costs and enabling the implant recipient to control both processors simultaneously without needing to carry or operate two separate remote control devices. By relaying data from one speech processor to the other, simultaneous control of both speech processors is possible. Furthermore, parameter adjustments do not require disconnecting the BLE connection after adjusting one speech processor and then reconnecting to the other, significantly improving the user experience. The implant recipient's two processors can receive a unified audio source, enabling stereo sound. Compared to existing technologies that only allow mono sound, the audio listening experience is significantly superior.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, both the first speech processor 3 and the second speech processor 4 include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) module 33, a BLE module 31, and a classic Bluetooth module 32. The BLE module 31 is connected to the first or second control module of the corresponding remote control device 2 to receive first / second control signals. The BLE module 31 is also connected to the DSP module 33 to transmit the first / second control signals to the DSP module 33. The classic Bluetooth module 32 is connected to the DSP module 33 to transmit audio signals to the DSP module 33.

[0035] The system of the present invention also includes two implants, each connected to a corresponding speech processor. For ease of explanation, the two implants are named the first implant 5 and the second implant 6. The first implant 5 is radio frequency connected to the first speech processor 3, and is used to transmit the signal processed by the DSP module 33 of the first speech processor 3 to the first implant 5, so that the user can hear the sound on one side. The second implant 6 is radio frequency connected to the second speech processor 4, and is used to transmit the signal processed by the DSP module 33 of the second speech processor 4 to the second implant 6, so that the user can hear the sound on the other side.

[0036] This invention uses an oscilloscope to detect the stimulation delay between two speech processors. With audio source 1 playing music, the oscilloscope displays the stimulation of the electrode channels corresponding to the first speech processor 3 and the second speech processor 5. According to the display, the stimulation delay between the first speech processor 3 and the second speech processor 5 is approximately 5 sampling cycles, which is extremely small. This demonstrates that the technical solution of this invention allows a single remote control device to simultaneously operate two speech processors on both sides. The implanted patient's two processors can receive a unified audio source almost simultaneously, thus enabling stereo sound and a superior listening experience.

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, this is a schematic diagram of an existing binaural wired cochlear implant setup. It includes a PC (7), a dedicated setup box (8), a first speech processor (3), a second speech processor (4), a first implant (5), and a second implant (6). The PC (7) and the dedicated setup box (8) are connected via USB. The dedicated setup box (8) is connected to both the first speech processor (3) and the second speech processor (4). The first implant (5) is RF-connected to the first speech processor (3), and the second implant (6) is RF-connected to the second speech processor (4). When performing binaural cochlear implant setup, the need for a setup computer and dedicated setup equipment remains, resulting in a complex setup environment, a poor user experience, the requirement for specialized training of clinical staff on dedicated setup equipment, and high setup costs.

[0038] Referring to Figure 4, to improve the comfort and user experience of cochlear implant adjustment, the binaural control system of this invention includes an adjustment device 10 and a server 9. Communication between the adjustment device 10, the server 9, the speech processor, and the implant mainly includes the following categories: the adjustment device 10 acquires data from the server 9; the adjustment device 10 sends adjustment control signals to the speech processor, which then sends them to the implant; the adjustment device 10 acquires data stored in the speech processor; and the adjustment device 10 saves the data to the server 9.

[0039] Server 9 is connected to tuning device 10 to receive data update commands from tuning device 10 and send updated data to tuning device 10. Tuning device 10 generates tuning control signals based on the updated data. Tuning device 10 is wirelessly connected to the first speech processor 3 and the second speech processor 4 to transmit tuning control signals to the two speech processors. Specifically, the wireless connection method can be classic Bluetooth. The two speech processors receive and process the tuning control signals and then transmit them to their respective implants. The implants receive the processed tuning control signals, generate stimulation signals, and send their corresponding implant status information to tuning device 10 via their respective speech processors.

[0040] Server 9 includes a service storage module 91 and a network transmission module 92. The service storage module 91 receives data update commands sent by the adjustment device 10 through the network transmission module 92 and transmits the updated data to the adjustment device 10. It can also receive and store implant status information and other data transmitted by the adjustment device 10 through the network transmission module 92.

[0041] Specifically, after the tuning device 10 wirelessly connects to each speech processor, the tuning device 10 obtains the speech processor's ID and updates the data from the server 9, ensuring that the local data is consistent with the data stored on the server 9. At this point, tuning can begin; and after tuning is completed, the locally stored data is saved to the server 9.

[0042] The tuning device 10 includes a network transmission module 101, two tuning storage modules 102, two tuning control modules 103, and two tuning transmission modules 104. The network transmission module 101 is connected to the server 9. The two tuning storage modules 102 are respectively connected to the network transmission module 101 and are used to store updated data transmitted from the server 9 and data transmitted from the speech processor. The tuning storage modules 102, tuning control modules 103, and tuning transmission modules 104 are connected sequentially, and the two tuning transmission modules 104 are respectively connected to their corresponding speech processors. The tuning control module 103 reads the updated data in the tuning storage module 102 and generates a tuning control signal, which is sent by the tuning transmission module 104 to the corresponding speech processor, thereby tuning the corresponding speech processor. Further, the tuning device can be a mobile app, and the tuning transmission module 104 can be a classic Bluetooth module.

[0043] Referring to Figure 4, the speech processor includes a transmission module 301 and a DSP module 33. The transmission module 301 can be a classic Bluetooth module 32; the DSP module 33 includes a control module 302, a stimulation module 303, and a storage module 304. The transmission module 301, control module 302, and stimulation module 303 are connected sequentially; and the storage module 304 is connected to both the control module 302 and the stimulation module 303. During setup, the transmission module 301 receives the setup control signal from the setup device 10 and saves the corresponding data to the storage module 304 via the control module 302. Simultaneously, the control module 302 notifies the stimulation module 303. The stimulation module 303 reads the corresponding data from the storage module 304, encodes and modulates it, and transmits it to the implant. The implant generates a stimulation signal, completing the corresponding stimulation operation.

[0044] The speech processor also includes a reverse transmission module 305 connected to the storage module 304. The reverse transmission module 305 is also connected to the implant and is used to receive implant status information sent by the implant and transmit it to the storage module 304. The storage module 304 stores the implant status information. When the tuning device 10 needs to read data from the speech processor, the tuning control module 103 sends a data request command to the speech processor through the tuning transmission module 104. After receiving the data request command, the speech processor's transmission module 301 reads the data from the storage module 304 by the speech processor's control module 302, then transmits it to the tuning transmission module 104 by the speech processor's transmission module 301, and finally saves it to the tuning storage module 102 by the tuning control module 103.

[0045] When the data in the adjustment storage module 102 needs to be saved to the server 9, the adjustment control module 103 sends a data save command to the adjustment storage module 102. The adjustment storage module 102 then transmits the adjustment data to the server 9 through the network transmission module 101. After receiving the data, the server 9 saves it to the service storage module 91.

[0046] The cochlear implant binaural control system of the present invention allows clinicians to perform unilateral or bilateral wireless adjustment of the device during the adjustment process, compared to existing wired adjustment methods. This reduces the discomfort of wired adjustment for users, simplifies the adjustment process, and lowers the adjustment cost.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above preferred embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail through the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made to it in form and detail without departing from the scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cochlear implant binaural control system, characterized in that, Includes two speech processors and a remote control device; wherein, The remote control device is connected to two speech processors via BLE respectively, and is used to send control signals to the two speech processors; When one of the speech processors is connected to an audio source, the audio signal from the audio source is transmitted to that speech processor. The speech processor establishes a radio frequency connection with another speech processor and transmits the audio signal to that other speech processor.

2. The cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remote control device includes a first control module and a second control module. The first control module establishes a BLE connection with one of the speech processors to send a first control signal to it. The second control module establishes a BLE connection with the other speech processor to send a second control signal to it.

3. The cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both speech processors include a DSP module, a BLE module, and a classic Bluetooth module. The BLE module is connected to the DSP module and is used to transmit first / second control signals to the DSP module. The classic Bluetooth module is connected to the DSP module and is used to transmit audio signals to the DSP module.

4. The cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes tuning equipment, a server, and two implants, each of which is connected to a corresponding speech processor; wherein: The server is connected to the tuning equipment and is used to receive data update commands sent by the tuning equipment and send the updated data to the tuning equipment. The tuning device is wirelessly connected to the two speech processors respectively, and is used to transmit tuning control signals to the two speech processors; the two speech processors receive the tuning control signals, process them, and then transmit them to the corresponding implants respectively. The implant receives the processed adjustment control signal and generates a stimulation signal; and sends the implant status information to the adjustment device via the corresponding speech processor.

5. A cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The server includes a service storage module and a network transmission module. The service storage module receives data update commands sent by the adjustment equipment through the network transmission module and transmits the updated data to the adjustment equipment. It also receives and stores implant status information transmitted from the adjustment equipment via a network transmission module.

6. A cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The equipment includes a network transmission module, two storage modules, two control modules, and two transmission modules. The network transmission module is connected to the server. The storage modules are used to store updated data transmitted by the server. The tuning control module reads the updated data from the tuning storage module and generates a tuning control signal, which is then sent to the corresponding speech processor by the tuning transmission module.

7. A cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The speech processor includes a transmission module, a control module, and a stimulation module connected in sequence; it also includes a storage module, which is connected to the control module and the stimulation module respectively.

8. A cochlear implant binaural control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The speech processor also includes a reverse transmission module connected to the storage module, which is used to receive implant status information sent by the implant and transmit it to the storage module.

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