A device used in treatment of vertigo

Abstract

The invention relates to a VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) used in the treatment of vertigo, which provides a structure enabling vertigo patients to perform Epley manoeuvres at home by themselves without going to a hospital, and comprises components such as a camera (8), a timer (4), and a speaker (6), guiding the patient in Turkish and other languages to perform and complete the necessary manoeuvres.

Description

[0001] A DEVICE USED IN TREATMENT OF VERTIGO

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a treatment device intended for treating vertigo, medically known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), by means of physical movements known as the Epley manoeuvre.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), commonly referred to as "crystal displacement" among the public, is a pathology (disorder) that occurs in the vestibular organ of the inner ear, which is part of the body’s balance mechanism. This condition causes recurrent vertigo triggered by head movements. During vertigo, which lasts for about 30 to 60 seconds, a spinning hallucination occurs that disrupts the patient's balance and is accompanied by vegetative symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, cold sweating, etc., and simultaneously causes rapid, jerky eye movements called nystagmus in both eyes. There is no known specific cause of the disorder. However, its pathophysiology (mechanism) is well understood; it occurs when calcium carbonate crystals, which are normally fixed in a part of the balance organ called the utricle, become dislodged and fall into the connected semicircular canals. Head trauma, viral infections, migraine, and similar conditions have been considered potential triggers, but no evidence-based data has been obtained.

[0006] BPPV is the most common vestibular disorder in adults, with a lifetime incidence of 2.4%. According to the 2017 consensus report by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), 5.6 million people in the United States visit clinics with dizziness as their primary complaint, and 17% to 42% of these patients are diagnosed with BPPV. The prevalence of BPPV has been reported as 17 to 64 per 100,000 people. Among the three semicircular canals, the posterior canal is the most commonly affected, with an incidence rate of 85% to 90%, followed by the lateral (horizontal) canal at 5% to 15%, and the anterior (superior) canal at 1 %. In rarer cases, multiple or bilateral multiple canal involvement may occur.

[0007] Although BPPV most commonly emerges in the fifth to seventh decades of life (i.e., in individuals in their fifties to seventies), it is the most common balance disorder across a person’s lifetime and therefore has substantial impacts on healthcare systems and society. The associated direct and indirect costs are significant. Approximately 2,000 U.S. dollars are spent per patient until a diagnosis of BPPV is made, and 86% of patients experience disruptions in daily activities and loss of workdays. For this reason, annual healthcare spending related to BPPV diagnosis is estimated at approximately 2 billion U.S. dollars. Moreover, BPPV has a greater impact on the elderly population due to an increased risk of falls and diminished quality of life. Indeed, it is estimated that 9% of the elderly population is affected. This group commonly experiences a higher risk of falls, depression, and limitations in daily activities. In addition, secondary injuries such as fractures and brain trauma resulting from falls often lead to unplanned hospitalisations and the need for home care services. Ongoing untreated or undiagnosed vertigo increases care costs in the elderly and, consequently, the broader societal costs, also leading to reduced family productivity and a higher risk of institutionalisation. With the increase in the elderly population over the next twenty years, the incidence and prevalence of BPPV may rise.

[0008] According to current data, delays in the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV patients, often lasting for months, frequently lead to the prescription of inappropriate medications such as anti-dizziness drugs and unnecessary diagnostic tests. Therefore, significant improvements in diagnosis and treatment would not only result in a marked increase in healthcare quality but also yield savings in both medical and societal costs.

[0009] The only known treatment for this condition is to reposition the balance organ of the inner ear into various positions within three-dimensional space in order to move the crystal particles inside the canals into a harmless area. A complicating factor is that the balance organ consists of three branches, and the crystals may be located in one or more of these canals. The type of manoeuvre required varies depending on the canal in which the crystals are located. These manoeuvres can be performed on a patient while lying on a stretcher. There are several existing prior art applications relating to this condition.

[0010] One such example is the device disclosed in US Patent No. 6,568,396 B1 filed by Antony, which is worn on the patient’s head and helps the patient perform the manoeuvres.

[0011] Another example is the system disclosed in WO 2018 / 013398 A1 , filed by Jardelezza and Kriegel.

[0012] One of these systems is the motion chair described in WO 2004 / 000191 A1 , filed by Almeida for the treatment of BPPV. In this system, the patient is strapped onto the chair, and the chair performs the necessary manoeuvres in three-dimensional space.

[0013] A similar technology is the motion chair disclosed in US Patent No. 8,066,651 B2, taught by Viton. Another similar technology is the motion chair disclosed by Epley under US Patent No. 6,800,062 B2.

[0014] Another comparable technology is the motion chair system taught by Kim under WO 2014 / 193005 A1.

[0015] A further example is the application titled “Head Apparatus and Auxiliary Device for BPPV Treatment” filed under application number US2003116166 A1. The invention is described as follows: “The apparatus includes a fluid suspended, inner member, which has printed upon it a series of position bull's eyes, which are connected by a path printed on the inner member. The inner member is contained within a transparent, watertight outer housing, which has a sighting marking printed upon it. The device is attached to the user's head in a manner such that when the user moves his head, the outer member can move relative to the inner member. This allows the user to follow the path to visually track his correct head position through the posterior canalith repositioning manoeuvre sequence. Also attached to the user apparatus is an assistant apparatus which includes a hollow ball containing a liquid sufficient to form a small bubble which allows an assistant to follow a second path which corresponds to that seen by the user when he follows the user path.” The invention requires an additional device and the presence of a second person for monitoring the patient. This makes it impractical and may result in a poor user experience. Moreover, it must be used either in a hospital setting or in the presence of medical personnel.

[0016] There are different types of BPPV, and the treatment method varies depending on which canal the free-floating crystals are located in. The only way to determine which canal the crystals are in is by observing the involuntary eye movements of the patient. These involuntary movements, known as nystagmus, appear during the patient’s vertigo episode and last for about thirty to sixty seconds. During this time, the physician must observe the patient’s eyes and interpret the meaning of these movements for diagnosis. In addition, if the movements are repeated frequently, the nystagmus becomes fatigued and may even disappear. These eye movements are highly complex and vary depending on which canal contains the crystals. Another factor that makes the problem more complex is the possibility that crystals may be present in more than one canal. In such cases, the nystagmus observed in the patient's eyes is a combination of the nystagmus patterns associated with each affected canal.

[0017] Another complicating factor is the time delay between the movement that triggers the nystagmus and the actual appearance of the nystagmus. This delay is referred to as “latency,” and both this latency and the duration of the nystagmus are critical pieces of information that aid diagnosis.

[0018] There are four different tests that must be performed to determine the location of the crystals causing BPPV. Each of these tests is specifically used to identify the presence of crystals in a particular canal. These are known as the Right Dix-Hal Ipike, Left Dix-Hallpike, Right Pagnini-McClure, and Left Pagnini-McClure tests. These tests require placing the patient in a specific position at specific angles. After the patient is placed in the correct position, if there are crystals in the corresponding canal, nystagmus begins in the eyes. Whether the nystagmus starts, how long it takes to start, and how long it lasts are important factors that influence the diagnosis. As a result, the existence of the above problems and the inadequacy of the existing solutions have made it necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field.

[0019] The Aim of the Invention

[0020] The present invention relates to a VR-type vertigo treatment device used in the treatment of vertigo, which meets the above-mentioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages, and provides additional benefits.

[0021] The main aim of the invention is to bring the patient into the selected test position and, upon reaching the position, to generate the corresponding support signal and give the patient directives for the manoeuvres.

[0022] Another aim of the invention is to enable the patient to perform these manoeuvres alone at home by guiding them with voice commands via a speaker.

[0023] A further aim of the invention is to allow a patient who obtains the device to perform the manoeuvres correctly without needing a physiotherapist or a hospital, using a camera that detects the patient’s eye and a digital level that detects the angle of the device.

[0024] Another aim of the invention is to accelerate the treatment process by allowing the patient to perform these manoeuvres anytime and anywhere, thanks to the product being compact and portable.

[0025] The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly by means of the figures given below and the detailed description written with references to these figures, and therefore the evaluation should be made by taking these figures and the detailed explanation into consideration. Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] In order to for the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with additional elements to be understood in the best way, it should be evaluated together with the figures described below.

[0027] Figure 1 : Perspective view of the invention in an unassembled state.

[0028] Figure 2: Perspective view of the invention in an assembled state.

[0029] Figure 3: Detailed perspective view of the invention in an unassembled state.

[0030] Reference Numbers

[0031] A. VR-type vertigo treatment device

[0032] 1. Goggle holder

[0033] 2. Frame cushion

[0034] 3. Circuit holder

[0035] 4. Timer

[0036] 5. Frame cover

[0037] 6. Speaker

[0038] 7. Digital spirit level

[0039] 8. Camera

[0040] 9. On / Off Button

[0041] 10. Power supply unit and power input

[0042] 11 . Main processor board

[0043] The drawings are not necessarily scaled and the detailed that are not essential to understand the present invention may have been omitted. Apart from this, elements that are at least substantially identical or have at least substantially identical functions are shown with the same reference numbers. Detailed Description of Invention

[0044] In this detailed description, the VR-type vertigo treatment device (A), which is the subject of the invention, is explained in its preferred configurations solely for the purpose of better understanding the subject matter and without creating any limiting effect.

[0045] The invention is a VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) comprising a goggle holder (1 ) to position the device on the head; a frame cushion (2) to hold the components together and allow the device to be worn on the head by making contact with the face; a circuit holder (3) for the main processor board (11 ); a timer (4) to calculate the waiting periods required during the Epley manoeuvre, a frame cover (5) to enclose the circuit holder (3), main processor board (11 ), and timer (4); a speaker (6) to provide the user with voice commands and / or notifications; a digital spirit level (7) to verify the accuracy of certain angles during the manoeuvres; a camera (8) to detect eye movements and to guide the necessary manoeuvre based on the presence of crystal displacement inferred from nystagmus movements; an on / off button (9) to power the device; a power supply unit and power input (10) to operate the device; and a main processor board (11 ) to control and run all these systems.

[0046] The invention is assembled by attaching the timer (4), digital spirit level (7), speaker (6), power supply unit and power input (10), and the on / off button (9), and connecting the main processor board (11 ), to which the camera (8) is connected, with the circuit holder (3) then securing them all onto the frame cover and closing the frame cover (5), and then attaching the frame cushion (2), which will make contact with the face and support the entire structure, and the goggle holder (1 ), which ensures stability on the head.

[0047] Once the device is placed on the head, it first receives eye data from the camera (8) via the main processor board (11), performs a test, issues the necessary alerts and guidance, and directs the patient through commands delivered via the speaker (6) to perform the required manoeuvres at specific angles and durations, thereby completing the manoeuvres and concluding the treatment. The scope of protection of this application has been determined in the claims section and cannot be limited to what is explained above definitely for exemplary purposes. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can demonstrate the innovation set forth in the invention by using similar embodiments and / or can apply this embodiment to other similar purposes used in the related art. Therefore, it is obvious that such constructions will lack the criteria of innovation and especially going beyond the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) used in the treatment of vertigo, which provides a structure enabling vertigo patients to perform Epley manoeuvres at home by themselves without going to a hospital, comprising:• a camera (8) for receiving nystagmus data from the eyes to perform the mentioned manoeuvres,• a speaker (6) that provides audible guidance to the patient and delivers feedback,• a digital spirit level (7) for detecting the angle of the patient's head,• a timer (4) that provides time data to the main processor board (11 ) to ensure the patient remains in specific positions for specific durations,• a goggle holder (1) for keeping the device stable on the patient’s head,• a frame cushion (2) that surrounds the area around the patient’s eyes and connects to the goggle holder (1 ),• a frame cover (5) for protecting the main processor board (11 ) from external damage, and• a main processor board (11 ) that processes the data received from the camera (8), digital spirit level (7), and timer (4), and provides feedback via the speaker (6).

2. A VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) used in the treatment of vertigo, which provides a structure enabling vertigo patients to perform Epley manoeuvres at home by themselves without going to a hospital, according to Claim 1 , comprising a circuit holder (3) for protecting the main processor board (11) and the timer (4) from damage and enclosing them.

3. A VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) used in the treatment of vertigo, which provides a structure enabling vertigo patients to perform Epley manoeuvres at home by themselves without going to a hospital, according to Claim 1 , comprising a power supply unit and power input (10) for supplying power to the system and enabling its operation.A VR-type vertigo treatment device (A) used in the treatment of vertigo, which provides a structure enabling vertigo patients to perform Epley manoeuvres at home by themselves without going to a hospital, according to Claim 1 , comprising an on / off button (9) for turning the system on and off.

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