巴西专利BR112012007264A2 intraoral device for sound transmission

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INTRAORAL DEVICE FOR SOUND TRANSMISSIONIntraoral device to transmit sound through bone conduction and ideal for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and prolonged use by the user, including an actuator to provide sound transmission through bone conduction; a transducer coupled to the actuator to make the actuator generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transducer, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.
公开号:BR112012007264A2
申请号:R112012007264-1
申请日:2010-09-09
公开日:2020-08-11
发明作者:Amir Abolfathi
申请人:Sonitus Medical Inc.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

INTRAORAL DEVICE FOR SOUND TRANSMISSION
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This patent application is a non-temporary application for US patent application US 61 / 248,262 filed on October 2, 2009, the content of which is incorporated in this document by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for transmitting sound through bone conduction by means of an intraoral device.
HISTORY OF THE INVENTION Recent advances in miniaturized electronics and materials science have resulted in the creation of intraoral devices incorporating actuating transducers that facilitate the transmission of sound using the principle of bone conduction. Such TIOAsS have been described for use in a variety of applications, including treating patients with unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness (see, for example, US patent application 11 / 754,823), treating patients suffering from tinnitus in ears (see, for example, patent application US '11 / 845,712), facilitate bidirectional communications (see, for example, patent applications US 11 / 952,780 and US 12 / 175,240), and - consumer electronics products, such as players digital audio (see, for example, US patent application 12 / 464,310). Although the aforementioned IOAs have been demonstrated to address disparate problems and needs, they have in common 7 the need for the user to have to use the IOA for extended periods of time. This makes it necessary for TIO0A to be Ú designed so that it is optimized for comfort in the user's mouth. Such an IOA is described in this document.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, an intraoral device is provided, which is optimized for user comfort to facilitate use SEE ss — n - mmMMhád | device and includes an actuator to provide sound transmission by bone conduction; a transducer coupled to the 'actuator to make the actuator generate sound; and a first 2 "chamber containing the actuator and the transducer, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth.
7. * Implementations of the above may include one or more of the following. 'An actuator driver or amplifier can be | connected to the actuator. A second camera can be used to | 10 house a power supply to drive the actuator and O | transducer., A bridge can connect the first and second | chambers. The bridge may have electrical cables or an antenna built into the bridge. The bridge can be a wired frame, a polymeric material, or a combination of polymeric material and a wired frame. A mass can be connected to the actuator, The mass can be a weight such as tungsten or a suitable module | with a grease such as a battery or an electronic module. O | actuator can be a piezoelectric transducer. The! actuator can be a rectangular configuration or | 20 cantilever beam. One or more ceramic or alumina substrates | . can connect the actuator to other components. A compressible material can surround the actuator. A non-compressible material: it can cover the actuator and the compressible material. A rechargeable power supply can power the transducer and the actuator. An inductive charger can recharge the battery. THE . chamber can be a personalized oral device. A shelter
7. pre-built can be provided for the dough. The pre-built shelter may have a lower arm and one or more contacts, the arm and contacts adapted to polarize a mass against a tooth. A microphone can be connected to the transducer, the microphone being positioned intraorally or extraorally. A data storage device can be built into the device. A first microphone can capture | to body driving sounds, a second microphone can capture ambient sounds, and a noise canceler can be used to subtract the ambient sound from the body driving sound. The actuator 'transmits sound through a tooth, a jaw bone, a mandibular bone, or a palatal bone. A connection driver can Tm. provide sound to the transducer, the connection driver adapted to communicate with an external sound source. The transducer can be a 'wired transducer or a wireless transducer. Advantages of preferred embodiments may include one or more of the following: ease of insertion and removal of the intraoral device, comfortable fit, improved safety (for example, unlikely that the user may accidentally | swallow the device or have the device lodged in the user's trachea ), the ability to eat and drink while using the device, the ability to use the device for long periods of time (for example, for periods of time exceeding two hours), enhanced security, so the device is unlikely to be accidentally swallowed by a user or accidentally lodged in the user's trachea, a secure fit on a user's tooth or teeth or a tooth or teeth and BR a portion of another part of the user's dental anatomy, such as gum tissue or palate without the need to adhere to - or affix the device to a portion of said dental anatomy of said user using dental glue, connecting material , adhesive, and the lack of any need to modify or alter the dental anatomy, including any removal or alteration of any portion of the tooth surface (eg, grinding, "ablation, polishing, and the like) or any other part of the tooth. 'dental anatomy for insertion or use by the user of the appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1A shows a top perspective view of an intraoral device to conduct sound transmission through bone conduction, |
'4/26 Figure 1B shows a side perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 12.
Figure 1C shows an exemplary mechanical arrangement
2. of components of each chamber of Figure 1A. Figure 1D shows a Ta shell configuration. exemplary for an intraoral device to conduct sound transmission through bone conduction. Figure 2 shows a top view of another embodiment of an intraoral device to conduct sound transmission.
Figure 3 shows a diagram illustrating the coupling of the actuator to one or more teeth.
Figure 4A shows an illustrative configuration of individual components in a variation of the oral apparatus, having an external transmission set with a receiving and transducer assembly inside the mouth.
Figure 4B shows an illustrative configuration of another variation of the device in which the entire set is contained by the oral device within the user's mouth.
DESCRIPTION . All patents and patent applications mentioned in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Several “realizations of the intraoral device are described in this document and illustrated in the drawings. At . The advantages of the present invention are diverse and include devices 'that are comfortable, facilitate long-term use, allow to eat and' drink while the device is used by the user, provide a secure fit on at least one tooth of the user or, in some embodiments, on at least one tooth and another portion of the user's dental anatomy, such as the gum or palate, and requires no modification to the dental anatomy, including any removal of or alteration to any portion of the surface of a 1
MM | tooth (for example, grinding, ablation, polishing and the like) or any other part of the dental anatomy for insertion or use by the user. In addition, in some embodiments, the connection of the
2. braces to a tooth or teeth or other portion of dental anatomy is not required to create a secure fit. ”Device in the user's mouth, as some achievements inherently have, due to their designs (for example,: Í the shell design illustrated in Figures 1D and 1E), the means to provide a clamping force that facilitates the secure fit of the device on the user's tooth or teeth, No additional means of attaching the device to the user is required. A removable intraoral sound transmission device is shown in Figure 1A. The device is used by a user in his oral cavity. The apparatus includes an energy chamber 401 which provides power to energize an apparatus. The energy chamber 401 includes an energy reservoir 402 such as a battery. The battery is charged by an electronic charger 403 which can receive external power through coupling. inductive or can directly receive a load through two terminals. If the load is done inductively, a coil of. recharge 404 is also placed in the energy chamber 401. The energy chamber 401 provides para-electronic energy in a 407 actuation chamber. Mechanically, chambers 401 and 407 are connected by a bridge 405, Within the bridge 405 there are cables that supply energy to the actuation chamber 407.. Other devices, such as antenna wires, can be 7 embedded in the 405 bridge. The chambers 401, 407 and the 405 bridge are 'made of human-compatible elastomeric materials: commonly used in dental retainers, among others. Moving now to the actuation chamber 407, an actuator 408 is positioned close to the patient's teeth. The 408 actuator is driven by a 409 electronic drive. A wireless transducer 450 provides audible information to the 409 electronic drive o ——-— m — m ———— | so that actuation 409 can actuate actuator 408 to cause sounds to be generated and conducted to the patient's ear through bone conduction in one embodiment. By a. example, the electronics and actuator assembly can receive input sounds directly or through a receiver to process ". and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds through a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as such as the maxillary, mandibular or palatal bone structure. Other techniques of sound transmission in addition to bone conduction can be used and are contemplated by the inventors.
Figure 1B shows a side perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1A. The oral appliance of Figure 1A can be a personalized device, manufactured through a variety of different processes using, for example, a replica of a dental structure obtained by a variety of methods, as described in more detail below. The oral appliance can therefore be created to fit, adhere to, or otherwise be placed on a portion of the patient's dentition to maintain the electronics and the transducer device: against the patient's dentition in a safe and comfortable manner. Figure 1C shows a perspective view of the - electronics housed in chambers 401 and 407. In the power chamber 401, the refill coil 404 is positioned at one end and the battery 402 is positioned at the other end of the chamber 401, ca The electronics control unit for recharging is on a '420B circuit board behind battery 402 and coil 404.
: Correspondingly, in the actuating chamber 407, the O Ú actuator 408 in turn is made of a piezoelectric actuator 408B '30 that moves a mass 408A. The 409 drive and the wireless transducer circuit are provided on a 420A circuit board.
Another removable intraoral sound transmission device 500 is shown in Figure 1D ,. The device includes a Co ————— | first chamber with a 510 piezoelectric transducer, which is connected to an encapsulation via a clip.
A mass 514 is mechanically connected to transducer 510. The transducer is .o + Controlled and energized by a wire that connects the first chamber to a second chamber containing an 520 antenna. A 524 TAS battery supplies power to both chambers, and to 528 electronics in the same chamber, as well as in the first chamber.
The device has a cupped configuration and is positioned on only one side of the user's mouth, such that the device contacts at least two surfaces of a tooth or teeth, preferably one or two of the posterior molars on one side of the mouth. of user.
The device can be positioned on one or two molars of the user's upper or lower jaw with the device oriented so that wire 520 connecting each chamber of the device surrounds the rear surface of the user's rear molar and provides the clamping force for the appliance on the user's molar or molars, Figure 2 shows a top view of another embodiment of an intraoral appliance.
The apparatus has a body portion 442 that supports two chambers 446A-446B which. house the actuator, transducer, control electronics, and power supply, among others.
Two support wires substantially 'in the shape of C 444A and 444B allow the appliance to be attached over the user's dental arch, around curved regions' 25 448 and to be attached.
The C-shaped wire 444A or 444B provides a spring force to the actuator to keep it attached to the teeth.
The wire material 7 can be stainless steel or nitinol, among
M others.
The inventor discovered that The intraoral sound transmission apparatus of the present invention, when designed with certain specific parameters, confers certain advantages over the apparatus and the user as discussed above and immediately below, specifically, the encapsulation of the——mpeeQee .——] | intraoral sound transmission apparatus of the present invention 'contains a form factor that is optimized for prolonged intraoral use 1 to improve the user's comfort, safety, speech and appearance without impediment when using the apparatus.
More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the TA appliance is designed and manufactured in such a way that it conforms to one or more of the conditions specified in the table below: 'Table Side Buccal Di - -: = Ten ESP eci Effect Observations are fictionalized Anything above 6mm will be uncomfortable, | since the width is greater "than the natural cavity between Larqu- the buccal surface of the teeth and Ta Confor- the cheek.
In addition, during ra / to, a prolonged period of use, the Espes- =: surface friction appliance sura 6 mm ou = À aood: (buccal less tation, will irritate the tissue, causing the bulging and tissue damage.
Beyond ! In addition, this dimension in most Boche-Ada 2 ha) cheek | of individuals will cause the cheek to bulge, which is aesthetically undesirable.
Finally, it will obstruct the flow. saliva and food in the oral cavity.
Compri - Lengths of this dimension; above 200 mm are; 20 mm Food two (Dis- = aesthetically undesirable, one or so e: such- less aesthetic | YSZ than The appliance will be visible month - in most individuals FR sial) when the individual smiles. - Anything over 15 mm. it will be uncomfortable, since Conform- the height of the appliance, if - Height:: to, manufactured with a dimension (occlus- | 15 mm:: safety greater than 15 mm will be greater than salt- or; engi- | less ça, the anatomical height of a) food | vestibule.
It is highly desirable to limit the height of the "device and position it for the most part in the structure of the o —m — m — m —-—- smm——. -.-. º e.
tooth instead of tissue to prevent tissue damage. In addition, the incompatibility of conformity between the hard surfaces of the device. to the fabric can cause discomfort, so by limiting the height of the device to 15 mm Í or less, the risk of tissue damage and discomfort can be - significantly reduced. Curve- Tera àe A surface curvature of less than 0.5 mm will cause damage to the Confor-: and pains to the tissue in the greater surface,: Form: part of the patients during use for prolonged safety of the device due to the profile in format not 0.5 mm natural, or greater Any roughness index Index greater than 32 microns will cause damage and pain to the tissue in the Confora. : Rugosi- most patients Super - to, surface dry during prolonged use of the below Pl appliance because the roughness of the 32 ç surface will generate a lot of micro friction against light tissues of the patient's mouth.
BR Hydrophilic materials will absorb moisture, which, in turn, makes the device: susceptible to poly-bacterial growth. In addition, it will cause dry or discomfort and discomfort. Therefore, it is desirable to use biocompatible materials that. safety z = patible to have characteristics. hydrophobic hydro-ç, such as] phobic acrylics, urethane, polyester,. polycarbonate, in addition to metals such as stainless steel, titanium, nitinol and molybdenum alloys. Lin- side which ———————-- ssssssssssnsss
If the width of the lingual side of the Confor- appliance is greater than 5 mm, O to, appliance will stimulate the Largu- | 5 mm or | reflex of vomiting and will also cause less speech impediment in the user. . vomiting, in addition, a speech width greater than 5 mm will cause discomfort to the user. 'A device with a Comfort length greater than 30 mm will increase the likelihood of stimulating the 30 mm Aa to aid Compri - or reflex of vomiting in most of the users and may even vomit, disrupt natural speech user speech and speech intelligibility.
A device with a height | Conforming to 25 mm will increase the probability of stimulating the mm; and Height lou reflex reflex of virito, in the majority less than of the users and can still vomit, disrupt the natural speech of the user speech and speech intelligibility.
Design In order to minimize the likelihood of stimulating the over vomiting reflex, the rupture of the user 's super - standard natural speech and speech intelligibility, e. gengi - general comfort of the appliance for val with prolonged use, the two comfort angles of the appliance were 1 minimum, designed to minimize the 5th reflection distance between the surface of the appliance and the curvature of the minimizer | palate.
In addition, the thickness of the device at both ends should be less than S between the thickness at the center of the device, which results in a attractive wing-shaped design, and optimizing the transition of the device. curved-palate to the surface of the appliance. Super palatal | Confor Index - A roughness index greater than surface, will cause tissue damage and pain
Rugosi- | safety | in most users during long-term use of the device. below 32 microns o ”Hydrophilic materials will absorb moisture, which in turn makes the device 'susceptible to poly-bacterial growth. In addition, it will cause mouth dryness and discomfort. Confor-; 4 ia ias Mate-metal to, For this reason, it is desirable to use biocom- riesSafety- biocompatible materials that are patentable and have hypo- | hydrophobic such as acrylic phobic, urethane, polyester, polycarbonate, as well as metals such as stainless steel, titanium, nitinol and molybdenum alloys. Occlusal Surface: Placing any foreign material on the path 1 bite will cause discomfort without food for prolonged use. In addition to coverage,: risk of this, this could. potentially cause occlusal dysfunction | . of TMJ and pain associated with TMJ dysfunction if the device is used while eating. . Mate- Provincial of | anchorage filling to stabilize the device in the distal-messial and Proemin | in locating the occlusal-gingival, the inventor: encia contor- | apparatus | found that adding Buccal / no to filler material at 7 Lin- interpr | interproximal function. gual oximal nality | lingual surface and or interpr | of the “vestibular of oximal teeth | super- increase | provides greater anchorage to the surface to improve lingual comfort | comfort | during chewing. and / or during oral
The TA of chewers tion 1 Distal Spring The distal spring comprises a | wire that | is | adapted for distal use The wire must be designed to be as close as possible to the last distal molar shape while not molar, interferes with the bite of the Form for refluxing the user, otherwise the avoidance of the appliance can stimulate the interfe | reflex vomiting vomit or damage | -rate the tooth during natural occlusal chewing. e: connect the mouth components (chambers) e. lingual - in Biocomp The distal spring connects the two NiTi,. ss and force components (chambers) of the material nn | device and, at the same time, provides Plásti- P and necessary | spring force to ensure an adequate contact between materials (name), material mate- to surfaces of the device to: generate anchoring and sound delivery. material strength The appropriate spring materials based on this application are Nitinol, stainless steel,
: AND . 13/26 diameter | titanium and polymers and / or high-strength composite materials. . * x Minor. Wire diameter greater than 0.060. Dia- | Me inches can stimulate the 0.060] Comfort | reflex of vomiting and induce thumb-discomfort in most users.
Fix the device to a minimum of 0.5 Newton | force is needed to provide the spring force to ensure | adequate to fix the appliance Force contact to the tooth or teeth and transmit force of 0.5 appropriate | sound.
A force greater than 3 a3 for Newtons does not provide Newtons | transmis | any additional benefit, healthy will instead cause sonorous discomfort to the user, due to the greater compression force of the spring on the tooth, Lo If the width of the appliance in the W shape design is greater than Less than 3 mm, it will cause the that the 3rd discomfort and impediment of z mm speech resulting from the displacement of the tip of the> tongue. 'A handle between the The location of the bridge or margin handle can have a significant impact & gum on comfort and on the 2 lals speech and place it between the margin s | TM of Gingival Comfort and up to 15 mm palatal à: palatal zation and speech Gingival margin provides the ideal balance between the comfort margin and the minimization of the gingiva Normal speech disturbance 1 caused by the placement of the incised handle on the tongue path. I overcome you
| “. 14/26 | res to connect both "+ the On the sides: eos do | 'apparatus | A format Unless the thickness of the persona; o:; Lized device is less than 0.060 inches, the shape of;' Contorn | handle-bridge / bridge must be manufactured; Comfort | to be customized to | the middle: dental- dental and palatal anatomy of the user | to provide the laugh and: 'best comfort needed for palatal prolonged use. of the user One of the safety concerns of an intraoral device, such as an intraoral sound transmission device, is the potential risk that = the user accidentally ingests the device, thus partially or completely blocking the esophagus or trachea.
To: minimize this risk, Qual - Risk of | g x, y or z dimension of the appliance either 16 mm swallow E.:: must be at least 16 dimension or more | o:; ; are appliance millimeters or larger, which is | o, P: larger than the diameter of an “clinically normal” esophagus or trachea. With this | size, the device cannot be ingested intentionally since the natural vomiting reflex will prevent this from happening.
In case of accidental (unintentional) ingestion, this size prevents the device from entering the esophagus or trachea, counters] Metallics for - charging and programming Any super-safety not Soten- Previne damage the anatomy: dental with the metal coming in. Oral to contact the super-scratch structure: dental. toothed surface | teeth to tooth Any - any super - security Doten- Prevents damage to Lin- anatomy; dental with the metal entering - the gual cial in contact with the super-scratch structure 24: ... dental. os surface: turned | teeth to the Gold tooth,; Mate- Platinum Resistance Safety, biocompatibility 'rial or' with good conduction. Plated | Corrosion 7 Shape To ensure that the presence of * lowers metallic contact is not felt or felt by the tongue and thus spherical causing pain and discomfort to Comfort | para prolonged use.
Figure 3 shows an exemplary sectional view showing the coupling of the sound transducer to one or more teeth
450. In Figure 3, a fixing unit 452 such as a retainer-type package is placed on one or more teeth 450, Fixing unit 452 can also be adhesive or 2 glue or a suitable system for fixing the appliance to the tooth
450. An actuator 454 rests on arms or support connections MO 452A and 452B, OS which are mechanically connected to teeth 450, 'In one embodiment, the actuator 454 is a piezoelectric transducer made with PZT. PZT-based compounds (Pbl [ZrxTil-x] JO3 O <x <l, also lead and zirconium titanate) are ceramic perovskite materials that develop a tension difference between two of their facets when highly compressed. Being piezoelectric, it develops a voltage difference between two of its faces when compressed (useful for sensor applications), or physically changes the shape when an external electric field is applied (useful for actuators or similar). The material is also ferroelectric, which means that it has a spontaneous electrical polarization (electrical dipole), which can be reversed in the presence of an electric field. The material comprises a dielectric constant. extremely high at the limit of the morphotropic phase (MPB- morphotropic phase hboundary) close to x = 0.52, Estes. properties make PZT-based compounds one of the most prominent and useful electroceramics. The 454 actuator is also connected to a 458 ground. using a 456 ground arm. In one embodiment, the '454 actuator uses PZT in a beam bender configuration'. rectangular, The mass 458 can be of a tungsten material or any suitable weight such as the battery or the control electronics, among others. The support arms or connections 452A- 452B, as well as the ground arm 456 are preferably made of ceramic or alumina, which allows acoustic or sound energy to be efficiently transmitted by the unit | 454. the device can be a personalized oral device. The sound source unit may contain a
20. short range transducer that is compatible with the connection unit. For example, the sound source may have a Bluetooth transducer that communicates with the transducer connection unit on the device. The device can then receive data 'transmitted by the Bluetooth protocol and trigger a bone conduction transducer to deliver or transmit sound to the user. The device may have a microphone built into it. The microphone can be an intraoral or extraoral microphone. For cell phones and other phones, a second microphone can be used to cancel ambient noise and transmit a user's voice to the phone. A noise canceller receives signals from the microphones and cancels the ambient sound to | provide a clean sound capture. The device may have another microphone to capture 'ambient sound. The microphone may be an intraoral microphone or an extraoral microphone. In one embodiment, the microphone cancels out ambient noise and transmits a user's voice to the station. remote. This realization provides the possibility to cancel ambient noises while transmitting the individual's own voice to the - actuator 432. Since the microphone is in a fixed location (compared to common wireless communication devices) and very close to the user's own voice, the system can 'control the reduction of ambient noise which is important when' working in high-noise areas. '. The system couples microphones and vocal activity sensors to a signal processor. The processor performs a detection algorithm, and a noise reduction code to minimize background acoustic noise. Two microphones can be used, with one microphone being the bone conduction microphone and one that is considered the “signal” microphone. The second to SS |
- microphone captures air noise or ambient noise, whose signals are filtered and subtracted from the signal on the first microphone. In one embodiment, the system runs a matrix algorithm to
2. calculate a relationship between the signals from the two microphones. | 5 As known in the art and discussed in the US patent TS US 7,246,058, the content of which is incorporated by reference, this realization can cancel noise without requiring a specific orientation 7 of the matrix in relation to the signal. In another embodiment, the device may be connected, attached, or otherwise embedded within or on a removable oral device or other oral device to form a medical tag containing identifiable information from the | Such an oral device can be a personalized device manufactured from a thermal formation process | 15 using a replica of a tooth structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods. The electronic and transducer assembly can receive input sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds through a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other BR bone structure, such as the maxillary bone structure , mandibular 'or palatal. - In yet another embodiment, microphones can be positioned “on each side of the ears to provide noise cancellation, ideal sound location and. directionality. The microphones can be positioned inside or outside the ears. For example, microphones can be ': positioned either in the opening or directly with the user's ear channels. Each system includes a battery, a signal processor, a transmitter, all of which can be placed in an encapsulation that fits over the ear, which rests behind the ear between the ear and the skull, or alternatively can be positioned in the CO shell ——————————— | heard.
The transmitter is connected to a wire / antenna which, in turn, is connected to the microphone.
Each transmitter transmits information to a receiver that activates a transducer that is powered by a battery.
Each side of the head can have a receiver, transducer and battery pack.
This Tao realization provides a bone conduction hearing aid device with two microphones located externally that are positioned at the entrance or within the ear channels and an oral device containing two transducers in communication with each other. the device will allow the user to enjoy the most natural sound input due to the location of the microphone, which takes advantage of the ear pin for optimal sound location (and directionality).
In another embodiment, the microphones receive sound signals from both sides of the head, process these signals to send a signal to the transducer on the side of the head where the sound is perceived by the microphone as having a higher sound level.
A delayed signal is sent to the transducer on the opposite side of the head.
These sounds will then be "added" in the cochlea where the sound is louder and "canceled" in the opposite cochlea, providing the. user with the perception of sound directionality.
In yet another embodiment, the microphone in the first ear receives sound signals from the first side of the head, processes these signals to send a signal to the transducer on the same or first side of the oral device.
A second microphone on. second ear receives a sound signal that has a lower amplitude 'and delayed in relation to the sound detected by the first microphone,' due to the occlusion of the head and physical separation of the microphones, and | sends a signal corresponding to the second transducer on the second side of the oral device. The sound signals from the transducers will be detected by each cochlea on each side of the head as being different in amplitude and phase, which will result in the perception of directionality by the user. | E - «« «sdS0ÀU— apEE— —— a — a — Ô ————" | "n" Â "———— |
In an embodiment where the microphone is mounted in the user's ear canal, components such as the battery, the signal processor, and the transmitter can either be located behind the ear or within the folds of the ear, The human auricle is an almost rudimentary shell, NA usually immobile, located close to the side of the head with a thin yellow fibrocartilagen plate covered by skin: tightly adherent.
Cartilage is shaped into clearly defined depressions, ridges and ridges that form an irregular and shallow funnel.
The deepest depression, which leads directly to the external ear canal, or ear canal, is called the concha.
It is partially covered by two small projections, the tongue-shaped tragus in the front and the antitragus in the rear.
Above the tragus, a prominent depression, the helix, emerges from the floor of the shell and continues as the curved rim of the upper portion of the auricle.
A concentric, interior depression, the antelix, surrounds the shell and is separated from the helix by a groove, the scapha, also called the helix pit.
The lobe, the fleshy lower part of the ear, is the only area of the ear that does not contain cartilage.
The auricle also has several - rudimentary muscles, which attach it to the skull and scalp.
In most individuals, these muscles do not. work, although some people may voluntarily activate them to produce limited movements.
The external ear canal is a slightly curved tube that extends inward. shell floor and ends blindly at the tympanic membrane.
In its external third, the canal wall consists of cartilage; in ': its two inner thirds, of bone.
The antelix (antihelix) is a folded “Y” part of the ear. The antitragus is the lower cartilaginous edge of the conchal basin just above the fleshy ear lobe.
The microphone is connected to the transmitter via the wire and antenna.
The positioning of the microphone within the ear canal provides the user with the most sound input
Re
| natural due to the location of the microphone, which takes advantage of the ear pin for location (and directionality): ideal sound when sounds are transmitted to the cochlea using a direct signal and a "lagged" signal to apply! 5 directionality to the patient. High-quality input sounds are captured by placing the microphones inside or at the entrance to the ear canal, which would allow the patient to use the reflectivity of the sound in the ear, as well as improved sound directionality due to the positioning of the microphone. The arrangement avoids the need to separate the microphone and the speaker to reduce the chances of feedback and allows 1 microphone placement to take advantage of reflectivity! of the ear. The system also allows for better sound directionality due to the two '15 bone conduction transducers being in electrical contact with each other. With the previous signal processing to be sent to the transducers, the transaducers are able to communicate with each other, the system provides the best possible sound location. the apparatus - may include a data storage device, such as a solid state memory or. a flash memory storage device. The contents of the data storage device can be encrypted, for security. The connecting unit can transmit encrypted data for secure transmission if desired. The device can be made of various materials. polymeric or a combination of polymeric and metallic materials using any number of methods, such as]: computer aided machining processes using computerized numerical control (CNC) systems or three-dimensional printing processes, for example, stereolithography apparatus (AES ), selective laser sintering (SSL), and / or other similar processes using the three-dimensional geometry of the patient's dentition, which can be obtained i Í
And 3 22/26 through any number of techniques. Such techniques may include the use of digitized dentition using intraoral scanners such as laser scanners, zo white light, ultrasound, three-dimensional mechanical touch scanners, resonance .— Magnetic (MRI), CE computed tomography (CT), other optical methods, etc. In forming the removable oral appliance, the appliance can: optionally be shaped such that it is shaped to fit over the dentition and at least a portion of the adjacent gingival tissue to inhibit the entry of food, fluids, and other debris into the oral appliance and between the transducer assembly and the tooth surface. In addition, the larger surface area of the oral appliance can facilitate the positioning and configuration of the set on the appliance.
In addition, the removable oral appliance can be optionally manufactured to have a shrinkage factor such that when positioned on the dentition, the oral appliance can be configured to securely cling to the tooth or teeth, since the appliance can have a resulting size slightly smaller than the digitized tooth (s),: on which the device was formed. Fit may result in | a secure interference fit between the appliance and the underlying dentition 7.
In one variation, a headgear transmitter set located outside the patient's mouth can be used to receive auditory signals for processing and transmission via a wireless signal to the set. electronics and / or transducer positioned inside the patient's mouth, which can then process and transmit the processed auditory signals through vibrating conductance to the underlying tooth and consequently to the patient's inner ear. O | transmitter set, as described in more detail below, can contain a microphone set as well as a ISS SS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
& * 23/26 manero à x transmitter and can be configured in any number of shapes and formats used: ari clock, necklace, lapel, telephone ais.
DS to A, positive mounted on belt, to ... etc. Figure 5A illustrates a schematic representation of a variation of a bidirectional communication set 14: using a headgear transmitter set 22, which can generally comprise microphone 30 for receiving sounds and which is electrically connected to processor 32 for processing auditory signals.
The processor 32 can be electrically connected to the transmitter 34 to transmit the processed signals to the electronics and / or transducer assembly 16 arranged on or adjacent to the user's tooth.
Microphone 30 and processor 32 can be configured to detect and process auditory signals in any practicable range, but can be configured in a range to detect auditory signals in the range, for example, 250 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz.
In relation to microphone 30, a variety of different microphone systems can be used.
For example, Microphone 30 may be a digital, analog z, and / or directional microphone.
Such diverse types of microphones can be | interchangeably configured to be used with O is set, if desired.
The power supply 36 can be connected to each of the components in the transmitter assembly 22 to supply power to them.
Transmitter signals 24 can be in F in any wireless form, using, for example, radio frequency, ultrasound, microwave, Bluetoothº (BLUETOOTH SIG, INC., Bellevue, WA), etc., for transmission to the set 16. The set 22 can also optionally include one or more input controls 28 that a user can manipulate to adjust various acoustic parameters of the electronics and / or transmitter set 16, such as acoustic focus, volume control, filtering, mute, frequency optimization, sound adjustments and tone adjustments, etc.
The signals transmitted by transmitter 34 can | 20 be received by the electronics and / or transmitter set 16 through a receiver 38, which can be connected to an internal VOS processor for further processing of the received signals.
The received signals can be communicated to the transducer 40, which can vibrate correspondingly against a tooth surface to conduct the vibratory signals through the tooth and bone and subsequently to the middle ear to facilitate the user's hearing.
Transducer 40 can be configured according to any number of different vibratory mechanisms.
For example, in a variation, transducer 40 may be an electromagnetic actuated transducer.
In other variations, transducer 40 may be in the form of a piezoelectric crystal having a range of vibrating frequencies, | for example, between 250 and 40,000 Hz, The power supply 42 can also be included with the set 16 to supply power to the receiver, transducer, and / or processor, if also included.
Despite the source of. power 42 can be a simple, replaceable or permanent battery, other variations may include a power supply. supply 42 which is recharged by inductance via an external charger.
Additionally, the power supply 42 can alternatively be recharged by coupling. direct to a source of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Other variations may include a power supply 42 that is recharged through a mechanical mechanism, such as an internal pendulum or loaded with sliding electrical inductance as known in the art, which is actuated through, for example, jaw movements and / or movements to translate mechanical movement into stored electrical energy to recharge the power supply 42. |
In another variation of the set 16, instead of using a headgear transmitter, the bidirectional communication set 50 can be configured as an independent set contained entirely within the user's mouth, as shown in Figure 4B. Therefore, set 50 may include an internal microphone 52 in communication with a built-in processor 54. Internal microphone 52 may comprise any number of different types of microphones, as described above. Processor 54 can be used to process any incoming auditory signals to filter and / or amplify the signals and transmit them to transducer 56, which is in vibratory contact against the tooth surface. Power supply 58, as described above, can also be included within assembly 50 to supply power to each of the components of assembly 50 as needed.
In still other variations, vibrations can be transmitted directly within the underlying bone or tissue structures rather than directly through the user's teeth or teeth.
For each of the variations described above, they. may be used as a single device or in combination with any other variation described herein, as the case may be. feasible to achieve the user's desired hearing level. In addition, more than one oral device and electronics and / or transducer sets can be used at a time. . In addition, each of the different transducers can 'also be programmed to vibrate in a way that indicates the' directionality of the sound received by the microphone used by the user. For example, different transducers positioned at different locations within the user's mouth can vibrate in a specific way providing vibrational queues to inform the user in which direction a sound has been detected in relation to a user's orientation. For example, a first | the transducer located, for example, on a user's left tooth, can be programmed to vibrate for detected sounds originating from the user's left side.
Similarly, a second transducer located, for example, on a user's right tooth, can be programmed to vibrate for sounds detected un originating on the user's right side.
Other variations and queues can be used since these examples are intended to
'be illustrative of potential variations.
In variations where one or more microphones are positioned in intraoral locations, the microphone can be integrated directly into the electronics and / or transducer set, as described above.
However, in additional variations, the microphone driver can be positioned at a distance from the transducer assemblies to minimize feedback.
Modifications of the above-described embodiments of the intraoral apparatus and methods for carrying out the invention, combinations of different variations as practicable, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims. |

权利要求:
Claims (38)
[1]
1. INTRAORAIL APPLIANCE FOR SOUND TRANSMISSION, characterized by comprising: a. an intraoral bone conduction sound transmission device capable of being fixed in a user's mouth without TS requiring any modification or alteration of any portion of a tooth or other part of the user's dental anatomy; and b. an encapsulation to contain the intraoral bone conduction sound transmission device, the encapsulation having a form factor optimized for prolonged intraoral use to improve user comfort. The encapsulation including first and second chambers connected via a bridge and fixed to one or more teeth.
[2]
2. APPLIANCE, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: a. an actuator with a cover to provide bone conduction is sound transmission; and b. an amplifier or actuator driver coupled to the actuator to make the actuator generate sound.
[3]
3. APPLIANCE, according to claim 2, characterized by comprising a wireless receiver coupled to the actuator or amplifier driver
[4]
APPLIANCE, according to claim 2, characterized by comprising a sound player coupled to the amplifier or actuator driver,.
[5]
5. APPLIANCE, according to claim 2, characterized by comprising a mass coupled to the actuator.
[6]
6. APPLIANCE, according to claim 5, characterized in that the mass comprises one of a weight, a battery, and an electronics module.
[7]
7. APPLIANCE, according to claim 2, | characterized in that the actuator comprises a Piezoelectric transducer.
The À. 2/4
[8]
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the chambers houses a power supply to drive the actuator and the actuator amplifier or driver 20.
[9]
9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge comprises electrical cables or an antenna built into the bridge. *
[10]
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge comprises one of: a wire frame, a polymeric material, a combination of polymeric material and a wire frame.
[11]
11. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a width or thickness of buccal to cheek of about 6 mm or less.
[12]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a distal to messial length of approximately 20 mm or less.
[13]
13. APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises an occlusal height for gingival of approximately 15 mm or less.
[14]
. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a surface with a curvature of approximately 0.5 mm or more.
[15]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a surface roughness index less than approximately 32 microns. *
[16]
16. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a polymer, metal or: hydrophobic biocompatible material.
[17]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a lingual width of about 5 mm or less.
[18]
18. APPARATUS, according to claim 1,
O A
———— THE ÚDÚ5 “» DSCD5ÚVDOÚÇCO.C-.CÇPVÚVPDÇN..Ç — Ç — Ô € Ç € Ç. — Ç €. $ PAeSÇSÇ € AO …… and “Ul“ “” llÔ “0ioiiéiciôôôôÃ ÃÃÃÃÃÃ "= for the sc PPOº% à'm) ..aÊ! é
RD '3/4 characterized in that the chamber comprises a lingual length of approximately 30 mm or less.
[19]
19. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a lingual height of approximately 25 tm or less. 4th
[20]
20. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a wing shape above a gingival surface with at least an angle of five degrees to minimize the space between the chamber and a palatal curvature.
[21]
21. APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a lingual surface stiffness of approximately 32 microns or less.
[22]
22. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises an absence of occlusal coverage.
[23]
23. APPLIANCE according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a distal spring for securing the chamber to one or more teeth.
[24]
24. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the distal spring comprises a stop wire. connect oral and lingual components. | Ú
[25]
25. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, | z characterized in that the distal spring comprises NiTi, S, plastic or a composite material. '
[26]
26. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, | "characterized in that the distal spring comprises a diameter * approximately less than 0.06 inch.:
[27]
27. APPARATUS, according to claim 1,: characterized in that the distal spring provides a force between approximately 0.5 Newton and 3 Newtons.
[28]
28. APPLIANCE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises a W-shaped bridge -
». 4/4
[29]
29. APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge is approximately 3 mm wide or less.
[30]
oa 30. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge comprises a loop for one or more upper incisors to connect both sides of the apparatus.
[31]
31. APPARATUS, according to claim 29, characterized in that the loop is between a gingival margin of approximately 15 mm palatal to the gingival of an upper incisor.
[32]
32. APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge comprises a shape customized to a patient's dental or palatal anatomy,
[33]
33. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber comprises dimensions of approximately 16 mm or more each.
[34]
34, APPARATUS, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising one or more contacts for recharging or programming.
[35]
35. APPARATUS, according to claim 33,. characterized in that oThe contact is positioned on any B surface other than a tooth-facing surface.
s
[36]
36. APPARATUS, according to claim 33, characterized in that the contact is positioned buccally or lingually on any surface other than a surface & facing a tooth. z
[37]
37. APPARATUS according to claim 33, characterized in that the contact comprises gold material: platinum, gold-plated or platinum-plated.
[38]
38. APPLIANCE, according to claim 33, characterized in that the contact comprises a recessed or spherical shape.
the and

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同族专利:

公开号 | 公开日

US20160323679A1|2016-11-03|

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AU2010301027B2|2014-11-06|

IN2012DN03332A|2015-10-23|

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CN102640521A|2012-08-15|

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US20180176701A1|2018-06-21|

US10484805B2|2019-11-19|

WO2011041078A1|2011-04-07|

US9398370B2|2016-07-19|

US20170265011A1|2017-09-14|

JP5649655B2|2015-01-07|

GB201016607D0|2010-11-17|

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US20130236035A1|2013-09-12|

CA2776368C|2014-04-22|

EP2484125A1|2012-08-08|

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法律状态:
2020-09-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2020-09-29| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: SONITUS (ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS), LLC (US) |

2020-10-06| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2020-10-20| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: SOUNDMED, LLC (US) |

2021-01-19| B11B| Dismissal acc. art. 36, par 1 of ipl - no reply within 90 days to fullfil the necessary requirements|

2021-11-03| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

US24826209P| true| 2009-10-02|2009-10-02|

US61/248,262|2009-10-02|

PCT/US2010/048217|WO2011041078A1|2009-10-02|2010-09-09|Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction|

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