EP1491070A2 - Capteur acoustique pour prothese auditive implantable - Google Patents

Capteur acoustique pour prothese auditive implantable

Info

Publication number
EP1491070A2
EP1491070A2 EP03727142A EP03727142A EP1491070A2 EP 1491070 A2 EP1491070 A2 EP 1491070A2 EP 03727142 A EP03727142 A EP 03727142A EP 03727142 A EP03727142 A EP 03727142A EP 1491070 A2 EP1491070 A2 EP 1491070A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sound
transducer
housing
incus
sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03727142A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Armin Dipl.-Ing. Bernhard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MED EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
Original Assignee
MED EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MED EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH filed Critical MED EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
Publication of EP1491070A2 publication Critical patent/EP1491070A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36036—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the outer, middle or inner ear
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36036—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of the outer, middle or inner ear
    • A61N1/36038—Cochlear stimulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/005—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers using a piezoelectric polymer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/67—Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sound pickup for an implantable hearing aid.
  • CI cochlear implants
  • middle ear prostheses which only support and improve the function of the middle ear
  • the functions of the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear are replaced in cochlear implants.
  • CI's try to emulate the typical frequency selectivity, the amplitude resolution and the dynamics of the normal ear. This restores the information processing between the pinna and cerebral cortex, which in many people with hearing loss is interrupted by a disturbance in the inner ear.
  • a cochlear prosthesis today essentially consists of two parts, which are connected transcutaneously via a wireless transmission link - an external BTE (behind-the-ear) device and an implantable part.
  • the external part contains a microphone, a signal processor, a transmitter and a battery compartment for power supply.
  • the signal picked up by the electroacoustic sound sensor is processed and the output pattern is calculated using stimulation parameters - different for each hearing impaired person.
  • the inner part consists of a receiver for receiving the calculated electrical stimulus signals and an electrode array inserted into the cochlea, which stimulates the auditory nerve with electrical impulses.
  • An improvement in sound absorption promises to take advantage of the natural conditions in the ear.
  • the social problems can be reduced by wearing the external processor part by making the cochlear prosthesis fully implantable.
  • One of the biggest challenges is the sound recording through a fully implantable microphone.
  • the first method uses a normal airborne sound microphone under the skin, which is implanted either on the head or in the ear canal.
  • the second method takes advantage of the piezoelectric properties of bending transducers.
  • the sensor is attached to the middle ear and connected to the malleus with a rigid connection.
  • the vibrating eardrum - firmly connected to the malleus - enables the piezoelectric element to measure the path of the vibrating hammer head.
  • This change in path of the hammer head is proportional to the stimulating sound signal, US 5,899,847.
  • the disadvantage of this sound recording is the fact that the incus must be removed from the middle ear in order to ensure that the sensor is fixed in the middle ear.
  • This task is solved by a sound pickup for an implantable hearing aid, in particular for a cochlear implant.
  • the sound pickup according to the invention is mechanically connected directly to one of the ossicles of the ossicle chain.
  • the ossicles are malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrups).
  • the fastening means is designed in such a way that a connection which is as light as possible but nevertheless firm is achieved with an ossicle of the ossicle chain.
  • the impedance-transformed effect of the ossicle chain enables a further developed form of sound absorption with a sensor on the ossicle chain, which records the acceleration of the vibrating parts, whereby the stimulating signal can be derived.
  • This vibration absorption can be realized with the help of a highly sensitive, miniaturized electroacoustic transducer.
  • sound sensors with a frequency range of approx. 300 Hz to 8 kHz, which is required for signal processing at CI's, are used.
  • the sensor should have a maximum weight of 100 mg, preferably a maximum of 50 or 20 mg.
  • the vibration sensor is connected to the ossicles via a fixed connection and detects the acceleration.
  • the sensor can be sensitive to the movement of the ossicle chain in any direction, for example in the transverse direction or in the longitudinal direction. Because the acceleration is recorded, the acceleration sensor does not have to be supported or fastened anywhere, for example a bone. It only has to be connected to an ossicle and beyond. In particular, the sensor can be completely encapsulated. All relative movements take place within a hermetically sealed housing. There are no relative movements between two partial areas of the sensor (as in US 5,899,847).
  • an impedance converter and / or A / D converter can be integrated into the sensor, namely into a housing of the sensor. With the help of the A / D converter, the recorded signals can be digitally transmitted to the other system units.
  • the sensitivity to electrical Magnetic interference (EMC) is significantly improved.
  • the vibration sensor is connected to the signal processing unit of an implantable hearing aid or cochlear implant via very fine and thin wires, the mass and elasticity of which are as small as possible, so that they hinder the movement of the ossicle as little as possible.
  • the sensor housing and also the connecting wires of the sensor to the signal processing unit must be made of biocompatible materials, eg titanium for the housing, gold wires for the electrical derivation of the signal picked up by the sensor.
  • the vibration sensor can either be attached to one of the ossicles using a clip or with an adhesive.
  • the sensor could also be attached to the umbo through the eardrum with a clip. This would mean an injury to the eardrum, but this should increase.
  • the accelerometer according to the invention has a sealed housing that is sealed off from the outside. Inside there is a structure that can vibrate, for example a film, a tongue (in the form of a leaf spring), a bending plate, etc.
  • the structure that is capable of vibration is preferably associated with a small mass at the point where the greatest elongation is possible can attack the acceleration forces. You can also work on a leaf spring clamped at the end without such a mass.
  • Fig.1 A sectional view through an ear, outer ear A and are shown
  • Middle ear M the inner ear I is indicated, an accelerometer is shown that is firmly connected to the incus,
  • FIG. 3 shows a basic illustration of an acceleration sensor which here has a leaf spring made of piezoelectric material and clamped at the end,
  • FIG. 5 an illustration similar to FIG. 3, but with a piezoelectric plate which is held at the end and which can oscillate in the central region
  • FIG. 6 an illustration like FIG. 3, but with a clamped-in, thin film, to which a permanent magnet is assigned, which is immersed in a stationary coil,
  • FIG. 9 a cross section similar to FIG. 8 with a piezoelectric film clamped on the edge, to which a mass is assigned in the center,
  • FIG. 11 a representation similar to FIG. 8, but with capacitive detection of the deflection of a mass.
  • the accelerometer is attached to the Incus 17. It has a completely sealed housing 20 made of a biocompatible material, for example a thin gold foil or a thin titanium sheet. Plastic housings are also possible; these are coated or vapor-coated on the inside so that they form a Faraday cage. In the housing 20 there is an oscillatable structure 22 that can take different forms.
  • the housing 20 is in two parts, it is typically constructed from two half-shells, which can be closed with one another in an overlapping or other manner.
  • the oscillatable structure 22 is a leaf spring 35 which is clamped at the end and made of piezoelectric material, here ceramic, namely barium titanate. Electrodes are attached to both opposite main surfaces. The connection to the outside is made via supply lines 24, 26; bushings 28 are provided in the housing 20. see.
  • a mass 30 is arranged at the free end of the leaf spring 35 made of piezoceramic.
  • a change in the acceleration acts, a movement takes place in the direction of the arrows 32.
  • the piezo material is deformed and a signal appears on the supply lines 24, 26.
  • the oscillatable structure consists of two thin, identical leaf springs 36, which are made of thin metal or a metallized plastic. They each have a mass 30 at their free ends. They each form a plate of a capacitor, so a capacitor is formed overall.
  • the air gap between the two plates changes because the leaf springs bend. This changes the capacitance, the capacitance signal is tapped from the outside.
  • a piezoelectric plate 38 is mounted on the edge. It is assigned a mass 30 in the middle. The mass 30 can oscillate in the direction of the arrows 32 as in the previous examples.
  • the top and bottom of the piezoelectric plate 38 is covered with electrodes, to which leads 24, 26 are connected and led to the outside via bushings 28. In the event of changes in acceleration, the plate 38 bends and supplies a signal to the leads 24, 26.
  • a thin film 40 for example a thin PTFE film 20 ⁇ m thick, is clamped in at the edge, and it carries a permanent magnet in the middle as mass 30.
  • This and the film 40 form the vibratable structure 22.
  • the pin-shaped permanent magnet is encompassed by a coil 42 which is fixedly connected to the housing 20 and the connecting lines of which lead to the outside via bushings 28 are. When the oscillatable structure 22 moves, a voltage is induced in the coil 42.
  • Fig. 7 shows an embodiment similar to Fig. 5, but instead of a piezoelectric plate 38, a piezoelectric film 44, e.g. PVDF used. It carries a small mass 30 in its center, both together form the oscillatable structure 22.
  • the film 44 has a metallization on its top and bottom, the top is in contact with the lead 24, the bottom is in contact with the metallic housing 20, via which the feed line 26 is connected. Both supply lines 24, 26 are led to a circuit 46, in which an impedance conversion and an A / D conversion take place, the result is led to the outside via external supply lines 48.
  • the housing 20 has an ellipsoidal shape, this also applies to the following exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 11.
  • the housing 20 has two shells. The separation takes place in the plane of the largest diameter.
  • Fig. 8 shows an embodiment similar to Fig. 3, but now the leaf spring 34 according to Fig. 3 made of ceramic material is replaced by a strip made of a piezoelectric plastic, e.g. PVDF. It is coated on its top and bottom with electrodes which are contacted via leads 24, 26 and lead to a circuit 46 which carries out an impedance conversion. The connection to the outside world takes place via external feed lines 48 and bushings 28.
  • a piezoelectric plastic e.g. PVDF
  • a plastic film 44 is clamped on the edge similar to FIG. 7, it is now directly accessible from the outside via supply lines 24, 26.
  • a mass 30 arranged in the middle is provided.
  • a light leaf spring 36 is clamped at the end and provided with a mass 30. It carries 30 to the mass a mirroring on the opposite surface.
  • a fine light beam is directed onto the mirrored area via a light source 52, for example LED, which hits a receiver 54 after reflection. After deflection of the plate-shaped spiral spring, the signal at the receiver varies, this signal is picked up and it contains the sound information.
  • FIG. 11 shows a capacitive accelerometer again.
  • the lower plate is realized with a thin, metallized foil.
  • the top plate is essentially rigid. If a varying acceleration acts on the mass 30, the lower, film-like plate deforms and the air gap changes, so that there is a change in capacity. It is advantageous to provide an electronic circuit 46 within the housing 20 in order to make the output low-resistance.
  • the mass 30 is in the range of a few milligrams, for example 5 mg or 10 mg. Overall, the accelerometer is made as light as possible.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un capteur acoustique destiné à une prothèse auditive implantable, notamment à un implant cochléaire. Le capteur acoustique est un convertisseur électromécanique implantable qui convertit une accélération qu'il subit en un signal électrique, et qui présente des éléments de fixation permettant une fixation uniquement à au moins un osselet de la chaîne d'osselets.
EP03727142A 2002-03-21 2003-03-20 Capteur acoustique pour prothese auditive implantable Withdrawn EP1491070A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10212726A DE10212726A1 (de) 2002-03-21 2002-03-21 Schallaufnehmer für ein implantierbares Hörgerät
DE10212726 2002-03-21
PCT/DE2003/000919 WO2003081946A2 (fr) 2002-03-21 2003-03-20 Capteur acoustique pour prothese auditive implantable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1491070A2 true EP1491070A2 (fr) 2004-12-29

Family

ID=27798043

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03727142A Withdrawn EP1491070A2 (fr) 2002-03-21 2003-03-20 Capteur acoustique pour prothese auditive implantable

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20050137447A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1491070A2 (fr)
DE (1) DE10212726A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003081946A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10301723B3 (de) * 2003-01-15 2004-09-16 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH Implantierbarer elektromechanischer Wandler
AU2004229085B2 (en) * 2003-11-14 2010-05-27 Hearworks Pty Ltd Implantable Acoustic Sensor
US7876906B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2011-01-25 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals
US8433082B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2013-04-30 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction
US8894562B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2014-11-25 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Implantable microphone for hearing systems
US20120165597A1 (en) * 2010-08-03 2012-06-28 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Implantable piezoelectric polymer film microphone
DE112011102933T5 (de) 2010-09-03 2013-07-18 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH Im Mittelohr implantierbares Mikrofon
WO2011042569A2 (fr) 2011-01-11 2011-04-14 Advanced Bionics Ag Microphone au moins partiellement implantable
WO2011064409A2 (fr) 2011-03-17 2011-06-03 Advanced Bionics Ag Microphone implantable
US9066189B2 (en) 2012-04-26 2015-06-23 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Non-pressure sensitive implantable microphone
WO2015077786A1 (fr) * 2013-11-25 2015-05-28 Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Capteurs piézoélectriques pour prothèses auditives
EP4184946A4 (fr) * 2020-12-31 2024-02-21 Shenzhen Shokz Co., Ltd. Dispositif de conduction sonore à base de conduction osseuse

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US4729366A (en) * 1984-12-04 1988-03-08 Medical Devices Group, Inc. Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing
US5085628A (en) * 1988-09-09 1992-02-04 Storz Instrument Company Implantable hearing aid coupler device
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US6629922B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2003-10-07 Soundport Corporation Flextensional output actuators for surgically implantable hearing aids
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003081946A3 (fr) 2004-01-08
US20050137447A1 (en) 2005-06-23
WO2003081946A2 (fr) 2003-10-02
DE10212726A1 (de) 2003-10-02

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