CN101491115A - Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may include a bracket which is adhered or affixed onto the tooth or teeth and an electronics and/or transducer assembly which may be removably coupled to the bracket. The electronic and/or transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to the bracket for transmission into the underlying tooth or other bone structure.

Description

Be used to transmit the method and apparatus of vibration

The cross reference of related application

The application requires the 60/809th of submission on May 30th, 2006, the 60/820th of No. 244 U.S. Provisional Applications and submission on July 24th, 2006, No. 223 U.S. Provisional Application No. benefits, each in these provisional application intactly is incorporated herein with the form of quoting.

Invention field

The present invention relates to be used for transmitting the method and apparatus of vibration via tooth structure around mouth and/or the mouth or skeletal structure.More particularly, the present invention relates to by the vibration that the audible signal that transmits with the user receives is associated realize via in the mouth and/or mouthful around tooth structure or the skeletal structure method and apparatus that conducts sound.

Background of invention

In the U.S., hearing loss has influenced and has surpassed 3,100 ten thousand people (account for total population 13%).As a kind of chronic disease, the incidence of disease of hearing loss is suitable with the incidence of disease of heart disease and similar heart disease, and the incidence of disease of hearing loss is along with the increase at age increases sharp.

Though by using good assembling and high-quality hearing device, the major part with philtrum of hearing loss can obtain to help, have in the total number of persons of hearing loss and have only 22% to have hearing device.Singly in the U.S., current product and distribution method just can not satisfy or arrive the people with hearing loss above 2,000 ten thousand.

Hearing loss has influenced people's quality of life and mental health unfriendly.People with hearing loss is usually away from social activities, with the sense of defeat of avoiding talking and producing owing to not understanding.Nearest studies show that, hearing loss can make tensity increase, reduce and the operating efficiency reduction from reliability reduction, sociability.

Human ear generally includes three zones: external ear, middle ear and inner ear.External ear generally includes outer auricle and duct, and duct is that sound passes through the tubular conduit that it arrives middle ear.External ear separates with middle ear by eardrum (ear-drum).Middle ear generally include three little bones, and it is called as ossiculum, and these ossiculums have formed the mechanical conductive device from the eardrum to the inner ear (mechanical conductor).At last, inner ear comprises cochlea, and it is topping up structure (fluid-filled structure), and this topping up structure comprises the meticulous sensory hair cell that is connected to auditory nerve in a large number.

Hearing loss also can be classified according to conductibility, sensory nerve or both combinations.Disease that conductive hearing loss is normally transmitted by middle ear by restriction sound or imbalance cause.Most of conductibility losses can be passed through medicine or surgical operation therapy.Completely conductive hearing loss account for whole hearing loss number a less part (be estimated as, less than the hearing loss sum 5%).

Sensorineural hearing loss mainly occurs in inner ear, and accounts for a big chunk (being estimated as the 90-95% of hearing loss total number of persons) of hearing loss.Sensorineural hearing loss (being called " nerve loss " sometimes) mainly is that the damage by i-coch sensory hair cell causes.Sensorineural hearing loss is because of aging natural occurring, or takes place in music that gives great volume and noise because of long term exposure.Such hearing loss can not be reversed can not pass through medicine or operative treatment, yet, can improve people's quality of life by the hearing device that uses suitable assembling.

Traditional hearing device is to be used for the treatment of slight the most frequently used equipment to serious sensorineural hearing loss.These equipment are acoustic equipments that the sound to eardrum is amplified.Locating to go to a doctor after 4 to 6 times separately to audiologist or hearing instrument expert, these equipment can be customized according to patient's body and acoustic characteristic respectively.These equipment generally include loudspeaker, amplifier, battery and loud speaker.At present, hearing device manufacturer increases the complexity of acoustic processing usually by the use digital technology, to provide as characteristics such as programmability and multiband compressions.Although these equipment miniaturization and so unshowy, they still can be in sight, and have bigger sound restriction.

Industry research shows that the major obstacle of not buying hearing device generally includes: a) sensation (stigma) of the humiliation relevant with carrying hearing device; B) the medical circle opposition attitude of ENT doctor aspect especially; C) the value of the product problem that is associated with the performance issue of feeling; D) lack information and education consumer and doctor usually aspect horizontal; And e) comes from the negative public praise that is unsatisfied with the user.

Be developed as miscellaneous equipments such as cochlear implants and be used to have seriously to degree of depth hearing loss and be people's (account for hearing loss total number of persons 2%) of deaf person basically.The electrode of cochlear implant is inserted into inner ear in invasive and irreversible operation.Electrode is by providing the electrod-array electrostimulation auditory nerve of audible signal (audible cue) to the user, these audible signals are not interpreted as normal sound by brain usually.The operation after, the user that need strengthen usually with long-term consulting and the training to reach desired effects.

Usually be placed in the middle ear of hearing loss by operation as miscellaneous equipments such as electronic middle ear implants.They are the equipment that operation is implanted that passes through with outside wearable components.

The manufacturing of hearing device, assembling and distribution are still mysterious and inefficient process.Most of hearing devices are by manufacturer's customized production, manufacturing, to be fit to the ear of each prospective buyer.The impression of duct (impression) can be given manufacturer by distribution personnel (audiologist or licensed-in instrument expert) acquisition and mailing, to analyze and to make rigid plastics housing that customize, molded.Then, the electronic equipment (hand-wired electronics) and the converter (transducer) (loudspeaker and loud speaker) of artificial wiring are placed in the housing, and over time, after promptly common 1 to 2 week, final product is sent out back the distribution personnel of specialty.

Be used to distribute the time cycle of hearing device, that is, to the final fine tuning phase, cross over the time in several weeks usually from initial diagnostic period, for example, 6 to 8 weeks, and relate to a plurality of allocators.

Therefore, have the needs to this method and apparatus, its hearing loss for the treatment patient is effective and safe.

Summary of the invention

Electronic equipment and converter apparatus can be connected, bond or otherwise be embedded in removable tooth or the oral-cavity device or go up to form the hearing aid assembly.This removable oral-cavity device can be equipment customized, and this equipment is to be made by thermoforming process by the reconstructed model that uses tooth structure, and this reconstructed model is to obtain by traditional dental impressions method.Electronic equipment and rod changer assembly can be directly or are received sound import (incoming sound) to handle and to amplify these signals by receiver, and via the treated sound of vibratory converter element transmission that is couple to tooth or other skeletal structure, other skeletal structure for example is maxilla, inferior maxilla or palatine bone structure.

Be used for via the assembly that at least one tooth transmits vibration can comprise usually have with at least a portion of at least one tooth be the shell of consistent shape and be placed in the enclosure or on and carry out the converter of actuating (actuatabletransducer) of vibratory communication with the surface of described at least one tooth.In addition, converter itself can be the assembly that separates with electronic equipment, and can be along another surface as occlusal surface placement of tooth, perhaps even be connected to implanted post or the screw that is embedded in the following bone.In addition, converter also can be placed directly into the gingiva tissue surface near tooth, transmits by this tissue and the vibration that enters following bone realizing.

An embodiment who is used for transmitting via at least one tooth the method for these vibrations can comprise usually, the shell of removable oral-cavity device is navigated at least one tooth, thereby this shell has the shape consistent with at least a portion of this tooth, and contacting between the surface that keeps tooth and the converter that can actuate, so that surperficial and converter is kept vibratory communication.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the denture of patient's tooth and a kind of version of hearing aids, and this hearing aids is placed on removably or is attached on the patient's tooth as removable oral-cavity device.

Fig. 2 A shows the perspective view of lower tooth, has shown the exemplary position that is used to place removable oral-cavity device hearing aids.

Fig. 2 B shows the another kind of version of dismantled and assembled oral-cavity device, and this device is in the mode of protecting tooth cover and is placed on form on whole row's tooth.

Fig. 2 C shows the another kind of version of removable oral-cavity device, and this device is supported by arc.

Fig. 2 D shows the another kind of version of oral-cavity device, and this device is configured to protect the tooth cover.

Fig. 3 illustrates the detailed perspective view of the oral-cavity device in the another kind of version of equipment, and this device is positioned on the patient's tooth, can be used in combination with the transfer assembly (transmitting assembly) of outside, oral cavity, and can be by patient wear.

Fig. 4 shows the exemplary configurations of each parts in a kind of version of oral-cavity device, and this device has outside transfer assembly and intraoral receiving unit and rod changer assembly.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary configurations of the another kind of version of equipment, and wherein whole assembly is comprised by user's intraoral oral-cavity device.

Fig. 6 A shows the partial cross section view that is placed on the oral-cavity device on the tooth, and this device has via the electronic equipment/rod changer assembly of adhesives to dental surface.

Fig. 6 B shows the partial cross section view of the removable liner (backing) that is bonded to adhesive surface.

Fig. 7 shows the partial cross section view of the another kind of version that is placed on the oral-cavity device on the tooth, and this device has via permeable sac (osmotic pouch) and is close to the electronic equipment/rod changer assembly on the dental surface.

Fig. 8 shows the partial cross section view of the another kind of version that is placed on the oral-cavity device on the tooth, and this device has via one or more biased elements and is close to electronic equipment/rod changer assembly on the dental surface.

Fig. 9 shows the another kind of version of oral-cavity device, and this device has electronic equipment assembly spaced apart from each other and rod changer assembly in the electronic equipment of oral-cavity device and converter shell.

Figure 10 and Figure 11 show the additional version of oral-cavity device, and wherein electronic equipment and rod changer assembly can maintain on the dental surface via inclined-plane and biased element.

Figure 12 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device has the connecting elements (interfacing member) between electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly and dental surface.

Figure 13 shows another version of oral-cavity device, but this device has and is used to make electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly to be close to the actuating mechanism of dental surface.

Figure 14 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device has and is used to make electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly pasting the cam mechanism of dental surface.

Figure 15 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device has the changer mechanism of separation, and this changer mechanism can be positioned on the occlusal surface of tooth to transmit vibration.

Figure 16 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device has by using interlock driving mechanism (bite-actuated mechanism) to make electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly be attached to mechanism on the dental surface.

Figure 17 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device has the compound tooth fixture (composite dental anchor) that is used for converter is couple to tooth.

Figure 18 A and 18B show the end view and the top view of oral-cavity device version respectively, and this device has the one or more converters on the occlusal surface that can be positioned at tooth.

Figure 19 A and 19B show another version of oral-cavity device, this device is made by shape-memory material, and shows this device respectively and be in its preformed relaxed configuration and be in the deformed configurations that is placed on the patient's tooth when forming interference engagement.

Figure 20 shows another version of oral-cavity device, and this device is to be made by preforming material, and wherein converter can be between the biased side and dental surface of oral-cavity device.

Figure 21 shows a kind of like this version, and wherein oral-cavity device can omit, and electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly can be mounted on the compound tooth fixture that directly is assembled to dental surface.

Figure 22 A and 22B show the partial cross-sectional side view and the perspective view of the another kind of version of oral-cavity device assembly respectively, in order to allow the patient feel comfortable, and this oral-cavity device assembly removal or omitted occlusal surface.

Figure 23 A and 23B show the perspective view and the end view of oral-cavity device respectively, and this device can be coupled to and directly be implanted to following bone, for example are implanted on the screw or post of jawbone or mandible.

Figure 24 shows another kind of version, and wherein oral-cavity device can be coupled on the screw or post of the maxilla that directly is implanted to the patient.

Figure 25 A and 25B show the perspective view and the end view of oral-cavity device respectively, and this device can make its rod changer assembly or coupled components be assembled to gingival surface, to vibrate by gingiva tissue and following bone conduction.

How Figure 26 can be placed on embodiment on a plurality of teeth in the patient oral cavity if showing a plurality of oral-cavity device hearing aid assemblies or converter.

Figure 27 A and 27B show the perspective view and the end view of oral-cavity device (be similar to above shown in version) respectively, and this device can have and is positioned near gingival surface or the microphone unit on gingival surface physically loudspeaker separated with decay with converter or to eliminate feedback.

Figure 28 shows the another kind of version of removable oral-cavity device, and this device is by the arc support and have the microphone unit that is integrated in this arc.

Figure 29 shows another version, and this version shows at least one loudspeaker and selectable additional microphone unit, and these microphone units are positioned at user's oral cavity and carry out radio communication on every side and with electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly.

The detailed description of invention

Electronic equipment and converter apparatus can be assembled, bond or otherwise be embedded in dismantled and assembled oral-cavity device or other oral device or go up to form the hearing aid assembly.This oral-cavity device can be equipment customized, and this equipment is to be made by thermoforming process by the reconstructed model that uses tooth structure, and this reconstructed model is to obtain by traditional dental impressions method.Electronic building brick and rod changer assembly can be directly or are received the sound (incoming sound) that arrives by receiver, to handle and to amplify these signals and via being couple to tooth or other skeletal structure, for example, be couple to maxilla, inferior maxilla or palatine bone structural vibrations converter and transmit treated sound.

As shown in Figure 1, patient's oral cavity and denture 10 are illustrated, and it shows and is used for being assembled to hearing aid assembly 14 at least one tooth removably or pasting at least one tooth, for example, and a possible position of molar 12.Patient's tongue TG and palatine bone PL also are illustrated for your guidance.Electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16 can be assembled, bond or otherwise be embedded in the assembly 14 or on, will describe in further detail below.

Fig. 2 A shows the perspective view of patient's mandibular dentition, and it shows hearing aid assembly 14, comprises removable oral-cavity device 18 and electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly 16 placed along the side of assembly 14.In this version, oral-cavity device 18 is installed on two molars 12 in the tooth engagement passage 20 that is defined by oral-cavity device 18 being stabilized on the patient's tooth, but in other version, can use single molar or tooth.Selectively, oral-cavity device 18 can be installed in more than on two the molar.In addition, electronic equipment that illustrates and/or rod changer assembly 16 are positioned on the side of oral-cavity device 18 so that this assembly 16 is arranged along the buccal surface of tooth 12, yet, also can be used as other surface such as the lingual surface of tooth 12 and other position.These figure are schematic diagrames of version, and are not contemplated to be restriction; Therefore, the expectation of other structure of oral-cavity device 18 and shape is comprised in herein.

Fig. 2 B shows the another kind of version of removable oral-cavity device, and this device presents the form that is placed on the device 15 on whole row's tooth in the mode of protecting the tooth cover.In this version, device 15 can be configured to cover whole row's tooth down or selectively cover the whole row's of going up tooth.In additional version, device 15 is not to cover whole row's tooth, but covers the most of teeth in row's tooth.Assembly 16 can be placed along one or more parts of oral-cavity device 15.

Fig. 2 C shows another version of oral-cavity device 17, and this device has the structure of arch.In this device, one or more tooth maintenance parts 21,23 can be supported by arc 19, this tooth maintenance part 21,23 in this version can along on row's tooth place, but the palatine bone of arc 19 proximal subscribers or place along user's palatine bone.As shown in the figure, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16 can be placed along one or more parts of tooth maintenance part 21,23.In addition, although the version that illustrates shows the arc 19 of the part of the palatine bone that can only cover the user, other version can be configured to have the arc of the whole palatine bone that covers the user.

Fig. 2 D shows another version of oral-cavity device, the form of protecting tooth cover or retainer (retainer) 25 that this device presents the oral cavity that can be easily inserted into the user or removes from user's oral cavity.This tooth cover or the retainer 25 of protecting can be used on and wear tradition and protect in the motion of tooth cover, yet, have the assembly 16 that is integrated into wherein protect the tooth cover or retainer 25 can be had the people of hearing defect to use, or by such people's use, that is, these people hold by their interdental groove or passage 26 and protect tooth cover or retainer 25 remotely to receive instruction and to communicate at a distance.

Usually, the volume of electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16 can be minimized, so that unshowy and be comfortable to the user when it is placed in the oral cavity.Although vary in size, the volume of assembly 16 can be less than 800 cubic millimeters.Certainly, this volume is illustrative, and not restrictive, because the size of assembly 16 and volume can change according to different user.

In addition, removable oral-cavity device 18 can be made by the combination of different polymer or polymer and metal material by using any amount of method, these methods for example are area of computer aided processing technology or the three-dimensional printing arts by the numerical control that uses a computer (CNC) system, for example, stereolithography (stereolithography) device (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and/or utilize other similar technology of 3 dimensional coil geometry of patient's denture, wherein the 3 dimensional coil geometry of patient's denture can obtain via any amount of technology.These technology can comprise the use by the denture of the scanning of using intraoral scanner, these scanners for example are laser scanner, white light scanner, ultrasonic scanner, mechanical Three-dimension Contact formula scanner, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), other optical means, etc.

When forming removable oral-cavity device 18, device 18 selectively forms it is fashioned on the gingiva tissue that is enclosed within denture and at least a portion vicinity, enters between oral-cavity device 18 and rod changer assembly and the dental surface to prevent food, fluid and other residue.In addition, the bigger surface area of oral-cavity device 18 can be beneficial to assembly 16 is placed and is configured on the device 18.

In addition, removable oral-cavity device 18 selectively is manufactured to has shrinkage, so that when oral cavity device 18 is placed on the denture, it can be configured to be clipped on the tooth securely, therefore, the size of the formation of this device 18 (resulting size) can be slightly less than the size of device 18 tooth that is scanned formed thereon.This fit system can cause the firm interference engagement between device 18 and the following denture.

In a kind of version, as shown in Figure 3, assembly 14 is positioned on the tooth, be positioned at that conveyor member (transmitter assembly) 22 can be used to receive audible signal outside patient's the extrabuccal oral cavity, be positioned at intraoral electronic equipment of patient and/or rod changer assembly 16 to handle and to send to via wireless signal 24, then, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16 can be handled this signal and send treated audible signal to following tooth via conduct vibrations device (vibratory conductance), thereby and are sent to patient's inner ear.

As will be described in further detail below, conveyor member 22 can comprise loudspeaker assembly and conveyor member, and can be configured to any amount of shape and the form of being worn by the user, for example, wrist-watch, necklace, lapel, phone, be contained in the equipment on the belt, etc.

Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram that uses a kind of version of the hearing aid assembly 14 of conveyor member 22 outside the oral cavity, conveyor member 22 can comprise the loudspeaker 30 that is used to receive sound usually outside the oral cavity, and loudspeaker 30 is electrically connected to processor 32 to handle audible signal.Processor 32 can be electrically connected to conveyer 34 treated signal sent on the tooth that is placed on the user or to be placed on electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16 near user's the tooth.Loudspeaker 30 and processor 32 can be configured to detect and handle the audible signal in any feasible scope, but they can be configured to detect from for example 250Hz to 20 in a kind of version, the audible signal in the 000Hz scope.

About loudspeaker 30, multiple different amplifier system can be used.For example, loudspeaker 30 can be numeral, simulation and/or directional type microphone.If expectation, these dissimilar loudspeakers replacedly are configured to be used in combination with assembly so.

Power supply 36 can be connected to each parts in the conveyor member 22 to provide energy to it.Transmitter signals 24 can be used as radio frequency, ultrasonic wave, microwave, bluetooth

(BLUETOOTH SIG, company, Bellevue, WA) any wireless of Denging sends assembly 16 to.Assembly 22 also selectively comprises one or more input controls 28, these input controls 28 of user-operable are to regulate the various parameters,acoustics of electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16, as acoustics focus on (acoustic focusing), volume control, filtering, quiet, frequency optimization, sound is regulated and tone is regulated, etc.

The signal 24 that conveyer 34 transmits can be received via receiver 38 by electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 16, and receiver 38 can be connected to internal processor so that the signal that has received is carried out extra processing.The signal that has received can be sent to converter 40, and converter 40 correspondingly can vibrate on dental surface so that vibration signal conducts by tooth and bone, thereby and arrives middle ear to promote user's hearing.Converter 40 can be configured to any amount of different vibrating device.For example, in a kind of version, converter 40 can be the Electromagnetic Drive converter.In other version, converter 40 can be has the form to the piezoelectric crystal of 4000Hz vibration frequency range as 250Hz.

Power supply 42 also can be included in the assembly 16 energy being provided for receiver, converter, and/or provides energy to processor comprising under the situation of processor.Although power supply 42 can be simple interchangeable or permanent battery, other version can comprise via the power supply 42 of external charger by induction charging.In addition, power supply 42 can be replacedly by directly being couple to interchange (AC) source or direct current (DC) source is recharged.Other version can comprise the power supply 42 via the mechanical device charging, mechanical device for example is internal pendulum or the power inductance charger slidably known to the person skilled of this area, mechanical device is by motion and/or mobile being actuated as jaw, so that mechanical movement is converted to electric energy stored, thereby give power supply 42 chargings.

As shown in Figure 5, in the another kind of version of assembly 16, hearing aid assembly 50 is not to use conveyer outside the oral cavity, but is configured to be completely contained in user's intraoral independently assembly.Correspondingly, assembly 50 can comprise with plate on the loudspeaker 52 of the inside that communicates of processor 54.As mentioned above, internal microphone 52 can comprise the dissimilar loudspeaker of any amount.Processor 54 can be used to handle any audible signal that has received so that these signals are carried out filtering and/or amplification, and sends them to converter 56, and converter 56 contacts quiveringly with dental surface.As mentioned above, power supply 58 also can be comprised in the assembly 50, provides energy to give each parts of assembly 50 in the case of necessary.

In order to be sent to tooth corresponding to the vibration of the audible signal that has received effectively and with the loss of minimum, ideally, keep converter and interdental firm Mechanical Contact, to guarantee effective vibratory communication.Therefore, any amount of device can be used to keep this vibratory communication.

In a kind of version as shown in Figure 6A, show the partial cross section view that is positioned at the removable oral-cavity device 60 on the tooth T H.Can find out that electronics and/or converter shell 62 defined along oral-cavity device 60, make shell 62 arrange or be positioned near it along side, buccal surface and/or the lingual surface of tooth T H.Shell 62 provides protection can for electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly, to avoid the influence of oral environment.

Electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 64 can be placed simply, be embedded or be encapsulated in the shell 62 to contact with dental surface.In this version, assembly 64 can adhere to the surface of tooth via stickup face or film 66, but so that between is kept contact condition.Shown in Fig. 6 B, removable liner 68 adheres to stickup face 66, and can be removed before being placed into dental surface.In this manner, if necessary, can on tooth, replace assembly 64 so with other electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly.

On the next door of pasting film 66, the another kind of selection is to use distensible or expandable member to guarantee converter and tooth Mechanical Contact securely.As shown in Figure 7, osmotic tablets or expansible hydrogel 74 can be placed between shell 62 and electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly 72.After having placed oral-cavity device 60, hydrogel 74 can so that the size of hydrogel 74 expands, contact thereby make assembly 72 squeeze dental surface from any fluid or some fluids of the absorption of fluids from be introduced in hydrogel on every side.Assembly 72 can be configured to define contact-making surface 70, and it has relatively little contact area to promote the even contact of the 70 pairs of teeth in surface.This contact-making surface 70 can be comprised in any version described herein.In addition, thin encapsulated layer or surface 76 can be placed on contact-making surface 70 and the following interdental shell 62, enter in the shell 62 to prevent any residue or other fluid.

Fig. 8 shows another kind of version, and it shows electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly 80 that is included in the shell 62.In this version, one or more biased elements 82, for example, spring, preformed shape memory member, etc., can be placed between assembly 80 and the shell 62, pressurize to give assembly 80, thereby make this equipment head on dental surface, and then guarantee Mechanical Contact.

In another version, electronic equipment can be used as the assembly 90 that is encapsulated in the separation in the shell 62 and involved, and converter 92 can be retained as with assembly 90 and separate, but also in shell 62.As shown in Figure 9, converter 92 can be withstood on the dental surface by spring or other biased element 94, and drives by above-mentioned any mechanical device.

In another kind of version as shown in figure 10, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 100 can be configured to have the inclined-plane 102 that docks with dental surface.Surface 102 can be departed from the occlusal surface of tooth angledly.Assembly 100 can be pushed into by biased element or spring 106, and this makes inclined-plane 102 rotate to be the contact tooth about position 104, to guarantee the contact of converter to dental surface.

Figure 11 shows another similar version of electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 110, and it also has the inclined-plane 112 that docks with dental surface.In this version, inclined-plane 112 can be approaching angledly to the occlusal surface of tooth.Similarly, assembly 110 can be pushed into by biased element or spring 116, and this makes assembly 110 rotate about its low side, so that assembly 110 contacts with dental surface regional 114.

In another version shown in Figure 12, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 120 are positioned at shell 62, and interlayer (interface layer) 122 is between assembly 120 and dental surface.Interlayer 122 can be configured to consistent with dental surface and with assembly 120 unanimities so that vibration can transmit by layer 122, and arrive tooth with the form of unanimity.Therefore, interlayer 122 can be by making the material of decay minimum of vibration.Interlayer 122 can be made into different forms, for example, simple insert, O type coil structures, etc., perhaps even be made into the form of gel or paste, for example, denture paste or oral cavity paste, etc.In addition, layer 122 can be made from a variety of materials, for example, and duroplasts or macromolecular material, metal, etc.

Figure 13 shows another version, and wherein electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 130 can advance with respect to dental surface by mechanical mechanism.As shown in the figure, assembly 130 can be mounted on the structure member (structural member) 132, for example, screw member or simple axle, it passes shell 62 and is connected to the mesh component 134 that is positioned at shell 62 outsides.The rotatable mesh component 134 of user (shown in rotation arrow 136) or promote member 134 (shown in straight arrows 138) simply with propulsion assembly 130 contact teeth.In addition, can in the oral cavity, manually finish, or the cheek by the user, perhaps even by finishing with respect to the operation of mesh component 134 by user's tongue to actuating of mesh component 134.

Figure 14 shows the another kind of version of mechanical mechanism.In this version, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 140 can define a part as mating surface 142, are used to contact cam or leverage 144.Cam or leverage 144 can be configured to pivot 146, so that can make cam or leverage 144 promote mating surface 142 to the actuating of lever 148 that extends through shell 62, thus assembly 140 is withstood on the following dental surface.

In another version, electronic equipment 150 and converter 152 can be separated from each other, so that electronic equipment 150 maintains in the shell 62, and be positioned at below the oral-cavity device 60 of the occlusal tooth of tooth, as shown in figure 15 via the converter 152 that lead 154 connects.In this structure, vibration is transmitted through the occlusal surface of tooth via converter 152.In addition, the user can sting downwards on oral-cavity device 60 and converter 152, and mechanically converter 152 is pressed on the occlusal surface, with further enhancing converter 152 and following interdental Mechanical Contact, thereby further promotion is by their transmission.

In the version of Figure 16, another embodiment that is used to strengthen the coupling mechanism of interlock is illustrated, and wherein electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 160 have defined the interface 162 of the inclination of docking with the mesh component 164 of corresponding inclination.The near-end of mesh component 164 is extensible by shell 62 and terminate in pusher member 166 on the occlusal surface that is arranged in tooth T H.In case oral-cavity device 60 is placed on the tooth T H at first, so user's interlock downwards or in other mode to the top that presses down oral-cavity device 60, thereby to pressing down pusher member 166, it promotes mesh component 164 conversely downwards, as shown by arrows.When mesh component 164 is advanced to gum downwards, its inclined plane can be pressed in corresponding and opposing inclined face 162 on, so that assembly 160 is pressed onto dental surface, thereby form firm Mechanical Contact.

In another version, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 170 can define surfacewise passage or groove 172 to be used to mesh corresponding tooth fixture 174, as shown in figure 17.Tooth fixture 174 can comprise photo curable composite material based on acrylate, and it directly pastes dental surface.In addition, tooth fixture 174 can be configured to meet the shape of the profile of passage or groove 172, the engagement so that both can match mutually suitably.By this way, the converter in the assembly 170 can directly paste 174 vibrations of tooth fixture, and then, tooth fixture 174 can directly be sent to these signals among the tooth T H.

Figure 18 A and 18B show the partial cross-sectional side view and the top view of another kind of version respectively, and in this version, oral-cavity device 180 can define the passage or the groove 184 at a plurality of tops along oral-cavity device 180.In these passages or groove 184, one or more converters 182,186,188 and 190 can be placed with they are contacted with the occlusal surface of tooth, and in these converters each can be adjusted to transmitted frequency as one man.Selectively, each in these converters only can be adjusted to and transmit in the specified frequency scope.Therefore, each converter can be programmed according to different frequency responses or preset so that each converter can according to different frequency responses and/or transmit optimised, to transmit Hi-Fi relatively sound to the user.

In another kind of version, Figure 19 A and 19B show oral-cavity device 200, its applicable shapes memory polymer or alloy or as elastic material preforming such as Nitinols, for example, Nitinol.Figure 19 A shows first kind of oral-cavity device 200 under the configuration, and wherein member 202 and 204 is in not biased memory configuration.When member 202 and 204 is placed on tooth T H when going up, they can be deflected second configuration, wherein member 202 ' and 204 ' be deformed into firm interference engagement engages tooth TH, shown in Figure 19 B.The electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly of biased member 204 ' can be used for being included in wherein are pressed on the dental surface, and keep the fastness of oral-cavity device 200 on tooth T H.

Similarly, as shown in figure 20, the member that removable oral-cavity device 210 can have a bias voltage is with engages tooth TH securely, as mentioned above.In this version, member 212 and 214 end can be configured to crooked part, under this sweep, the transducer element 218 that is coupled to electronic building brick 216 can be stuck or be fixed in other mode, to guarantee the Mechanical Contact with dental surface.

Figure 21 shows another version, and wherein oral-cavity device can omit fully.Here, aforesaid compound tooth fixture or support 226 can directly be pasted dental surface.Selectively, support 226 can be made by biocompatible materials, for example, and stainless steel, NiTi, nickel, pottery, composite material, etc., these materials are formed support, and are fixed to dental surface.Support 226 can be configured to have shape 228, and at this in shape, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 220 can slide via passage 222, and this passage 222 has the corresponding reception structure 224 that is used for support 226 engagements.In this manner, assembly 220 can directly be engaged on the support 226, and by this support 226, converter can directly vibrate following tooth T H.In addition, under the situation that needs handle component 220 to remove, can slide simply or rotary components 220,, and can be placed on the appropriate location of support 226 replacing assembly (replacement assembly) with disengaging support 226 from tooth T H.

Figure 22 A and 22B show the partial cross-sectional side view and the perspective view of another version of oral-cavity device 230 respectively.In this version, oral-cavity device 230 can be configured to omit the occlusal surface part of oral-cavity device 230, changes the side of engages tooth TH into, for example, and only lingual surface and buccal surface.As above, electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 234 can be comprised in the shell 232, with the contact dental surface.In addition, shown in Figure 22 B, one or more selectable cross members (cross-member) 236 can connect the lateral parts of oral-cavity device 230, and some stability of structure are provided when being placed on the tooth at them.This version can define occlusal surface opening 238 so that when the oral cavity device was placed on the tooth, the user can freely directly sting downwards on the natural occlusal surface of tooth, and is not subjected to the obstruction of oral-cavity device, thereby the comfort level of enhancing is provided to the user.

In another version, vibration can directly be sent to following bone or institutional framework but not directly be transmitted tooth by the user.Shown in Figure 23 A, the oral-cavity device 240 that illustrates is positioned on user's the tooth, is on the molar of row's tooth on being arranged in this embodiment.Electronic equipment that illustrates and/or rod changer assembly 242 are positioned at the buccal surface of tooth.Not that converter is contacted with dental surface, but will be couple to the converter in the assembly 242 such as the conduction conveying member (conduction transmissionmember) 244 of rigidity or solid metal member, and make conduction conveying member 244 extend to post or screw 246 from oral-cavity device 240, and post or screw 246 directly are implanted in the following bone 248 as maxilla, shown in the partial cross section view of Figure 23 B.Because the end of conveying member 244 directly is couple to post or screw 246, so the vibration that is produced by converter can be transmitted through conveying member 244, and directly enter post or screw 246, and post or screw 246 will vibrate the inner ear that directly is sent to bone 248 and is sent to the user by bone 248.

Figure 24 shows the partial cross section view of the oral-cavity device 250 on the tooth T H that is placed on the user, and it has the electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly 252 of the lingual surface that is positioned at tooth.Similarly, vibration can transmit by conduction conveying member 244 and directly enter post or screw 246, in this embodiment, and post or screw 246 implanted palatine bone PL.Other version can use and be positioned at this structure of row's tooth down, to be sent to post or the screw 246 that is pierced mandible.

In another version, converter is not to use post or the screw that is pierced following bone itself, but is mounted, couples or directly be fixed to gingiva tissue surface near tooth in other mode.Shown in Figure 25 A and 25B, oral-cavity device 260 can have electronic building brick 262, and electric wire 264 is positioned at its side, and extends to rod changer assembly 266 therefrom, and this rod changer assembly 266 is installed to the and then gingiva tissue surface 268 of tooth T H.Structural support arm, tooth screw or post that rod changer assembly 266 can pass through adhesive, extend from oral-cavity device 260, or any other constructional device is installed to tissue surface 268.In use, converter can vibrate and directly be sent to following gingiva tissue, and gingiva tissue can be transmitted to signal following bone.

For above-mentioned any version, they can be used as single equipment and use or in practicable scope, be used in combination with any other version of this paper, to reach user's expectation hearing level.In addition, a more than oral appliance device and electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly can at any time use simultaneously.For example, Figure 26 shows an embodiment, and wherein a plurality of rod changer assemblies 270,272,274 and 276 can be placed on a plurality of teeth.Although a plurality of assemblies that illustrate are positioned at down on row's tooth, they are selectively on the row's of being placed on tooth or also can be placed on two and arrange on the teeth.In addition, each assembly can be configured to transmit the vibration in the consistent frequency range.Selectively, in other version, different assemblies can be configured to the nonoverlapping frequency range internal vibration between each assembly.As mentioned above, each converter 270,272,274 can be programmed according to different frequency responses or preset with 276, so that each converter is at different frequency responses and/or transmission and optimised, to transmit Hi-Fi relatively sound to the user.

In addition, each different converter 270,272,274 and 276 mode that also can be programmed the directivity of the sound that receives with the loudspeaker worn by the user of indication is vibrated.For example, the different converters at diverse location place that are arranged in user's oral cavity can mode in accordance with regulations vibrate, this mode for user's orientation, has detected the sound of which direction for informing the user by the formation (queue) that sound or vibration are provided.For example, first converter that for example is positioned on user's the left tooth can be programmed to vibrate according to the sound of detected generation from user's left side.Similarly, second converter that for example is positioned on user's the right tooth can be programmed to vibrate according to the signal of detected generation from user's right side.Because these embodiment are contemplated to be exemplary possible version, so other version and formation can be used.

Be arranged in the version of the position of cheek at one or more loudspeakers, loudspeaker can directly be integrated in electronic equipment and/or the rod changer assembly, as mentioned above.Yet in other version, microphone unit can be positioned at the place of range converter assembly certain distance, so that feedback minimizes.In one embodiment, be similar to above shown in version, microphone unit 282 can separate with electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 280, shown in Figure 27 A and 27B.In such version, be positioned on the gingival surface 268 or can be electrically connected via electric wire 264 near the microphone unit 282 of gingival surface 268.

Although this version shows near the microphone unit 282 that is positioned at the gingiva tissue 268, unit 282 can be arranged on another tooth or another position in oral cavity.For example, Figure 28 shows another kind of version 290, and it uses the arc 19 that connects one or more tooth maintenance parts 21 and 23, as mentioned above.Yet, in this version, microphone unit 294 can be integrated in the arc 19 or on, thereby separate with rod changer assembly 292.One or more electric wires 296 by arc 19 wirings can be electrically connected to assembly 292 with microphone unit 294.Selectively, microphone unit 294 and assembly 292 are not to use electric wire 296 to couple, but wirelessly couple mutually, as mentioned above.

At another with in loudspeaker and the version that rod changer assembly separates, Figure 29 shows another kind of version, wherein at least one loudspeaker 302 (or selectively any amount of additional loudspeaker 304 and 306) can be positioned at user's oral cavity, and separates with electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 300 simultaneously.By this way, one or selectable a plurality of loudspeaker 302,304 and 306 can wirelessly be couple to electronic equipment and/or rod changer assembly 300 by this way, that is, decay or eliminate the feedback that comes from converter is if exist feedback.

The application of equipment discussed above and method is not limited to the treatment hearing defect, and can comprise any amount of further treatment application.In addition, these equipment and method can be applied to other therapentic part in the health.Be used to implement the combination between the modification of said modules of the present invention and method, the different versions in feasible region, and, expect within the scope of the claims involved for the version of the tangible each side of the present invention of this area person skilled.

Claims (47)

1. one kind is used for transmitting the apparatus of vibration with promotion patient's the sense of hearing via at least one tooth, and it comprises:

Shell, it has the shape of at least a portion that is suitable for described at least one tooth;

The converter that can actuate, its be positioned at described shell or on and carry out vibratory communication with the surface of described at least one tooth.

2. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shell comprises the oral-cavity device with the shape that meets described at least one tooth.

3. apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said oral-cavity device is by the three-dimensional printing art manufacturing.

4. apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said oral-cavity device is by the mechanical technology manufacturing.

5. apparatus according to claim 1, its further comprise be positioned at described shell or on electronic building brick, and described electronic building brick and described converter communicate.

6. apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic building brick is encapsulated in the described shell.

7. apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic building brick further comprises the power supply that carries out telecommunication with described converter.

8. apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said power supply comprises battery.

9. apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said power supply is rechargeable.

10. apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic building brick further comprises the processor that carries out telecommunication with described converter.

11. apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said electronic building brick further comprises the loudspeaker that is used to receive audible signal, and described loudspeaker and described processor carry out telecommunication.

12. apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic building brick further comprise and are positioned at the receiver that outside conveyor member carries out radio communication.

13. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converter carries out vibratory communication via being used to keep adhered layer and the described surface that described converter contacts with described surface.

14. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises near the distensible permeable sac that is positioned at the described converter, so that the expansion of described permeable sac advances described converter to head on described surface.

15. apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said permeable sac comprises expandable hydrogel.

16. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises near at least one biased element that is positioned at the described converter, so that described biased element maintains described converter on the described surface by biasing force.

17. apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said at least one biased element comprises spring.

18. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converter have defined the inclined-plane that docks with described surface.

19. apparatus according to claim 1, it further is included in the interlayer between described converter and the described surface, keeps vibratory communication by described interlayer.

20. apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said interlayer comprise plastic material or paste material.

21. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises elongated supporter, and described elongated supporter is used for advancing described converter to head on described surface when actuating via the engaging-piece of the outside that is positioned at described shell.

22. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises the cam member that can actuate, and described cam member is configured to advance described converter to head on described surface when via the mechanism urges of the outside that is positioned at described shell.

23. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converter are along the part setting of described shell, a described part contacts the occlusal surface of described at least one tooth.

24. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises mesh component, described mesh component has the interface of inclination, the interface of described inclination is suitable for being applied to pressure on the occlusal surface of described at least one tooth when promoting linearly when described mesh component, advances described converter to head on described surface.

25. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises the fixture that adheres to described surface, and wherein said fixture has the structure of the corresponding part that the reception of being shaped as defined by described converter at least.

26. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converter is positioned in the described shell along the occlusal passage that is adjacent to described at least one tooth.

27. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shell comprises shape-memory material, has the configuration of preformed not bias voltage configuration and distortion, thereby described shell is fixed on described at least one tooth with the configuration of described distortion.

28. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shell is consistent with the side of described at least one tooth, so that the maintenance of the occlusal surface of described tooth is not covered.

29. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises the converter of actuating that at least one is additional, and vibratory communication is carried out on described at least one the additional converter of actuating and described surface.

30. apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said at least one additional converter of actuating be positioned at described shell or on.

31. apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said at least one additional converter of actuating be positioned at least one additional housing or on, described at least one additional housing also has the shape consistent with at least a portion of tooth.

32. apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said converter and described at least one additional converter all are configured to have different frequency response and/or transmission.

33. apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each converter is suitable for providing sound or vibration formation, and the direction of detected acoustic phase for user location indicated in described sound or vibration formation.

34. apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shell are configured to protect tooth cover or retainer.

35. apparatus according to claim 1, it is consistent with at least a portion of described at least one tooth that wherein said shell is adapted to pass through interference engagement.

36. apparatus according to claim 1, it further comprises:

The conduction conveying member, it is coupled to described converter; And

Post or screw, it is installed to jawbone or mandible and described conduction conveying member.

37. the method via at least one tooth transmission vibration, it comprises:

Shell is navigated at least one tooth, thereby described shell has the shape of at least a portion that is suitable for described tooth; And

Contacting between the surface of keeping described at least one tooth and at least one converter that can actuate is so that described surface and described converter keep vibratory communication.

38. according to the described method of claim 37, it further comprises:

Receive audible signal via loudspeaker; And

Actuate described lip-deep described converter in the corresponding way.

39. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein locating shell comprises: described shell is fixed into heads on described tooth and fix or be fixed on the described tooth.

40. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: described converter is fixed into via adhered layer heads on described surface.

41. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: described converter is advanced become to head on described surface by being positioned near the described converter distensible permeable sac.

42. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: described converter is advanced become to head on described surface by being positioned near the described converter at least one biased element.

43. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: the interface between described converter and the described surface is set, keeps vibratory communication by described interface.

44. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: the engaging-piece of the outside by being positioned at described shell advances described converter and becomes to head on described surface.

45. according to the described method of claim 37, wherein said converter contacts with the occlusal surface of described at least one tooth.

46. according to the described method of claim 37, the described step of wherein keeping contact comprises: fixture is pasted described surface, and described converter is fixedly secured to described fixture.

47. according to the described method of claim 37, wherein Ding Wei described step comprises: described shell is fixed to the side of described at least one tooth, so that the occlusal surface of described tooth keeps is not covered.

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