DE202014007063U1 - Device with a gear pump for audiological tympanometry - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for audiological tympanometry, comprising: - a tympanometer device (100) which has an integrated pressure pump (110), and - an ear probe (300) which can be connected to the pressure pump (110) via a pressure hose (210) and with which the external auditory canal ( 410) of an ear (400) defined pressures can be built up, characterized in that the pressure pump (110) is a gear pump.

Description

The invention relates to a device for audiological tympanometry, comprising a tympanometer device with an integrated pressure pump and a connectable via a pressure hose to the pressure pump ear probe.

Such a device is also called a tympanometer.

The invention further relates to a tympanometer apparatus, a gear pump and a construction of gear pump and electric motor for use in a tympanometer.

Tympanometry is an objective audiological measurement method. In tympanometry, the resilience of the eardrum is detected as a function of an introduced into the external auditory canal overpressure and / or negative pressure, which can be done in particular with superimposition of test tones, which, for example, evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) can be triggered. For this purpose, for example, to the explanations in the DE 695 23 306 T2 ( EP 0 764 003 B1 ). In the following reference is made to corresponding technical literature.

The generation of the introduced into the external auditory canal over and / or negative pressure by means of a pressure pump. From the US 4,688,582 A is a tympanometer with a diaphragm pump known. From the DE 603 19 801 T2 ( EP 1 466 096 B1 ), a piezoelectric pump measuring apparatus is known for acoustic measurement in an external auditory canal. In addition, tympanometers with piston pump or peristaltic pump are also known.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for audiological tympanometry, which is improved in terms of pressure generation and not at least one associated with the prior art disadvantage or at least only to a reduced extent.

This object is achieved by a device according to the invention with the features of claim 1. With the independent claims, the solution of the problem also extends to a tympanometer device, a gear pump and a unit with a gear pump and with an electric motor for driving them.

Preferred developments and refinements emerge analogously for all subjects according to the invention both from the dependent claims and from the following explanations.

A device according to the invention for audiological tympanometry comprises a tympanometer device with an integrated (ie installed in the device) pressure pump and via a pressure hose or a pressure line to the pressure pump connectable or connected ear probe or probe, with the outer ear canal of an ear (especially human ear ) defined pressures (pressures and / or negative pressures) can be constructed. According to the invention, it is provided that the pressure pump integrated or installed in the tympanometer device is a gear pump or gear pressure pump.

It is preferably a motor and particularly preferably an electric motor-driven gear pump, which is designed in particular as an external gear pump or possibly also as an internal gear pump.

There are numerous and increasingly stringent requirements for a pressure pump used for tympanometry. The pressure pump should be capable of producing both overpressures and negative pressures (based on atmospheric pressure) while permitting both continuous pumping (to create a static pressure in the external auditory canal) and discontinuous pumping (to produce a time-varying pressure in the external auditory canal) , Furthermore, the pressure pump should be quiet (quiet), hygienic, precise, compact, low-wear, non-susceptible and economical (i.e., equipped with high efficiency). All these requirements are met by a gear pump.

The device according to the invention preferably has an electric motor installed in the tympanometer device for the direct or indirect drive (for example by means of a gearbox) of the gear pump. In the electric motor, it may be z. B. act to a servo motor. In particular, it is provided that the electric motor and the gear pump form a structural unit which, for example, can be installed and removed as a whole.

The gear pump may comprise a housing formed of plastic. It is preferably provided that the gear pump has a housing formed of metal, in the pump interior two rotatable, intermeshing and formed of plastic gears are arranged. One idea is to combine a hard case and soft gears, which improves the internal seal and reduces wear. The housing is, for example, produced by machining or by means of metal die casting or injection molding. The housing is z. B. formed from a brass material. The gears are preferably around Injection-molded parts, which are inserted into the housing, ie, without post-processing. The toothed wheels preferably have involute toothing or a toothing comparable therewith, the tooth tips being flattened in particular in order to improve the sealing with respect to the inner wall of the pump interior.

Preferably, only one of the gears (active) is driven, for which purpose this gear is mounted by means of a shaft in the pump interior of the housing and the shaft is guided at one of its shaft ends through the housing wall (with a corresponding seal) to the outside. At the outwardly guided shaft end of the motor and in particular electric motor for driving the gear pump directly or indirectly (eg. Via a pinion gear transmission) can be connected. The other gear is driven only via the comb engagement with the driven gear (passive) and can be formed without shaft or shaft-free and arranged unattached in the pump interior.

The gear pump may have a multi-part housing, wherein it is provided in particular that the multi-part housing has at least one removable cover or housing cover. The housing can thus be opened for maintenance, repair, cleaning and / or disinfection. The lid is sealed with a suitable lid seal.

The device according to the invention may have an (integrated) control circuit for regulating the pressure in the external auditory canal. The regulation is accomplished in particular by a control device, preferably integrated in the tympanometer device. This is preferably a software-operated control device. The control circuit comprises, in addition to such a control device, at least one pressure sensor (which can be arranged in the ear probe, at the outlet of the pressure pump or in the pressure hose) and the electric motor for driving the pressure pump. The purpose of the control loop is to set or regulate the pressure in the external auditory canal precisely to a predetermined value (nominal value), which is accomplished only via the electric motor, which thus acts as an actuator. Valves and in particular control valves for adjusting and / or regulating the pressure in the external auditory canal are therefore not required. The device according to the invention is preferably valve-free, which means in particular a valve-free connection (flow connection) between the gear pump and the ear probe which can be connected or connected thereto.

Preferably, it is provided that the ear probe, in addition to a sonic side pressure bore (for the introduction of an overpressure or negative pressure in the external auditory canal), further at least one tone generator (speaker) and at least one microphone. The tone generator and the microphone are connected or connected by means of lines with the tympanometer device and in particular with its control device. The tone generator is intended to stimulate otoacoustic emissions that can be registered with the microphone, especially at a defined overpressure or underpressure. The evaluation takes place in the tympanometer device, in particular with the aid of the control device.

The tympanometer device belonging to the device according to the invention is in particular a so-called tabletop device. It can also be a mobile device. Also a structural integration of the ear probe in a handset, such as in the US 4,688,582 A shown is conceivable.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of non-limiting example with reference to the figures. The features shown in the figures and / or explained below may individually or in combination, regardless of the illustrated and / or explained combinations of features, at the same time represent general features of the invention.

1 shows a schematic view of an inventive device for audiological tympanometry.

2 shows in a perspective view a gear pressure pump for in 1 shown device.

In the 1 A device for audiological tympanometry comprises a tympanometer device 100 with an integrated pressure pump 110 and one via a pressure hose 210 with the pressure pump 110 connected ear probe 300 , The ear probe (or measuring probe) 300 is in the external auditory canal 410 of a human ear 400 used, the external auditory canal 410 with the probe seal 310 is sealed. With 420 is called the eardrum. In a known manner, with the help of the pressure pump 110 in the external auditory canal 410 defined measuring pressures (both overpressures and negative pressures) are built.

According to the invention, it is provided that in the tympanometer device 100 built-in pressure pump 110 is a gear pump. In the example shown, it is a so-called external gear pump. The gear pump 110 includes a metallic housing or pump housing 111 in the pump interior 117 two gears made of plastic or pump gears 114 and 116 are arranged. The as shown upper gear 114 is with a wave 115 in the case 111 stored. The fixed in the gear body of the gear 114 integrated and in particular metallic shaft 115 is through the case 111 led to the outside and with a driving electric motor 120 connected. The lower gear 116 is formed without shaft or shaft-free and arranged unattached in the pump interior and is by the meshing engagement with the upper gear 114 driven. The storage and the drive of the gears 114 and 116 can also be executed in other ways.

The gears 114 and 116 are formed with an involute toothing, wherein the tooth tips are flattened to the seal against the inner wall of the pump interior 117 to improve. For generating an overpressure in the external auditory canal 410 turn the gears 114 and 116 in the illustrated with bow arrows direction of rotation, whereby according to the flow arrows shown through the intake passage 130 sucked air through the pressure hose 210 and the ear probe 300 in the sealed external auditory canal 410 is pumped. With 140 is a replaceable filter in the intake duct 130 referred to, which can also serve as a diffuser to reduce intake noise.

To create a negative pressure in the external auditory canal 410 turn the gears 114 and 116 in the opposite direction of rotation. With the gear pump 410 Both static and non-static pressures in the external auditory canal 410 be generated. The design of the gears 114 and 116 as well as their arrangement in the pump interior 117 allows a uniform and störunanfälligen pumping operation.

At the probe outlet of the gear pump 110 there is a pressure sensor 150 , Alternatively, such a pressure sensor also in the pressure hose 210 and / or in the ear probe 300 be arranged. With the help of the pressure sensor 150 can be the instantaneous pressure (actual pressure) in the external auditory canal 410 registered or recorded, it due to the closed pressure system between the pressure pump 110 and the external auditory canal 410 generally not to the position of the pressure sensor 150 arrives. The with the pressure sensor 150 detected pressures can in the control device 160 of the tympanometer device 100 stored and / or used for the measurement evaluation.

It is preferably provided that the pressure in the external auditory canal 410 on the basis of the pressure sensor 150 detected actual pressure is adjusted to a desired pressure. The regulation of pressure in the external auditory canal 410 is from the controller 160 accomplished, the electric motor 120 for driving the gear pump 110 acts as an actuator or actuator.

The ear probe 300 also has a tone generator 320 For example, a speaker, and a microphone 330 on, over cable 220 and 230 with the controller 160 in the tympanometer device 100 are connected. Preferably, the pressure hose 210 and the cables 220 and 230 detachable with the tympanometer device 100 connected, for example by means of plugs and couplings. The pressure hose 210 and the cables 220 and 230 can be combined into a hose and cable bundle.

With the help of the tone generator 320 and the microphone 330 can evoke in a conventional manner otoakustische emissions at a freely selectable or predeterminable pressure value in the external auditory canal 410 be determined. The control and evaluation is done by the controller 160 ,

In the tympanometer device 100 typically included power supplies, memory devices, interface devices, indicators, controls, and the like are disclosed in U.S.Pat 1 not shown.

2 shows the gear pump 110 in a perspective view. The housing 111 is with a screwed on housing cover 112 educated. With 113 is a lid seal called. As shown, the housing width is, for example, 20 mm to 30 mm, the housing depth, for example. 10 mm to 20 mm and the housing height, for example. 7.5 mm to 15 mm. The diameter of the inside of the pump 117 (please refer 1 ) located gears 114 and 116 is, for example, 8 mm to 15 mm. With 118 and 119 are designated connecting pieces or hose nozzles, which are fixed to the housing 111 are arranged. Fasteners for fixing the gear pump 110 in the tympanometer device 100 and / or for the mechanical connection of the electric motor 120 are not shown.

As previously explained, the gear pump 110 only an actively driven gear 114 on. The driven gear 114 is by wave 115 in the case 111 held, with the shaft 115 unilaterally out through the housing to the outside and as shown at the bottom of the housing 111 protrudes. Likewise, the wave 115 also through the housing cover 112 be guided to the outside. The outer shaft piece 115a serves as a connecting pin for the electric motor 120 , where the electric motor 120 directly or indirectly, for example by means of transmission and / or direction change gear (eg., A worm gear) with the shaft 115 or the shaft piece 115a can be coupled. This can be done on the connecting pin 115a a gear or the like rotatably mounted.

For noise and / or vibration reduction can be a resilient attachment of the gear pump 110 and / or the electric motor 120 be provided, for example. By a noise and vibration damping suspension by means of rubber elastic buffer elements or the like. It is preferably provided that the gear pump 110 and the electric motor 120 are structurally combined and form a structural unit. For this purpose, the gear pump 110 and the electric motor 120 For example, be arranged on a common carrier plate and / or in a common protective capsule. A protective capsule can in particular also serve to shield (encapsulate) noise.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 69523306 T2 [0004]
• EP 0764003 B1 [0004]
• US 4688582 A [0005, 0018]
• DE 60319801 T2 [0005]
• EP 1466096 B1 [0005]

Claims (14)

Apparatus for audiological tympanometry, comprising: - a tympanometer apparatus ( 100 ), which has an integrated pressure pump ( 110 ), and - one via a pressure hose ( 210 ) with the pressure pump ( 110 ) connectable ear probe ( 300 ), with the external auditory canal ( 410 ) of an ear ( 400 ) defined pressures, characterized in that it is in the pressure pump ( 110 ) is a gear pump. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a device in the tympanometer device ( 100 ) built-in electric motor ( 120 ) for the direct or indirect drive of the gear pump ( 110 ). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric motor ( 120 ) and the gear pump ( 110 ) form a structural unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear pump ( 110 ) a metal housing ( 111 ), in the pump interior ( 117 ) two rotatable, meshing and made of plastic gears ( 114 . 116 ) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that only one of the gears ( 114 ), what this gear ( 114 ) by means of wave ( 115 ) in the pump interior ( 117 ) of the housing ( 111 ) and the shaft ( 115 ) is guided at one end of the shaft through the housing wall to the outside, whereas the other gear ( 116 ) without shaft in pump interior ( 117 ) is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear pump ( 110 ) a multi-part housing ( 111 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the multi-part housing ( 111 ) at least one removable lid ( 112 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear pump ( 110 ) and / or the electric motor ( 120 ) is / are fixed soundproof and / or vibration damping. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control circuit for regulating the pressure in the external auditory canal ( 410 ) having. Device according to one of the preceding claims and in particular according to claim 9, characterized by a valve-free connection between the gear pump ( 110 ) and the ear probe ( 300 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ear probe ( 300 ) at least one tone generator ( 320 ) and / or at least one microphone ( 330 ) having. Tympanometer device ( 100 ) with a gear pump ( 110 ) for use in an audiological tympanometric apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11. Gear pump ( 110 ) for use in an audiological tympanometry device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 and / or for use in a tympanometer device ( 100 ) according to claim 12, in particular characterized by the features according to at least one of claims 4 to 7. Assembly comprising a gear pump ( 110 ) according to claim 13 and an electric motor ( 120 ) for the direct or indirect drive of this gear pump ( 110 ) for use in an audiological tympanometry device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 and / or for use in a tympanometer device ( 100 ) according to claim 12.

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