JPS62224349A - Artificial middle ear - Google Patents
Artificial middle earInfo
- Publication number
- JPS62224349A JPS62224349A JP6737686A JP6737686A JPS62224349A JP S62224349 A JPS62224349 A JP S62224349A JP 6737686 A JP6737686 A JP 6737686A JP 6737686 A JP6737686 A JP 6737686A JP S62224349 A JPS62224349 A JP S62224349A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- middle ear
- vibrator
- electromagnetic coil
- processing system
- sound
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
- 210000000959 ear middle Anatomy 0.000 title claims description 19
- 239000007943 implant Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 210000001050 stape Anatomy 0.000 claims description 11
- 210000000613 ear canal Anatomy 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 210000000624 ear auricle Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 210000003625 skull Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000003027 ear inner Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- WABPQHHGFIMREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N lead(0) Chemical compound [Pb] WABPQHHGFIMREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002238 attenuated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003094 ear ossicle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011553 magnetic fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001000 nickel titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001356 surgical procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Prostheses (AREA)
Abstract
(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔技術分野〕
本発明は、耳小骨の障害などにより聴力低下をきたした
患者に使用する、外耳道装着型の人工中耳に関するもの
である。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a middle ear implant that can be attached to an external auditory canal and is used for patients who have lost hearing due to disorders of the auditory ossicles.
人工中耳は、アブミ骨に振動子を取り付けておき、マイ
クロホンで捕らえた音を電気信号に変換して、その電気
信号により上記振動子を振動させて、音が間こえるよう
にするものである。An artificial middle ear is a device that attaches a vibrator to the stapes bone, converts sound captured by a microphone into an electrical signal, and uses the electrical signal to vibrate the vibrator, making it possible to hear the sound. .
従来、人工中耳としては、マイクロホン、増幅器、電池
、リード線などを頭骨に埋め込む全埋め込み型と、マイ
クロホン、増幅器、電池を耳の外に設置し、受信コイル
と、振動子につながるリード線などを頭骨に埋め込む半
埋め込み型とが知られている（高分子 ３３巻７月号
１９８４年５４５頁）。Traditionally, there are two types of middle ear implants: a fully implantable type in which a microphone, amplifier, battery, lead wire, etc. are implanted into the skull, and a fully implantable type in which the microphone, amplifier, battery, etc. are placed outside the ear, and a receiver coil and lead wire connected to a vibrator. It is known as a semi-embedded type that is implanted into the skull (Kobunshi Vol. 33, July issue)
1984, p. 545).
しかし従来の人工中耳は、いずれにせよ頭骨に埋め込む
手術が必要であり、取付けが大損りになる欠点がある。However, conventional middle ear implants require a surgical procedure to be implanted into the skull, which has the drawback of making installation a major problem.
また埋め込まれた部品の保守が難しく、そのために再手
術が必要となる。In addition, the implanted parts are difficult to maintain, requiring reoperation.
本発明は、上記のような従来技術の問題点に鑑み、取付
けが簡単で、部品の保守も容易な外耳道装着型の人工中
耳を提供するものである。In view of the problems of the prior art as described above, the present invention provides an ear canal-mountable middle ear implant that is easy to install and whose components are easy to maintain.
この目的を達成するため本発明は、人工中耳を、アブミ
骨に取り付けられる磁性体からなる振動子と、外耳道に
納められ、上記振動子を非接触または接触状態で振動さ
せる電磁コイルと、マイクロホンで捕らえた音に応じた
振動電流を上記電磁コイルに流す信号処理系とで構成し
たことを特徴とするものである。To achieve this object, the present invention provides a middle ear implant that includes a vibrator made of a magnetic material that is attached to the stapes, an electromagnetic coil that is housed in the ear canal and vibrates the vibrator in a non-contact or contact state, and a microphone. The device is characterized by comprising a signal processing system that causes an oscillating current to flow through the electromagnetic coil in accordance with the sound captured by the electromagnetic coil.
つまり本発明では、アブミ骨に取り付けられる振動子と
、それを振動させる電磁コイルとを別体とし、ｔ［コイ
ルを外耳道に納めるようにしたので、取付けが簡単にな
り、部品の保守も容易になる。In other words, in the present invention, the vibrator that is attached to the stapes bone and the electromagnetic coil that makes it vibrate are separate bodies, and the coil is housed in the ear canal, making it easy to install and maintain the parts. Become.
第１図および第２図は本発明の一実施例を示す。 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the invention.
図において、１１は外耳道、１２は中耳、１３は内耳、
Ｉ４はアブミ骨、Ｉ５は耳たぶである。In the figure, 11 is the external auditory canal, 12 is the middle ear, 13 is the inner ear,
I4 is the stapes and I5 is the earlobe.
本実施例の人工中耳は、アブミ骨１４に取り付けられる
振動子２１と、その振動子２１を振動させる電磁コイル
２２を備えている。振動子２１は鉄や磁性流体などの磁
性体で形成されており、プロテーゼ２３を介してアブミ
骨１４に取り付けられる。プロテーゼ２３は金属（例え
ばＮｉ Ｔｉ合金、１゛ｊ系合金等）またはセラミッ
ク製で、伝音性や装着性をよくするために設けられるも
のである。なお第３図に示すように、振動子２１はプロ
テーゼを用いずにアブミ骨１４に取り付けることも可能
である。The middle ear implant of this embodiment includes a vibrator 21 attached to the stapes 14 and an electromagnetic coil 22 that vibrates the vibrator 21. The vibrator 21 is made of a magnetic material such as iron or magnetic fluid, and is attached to the stapes 14 via a prosthesis 23. The prosthesis 23 is made of metal (for example, NiTi alloy, 1J alloy, etc.) or ceramic, and is provided to improve sound conductivity and wearability. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, the vibrator 21 can also be attached to the stapes 14 without using a prosthesis.
上述の電磁コイル２２はポールジヨイント２４に支持さ
れて、振動子２１と非接触状態で対向するように配置さ
れる。ボールジヨイント２４は電磁コイル２２の向きを
自由に設定できるようにするためのものである。The electromagnetic coil 22 described above is supported by the pole joint 24 and is arranged to face the vibrator 21 in a non-contact state. The ball joint 24 is for allowing the direction of the electromagnetic coil 22 to be set freely.
一方、この人工中耳は耳たぶ１５の付は根にセットされ
る受信器２５を備えている。受信器２５と電磁コイル２
２とはコネクタ２６を介して電気的に接続されている。On the other hand, this middle ear implant includes a receiver 25 that is set at the base of the earlobe 15. Receiver 25 and electromagnetic coil 2
2 and is electrically connected via a connector 26.
受信器２５には第４図に示すように別に設けられた発信
器２７から無線によりＦＭ信号が送られてくる。発信器
２７の構成は次のとおりである。すなわち、マイクロホ
ン２８でｔ市らえた音をフィルり２９、Ｐ Ｌ Ｌ （
Ｐｈａｓｅ Ｌｏｃｋ Ｌｏｏｐ）回路３０に通し、周
囲の音の状態に合った信号をマイクロコンピュータ３１
に与える。マイクロコンピュータ３１では、その信号に
より音が有用な音なのか雑音なのか、また音の大きさが
過大か否か等を判断する。イコライザ３２ではその判断
結果により、その音に対応した、人が間きやすい音が得
られるように特定の周波数帯域を強調したり、減衰させ
たりする。つまりマイクロコンピュータ３１によりイコ
ライザ３２の周波数特性を選択または制御するわけであ
る。以上のような処理を施して得た信号をトランスミッ
タ３３でＦＭ信号に変換し、無線で受信器２５に送る。An FM signal is sent to the receiver 25 by radio from a separately provided transmitter 27 as shown in FIG. The configuration of the transmitter 27 is as follows. That is, the sound picked up by the microphone 28 is filtered 29, and P L L (
(Phase Lock Loop) circuit 30, and sends a signal matching the surrounding sound condition to the microcomputer 31.
give to The microcomputer 31 uses the signal to determine whether the sound is useful or noise, and whether the volume of the sound is excessive. Based on the result of the determination, the equalizer 32 emphasizes or attenuates a specific frequency band so as to obtain a sound that is easy for people to hear. In other words, the frequency characteristics of the equalizer 32 are selected or controlled by the microcomputer 31. The signal obtained by performing the above processing is converted into an FM signal by the transmitter 33 and sent to the receiver 25 wirelessly.
受信器２５では、そのＦＭ信号を受信し、復調、増幅し
て音声信号とし、その音声信号によって電磁コイル２２
を励磁し、振動子２１を振動させるわけである。The receiver 25 receives the FM signal, demodulates and amplifies it into an audio signal, and uses the audio signal to connect the electromagnetic coil 22.
is excited to cause the vibrator 21 to vibrate.
上記のように信号処理系にマイクロコンピュータ３１を
用いると、有用な音を拾い易くするとか、雑音をなるべ
くカットするとか、過大な入力をカットするなど、人間
の耳が持つ機能に近づけることができる。またイコライ
ザを使用すると特定の周波数帯域を自由に強調したり、
減衰させたりできるため、使用者各人の耳の状態や好み
に合った音を得ることができる。By using the microcomputer 31 in the signal processing system as described above, it is possible to make it easier to pick up useful sounds, cut noise as much as possible, and cut excessive input, making it possible to approximate the functions of the human ear. . You can also use an equalizer to freely emphasize specific frequency bands,
Since it can be attenuated, it is possible to obtain a sound that suits each user's ear condition and preference.
以上は本発明の実施例であり、本発明はこれに限られる
ものではなく、次のような実施態様も含むものである。The above are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, but also includes the following embodiments.
電磁コイルにマグネットを付加してパワーを増大させ、
低音も出せるようにしたもの。Adding a magnet to the electromagnetic coil increases power,
One that can also produce low tones.
電磁コイルと振動子を接触させた状態で音を伝達するよ
うにしたもの。A device that transmits sound when an electromagnetic coil and a vibrator are in contact.
信号処理系には無線を用いず、耳たぶの付は根または外
耳道内に信号処理系のすべてを納めたもの。例えば信号
処理系をマイクロホンと増Ｉ喘器から構成したもの。The signal processing system does not use radio, and the entire signal processing system is housed in the root of the earlobe or in the ear canal. For example, the signal processing system consists of a microphone and an intensifier.
以上説明したように本発明の人工中耳は、アブミ骨に取
り付ける振動子と、それを振動させる電磁コイルとを別
体とし、振動子をアブミ骨に取り付けた後、電磁コイル
を外耳道に納められるようにしであるので、取付けがき
わめて容易であり、保守も簡単に行える。また電磁コイ
ルと内耳は直接つながらないので、安全性が高いという
利点もある。As explained above, in the middle ear implant of the present invention, the vibrator attached to the stapes and the electromagnetic coil for vibrating the vibrator are separate bodies, and after the vibrator is attached to the stapes, the electromagnetic coil is placed in the external auditory canal. This makes installation extremely easy and maintenance easy. Another advantage is that it is highly safe because the electromagnetic coil and the inner ear are not directly connected.
第１図は本発明の一実施例に係る人工中耳の使用状態を
示す斜視図、第２図は同人工中耳の要部を示す斜視図、
第３図は本発明の他の実施例に係る人工中耳の要部を示
す斜視図、第４図は本発明の人工中耳に用いられる信号
処理系の一例を示すブロック図である。
１１〜外耳道、１２〜中耳、１４〜アブミ骨、２１〜振
動子、２２〜電磁コイル、２４〜ボールジヨイント、２
５〜受信器、２６〜コネクタ、２７〜発信器、２８〜マ
イクロホン、３１〜マイクロコンピユータ、３２〜イコ
ライザ。
第１図FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the state of use of a middle ear implant according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing main parts of the middle ear implant,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing essential parts of a middle ear implant according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a signal processing system used in the middle ear implant of the present invention. 11 - external auditory canal, 12 - middle ear, 14 - stapes, 21 - vibrator, 22 - electromagnetic coil, 24 - ball joint, 2
5 - Receiver, 26 - Connector, 27 - Transmitter, 28 - Microphone, 31 - Microcomputer, 32 - Equalizer. Figure 1
Claims (3)
と、外耳道に納められ、上記振動子を非接触または接触
状態で振動させる電磁コイルと、マイクロホンで捕らえ
た音に応じた振動電流を上記電磁コイルに流す信号処理
系とを備えたことを特徴とする人工中耳。(1) A vibrator made of a magnetic material that is attached to the stapes; an electromagnetic coil that is housed in the ear canal and vibrates the vibrator in a non-contact or contact state; An artificial middle ear characterized by being equipped with a signal processing system that sends signals to a coil.
信号処理系に、特定の周波数帯域の音を強調、減衰させ
るイコライザを設けたもの。(2) The middle ear implant according to claim 1,
A signal processing system equipped with an equalizer that emphasizes or attenuates sounds in specific frequency bands.
信号処理系に、有用音と雑音の判断および音の大きさの
判断をするマイクロコンピュータと、その判断結果に基
づいて特定の周波数帯域の音を強調、減衰させるイコラ
イザとを設けたもの。(3) The middle ear implant according to claim 1,
A signal processing system equipped with a microcomputer that determines useful sound and noise and the loudness of the sound, and an equalizer that emphasizes or attenuates sounds in specific frequency bands based on the results of these determinations.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP6737686A JPS62224349A (en) | 1986-03-27 | 1986-03-27 | Artificial middle ear |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP6737686A JPS62224349A (en) | 1986-03-27 | 1986-03-27 | Artificial middle ear |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS62224349A true JPS62224349A (en) | 1987-10-02 |
Family
ID=13343230
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP6737686A Pending JPS62224349A (en) | 1986-03-27 | 1986-03-27 | Artificial middle ear |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS62224349A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH10512116A (en) * | 1994-12-29 | 1998-11-17 | デシベル インストルメンツ インコーポレイテッド | Hearing device with articulated structure |
| JP2000308198A (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2000-11-02 | Gm & M:Kk | Hearing and |
| US7676372B1 (en) | 1999-02-16 | 2010-03-09 | Yugen Kaisha Gm&M | Prosthetic hearing device that transforms a detected speech into a speech of a speech form assistive in understanding the semantic meaning in the detected speech |
-
1986
- 1986-03-27 JP JP6737686A patent/JPS62224349A/en active Pending
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH10512116A (en) * | 1994-12-29 | 1998-11-17 | デシベル インストルメンツ インコーポレイテッド | Hearing device with articulated structure |
| JP2000308198A (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2000-11-02 | Gm & M:Kk | Hearing and |
| US7676372B1 (en) | 1999-02-16 | 2010-03-09 | Yugen Kaisha Gm&M | Prosthetic hearing device that transforms a detected speech into a speech of a speech form assistive in understanding the semantic meaning in the detected speech |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| NL192973C (en) | Implantable electromagnetic hearing aid with middle ear bone conduction. | |
| CA2642095C (en) | Bone conductive devices for improving hearing | |
| US7043040B2 (en) | Hearing aid apparatus | |
| US5015225A (en) | Implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device | |
| US6084975A (en) | Promontory transmitting coil and tympanic membrane magnet for hearing devices | |
| US4957478A (en) | Partially implantable hearing aid device | |
| US4776322A (en) | Implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device | |
| US5015224A (en) | Partially implantable hearing aid device | |
| US8285384B2 (en) | Implantable medical devices with multiple transducers | |
| Yanagihara et al. | Development of an implantable hearing aid using a piezoelectric vibrator of bimorph design: state of the art | |
| US4850962A (en) | Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing | |
| GB2176078A (en) | Direct bone conduction hearing aid | |
| Maniglia et al. | Electromagnetic implantable middle ear hearing device of the ossicular-stimulating type: principles, designs, and experiments | |
| US7266209B1 (en) | Cochlear implants with a stimulus in the human ultrasonic range and method for stimulating a cochlea | |
| Håkansson et al. | Percutaneous vs. transcutaneous transducers for hearing by direct bone conduction | |
| JPS62224349A (en) | Artificial middle ear | |
| Maniglia et al. | The middle bioelectronic microphone for a totally implantable cochlear hearing device for profound and total hearing loss | |
| JPH0763494B2 (en) | Implantable electromagnetic middle ear conduction type hearing aid | |
| JP2507418Y2 (en) | Hearing aid | |
| Yoon et al. | Design of a signal processing module with various filters characteristics for fully implantable middle ear hearing devices | |
| HAMANISHI et al. | Development of a non-implantable electromagnetic hearing aid |