METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TINNITUS

• US 20090099408A1
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Soundmed, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: SPIRIDIGLIOZZI, John, KASSAYAN, Reza, ABOLFATHI, Amir
• Application Number:
  US12/333,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20090099408A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/75 Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus are described where an oral appliance having an electronic and/or transducer assembly for generating sounds via a vibrating transducer element is coupled to a tooth or teeth. Generally, the transducer may generate one or more frequencies of sound via the actuatable transducer positioned against at least one tooth such that the sound is transmitted via vibratory conductance to an inner ear of the patient, whereby the sound completely or at least partially masks or provides sound therapy for habituation of the tinnitus perceived by the patient. The one or more generated frequencies may be correlated to measured tinnitus frequencies or they may be preset.

Claims

1. An oral appliance system configured for bone conduction through a patient'"'"'s dentition, comprising:

a first retaining portion adapted for placement against a first set of one or more teeth;

a second retaining portion adapted for placement against a second set of one or more teeth, wherein the first and second retaining portions are positioned at or along opposing regions of the patient'"'"'s dentition in a bi-lateral configuration;

a coupling member connecting the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion such that the coupling member is positioned adjacent to a lingual or buccal surface of the patient'"'"'s dentition; and

at least one transducer within or along one of the retaining portions such that the transducer is placed into vibratory contact against the one set of one or more teeth.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second retaining portions are conformable against respective first and second sets of one or more teeth.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the coupling member is positioned adjacent to the lingual surfaces of an upper row of the patient'"'"'s dentition.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one transducer is aligned along a buccal or lingual surface of one set of one or more teeth.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional transducer within or along the first retaining portion.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional transducer within or along the second retaining portion.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power supply within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a receiver within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an external programming device in wireless communication with the appliance.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a microphone within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion and adapted to receive auditory signals for vibratory conductance via the transducer.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hearing aid utilized in combination with the oral appliance.

12. An oral appliance system configured for bone conduction through a patient'"'"'s dentition, comprising:

a first retaining portion which is conformable against a lingual and/or buccal surface of a first set of one or more teeth;

a second retaining portion which is conformable against a lingual and/or buccal surface of a second set of one or more teeth, wherein the first and second retaining portions are positioned at or along opposing regions of the patient'"'"'s dentition in a bi-lateral configuration;

a coupling member connecting the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion such that the coupling member is positioned adjacent to a lingual and/or buccal surface of the patient'"'"'s dentition; and

at least one transducer within or along one of the retaining portions such that the transducer is placed into vibratory contact against the lingual and/or buccal surface of one set of one or more teeth.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the coupling member is positioned adjacent to the lingual surfaces of an upper row of the patient'"'"'s dentition.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one transducer is aligned along a buccal surface of the first set of one or more teeth.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one additional transducer within or along the first retaining portion.

16. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one additional transducer within or along the second retaining portion.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising a power supply within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion.

18. The system of claim 12 further comprising a receiver within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising an external programming device in wireless communication with the appliance.

20. The system of claim 12 further comprising a microphone within the first retaining portion or second retaining portion and adapted to receive auditory signals for vibratory conductance via the transducer.