DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF TINNITUS

• US 20130237746A1
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christian Veitl
• Original Assignee: Christian Veitl
• Inventors: Veitl, Christian
• Application Number:
  US13/785,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20130237746A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable modular devices, A61H2201/0107
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/027 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0071 by localized pressure, e.g. air streams or jets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/003 Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing
• 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: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear

Abstract

The invention refers to a device for the treatment of tinnitus with an operating panel with a user interface and with at least one ear-plug connected to the operating panel for the input of a sound pattern consisting of sounds with sound levels in a frequency of more than 30 Hz into the ear'"'"'s outer auditory canal. This device distinguishes itself particularly by the fact that the ear-plug is connected via a pressure tube to a pressure generator that generates pressure pulsations with a pulsation frequency of less than 10 Hz and a pressure difference of less than 1 bar, and that supplies the same through the pressure tube into the ear'"'"'s outer auditory canal. Thus, it is possible to provide a device for the treatment of tinnitus with which better treatment results for a greater group of affected persons can be achieved.

Claims

1. A device for the treatment of tinnitus in a patient, wherein the device includes:

an operating panel with a user interface; and

at least one ear-plug connected to the operating panel and configured to input a sound pattern including sound levels with a frequency of more than 30 Hz into an outer auditory canal of the patient,

wherein the ear-plug is connected via a pressure tube with a pressure generator that generates pressure pulsations with a pulsation frequency of less than 10 Hz and a pressure difference of less than 1 bar and supplies the pressure pulsations through the pressure tube into the outer auditory canal of the patient.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a pressure regulator configured to control the pressure difference of the pressure pulsations.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure difference comprises less than 0.5 bar.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the pressure difference comprises between 0.05 and 0.1 bar.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure generator generates a pressure pulsation with excess and low pressure relative to the ambient pressure.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a frequency regulator configured to control the pulsation frequency of the pressure pulsations.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the pulsation frequency is less than 5 Hz.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the pulsation frequency is between 0.25 and 5 Hz.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the pulsation frequency is between 0.5 and 2 Hz.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a volume control configured to control a volume of the sound pattern.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the sound pattern comprises a defined sound pattern from a program matrix.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a volume control configured to control a volume of the sound pattern.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a selection of ear plugs of different sizes.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a selection of ear plugs of different shapes.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a support configured to hold the at least one ear-plug is held in the ear of the patient.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the support is adjustable to the size of the ear of the patient.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the support is adjustable to the size of the head of the patient.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the support comprises a head holder that encompasses the head of the patient.

19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second ear-plug.