Controlling ear stimulation in response to electrical contact sensing

• US 9,987,489 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2016
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aurenar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Goodall, Eleanor V., Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Kitzan, Melanie K., Leuthardt, Eric C., Malamud, Mark A., Malaska, Stephen L., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Scheid, Brittany, Sharadin, Katherine E., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Jr., Lowell L., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US15/340,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00044 Sensing electrocardiography, i.e. ECG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0188 Illumination related features
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/02 heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5092 Optical sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/027 : Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/00 : Measuring physical parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/045 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/065 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/105 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/305 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus A61H2230/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/405 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/605 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/655 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 : with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 : using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 : with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 : Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 : Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 : for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 : for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 : Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36031 : using physiological parameters for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 : of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 : User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 : in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 : using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0026 : Stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/424 : involving acoustic input signals, e.g. by using the results of pitch or rhythm extraction or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 : Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• 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 25/70 : Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, comprising:

detecting at electrical signal input circuitry, via at least one first electrode of an earpiece of an ear stimulation device, an electrical signal indicative of electrical contact of the at least one first electrode with the ear of a user of a personal computing device, wherein the at least one earpiece is operably connected to the personal computing device, and wherein the ear stimulation device is adapted to stimulate at least one nerve innervating the ear of the user of the personal computing device;

determining, using contact determination circuitry on the personal computing device, whether the at least one first electrode is in good electrical contact with the ear of the user;

if the at least one first electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, sending a control signal from the personal computing device to the ear stimulation device, under control of neural stimulus control signal determination circuitry on the personal computing device, to prevent delivery via the earpiece of a stimulus to the ear at which the earpiece is located; and

delivering, under control of notification circuitry on the personal computing device, a notification to the user relating to the status of the at least one first electrode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the personal computing device includes a phone, watch, wearable device, tablet computer, laptop computer, or desktop computer.

3. The method of claim 1, including receiving, at handshake circuitry on the personal computing device, a handshake signal from ear stimulation device control circuitry associated with the ear stimulation device.

4. The method of claim 1, including delivering, under control of test signal circuitry on the personal computing device, an electrical test signal via at least one second electrode of the at least one earpiece, and detecting the electrical signal via the at least one first electrode responsive to the electrical test signal.

5. The method of claim 4, including determining an electrical impedance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the at least one first electrode is in good electrical contact with the ear of the user includes determining an amplitude of the electrical signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the at least one first electrode is in good electrical contact with the ear of the user includes determining a signal-to-noise ratio of the electrical signal.

8. The method of claim 1, including delivering, under control of test signal circuitry on the personal computing device, an audio test signal via a sound source associated with the at least one earpiece, and determining proper placement of the at least one earpiece based upon audio feedback.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the at least one first electrode is in good electrical contact with the ear of the user includes determining a phase shift or frequency content of the electrical signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes instructing the user to reposition the earpiece.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes instructing the user to replace at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes instructing the user to clean at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes instructing the user to moisten at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes instructing the user to apply gel to at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes delivering a text notification.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes delivering a visible notification.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes delivering an audio notification.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the notification to the user includes delivering a directional notification.

19. An ear stimulation device control system, comprising:

a personal computing device configured to control delivery via an ear stimulation device of a stimulus to at least one nerve innervating an ear of a user of the personal computing device, the ear stimulation device including an earpiece including at least one first electrode, the personal computing device including

electrical signal input circuitry adapted to receive an electrical signal indicative of electrical contact of the at least one first electrode with the ear of a user of the personal computing device;

contact determination circuitry configured to determine whether the at least one first electrode is in good electrical contact with the ear of the user;

neural stimulus control signal determination circuitry configured to send a control signal from the personal computing device to the ear stimulation device to prevent delivery of the stimulus if the at least one first electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user; and

notification circuitry configured to deliver a notification to the user relating to the status of the at least one first electrode.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the personal computing device includes a phone, watch, wearable device, tablet computer, laptop computer, or desktop computer.

21. The system of claim 19, including handshake circuitry adapted to receive a handshake signal from ear stimulation device control circuitry associated with the ear stimulation device.

22. The system of claim 19, including test signal circuitry configured to deliver an electrical test signal via at least one second electrode of the at least one ear stimulation device, and detecting the electrical signal via the at least one first electrode responsive to the electrical test signal.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the contact determination circuitry is configured to determine an electrical impedance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the contact determination circuitry is configured to determine an amplitude of the electrical signal.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the contact determination circuitry is configured to determine a signal-to-noise ratio of the electrical signal.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the contact determination circuitry is configured to determine a phase shift or frequency content of the electrical signal.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to instruct the user to reposition the earpiece.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to instruct the user to replace at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

29. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to instruct the user to clean at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

30. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to instruct the user to moisten at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

31. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification module is configured to instruct the user to apply gel to at least a portion of the at least one first electrode.

32. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to deliver a text notification.

33. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to deliver a visible notification.

34. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to deliver an audio notification.

35. The system of claim 19, wherein the notification circuitry is configured to deliver a directional notification.