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Title:
A DEVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2024/076312
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention is a device (A) for the hearing impaired and characterised in that it comprise the central control unit (2), which contains an amplifier (214) to be used to increase the amplitude of the audio signal received from the outside without disturbing its frequency, and is configured to filter, process and transfer the received electrical signal to the output, the electrical signals collected from the said central control unit (2), behind the auricle. It contains at least one collector earphone (4) to be transmitted and a photosynthetic tube (5) that contains a bacterial culture (5.2) and enables the biological conversion of the sent electrical signals into chemical signals.

Inventors:
AYDEMIR OGUZHAN (TR)
Application Number:
PCT/TR2022/051073
Publication Date:
April 11, 2024
Filing Date:
October 02, 2022
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NEW SENSES UZAY TEKNOLOJI VE SAGLIK ARASTIRMALARI ANONIM SIRKETI (TR)
International Classes:
H04R25/00; A61F11/04
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GULEC, Yavuz (TR)
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Claims:
CLAIMS 1. The invention is a device (A) comprising at least one microphone (1), a central control unit (2) which processes the electrical input signals (111) received from the said microphone, at least one motion sensor (113) connected to the said 5 control unit (2) and a battery (215) in order to enable the hearing impaired and those with hearing problems to hear and increase their perception abilities by giving the same reactions to the same effects as the grey hairs in the middle ear structure without the need for surgery, is characterized in that it comprises; - central control unit (2) configured to filter, process and output the received electrical signal, including an amplifier (214) to be used to increase the amplitude of the externally received audio signal without distorting its frequency, - output stimuli (3) comprising a plurality of vibration motors (312) positioned in opposite directions to react according to the sound received from the environment, - at least one collector headset (4) for transmission behind the auricle of the electrical signals collected from said central control unit (2), - a photosynthetic tube (5), containing a bacterial culture (5.2) and enabling the biological conversion of the electrical signals sent into chemical signals. 2. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a photosynthetic tube (5) comprising a silicone body (5.1) having at least one cavity (5.3) in which said bacterial culture (5.2) is positioned, said cavity (5.3) having a channel (5.4) joining said cavity (5.3) in the form of a narrow channel. 3. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a photosynthetic tube (5) which is placed in such a way that said bacterial culture (5.2) adheres to the cavity (5.3) or eardrum of the silicone body (5.1) cavity (5.3), which is harmless to human health, and said bacterial culture (5.2) by-passes the grey hairs and increases the data transmission to the nerves. 4. The device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a sensor motion sensor (112) whose data is read by gestures and movements of the hearing impaired. 5. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a collecting headset (4) in which the sound is received by means of said microphone (1) and processed in the central processing unit (2) to provide a suitable signal, the signal being transmitted by means of a bluetooth transmitter 5 (313). 6. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a vibration motor (312) by means of which a suitable signal is transmitted to the user in the form of Morse code after its acquisition. 7. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises at least one capacitive screen (311), wherein the appropriate signal is transmitted to the user in Morse code format by at least one vibration motor (312) following acquisition of the appropriate signal, and wherein visual stimulation is provided. 8. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a microprocessor (211) capable of processing sign language-specific movements captured by said at least one motion sensor (113) and reflecting them as text on a capacitive screen (311). 9. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a bluetooth transmitter (313) located in a central control unit (2) and a bluetooth receiver (415) located in a collector headset (4). 10. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises an automatic volume control system (413) and a speech recognition system (414), wherein the processed voice signals are regulated and transmitted. 11. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises a central control unit (2) which modulates said sounds, a bluetooth transmitter (313) and an oscillator (411) which receives the sounds as electrical signals and transmits the desired amount of electrical signals to the photosynthetic tube (5) through the ear canal. 12. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises an RF receiver (212) for generating and transmitting to a central control unit (2) coded electrical signals of such length as to provide natural overlap for each note. 13. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises an RF transmitter (213) for transmitting radio signals. 5 14. It is a device (A) according to claim 1, and it is characterised in that it comprises an amplifier (214) for increasing the amplitude of an external audio signal without distorting its frequency.
Description:
DESCRIPTION A DEVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED Technical Field This invention relates to a device that allows the hearing impaired and those with 5 hearing problems to hear without the need for cochlear implant technology and surgery, using a bacterial culture that reacts to the same effects as the grey hairs in the middle ear structure, and to increase the perception abilities of those with hearing problems. Prior Art Hearing impaired individuals can hear with "cochlear implant" surgery if their middle ear 10 structures are appropriate and they have no problems with the hearing part of the brain. However, the operation applied does not have the qualities that can enable disabled people to hear for the rest of their lives. With the operation, a conductor extending from behind the ear periphery to the middle ear is placed. This conductor causes the development of contraindications in the middle ear. The amplitude amplification systems 15 used in conventional hearing aids do not function at high levels of hearing loss and are completely ineffective at different levels of hearing loss. In the patent search conducted in relation to the prior art, patent number WO9641498A1; A hearing aid or voice communication system includes an earphone that can be hidden in the ear canal and communicates wirelessly with a remote 20 processor unit or RPU, improves sound signals and can be hidden under clothing. Sounds from the environment are picked up by a microphone in the headset and, together with other information, are sent to the RPU over a two-way wireless link. The wireless link uses microwaves for component miniaturisation. Furthermore, the use of radar technology to implement wireless connectivity with an RPU interrogator and 25 headset transponder reduces headset size and power as no microwave oscillator is required in the headset. Optional secondary wireless link circuitry is available between the RPU and a cellular telephone system or other information sources. In application NL8300345A; providing alerts to wristbands on users using radio waves. When the wristband is directly connected to the device sending the warning via radio 30 waves, the incoming warning signal is deactivated by a button on the wristband. Thus, the device is stopped by the wristband without going near the device sending the warning. The invention in question relates to the deactivation of a special device by means of a wristband, rather than facilitating the life of the hearing impaired and enabling them to perceive the warnings in the environment. In the Chinese patent numbered CN202183144U; only the warnings coming from the 5 environment with radio waves are provided to the mentioned wristband with vibration and a single lamp. As a result, due to the negativities described above and the inadequacy of the existing solutions on the subject, it is necessary to develop an integrated system that will enable hearing impaired individuals to communicate, protect them against environmental stimuli and dangers, support their educational processes 10 and develop their social aspects and discover talents such as music. Invention Disclosure The object of the invention is that all the parts that make up the sound frequencies of the device work together and the bacterial culture in the device responds to the same effects as the grey hairs in the middle ear structure to the signal sent and the sound 15 collected by the auricle. The object of the invention is to provide the hearing of people whose grey hairs cannot be bypassed by providing electrical-chemical transformation in the device called photosynthetic tube and providing intra-aural pathway and intra-bone and intra-bone conduction systems. 20 Another object of the invention is to create stimuli that will enable individuals with hearing problems to be protected against environmental factors, to allow them to feel rhythmic sounds such as music, etc., and to make it possible to play instruments such as piano by distinguishing notes. The object of the invention is to provide the hearing of hearing impaired individuals with 25 pathological particle concentrations by transmitting vibrations in 22% water-based conductive solutions. The object of the invention relates to an integrated device covering all stages of education starting from pre-school period, interpreting sounds and sign language gestures, recognising the current national educational curriculum, interacting with 30 mobile devices, computers and smartphones. Another object of the invention is to deliver the sound waves, the intensity of which is adjusted with a system capable of collecting sound frequencies and amplifying the intensity of the collected sound waves, to the middle ear or another desired region by bone conduction. 5 Another objective of the invention is to produce solutions that facilitate the lives of the hearing impaired with a mobile interpretation wristband that can communicate with people who are medically unable to hear. Another object of the invention is to interpret the sound frequencies within 5 km2 for satellite-free communication and to provide reference information by collecting them at 10 the desired centre. Figures to Help Understanding the Invention Figure-1; Close-up perspective view of the invention device. Figure-2; Two dimensional front view of the invention device. Figure-3; Close-up view of the photosynthetic tube. 15 Part Numbers A. Device 1: Microphone 111: Input Signals 20 112: Motion Sensor 113: Motion Sensor 2: Central Control Unit 211: Unit Microprocessor 212: RF Receiver 25 213: RF Transmitter 214: Amplifier 215: Battery 3: Output Stimuli 311: Capacitive Screen 312: Vibration Motors 313: Bluetooth transmitter 4: Collector Headset 411: Oscillator 5 412: Programmable digital processor 413: Automatic volume control system 414: Recognition system 415: Bluetooth receiver 5: Photosynthetic Tube 10 5.1 Silicone body 5.2 Bacteria culture 5.3 Cavity 5.4 Channel 15 Detailed Description of the Invention With the invention; A device (A) is presented to enable the hearing impaired and those with hearing problems to hear without the need for cochlear implant technology and surgery, by using a bacterial culture that gives the same reactions to the same effects as the gray hairs in the middle ear structure, and to increase the perception abilities of 20 those with hearing problems. The warning signals mentioned include all sounds such as horns, engines, etc. and live sounds, which are caused by environmental factors and can be encountered at any time in nature. The central control unit (2), which modulates the aforementioned sounds, transmits the 25 desired amount of electrical signals to the photosynthetic tube (5) through the ear canal by means of the oscillator (411) of the collector headset (4), which receives the sounds as electrical signals with the bluetooth transmitter (313). The headset (4) also contains a programmable digital processor (412). Sound waves in the range of 20-1000 Kc. are capable of breaking down bacterial cells. The signals transmitted to the photosynthetic 30 tube (5) are generated in this scale range. Furthermore, ultrasonic vibrations lead to depolymerisation of macromolecules and intramolecular organisations within the cell. Some bacteria, such as staphylococci, are resistant to ultrasonic vibrations. In response to this resistance, electrical signalling and some chemical translations take place. The photosynthetic tube (5) consists of two parts. The first part is the silicone body covering 5 the core (5.1), the second part is the cavity in which the bacterial culture is placed (5.3). An amplifier (214) to be used to increase the amplitude of the sound signal received from outside without distorting its frequency, a central control unit (2) to be used to filter, process and transfer the received electrical signal to the output, and a collector headset (4) to transmit the electrical signals collected from the central control unit (2) to the back 10 of the auricle are included in the system. On the other hand, it contains 4 vibration motors (312) positioned in opposite directions to react according to the sound received from the environment, at least one motion sensor (113) to be used for the identification and interpretation of the international standard sign language, and a capacitive screen (311) to work on the android interface 15 in order to give the system a different quality. It also includes a capacitive screen (311) to warn the user via the interface according to the signal transferred to the output, at least one button for access to switch between menus and settings via the interface, and a battery (215) to provide power to all components to be used. 20 As the frequency of ultrasonic waves increases, the disintegrating effect increases. Sound waves passing through the liquid exposed to ultrasonic sound or intentionally exposed to ultrasonic sound create cavities with a diameter of 7-12 micrometres. These cavities collapse and become strong enough to break down the cell wall of the bacteria. Some physical and chemical changes take place in the collapsed fluid. At the moment 25 of resistance encountered by these changes and the power generated, the reaction of the bacterial cell causes the same reaction and electrical signals as the reaction of the grey hairs in the middle ear to sound frequencies. The part described as a photosynthetic tube (5) within the invention provides the hearing of the hearing impaired whose grey hairs cannot be bypassed, by feeding the 30 system components and performing the necessary sound amplification processes. The photosynthetic tube (5) consists of a silicone body (5.1) containing a bacterial culture (5.2), a cavity (5.3) in which the bacterial culture (5.2) is positioned and a channel (5.4) that connects with this cavity (5.3). Reinforces the response of grey hairs to sound stimuli. Horn, vehicle and human sounds are the most common stimuli encountered in social life. Four oppositely positioned vibration motors (312) in the system developed for 5 hearing impaired individuals to perceive these warnings create vibration according to the directional information of the sound received from four microphones (1) and enable the user to draw attention to the direction of the stimulus. At the same time, it is aimed to warn the user by the capacitive screen (311). The system includes the detection of the internationally recognised sign language by 10 means of motion sensors (113) and the display of the translated sign language on the capacitive screen (311). At the same time, it is aimed to notify the user of the signs that can be selected by the user in the form of Morse code with vibration motors (312). In addition to Morse code, it is also possible to communicate with the vibration language method. 15 For student users, the system, which can be integrated with smart boards in schools, is connected to the smart board via bluetooth receiver (415), and it is aimed to display the lesson note opened by the teacher instantly on the capacitive screen (311). In the field of wearable technology, the warnings generated in the output unit by customised electrical signals and vibrations overlapped with natural sound waves can 20 be integrated with watches, hats, athletes, belts, gloves, etc. For example, in a football competition for the hearing impaired, the athlete who is warned by the sweatband on his wrists of the referee's whistle can feel the direction and warning of the referee. Device (A); thanks to the intermediate elements included in the content of the invention, capturing sound frequencies, determining the decibel range of the captured sound 25 (decibel meter), creating the Morse code-like code provided by the system with the software and vibration motor (312) that provides the interpretation of the sound and continuously learns, the signal sent by the bacterial culture in it and the sound collected by the auricle will give the same reactions to the same effects as the grey hairs in the middle ear structure and the electrical-chemical conversion is provided in the device 30 called photosynthetic tube (5). Device (A) does not involve medical operation and does not cause any contraindications. People with a speech discrimination score of less than 40% benefit fully from the device, rather than limited benefit as with existing technology. The photosynthetic tube (5) contains photosynthetic bacteria in the centre and is 5 capable of biological conversion of electrical signals into chemical signals. Under normal conditions, sound waves collected by the auricle travel through the ear canal to the eardrum and vibrate it. The vibrations of the membrane are amplified by the ear ossicles and transmitted to the oval window. The sound vibrations in the oval window are transmitted to the fluid in the snail by the fluid in the ossicles. Sound vibrations are 10 transferred from the fluid in the snail to the auditory sensory cells and then to the nerves. The sound received by the nerves is transmitted to the brain and hearing is provided. In most people with hearing impairment, the grey hairs in the fluid cannot be bypassed. Therefore, no data can be transmitted to the nerves. The bacterial culture (5.2) in the photosynthetic tube (5), like the tip of an implant (standard hearing surgery 15 material), is inserted into this area in the capsule of the silicone body (5.1), which is harmless to human health, so that it adheres to this area or to the eardrum. This bacterial culture (5.2), which cannot go outside, bypasses the grey hairs and increases the data transmission to the nerves. In this way, a solution is provided for the main problem of hearing impairment. Moreover, it does not cause health problems such as 20 cochlear implant surgery. There is no inorganic part inside. Moreover, no surgery is required for its placement. The gestures and movements of the hearing impaired mean a word or a letter. The sensor that reads these gestures is a motion sensor (112). Our motion sensor translates the gestures into different vibrations at the same time. The RF transmitter (213) used in 25 the system is a standard part, which sends radio signals. The output stimuli (3), the data monitored and processed by the motion sensor (12), are transmitted as vibrations to the middle ear in order to bypass the sound (in the grey hairs in the middle ear). The invention further comprises the following steps of the process of stimulating customised electrical signals with vibrations overlapped with natural sound waves; 30 - To send the RF receiver (212) to the central control unit (2), by generating coded electrical signals long enough to provide natural overlap for each note, - To transmit said electrical signals 21 with different characteristics and lengths to the vibration motors 312, - To convert the signal corresponding to the printed note into vibration by means of a microprocessor (211), 5 - To convert the sound signals received from four microphones positioned in opposite directions into electrical signals and to make the data reliable, the 4 signals are averaged and converted into a single signal; - To transmit via the collecting earpiece (4) to the photosynthetic tube (5) consisting of a culture of photosynthetic bacteria located in the ear; 10 - To convert electrical signals into chemical signals by means of said photosynthetic tube (5); - To create 3 different natural vibrations for each note with reference to the musical intervals based on Pythagoras with the user pressing at least 1 note in the preferred note configuration. 15