STIMULATION DEVICE AND PROSTHESIS DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE STIMULATION DEVICE FOR STIMULATING NERVE CELL ENDS AND USE OF A VIBRATION GENERATOR FOR STIMULATING NERVE CELL ENDS IN A VIBRATION-DECOUPLED MANNER

Abstract

A stimulation device for stimulating reinnervated nerve cell ends, includes: at least one vibration generator, where the at least one vibration generator is connected to at least one decoupling element in a vibration-proof manner. A prosthesis device having at least one stimulation device for stimulating nerve cell ends, in particular nerve area sections typical of the physiognomy, and having a prosthesis shaft as well as at least one vibration generator, where the at least one vibration generator is connected in a positionally fixed manner to the prosthesis shaft via at least one decoupling element.

Claims

1. A stimulation device (10) for stimulating reinnervated nerve cell ends (62), comprising: at least one vibration generator (11), wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) is connected to at least one decoupling element (12) in vibration-proof manner.

2. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a base (24) on which the at least one vibration generator (11) is arranged, wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) is connected to the base (24) in positionally fixed manner via the at least one decoupling element (12).

3. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one further decoupling element (14), which is connected to the at least one vibration generator (11).

4. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least the at least one decoupling element (12) is electrically conductive.

5. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a supply device (26) and a control device (30), wherein at least the at least one vibration generator (11) is electrically connected to the at least one of the supply device (26) and the control device (30).

6. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) has an eccentric element (19) or a vibration element (19a).

7. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) has a vibration generator housing (16).

8. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) has a stimulation unit (21) for stimulating nerve cell ends.

9. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least a section of the at least one vibration generator (11) is surrounded by an insulation layer (22).

10. A prosthesis device (50), comprising: at least one stimulation device (10) for delivering information to nerve cell ends, for stimulating the nerve cell ends, including nerve area sections (61) typical of the physiognomy, the at least one stimulation device (10) including: at least one vibration generator (11), wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) is connected to at least one decoupling element (12, 14) in vibration-proof manner; a prosthesis shaft (52); and at least one vibration generator (11), wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) is connected in positionally fixed manner to the prosthesis shaft (52) via at least one decoupling element (12, 14).

11. The prosthesis device (50) according to claim 10, further comprising: an electrical supply device (26) provided on the prosthesis shaft (52), wherein the electrical supply device (26) is electrically connected to the stimulation device (10), including to the at least one vibration generator (11).

12. The prosthesis device (50) according to claim 10, further comprising a control device (30) provided on the prosthesis shaft (52) for controlling the at least one vibration generator (11), wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) is electrically connected to the control device (30).

13. The prosthesis device (50) according to claim 10, wherein the prosthesis shaft (52) has at least one positioning section (53) for positioning the at least one vibration generator (11), and the positioning section (53) has at least one prosthesis opening (54).

14. A vibration generator (11), comprising: at least one eccentric element (19) and/or at least one vibration element (19a) for stimulating nerve cell ends by a base (24) in a vibration-decoupled manner.

15. (canceled)

16. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the at least one decoupling element (12) and the at least one further decoupling element (14) is a spring element (13, 15).

17. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one vibration generator (11) has a drive motor (20) for driving the eccentric element (19) in rotating manner or a drive actuator (20a) for driving the vibration element (19a) in oscillating manner.

18. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the eccentric element (19) or the vibration element (19a) is arranged in the vibration generator housing (16).

19. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the stimulation unit (21) is constructed in the form of a spike.

20. The stimulation device (10) according to claim 11, wherein at least one decoupling element (12, 14) is arranged between the electrical supply device (26) and the at least one vibration generator (11) and is electrically connected to the electrical supply device (26) and to the at least one vibration generator (11).

21. The vibration generator (11) according to claim 14, comprising at least one eccentric element (19) and/or at least one vibration element (19a) for stimulating nerve cell ends by a prosthesis shaft (52) in a vibration-decoupled manner and/or for delivering information from reinnervated nerve cell ends (62).

Description

[0077] The figures show diagrammatically:

[0078] FIG. 1 a side view of a stimulation device according to the invention with a first embodiment of a vibration generator,

[0079] FIG. 2 a top view of the stimulation device of FIG. 1,

[0080] FIG. 3 a side view of the stimulation device of FIG. 1 in a base,

[0081] FIG. 4 a side view of the stimulation device of FIG. 1 with a further embodiment of the vibration generator,

[0082] FIG. 5 a perspective view of a prosthesis device according to the invention with a stimulation device according to FIG. 1, and

[0083] FIG. 6 a perspective view of the prosthesis device of FIG. 5 with multiple stimulation devices according to FIG. 1.

[0084] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the stimulation device 10 according to the invention for stimulating nerve cell ends. The stimulation device 10 includes a vibration generator 11 with a vibration generator housing 16, which is connected to a first spring element 13 and a second spring element 15 as decoupling elements 12 and 14. The first spring element 13 and the second spring element 15 are rod-shaped spring wires which are arranged on opposite sides of the vibration generator housing 16. For this purpose, the spring elements 13 and 15 are each attached by one of their ends to the vibration generator housing 16. The spring elements 13 and 15 decouple the vibrations or oscillations of the vibration generator 11 form the surrounding area. An eccentric element 19 is arranged inside the vibration generator housing 16. The eccentric element 19 is mounted such that it is able to turn or rotate in drive direction 18 on the drive shaft 17. The vibration of the vibration generator 11 is created with the eccentric element 19 by the changing centripetal force of the eccentric element 19. Since the centre of mass of the eccentric element 19 is not positioned centrally on the axle on the drive shaft 17 of the vibration generator 11, an unbalance is created which acts on the smooth running of the eccentric element 19 (a running disturbance is created) and starts the vibration generator 11 vibrating. The more distant the centre of mass of the eccentric element 19 is from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 17, the greater the mass and the rotating speed of the eccentric element 19 are, and consequently the greater the centripetal force becomes, which in turn increases the vibration amplitude of the vibration generator 11. The vibration generator housing 16 of the vibration generator 11 accommodates a drive motor 20 for driving the eccentric elements 19 rotationally. For this purpose, the drive motor 20 is connected to the drive shaft 17. In the configuration shown, the vibration generator 11 is embodied as a button cell. The drive shaft 17, the eccentric element 19 and the drive motor 20 are all arranged inside the vibration generator housing 16, which is in the shape of a cylinder.

[0085] The stimulation device 10 is equipped with a supply device 26. The supply device 26 comprises a rechargeable battery unit or an accumulator unit 28 with a charge connector 35 and is connected to one end of each of the first spring element 13 and the second spring element 15. The spring elements 13 and 15 are electrically conductive and supply the drive motor 20 with electrical voltage. At the same time, the electrically conductive first spring element 13 serves as the supply for the positive DC voltage connection and the electrically conductive second spring element 15 serves as the supply line for the negative DC voltage connection of the drive motor 20 (FIG. 2). Supply lines 27 are attached to the spring elements 13 and 15 and connect the drive motor 20 to the battery unit or accumulator unit 28.

[0086] The stimulation device 10 includes a control device 30 with a processor 32. The processor 32 is connected to the supply device 26 via control lines 31. In this way, the vibration generator 11 may be actuated with different control commands from various control programs or control modes, so that different vibrations or oscillations can be generated with the vibration generator 11. The control device 30 contains a memory unit 33 in which the various control commands or control modes are stored, and from which the control commands can be retrieved to the processor 32. The control device 30 has an interface 34, with which the control device 30 of the stimulation device 10 may be connected to an external end device, for example a computer, tablet or smartphone, and control commands may be exchanged for controlling the eccentric element 19 of the vibration generator 11.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows the stimulation device 10 according to the invention described previously and a base 24. The stimulation device 10 with vibration generator 11 is mounted on the base 24. For this purpose, the spring elements 13 and 15 of the stimulation device 10 which are connected to the vibration generator 11 have a fastening section 23. The fastening section 23 comprises fastening means 29, which connect the spring elements 13 and 15 to the base 24 and attach them to the base 24. The vibration generator 11 is arranged so as to be adjustable on the base 24. In this way, the spatial position of the vibration generator 11 relative to the base can be changed. To achieve this, the vibration generator 11 is displaceable along a first longitudinal axis on the base 24. The vibration generator 11 is also mounted on the base 24 so as to be rotatable about the fastening means 29. The base 24 has a base opening 25. At least a section of the vibration generator housing 16 is inserted in the base opening 25, in such manner that the vibration generator housing 16 at least partly passes through the base opening 25. Besides the eccentric element 19, the vibration generator 11 also has a spike-shaped stimulation unit 21, which is arranged inside the vibration generator housing 16 and protrudes from the base opening 25. The spike-shaped stimulation unit 21 is arranged on the side of the base 24 opposite the fastening section 23. The vibration generator housing 16 and the ends of the first spring elements 13 and the second spring element 15 which are each attached to the vibration generator housing 16 are surrounded by an insulation layer 22. The insulation layer 22 is made from synthetic resin. The insulation layer 22 may also be designed as vibration insulation, in which case it is made from elastic material, such as a rubber material. The respective ends of the first spring element 13 and the second spring element 15 opposite the vibration generator housing 16 and in the region of the fastening section 23 are each connected to the battery unit or accumulator unit 28 via supply lines 27. Alternatively, the spring elements 13 and 15 are connected directly to the battery unit or accumulator unit 28 (not shown).

[0088] FIG. 4 shows the stimulation device 10 described here with a vibration generator 11 which has a vibration element 19a for generating vibrations or oscillations inside the vibration generator 11. The vibration element 19a is accelerated in the drive direction 18a by means of a short electromagnetic pulse and is then moved back to its starting position. For this purpose, a drive actuator 20a is arranged inside the vibration generator housing 16 of the vibration generator 11 and is connected to the control device 30 which is also located there in order to exchange control commands. The mass moment of inertia produced thereby causes a simple harmonic oscillation. The vibration created by a commercially available Vibracall element is not initiated until an oscillation frequency of about 200 Hz is reached. The drive direction 18a shown here is only one of many conceivable directions of movement of the vibration element 19a.

[0089] Accordingly, a conventional vibration generator 11 such as a Vibracall, for example, in which noise generation is typically intended or noise generation is welcome as part of the vibration process or oscillation process, is usable as a noiseless stimulator for nerve cell ends.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows the prosthesis device 50 according to the invention with the stimulation device 10 as described here for stimulating reinnervated nerve cell ends 62 on a nerve area section 61 typical of the physiognomy on the skin surface 60 of the prosthesis wearer. The stimulation device 10 comprises the vibration generator 11 with the eccentric element 19 as described here and together with the spring elements 13 and 15, which function as decoupling elements to prevent the vibrations or oscillations from the vibration generator 11 from acting on the prosthesis shaft 52. In this context, the prosthesis shaft 52 assumes the position and properties of the base as described.

[0091] The prosthesis shaft 52 has a positioning section 53 for positioning the vibration generator 11 on the reinnervated nerve cell ends 62 or on the nerve area sections 61 typical of the physiognomy of the skin surface 60. A prosthesis opening 54 is provided in the positioning section 53, and the vibration generator 11 is positioned therein. The stimulation device 10 is fastened to the prosthesis shaft 52 of the prosthesis device 50. For this purpose, the spring element 13 and 15 have a fastening section 23 with a fastening means 29. The vibration generator 11 is thus attached to the prosthesis shaft 52 by means of the spring elements 13 and 15 and the fastening means 29. The vibration generator 11 arranged adjustably on the prosthesis shaft 52. Then, the spatial position of the vibration generator 11 may be changed relative to the prosthesis shaft 52. The vibration generator 11 is displaceable along a first longitudinal axis on the prosthesis shaft 52. Additionally, the vibration generator 11 is arranged on the prosthesis shaft 52 so as to be rotatable about the fastening means 29.

[0092] The battery unit or accumulator unit 28 together with the charge connector 35 is arranged on the prosthesis shaft 52 and connected electrically to the vibration generator 11. The control device 30 as described previously for controlling the vibration generator 11 is also arranged on the prosthesis shaft 52, and the vibration generator 11 is connected electrically to the control device 30. The control device 30 has an interface 34 to allow connection of an end device, such as a computer. Alternatively, the vibration generator 11 is equipped with the vibration element described here (FIG. 4)—not shown.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows the prosthesis device 50 described previously with several of the stimulation devices 10 as described here for stimulating reinnervated nerve cell ends and/or nerve area sections 61 typical of the physiognomy on the skin surface 60 of the prosthesis wearer. The multiple stimulation devices 10 are each fastened to the prosthesis shaft 52 by their own fastening means 29, so the vibrations or oscillations of the individual vibration generators of the respective stimulation device 10 can be damped independently of each other and decoupled from the prosthesis shaft 52. The control device 30 and the battery unit or accumulator unit 28 are arranged on the prosthesis shaft 52 and connected to each other via the control line 31. The multiple stimulation devices 10 are each arranged individually on positioning section 53 according to the location of the nerve area sections 61 typical of the physiognomy of the prosthesis wearer, can be positioned with the respective fastening means 29 and are electrically connected to the battery unit or accumulator unit 28 by means of the detachable supply lines 27. A seal insert 57, made from a silicone material for example, may be interposed between the prosthesis opening 54 and the vibration generator 11.

[0094] Additionally, an electrical supply device 26 is present on the prosthesis shaft 50, the electrical supply device 26 being electrically connected to the vibration generators 11. The electrical supply device 26 is equipped with a charge coupler 36, with which the electrical supply device 26 is inductively rechargeable using a separate charger (not shown).

[0095] The stimulation device 10 described here may also be used as a signal generator in a communication apparatus, wherein this is typically a portable communication apparatus. In such a case, the stimulation device 10, as described in FIGS. 1 to 3, is arranged on the housing or the base of the mobile phone or Tablet and acts on its surroundings, for example on the user's skin surface. The housing of the communication apparatus includes a housing opening or base opening, in which the vibration generator of the stimulation device 10 is arranged. In this context, at least a section of the vibration generator is disposed inside the housing opening, so at least a section of the vibration generator extends entirely through the housing opening. In the example shown, in which the vibration generator is cylindrical, a section of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder extends through the housing opening (vertical arrangement). A soft and/or elastic seal, made from a silicone mass for example, is arranged between the vibration generator and the housing opening.

[0096] Alternatively, the vibration generator as described can also be installed in the housing opening of the communication apparatus in a position that is rotated through 90° compared with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The vibration generator then extends with the a section of the mantle surface through the housing opening (horizontal arrangement). A soft and/or elastic seal, made from a silicone mass for example, is arranged between the vibration generator and the housing opening.

[0097] The communication apparatus may further be equipped with a stimulation device 10 with a horizontally arranged vibration generator and a vertically arranged vibration generator, each of which is disposed in its own housing opening in in the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus is equipped with a selection switching unit, an analogue switch or a digital switch for selecting the respective vibration generators. In this case, the user can use the selection switching unit to select either the horizontally arranged vibration generator or the vertically arranged vibration generator as the signal generator.

REFERENCE LIST

[0098] 10 Stimulation device [0099] 11 Vibration generator [0100] 12 Decoupling element [0101] 13 1st spring element [0102] 14 Further decoupling element [0103] 15 2nd spring element [0104] 16 Vibration generator housing [0105] 17 Drive shaft [0106] 18 Drive direction of 19 [0107] 18a Drive direction of 19a [0108] 19 Eccentric element [0109] 19a Vibration element [0110] 20 Drive motor [0111] 20a Drive actuator [0112] 21 Stimulation unit [0113] 22 Insulation layer [0114] 23 Fastening section [0115] 24 Base [0116] 25 Base opening [0117] 26 Supply device [0118] 27 Supply line [0119] 28 Battery unit [0120] 29 Fastening means [0121] 30 Control device [0122] 31 Control line [0123] 32 Processor [0124] 33 Memory unit [0125] 34 Interface [0126] 35 Charge connector [0127] 36 Charge coupler [0128] 50 Prosthesis device [0129] 52 Prosthesis shaft [0130] 53 Positioning section [0131] 54 Prosthesis opening [0132] 57 Seal insert [0133] 60 Skin surface [0134] 61 Nerve area section typical of the physiognomy [0135] 62 Reinnervated nerve cell ends