STIMULATOR SUBSTRATE DEVICE AND DEVICE FOR STIMULATING NERVE CELLS

Abstract

A stimulator substrate device for stimulating nerve cells, and apparatus including same, in particular nerve cells in an extremity, includes a substrate support, in which a plurality of stimulators for emitting stimulation signals to the nerve cells are provided. The plurality of stimulators is provided in a line on the substrate support and the substrate support is tubular.

Claims

1.-31. (canceled)

32. A stimulator substrate device for stimulating nerve cells, comprising a substrate support, in which a plurality of stimulators are arranged for emitting stimulation signals to the nerve cells, wherein the plurality of stimulators is arranged along a line on the substrate support and the substrate support is of tubular construction.

33. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the substrate support includes a fabric structure or is made from a rubber material, such that it returns to a dimensionally stable state after a deformation.

34. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the substrate support at least partially encloses the plurality of stimulators and the substrate support is flexibly movable.

35. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of stimulators are tactile stimulators.

36. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 35, wherein the plurality of stimulators are vibrators and each has at least one eccentric element and/or an oscillation element.

37. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the substrate support is elastic.

38. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of stimulators and/or the substrate support includes a waterproof material or are coated with a waterproof material.

39. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein: the substrate support includes a connecting section, and the plurality of stimulators are each connected to at least one connecting line, which is connected to a controller for generating control commands for stimulation signals and/or a supply device for driving the stimulators, the at least one connecting line exits the substrate support in the area of the connecting section, and an interface unit is present for detachment of the at least one connecting line from the controller and/or the supply device.

40. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 39, wherein the controller is equipped with a computing unit and/or a memory unit and is designed to control the plurality of stimulators with the aid of at least one gait line-based sensor signal from at least one sensor in such manner that a stimulation typical of the physiognomy can be transmitted to the nerve cells of a user.

41. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the substrate support has a mounting area, on which further stimulators can be positioned.

42. The stimulator substrate device according to claim 32, wherein the substrate support has substrate support openings that extend transversely to the line to accommodate the stimulators, and/or that the substrate support is embedded in a liner, or that a liner incorporates the stimulators and thus also functions as the substrate support.

43. A device for stimulating nerve cells comprising: a stimulator substrate device for stimulating nerve cells, comprising a substrate support, in which a plurality of stimulators are arranged for emitting stimulation signals to the nerve cells, wherein the plurality of stimulators is arranged along a line on the substrate support and the substrate support is of tubular construction; and a fastening device for positioning the stimulator substrate device on the nerve cells of a user.

44. The device according to claim 43, wherein the fastening device is a cuff or a prosthesis.

45. The device according to claim 43, wherein the stimulator substrate device can be positioned detachably on the fastening device.

46. The device according to claim 43, wherein the stimulator substrate device can be positioned immovably on the fastening device.

47. The device according to claim 43, wherein the fastening device is elastic and/or flexible.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein the fastening device includes a further fabric structure, wherein the further fabric structure is the same as the fabric structure of the substrate support of the stimulator substrate device.

49. The device according to any one of claim 43, wherein the fastening device has a mounting section for accommodating a controller and/or supply device for the stimulator substrate device.

50. The device according to claim 43, wherein a display device is present, wherein the display device can be connected to the controller and at least one item of information indicative for the stimulation signals of the plurality of stimulators, such as an acoustic signal and/or a visual signal, can be generated.

51. The device according to claim 43, wherein the fastening device is a headband or a wristband, or a glove, or a belt, or a garter, or a prosthesis shaft.

Description

[0061] In the drawing:

[0062] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a stimulator substrate device according to the invention,

[0063] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a stimulator substrate device according to the invention,

[0064] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention with a stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 1 for a human foot,

[0065] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention with a stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 2 for an artificial prosthesis,

[0066] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with a stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 1,

[0067] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with a stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 1,

[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with a stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 2, and

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a stimulator for the stimulator substrate device according to FIG. 1 or according to FIG. 2.

[0070] FIG. 9 shows a slightly modified arrangement of stimulators in a stimulator substrate device (arranged transversely to the lengthwise extension of the stimulator).

[0071] FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of FIG. 9 connected to the interface and the actuation device.

[0072] FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of FIG. 9 mounted in a liner for an amputation stump.

[0073] FIG. 12 shows a variant of the construction according to FIG. 11, wherein the stimulators are embedded directly in the liner material and as such are connected integrally/inseparably therewith without an intermediate carrier.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a stimulator substrate device 15 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of a user B. The stimulator substrate device 15 comprises a substrate support 20, in which a plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged for emitting stimulation signals to the nerve cells. The plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged along a line and at a distance from each other in the substrate support 20, wherein the substrate support 20 is of tubular construction and consequently surrounds at least a portion of the stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24. The substrate support 20 is a receptacle which has at least one substrate support opening 28. The substrate support 20 further has a mounting area 26, on which further stimulators 25 may be positioned. These further stimulators 25 may be arranged in mounting area 26 of the substrate support 20 by user B according to his needs.

[0075] In the present instance, four stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged on a line, positioned one behind the other or directly side by side in the substrate support 20, wherein the substrate support 20 is elastic and/or made from an elastic material, for example rubber or fabric. The substrate support 20 has a fabric structure which readily conforms to the user or an extremity of the user. The plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are coated with a waterproof material. This serves to prevent the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 from absorbing moisture.

[0076] Each of the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 is connected electrically with connecting lines 31, 32, 33, 34, which exit the substrate support 20 at a connecting section 27 of the substrate support 20. The supply lines 31, 32, 33, 34 are bundled and are arranged on the connecting section 27 with the aid of a rigid supply line 30. The connecting lines 31, 32, 33, 34 terminate in an interface unit 40 which is constructed as a detachable, 2-part plug connector. The interface unit 40 includes further connecting lines 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, which connect the interface unit 40 electrically to a controller 50 and to a supply device 60 for driving the stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24, for example a battery or rechargeable battery. Various adapters may be arranged on the interface unit 40, so that for example plugs with different, country-specific standards—e.g., earthed connections—can be connected to the interface unit 40 (not shown). The controller 50 is designed to generate control commands for stimulation signals for driving the stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24. The controller 50 includes a computing unit 51 and a memory unit 52. The computing unit 51 is designed to support various control programs, with which control modes may be called with different control commands, individually if necessary, depending on the respective control mode. In this way, the plurality of stimulators may be actuated with control commands according to at least one control program. The control programs with various control commands are stored in the memory unit 52, so that they are retrievable by the controller 50.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a stimulator substrate device 75 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of a user B in a further embodiment of the stimulator substrate device 15 according to FIG. 1. This stimulator substrate device 75 includes largely the same features and components as were described previously. The stimulator substrate device 75 includes a substrate support 80, in which a plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 are positioned, wherein the plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 are connected electrically with connecting lines 85, 86, 88, 89. The connecting lines 85, 86, 88, 89 exit the substrate support 80 at the connecting section 87 of the substrate support 80 and are electrically connected to the interface unit 40 of FIG. 1 described earlier. The substrate support 80 is flexibly movable. This allows the stimulator substrate device 75 and the plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 arranged in the substrate support 80 to be attached easily to the user B. The flexibly movable substrate support 80 is made from a cloth material, for example, and includes a fabric structure which is made from a waterproof material. This serves to prevent undesirable moisture absorption by the substrate support 80.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a device 100 for stimulating nerve cells, having a stimulator substrate device 15 as described in FIG. 1. The device 100 is equipped with a fastening device 115 in the form of a flexible or elastic cuff 116 for positioning the stimulator substrate device 15 on the nerve cells of an area of the skin of an extremity of a user B, which may serve for example as a bionic orthotic on a human foot. Device 100 together with the stimulator substrate device 15 may be implemented for use as a bionic prosthesis, but also to assist user B with polyneuropathy or similar disorders, for sports medical purposes as well as for purely recreational purposes. The stimulator substrate device 15 is positioned detachably on the cuff 116 and is thus separable from the device 100. The cuff 116 consists of a further fabric structure, which is of the same construction as the fabric structure of the substrate support 20 of the stimulator substrate device 15. The fastening device 115 has a mounting section 120 for accommodating a controller 50 and has a supply device 60 for the stimulator substrate device 15. For this purpose, a mounting receptacle 122 in which the controller 50 and the supply device 60 may be accommodated is provided on the mounting section 120. The controller 50 is connected electrically via a sensor line 155 to sensors 145 for transmitting sensor signals, the sensors 145 being arranged on the sole of user B, or on a footwear or stocking worn by user B. In this context, the controller 50 is designed to control plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 of the stimulator substrate device 15 by means of gait line-based sensor signals from the sensors 145, which have the form of pressure sensors for example, in such manner that a stimulation typical of the physiognomy may be transmitted to the nerve cells of user B, in particular to the nerve cells of an extremity of user B.

[0079] A display device 130 is also provided, wherein the display device 130 is connected to the controller 50 via radio signal 125. In the present case, the display device 130 is a smartphone equipped with a touchscreen.

[0080] The display device 130 may be used to set the information that is indicative for the stimulation signals of the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0081] The stimulation frequency, simulation intensity, stimulation time or the stimulation channel for example may be changed by user B to adjust the respective plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0082] The display device 130 is embodied as a gait profile analyser for example, in order to monitor the action of walking with the human foot typical of the physiognomy, so that it allows a qualitative examination of a motion sequence performed by user B and gives user B at least one feedback signal in relation thereto. In this context, the gait profile analyser is permitted to intervene in the feedback signal transmission in order to influence the control of the motion sequence. The gait profile analyser is integrated in the smartphone as an application and outputs an acoustic signal to user B.

[0083] The plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 of the stimulator substrate device 15 are connected to an Augmented Reality device which is integrated in the display device 130, in order to provide user B with improved training. For example, it may enable an avatar to suggest an ideal motion sequence for user B via a display device 130.

[0084] FIG. 4 shows a device 200 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of the extremity of a user B in a further embodiment of the device 100 according to FIG. 3. This device 200 has largely the same features and components as were described previously in device 100. Device 200 has a fastening device 215 in the form of a prosthesis shaft 216 of a prosthesis 240. The device 200 includes the stimulator substrate device 75 according to FIG. 2, which is positioned immovably on the fastening device 215. The controller 50 is electrically connected to the sensors 245 via a sensor line 255 for transmitting sensor signals, wherein the sensors 245 are arranged on the artificial foot or the prosthesis 240 and are in the form of pressure sensors. The sensor line 255 is routed inside the prosthesis 240. The plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 of the stimulator substrate device 75 are connected electrically to the controller 50 via connecting lines 85, 86, 88, 89 as described previously. The controller 50 connected to the display device 130 via a wireless connection 125 for the exchange of control commands for the plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84. A mounting section with a mounting receptacle 222 in which the controller 50 and the supply device 60 may be accommodated is provided on the prosthesis shaft 216. The display device 130 is embodied as a gait profile analyser, for example, in order to monitor physiognomically typical walking with the artificial foot, allowing a qualitative investigation of a motion sequence of user B, and delivering at least one associated feedback signal to the user B. New control commands and control programs for the plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 of the stimulator substrate device 75 may be created using the display device 130, and existing control programs may also be altered with the aid of the display device 130. For example, the display device 130 emits an acoustic signal and/or a visual signal which is displayed to user B via the display device 130, or is output by a loudspeaker of device 200. Each of the plurality of stimulators 81, 82, 83, 84 includes a feedback unit for generating a feedback signals for user B (not shown).

[0085] FIG. 5 shows a device 300 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of a user B in a further embodiment of the device 100 according to FIG. 3. This device 300 has largely the same features and components as were shown previously. Device 300 has stimulator substrate device 15 according to FIG. 1, wherein the fastening device 315 is a belt 316.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a device 400 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of a user B in a further embodiment of the device 100 according to FIG. 3. This device 400 has largely the same features and components as were described previously. Device 400 is equipped with stimulator substrate device 15 according to FIG. 1, wherein the fastening device 415 is a wristband 416.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows a device 500 for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of an extremity of a user B in a further embodiment of the device 200 according to FIG. 4. This device 500 has largely the same features and components as were described previously. Device 500 has a first stimulator substrate device 75 according to FIG. 2 and a further stimulator substrate device 76 with largely the same features and components as the stimulator substrate device 75 according to FIG. 2, wherein the fastening device 515 is a glove 516.

[0088] The stimulator substrate device 15 according to FIG. 1 and stimulator substrate device 75 according to FIG. 2 described here may also be arranged on a further fastening device in combination with one another. As well as the fastening devices shown, such a fastening device may also be a headband or a garter.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows one of the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 or 81, 82, 83, 84 of the stimulator substrate device 15 or 75 according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, wherein said stimulator is embodies as a vibrator 610. Vibrator 610 has a housing 616, which is arranged in the substrate support 20 or 80 with a fastening unit 613. An eccentric element 619 is arranged inside housing 616. The eccentric element 619 is arranged on the drive shaft 617 so as to be able to turn or rotate in the direction of the drive 618. The vibration of the vibrator 610 is caused by the eccentric element 619 as a result of the alternating centripetal force of the eccentric element 619. Since the centre of mass of the eccentric element 619 is not located axle-centrically on the drive shaft 617 of the vibrator 610, an imbalance is created which disturbs the smooth running of the eccentric element 619 (causes uneven running) and causes the vibrator 610 to start vibrating. The farther the centre of mass of the eccentric element 619 is from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 617, and the greater the mass and rotating speed of the eccentric element 619, the greater the centripetal force becomes and therewith the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator 610. The housing 616 of vibrator 610 accommodates a drive motor 620 for driving the eccentric element 619 in rotary manner. The drive motor 620 is connected to the drive shaft 617 for this purpose. In the form shown, the vibrator 610 has the form of a button cell. The drive shaft 617, the eccentric element 619 and the drive motor 620 are all disposed inside the housing 616, which is constructed as a cylinder.

[0090] The drive motor 620 is electrically connected to the previously described interface unit 40 via the connecting line 31 and to the controller 50 and the supply device 60 via the connecting line 31a. In this arrangement, the stimulation frequency, simulation intensity, stimulation time or the stimulation channel of the vibrator 610 are controllable.

[0091] FIG. 9 shows a stimulator substrate device 15a which is equipped with stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24, optionally 25, for stimulating nerve cells on an area of the skin of a user. The stimulator substrate device 15a comprises a substrate support 20a in which plurality stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged for sending stimulation signals to the nerve cells. The plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24, optionally 25, are arranged along a line and at a distance from each other in the substrate support 20a, wherein the substrate support 20 is of tubular construction inasmuch as a tubular lug 120a is provided for each stimulator and thus surrounds at least a portion of the stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24. Thus, the substrate support 20a is a receptacle having at least one substrate support opening 28a. The substrate support 20a further has a mounting area 26a, on which further stimulators 25 may be placed. These further stimulators 25 may be arranged in the mounting area 26 of the substrate support 20a by the user as needed.

[0092] In the present case, four stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 inside the substrate support 20a are arranged along a line, positioned one behind the other or directly beside one another, wherein the substrate support 20a is elastic or made from an elastic material, for example from rubber or a cloth. The substrate support 20a has a durable, e.g., fabric structure, which conforms readily to the user or his extremity. As with the other embodiments, the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 are coated with a waterproof material or are embedded in a plastic (or rubber) liner together with their substrate support 20a in waterproof manner (see FIG. 11 or 12). In this way moisture absorption by the plurality of stimulators 21, 22, 23, 24 may be prevented.

[0093] In contrast to FIG. 1, the stimulators in FIGS. 9-12 are orientated transversely and include tubular lugs 120a. The advantage of this is that the lengthwise extension of the stimulator region is somewhat shorter. And if the stimulators are then connected fixedly to a liner, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, they offer minimal obstruction to the liner, which can be rolled up as before in order to be pulled over the stump of can be removed from a stump.

[0094] FIG. 10 shows the same construction as FIG. 9, wherein it is connected to an actuation device 50 via interface 40. In principle there is no change to the construction according to figures described above.

[0095] As mentioned earlier, FIG. 11 shows the integration and fastening of a substrate support directly on or in a liner of a patient's stump.

[0096] FIG. 12 advances a step further towards integration in that in this case the liner itself assumes the function of the substrate support 20a, and itself incorporates the stimulators 21-24 embedded in the correct position. This is what the stimulator substrate device in FIG. 12 is identified with numeral 15b, since in this regard it differs from the structures according to FIGS. 9-11. Of course, however, the construction according to FIG. 11 may also be completely embedded in the liner.

[0097] As is known the liner fulfils an important function in connecting the prosthesis to the stump, and its role becomes more critical still, as the invention provides that the stimulation signal transmission has now also been integrated therein.

[0098] Accordingly, since a liner is tubular per se, the embodiment according to FIG. 12 consequently falls within the scope of protection of claim 1.

[0099] Interface unit 40 and controller 50 correspond the components described earlier under these reference numerals.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0100] 15 Stimulator substrate device [0101] 15a Stimulator substrate device with liner [0102] 15b Stimulator substrate device fully integrated in the liner [0103] 20 Substrate support [0104] 20a Substrate support for transverse stimulators [0105] 21 Stimulator [0106] 22 Stimulator [0107] 23 Stimulator [0108] 24 Stimulator [0109] 25 Stimulator [0110] 26 Mounting area [0111] 27 Connecting section [0112] 28 Substrate support opening [0113] 28a Transverse substrate support openings [0114] 29 [0115] 30 Supply line [0116] 31 Connecting line [0117] 32 Connecting line [0118] 33 Connecting line [0119] 34 Connecting line [0120] 31a Additional connecting line [0121] 32a Additional Connecting line [0122] 33a Additional Connecting line [0123] 34a Additional Connecting line [0124] 40 Interface unit [0125] 50 Controller [0126] 51 Computing unit [0127] 52 Memory unit [0128] 60 Supply device [0129] 75 Additional stimulator substrate device [0130] 76 Additional stimulator substrate device [0131] 80 Substrate support [0132] 81 Stimulator [0133] 82 Stimulator [0134] 83 Stimulator [0135] 84 Stimulator [0136] 85 Connecting line [0137] 86 Connecting line [0138] 87 Connecting section [0139] 88 Connecting line [0140] 89 Connecting line [0141] 100 Device [0142] 115 Fastening device [0143] 116 Cuff [0144] 120 Mounting section [0145] 120a Tubular lug as mounting section [0146] 122 mounting receptacle [0147] 125 Radio signal [0148] 130 Display device [0149] 145 Sensors [0150] 155 Sensor line [0151] 200 Device [0152] 215 Fastening device [0153] 216 Prosthesis shaft [0154] 222 Mounting receptacle [0155] 240 Prosthesis [0156] 245 Sensors [0157] 255 Sensor line [0158] 300 Device [0159] 315 Fastening device [0160] 316 Belt [0161] 400 Device [0162] 415 Fastening device [0163] 416 Wristband [0164] 500 Device [0165] 515 Fastening device [0166] 516 Glove [0167] 610 Vibrator [0168] 613 Fastening unit [0169] 616 Housing [0170] 617 Drive shaft [0171] 618 Direction of drive [0172] 619 Eccentric element [0173] 620 Drive motor [0174] B User