Tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user
US9993641B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2210/0643
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Example devices and methods of tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user are disclosed herein. In an example, a tongue stimulation device may include a body configured to be placed entirely within a mouth of the user and atop the tongue of the user. An array of electro-tactile elements may be distributed on the body, wherein each of the electro-tactile elements is configured to stimulate an area of the tongue adjacent the electro-tactile element. A wireless receiver coupled to the body may be configured to receive stimulation information wirelessly from outside the mouth of the user. At least one processing unit coupled to the body may be configured to transform the received stimulation information into a stimulation signal for each of the electro-tactile elements, and to provide the stimulation signals to the electro-tactile elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.