Systems and methods for modulating the electrical activity of a brain using neuro-EEG synchronization therapy

Inventors

Phillips, James William • Jin, Yi

Assignees

Wave Neuroscience Inc

Abstract

Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for treatment of coma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, cognitive performance, and/or amblyopia. Described are methods and devices to treat coma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, cognitive performance, and/or amblyopia that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect symptoms of coma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, cognitive performance, and/or amblyopia.

Core Innovation

The invention provides Neuro-EEG Synchronization Therapy (NEST) and Permanent Magneto-EEG Resonant Therapy (pMERT) as a medication-free treatment that applies alternating magnetic fields generated by movement or rotation of one or more permanent magnets near a head of a subject. The therapy targets subject-specific electroencephalogram (EEG) properties by generating magnetic fields with output characteristics that correspond to EEG properties measured from the subject.

The therapy targets an intrinsic frequency within a specified EEG band and includes tuning of the intrinsic frequency upward or downward relative to a control-group average. The therapy also targets a Q-factor and frequency selectivity by tuning toward a target Q-factor, and targets coherence of intrinsic frequencies by modulating coherence using synchronized magnetic fields versus asynchronous magnetic fields across scalp or brain sites.

The invention also targets EEG phase between brain sites by generating and controlling magnetic-field phase, including using synchronized rotation for uniform phase across multiple magnets and specifying out-of-phase magnetic sources and magnetic phase relationships for additional magnets. Device embodiments include a helmet with a concave surface that receives a portion of the head, first and second permanent magnets within the helmet rotating synchronously about different, parallel axes, and circuitry programmed to move the magnets at a frequency within a specified EEG band greater than about 1 Hz.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims are directed to a helmet-mounted magnetic-field device with two synchronously rotating permanent magnets driven by circuitry at a frequency within a specified EEG band greater than about 1 Hz, and a similar device in which the subunit controls the rotation frequency based on an intrinsic frequency or a harmonic. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include a helmet with a concave surface, dual synchronous rotation on different parallel axes, EEG-band frequency driving greater than about 1 Hz, and intrinsic-frequency or harmonic-based frequency control.

Overall, the claim coverage focuses on a helmet-mounted device that generates a magnetic field by synchronously rotating two permanent magnets about different parallel axes aligned with a concave helmet surface, with motion driven by circuitry at a frequency in a specified EEG band greater than about 1 Hz. The additional core claim aspect provides that the subunit controls the magnet rotation frequency based on a subject’s intrinsic frequency or a harmonic within the specified EEG band.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications