Systems and methods for 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 a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a device for applying a varying magnetic field to a head of a subject by receiving at least a portion of the head. The device includes a helmet with at least a first permanent magnet, and a controller subunit controls rotation of the permanent magnet relative about an axis parallel to at least a portion of the head to generate a time varying magnetic field at a harmonic frequency of a frequency within a specific EEG band.

In additional embodiments, the invention includes a second permanent magnet and a subunit configured to determine an intrinsic frequency of the subject within the specified EEG band or receive the intrinsic frequency of the subject within the specified EEG band. The controller generates the frequency of the varying magnetic field based on the intrinsic frequency within the specified EEG band or a harmonic frequency of the intrinsic frequency, including configurations where the harmonic frequency is higher than or lower than the intrinsic frequency or their harmonics.

The varying magnetic field is configured to treat drug addiction or substance abuse of the subject. The disclosed concept includes controlling rotation of the permanent magnet or magnets relative about one or more axes parallel to at least a portion of the head, with the magnetic-field frequency selected in relation to the subject’s intrinsic EEG-band frequency or a harmonic thereof.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims are directed to devices and methods that apply a varying magnetic field to a subject’s head using permanent magnets in a helmet, where the magnetic field is generated by controlled rotation at a harmonic frequency within a specific EEG band. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include harmonic-frequency generation in an EEG band and, in some claims, determining or using the subject’s intrinsic EEG-band frequency to set that harmonic frequency, as well as a treatment purpose for drug addiction or substance abuse.

The core coverage is a helmet-mounted permanent magnet device that applies a varying magnetic field to a subject’s head by controlling magnet rotation at a harmonic frequency within a specified EEG band. Some independent claims additionally require a subunit that determines or receives the subject’s intrinsic EEG-band frequency and uses it to set the magnetic-field frequency, optionally with higher-than or lower-than constraints, and some explicitly require treatment of drug addiction or substance abuse.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications