Methods and systems for providing stimuli to the brain
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11141559-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-12
Expiration Date
2036-11-23
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Abstract
Visual and auditory stimuli are provided to a patient to treat various neurological disorders or conditions and/or to provide improved mental or physical performance. The visual and auditory stimuli are provided by a wearable headset or sleep mask that may be comfortably worn by a user, such as in bed to induce sleep. The wearable headset or sleep mask is operated by a personal computing device of the user, such as smartphone, having downloaded and active thereon a control application or app for the therapy. The wearable headset or sleep mask also concurrently provides tactile stimuli, and the tactile stimulus is provided from bone conduction transducers that concurrently provides the auditory stimuli.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods and systems for delivering coordinated auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli to a user in order to treat various neurological disorders, conditions, or to enhance mental and physical performance. The stimuli are provided using a wearable headset or sleep mask, which is comfortably worn, for example, during sleep, and controlled by an external personal computing device such as a smartphone running a dedicated therapeutic application.
The problem addressed by the invention is the inadequacy of prior sensory stimulation therapies and pharmaceuticals for treating neurological disorders such as insomnia, PTSD, brain injuries, mood disorders, and others. Existing equipment for sensory stimulation is often bulky, expensive, and inconvenient, limiting user compliance and overall effectiveness. Pharmaceutical treatments have questionable efficacy, can have undesirable side effects, often require prescriptions, and depend on patient compliance.
The invention innovatively combines coordinated stimuli—visual, auditory, and tactile—delivered selectively and sequentially to the left and right eyes and ears via a wearable device. Specifically, the auditory and tactile stimuli may be delivered through bone conduction transducers that provide simultaneous auditory and tactile feedback. The stimuli are delivered at frequencies corresponding to brain wave frequencies (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma) and can be alternated according to predetermined patterns or sequences to induce desirable brain states. This approach aims to improve therapeutic outcomes and user experience by enabling comfortable, effective, and versatile sensory stimulation.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes a set of independent claims covering methods of providing sensory stimulation with coordinated alternating patterns and apparatus configured to deliver such stimuli.
Alternating coordinated sensory stimulation patterns
A method of providing sensory stimulation alternating between a first stimulation applying a left visual stimulus to the left eye and a right auditory stimulus to the right side of the head, and a second stimulation applying a right visual stimulus to the right eye and a left auditory stimulus to the left side of the head, with the visual stimuli comprising sequences of specific frequency components between 0.25 Hz and 4.25 Hz.
Periodic simultaneous provision of pairs of stimuli
A method further comprising periodically providing simultaneous stimulus patterns selected from combinations of left/right visual and auditory stimuli in pairs.
Alternating sensory stimulation of left visual and left auditory with right visual and right auditory
A method alternating sensory stimulation between left visual and auditory stimuli simultaneously and right visual and auditory stimuli simultaneously.
Alternating sensory stimulation of auditory-only and visual-only pairs
A method alternating sensory stimulation between left and right auditory stimuli together and left and right visual stimuli together.
Generation of auditory stimulus with speakers or bone conduction transducers
Methods where the left and right auditory stimuli are generated with left and right speakers or bone conduction transducers positioned in a headset.
Specific frequency ranges for auditory stimuli
Auditory stimuli including frequencies in the range of 240 Hz to 480 Hz.
Therapeutic application of alternating coordinated stimuli
A method of treating neurological diseases or providing performance enhancement by administering the alternating coordinated sensory stimuli to the user.
Apparatus for delivering alternating coordinated sensory stimuli
An apparatus comprising a headset frame, controller, left and right light sources, and left and right auditory sources programmed to generate alternating inputs producing left light with right auditory stimuli and right light with left auditory stimuli with specified frequency components in the stimuli.
The independent claims cover methods and apparatus for providing alternating coordinated sensory stimulation patterns involving specific frequency sequences and configurations of visual and auditory stimuli delivered via a wearable headset, including use of bone conduction transducers, to achieve therapeutic or performance-enhancing effects.
Stated Advantages
The treatment can be delivered through a comfortable wearable headset or sleep mask, enabling therapy during sleep or rest periods.
Combining two or more of auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli concurrently provides improved therapeutic benefits compared to delivering only one type of stimulus.
The methods facilitate brain stimulation that may improve neuroplasticity, addressing conditions such as PTSD by promoting communication across brain hemispheres and reducing undesirable flashbacks.
The system obviates the need for pharmaceuticals, avoiding associated side effects, costs, and patient compliance issues.
The device is portable and operable via personal computing devices such as smartphones, enhancing user accessibility and convenience.
Documented Applications
Treatment of neurological disorders including insomnia, PTSD, brain injuries (TBI, mTBI, stroke), depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and balance disorders.
Performance enhancement including improving neuroplasticity, motor skills, coordination, reaction times, alertness, energy levels, working memory, mood, and feelings of wellbeing.
Induction of sleep or nap states, including sleep patterning and circadian rhythm adjustment.
Pain management and chronic nerve pain reduction.
Treatment or mitigation of epilepsy photo sensitivity and seizure severity/frequency.
Improvement in fine motor skills for specialized personnel such as surgeons, bomb disposal experts, and marksmen.
Enhancement of reaction times and performance under stress for drivers and athletes.
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