Head-mountable adjustable devices for generating magnetic fields
Inventors
Charles, Robert Andrew • Hamilton, Daniel Ernest • Hugger, Derek John • Phillips, James W. • Eisner, Jacob Wenner • Kessler, Jeffrey Alan • Soloway, Aaron • Macdonald, Peter Scott
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9962555-B1
Publication Date
2018-05-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
Helmets for applying a magnetic field to the head of a subject, comprising: a housing comprising a concave surface configured to receive a portion of the head of the subject; a motor coupled to one or more of: a first permanent magnet via a first axle along a first axis of rotation, wherein the first axle drives movement of the first magnet; a second magnet via a second axle along a second axis of rotation wherein the second axle drives movement of the second magnet; and a third magnet via a third axle along the third axis of rotation wherein the third axle drives movement of the third magnet, wherein the axes are parallel; and a fit mechanism comprising a adjuster coupled to the first magnet, wherein movement of the adjustor moves the first magnet independently of the second or the third magnet.
Core Innovation
A helmet for applying a magnetic field to a head of a subject includes a housing configured to receive at least a portion of the head. A magnet assembly within the housing includes a first permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet, and a third permanent magnet, each driven by a corresponding axle having a corresponding axis of rotation that are substantially parallel. The axles are configured to drive movement of their respective permanent magnets, and a first motor is coupled to one or more of the first, second, or third permanent magnets.
The helmet further includes a first fit mechanism comprising a first adjuster coupled to the first permanent magnet. Movement of the first adjuster moves the first permanent magnet independently of the second permanent magnet or the third permanent magnet relative to the housing. The first adjuster extends outside of the housing when the housing is in a closed configuration such that the first adjuster is configured to be accessible to a user or the subject when the housing is positioned on the head of the subject.
Additional configurations describe positioning and rotational relationships among the permanent magnets and the fitting architecture. The second permanent magnet is arranged between the first and third permanent magnets, with the first and third rotating in one direction and the second rotating in the opposite direction, and the housing may be switched between closed and open configurations. The fit mechanism may adjust distance between the first motor and the head when the housing is positioned on the head, including implementations with a height measurement element, a limiter with a pre-selected range, a feedback receiver, and a processor configured to control movement of the first adjuster based on distance feedback.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00015, clm-00019, and clm-00024). The independent claims share a common inventive structure: a head-mountable helmet with a housing and a three-permanent-magnet magnet assembly driven via parallel axes and motor coupling, combined with independent user-accessible fitting via adjusters for at least one magnet.
Helmeted magnetic-field application with three permanent magnets on parallel axles
A helmet for applying a magnetic field to a head of a subject with a housing configured to receive at least a portion of the head; a magnet assembly within the housing including a first permanent magnet via a first axle having a first axis of rotation, a second permanent magnet via a second axle having a second axis of rotation, and a third permanent magnet via a third axle having a third axis of rotation; the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are substantially parallel; and a first motor coupled to one or more of the first, second, or third permanent magnets.
User-accessible independent adjuster for first permanent magnet relative to the housing
A first fit mechanism comprising a first adjuster coupled to the first permanent magnet, wherein movement of the first adjuster moves the first permanent magnet independently of the second permanent magnet or the third permanent magnet relative to the housing; and the first adjuster extends outside of the housing when the housing is in a closed configuration such that the first adjuster is configured to be accessible to a user or the subject when the housing is positioned on the head of the subject.
Helmet housing closed/open configuration with magnet assembly
A helmet for applying a magnetic field to a head of a subject with a housing configured to receive at least a portion of the head; a magnet assembly within the housing including first, second, and third permanent magnets via corresponding axles and a first motor; wherein the housing comprises an upper part and a lower part with a first portion of the upper part and a first portion of the lower part connected when the housing is in a closed configuration, and a second portion of the upper part and a second portion of the lower part not connected in the closed configuration.
Specific spatial and rotational relationship among permanent magnets
A device wherein the second permanent magnet is positioned between the first and third permanent magnets, with the first and third rotating in one direction and the second rotates in the opposite direction.
Across the independent claims, the core claimed structure is a helmet with a magnet assembly containing first, second, and third permanent magnets driven via substantially parallel axles and a motor, combined with a first fit mechanism using a first adjuster to independently move the first permanent magnet relative to the housing, including configurations that provide user accessibility, closed/open housing transformation, and specified magnet positional and rotational relationships.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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