Neck near-infrared light stimulation and head magnetic stimulation wearable cognitive function improvement system

Abstract

The invention discloses a neck near-infrared light stimulation and head magnetic stimulation wearable cognitive function improvement system, and belongs to the technical field of nerve regulation and control. The system comprises a high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module for the neck and the lower jaw, a low-intensity composite rhythm magnetic stimulation module for the forehead lobe and the temporal lobe, a portable controller and a head and neck sleeve. The near-infrared light enhances drainage of cerebrospinal fluid through a thermo-acoustic effect; magnetic stimulation induces multi-brain-region nerve rhythm resonance and cross rhythm coupling to improve the cognitive function; the controller controls the output parameters of the two stimuli and coordinates the frequency multiple relation and the phase difference of the two stimuli. The problems of single intervention mechanism and lack of space-time coordination in the prior art are solved, and bimodal multi-target combined regulation and control of metabolic clearance and nerve rhythm are realized. The system is suitable for auxiliary intervention of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of neuromodulation technology, specifically a wearable neuromodulation system that uses the synergistic effects of high-intensity, narrow-pulse near-infrared light and low-intensity, complex rhythmic magnetic stimulation to improve cognitive function. Its core goal is to non-invasively promote the efficiency of cerebrospinal fluid clearance circuits and target brain neural rhythms for adjunctive intervention in brain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing trend of population aging, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment is increasing year by year, severely impacting patients' quality of life and placing a socioeconomic burden. Existing research suggests that the pathological accumulation of abnormal metabolites, such as amyloid-β and phosphorylated Tau protein, in the central nervous system is a key pathological mechanism contributing to the development of these diseases. These diseases are also often accompanied by abnormal EEG activity, particularly in the theta and gamma frequency bands associated with cognitive function. Based on these characteristics, clearing metabolic waste and regulating brain function have become important approaches to slow disease progression.

[0003] Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of a glymphatic system within the central nervous system. This system, by regulating the directional exchange between cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid, transports toxic metabolic waste products such as amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau protein within the brain parenchyma to the meningeal lymphatic vessels. These waste products are ultimately eliminated through the cerebrospinal fluid efflux and are then transported to the peripheral lymphatic system. Clinical studies have demonstrated that interventions based on the artificial regulation of the peripheral lymphatic system, such as deep cervical lymphatic-venous anastomosis, can significantly improve cerebrospinal fluid drainage and have a positive therapeutic effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, studies have found that rhythmic mechanical stimulation of the superficial cervical lymphatic vessels can significantly accelerate cerebrospinal fluid flow and the rate of metabolic waste removal from the brain. This mechanism provides new insights into the development of non-invasive and non-invasive technologies for regulating brain metabolism.

[0004] Non-invasive neuromodulation technologies, due to their safety and ease of use, hold great promise for the treatment of brain diseases. Significant progress has been made in non-invasive approaches based on physical stimulation (e.g., electrical, magnetic, optical, and ultrasonic). Near-infrared (NIR) light and magnetic stimulation have been widely used in clinical treatment. Continuous-wave or wide-pulsed NIR light is currently the most common approach in clinical NIR light therapy. Its primary mechanism of action is the photobiomodulation effect: NIR light activates the mitochondrial chromatinase pathway, promoting carbon monoxide release and thereby regulating vascular and lymphatic vasodilation. High-intensity narrow-pulsed NIR light, however, operates at a significantly different mechanism from conventional continuous-wave or wide-pulsed light stimulation. This technique, through its short pulse width and high instantaneous power density, achieves efficient absorption of light energy in superficial tissues (e.g., hemoglobin and water molecules) and rapid conversion to heat. This transient heat deposition induces rapid temperature rise and microscale thermoelastic expansion within the local tissue, generating mechanical oscillations and pressure fluctuations, known as the thermoacoustic effect. The resulting periodic pressure waves act on the walls of superficial blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, significantly enhancing the hemodynamic response, improving local lymphatic circulation, and promoting the effective removal of cerebrospinal fluid and metabolic waste, thereby providing support for the maintenance of nervous system function and the prevention and treatment of diseases. Compared with traditional continuous wave or wide pulse stimulation, high-intensity narrow pulse near-infrared light avoids the risk of thermal damage to tissues caused by long-term heating due to its concentrated energy, and can achieve stronger physiological regulatory effects under safer conditions. In addition, this method uses physical mechanisms to induce more concentrated and time-sensitive mechanical disturbances in superficial tissues. The action process is fast and precise, and does not depend on the metabolic state of the tissue. It has higher immediacy and controllability than the traditional chemical regulation mode based on NO release.

[0005] Based on the above theory, the present invention applies high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation to the neck and mandibular areas, and by enhancing the local blood and lymph circulation dynamics, promotes the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid and effectively promotes the removal of metabolic waste. In addition, to further enhance the stimulation effect, multiple high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulations are continuously emitted in a single cycle, so that the local deposited energy per unit time is more concentrated, and the instantaneous temperature gradient and the amplitude of mechanical stress change are significantly increased, thereby amplifying the mechanical response generated by the thermoacoustic effect. This multi-pulse modulation can increase the intensity of the mechanical effect within a single stimulation cycle, providing a new technical approach for the treatment of neurological diseases.

[0006] Furthermore, research has shown that higher-level cognitive functions involve the coordinated coordination of multiple functional brain regions and neural oscillations across different rhythmic frequency bands. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are core brain regions of the memory system, with theta and gamma rhythmic EEG waves representing prominent cognitive-related neural oscillations. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are crucial hubs for the generation and integration of diverse cognitive-related neural oscillations. Working together through dynamic circuits, they coordinate the control of neural rhythms across different frequency bands to complete the multi-stage process of information perception, integration, storage, and retrieval, ultimately contributing to memory processing and consolidation. Within this process, rhythmic neural activity across different frequency bands demonstrates a distinct division of labor and collaboration in terms of spatial distribution and functional contributions. In the hippocampus, the gamma rhythm, through local short-range neural connections, achieves rapid and precise neuronal synchronization, representing and encoding distinct memory elements. The theta rhythm, on the other hand, encodes the temporal order of distinct memory representations across a wider range of brain regions through long-range neural connections. This, coupled with top-down regulation from the prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus, precisely regulates memory encoding and retrieval. At the same time, cross-rhythm coupling, called phase-amplitude coupling (PAC), has been found between theta and gamma rhythms in multiple brain regions. Low-frequency theta waves phase-modulate the amplitude of high-frequency gamma waves. By embedding local, fast gamma information into specific phases of the relatively global, slow theta waves, this provides a finely layered temporal structure for learning and memory processing, a key mechanism for efficient information processing, integration, and coordination in the brain. Accordingly, the present invention employs complex rhythmic magnetic stimulation. First, a coil is placed in the temporal lobe region near the hippocampus to apply gamma rhythmic magnetic stimulation, and a coil is placed in the prefrontal cortex to apply theta rhythmic magnetic stimulation. This aims to promote the synergistic mechanism of hippocampal-prefrontal circuits and the division of labor and cooperation between different neural oscillatory rhythms during cognitive processes. This induces a coordinated enhancement of neural oscillations in specific bands (such as theta and gamma waves), improving the synchronization and functional connectivity of neural networks, and thereby enhancing the improvement of cognitive impairment. Secondly, the magnetic stimulation module of the present invention can also apply a modulated magnetic field stimulation signal with a repetition frequency of θ and a carrier frequency of γ to the prefrontal and temporal lobes. This modulation mode can effectively enhance the θ and γ phase-amplitude coupling, promote the temporal coordination and information integration of multi-band neural rhythms, and enhance complex information processing and higher-level cognitive functions. The above two targeted magnetic stimulation modulations based on different spatial targets and θ and γ EEG and their coupling can help reconstruct the neural network connectivity characteristics of multiple brain regions and multiple frequency bands, improve abnormal rhythmic patterns in the brains of patients with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease, and enhance the overall synchronization of cognitive-related neural oscillations and information transmission efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, studies have found that specific rhythmic patterns of neural electrical activity in the brain (such as slow waves or nested patterns of slow waves and high-frequency waves) are closely related to cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Targeted modulation of functional EEG activity can leverage the brain's metabolic waste transport function, further enhancing cognitive improvement. Therefore, for cognitive impairment, addressing the two key links of brain metabolic waste clearance and neural rhythm regulation by developing a combined, complementary physical stimulation strategy can achieve more significant cognitive improvement. This present invention combines high-intensity, narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation with low-intensity, complex rhythmic magnetic stimulation applied to the head and neck region, respectively targeting functional structures closely related to metabolic pathways and neural oscillation regulation, forming a synergistic intervention system across multiple brain regions and mechanisms. Near-infrared light stimulation, based on the thermoacoustic effect, induces localized transient mechanical stress changes, thereby enhancing tissue hemodynamic responses. This can effectively promote lymphatic drainage and cerebrospinal fluid circulation, effectively accelerating the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain and providing a cleaner and more stable metabolic environment for neuronal activity. Low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation can cover cognitive-related EEG frequency bands such as theta waves and gamma waves, and be targeted at key brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe, inducing neural oscillation resonance and coordinated activation of functional areas, enhancing neural network plasticity, thereby achieving coordinated regulation of multiple brain regions and improving the effect of cognitive function recovery.

[0008] Based on the above theory, the present invention innovatively proposes a dual-modal neural control system based on high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation and low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation to achieve intervention in the cerebrospinal fluid-lymphatic drainage system and the cortical neural network of multiple brain regions in the head and neck region. The near-infrared light stimulation module induces changes in the local tissue microenvironment based on the transient mechanical stress effect by outputting high-intensity narrow-pulse light signals, enhances the hemodynamic response and cerebrospinal fluid circulation power, and thus improves the efficiency of brain metabolic waste removal; the magnetic stimulation module acts on multiple functional brain regions such as the prefrontal lobe and temporal lobe by outputting rhythmic magnetic fields or modulating magnetic field outputs covering cognitive-related frequency bands such as θ and γ, and more effectively regulates the rhythmic activity level of neuronal groups. And by controlling the frequency relationship and phase difference of the two stimuli, the timing and coupling relationship of the two stimuli can be further and more refined, which can effectively promote the coordinated activation and functional connection of neural networks in multiple brain regions.

[0009] The present invention is different from the existing single stimulation mode. It realizes dual-modal, multi-dimensional, and multi-brain region joint intervention at multiple levels such as spatial targets, neurophysiological mechanisms of action, and stimulation parameter control. The system supports flexible setting of stimulation parameters and output timing characteristics of near-infrared light stimulation and magnetic stimulation, and can formulate personalized stimulation plans according to different neurological functional states and intervention needs. The dual-modal, multi-dimensional, and multi-brain region control strategy comprehensively considers the functional EEG rhythm characteristics and cerebrospinal fluid circulation dynamics characteristics. Through the joint regulation of metabolic pathways and neural oscillation states, it can achieve efficient, non-invasive, and wearable neural control, which has broad prospects in the early intervention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

[0010] Existing patents, such as international patent WO2023 / 225548A2, describe an integrated non-invasive stimulation system for treating Alzheimer's disease symptoms. This system primarily stimulates the lymphatic system to clear abnormal proteins through the synergistic effects of an intraoral device (applying photobiomodulation and vibration) and a transcranial device (applying air compression and photobiomodulation). However, the oral device described in this patent requires insertion into the user's mouth, potentially causing discomfort, hygiene issues, or infection risks, leading to poor compliance. Furthermore, its intervention approach primarily focuses on metabolic regulation of the nervous system and lacks effective means of regulating neural electrical activity. U.S. Patent US2024 / 0050744 A1 discloses a neurostimulation system for enhancing brain waste removal. This system combines electrical stimulation with sensory stimulation (such as temperature, pressure, or light) to target specific peripheral nerve pathways in the mouth, face, and neck, including the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, and auricular branch of the vagus nerve, to induce increased cerebral blood flow, enhanced vascular pulsation, and patency of AQP4 channels, thereby improving cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. The electrical stimulation method employed can easily cause patient discomfort, and some stimuli require implanted components, increasing the complexity and risk of use. Furthermore, the light stimulation component utilizes a conventional, wide-pulse, low-intensity near-infrared light source. It achieves vasodilation through biochemical pathways such as nitric oxide release. Its mechanism is primarily based on neural reflexes and chronic chemical signaling, relying heavily on chemical signaling pathways, resulting in slow response and poor spatial focusing. Furthermore, the patent only addresses the intervention of a single pathway through stimulation of a single region, and does not address strategies for synergistically regulating the same neural rhythmic factor across multiple brain regions. Patent CN116764104A utilizes image recognition to control light stimulation of the neck. While capable of precise targeting, its stimulation mechanism is limited, relying solely on light stimulation (and, in some cases, ultrasound stimulation). The lack of rhythmic coordination between stimulations makes it difficult to effectively modulate brain function. Patent CN114209957A proposes coupling a low-intensity pulsed magnetic field in the gamma band with a modulated acoustic signal in the theta band, acting on the frontal and temporal lobes, respectively, to modulate EEG rhythms and thereby improve cognitive function. However, the patent does not address mechanisms for brain metabolic waste removal, and the overall intervention approach remains relatively limited.

[0011] Significantly different from the aforementioned patents, the present invention proposes a wearable cognitive function improvement system based on high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation and low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic field stimulation. This system places high-intensity narrow-pulse infrared light stimulation modules on the mandible and neck. These modules can output high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation with a wavelength range of 700-850nm, an output repetition frequency of 0.01-5Hz, and multiple pulse widths of 100-1000μs in each repetition cycle. The peak power of these high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulations is 5-200W. These high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulations utilize thermoacoustic effects to enhance local hemodynamic processes, effectively increasing lymph flow rate and cerebrospinal fluid drainage efficiency. Low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic field stimulation modules with adjustable amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle are placed in the frontal and temporal lobe regions. The output magnetic induction intensity ranges from 0-20mT, the stimulation frequency can be adjusted from 1-100Hz, and the duty cycle can be set from 1% to 50%. The module can apply rhythmic pulsed magnetic field stimulation of different frequencies to different brain regions, forming a cross-band coupling control mode. There are two specific working modes: the first mode: the coil in the prefrontal region outputs a θ-frequency pulsed magnetic field, and the coil in the temporal lobe region outputs a γ-frequency pulsed magnetic field. The stimulation frequency and phase of different brain regions can be configured independently. In the second mode, the four coils output a θ-γ modulated magnetic field with a repetition frequency of the θ rhythm and a carrier frequency of the γ rhythm, and the θ and γ frequencies maintain an integer multiple relationship; through precise control of the frequency characteristics of neural oscillation activities in different brain regions, it induces neural rhythm resonance in multiple brain regions, promotes the hippocampal-prefrontal loop coordination mechanism in the cognitive process, and promotes the division of labor and coordinated regulation between neural oscillation rhythms such as θ-γ, thereby effectively enhancing the synchronization and plasticity of the neural network and improving the regulation effect of cognitive function.

[0012] The high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation and the low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic field stimulation can be coupled according to a specific strategy (including the multiple relationship between the frequencies of the two stimuli and the timing of the release of the two stimuli), thereby realizing a multi-rhythm, multi-modal combined stimulation scheme, meeting the comprehensive neural regulation needs of multiple targets and multiple brain regions, enhancing the cognitive function regulation effect, and is expected to achieve more efficient cognitive function improvement, with good clinical application potential and promotion value. Summary of the Invention

[0013] In order to solve the technical problems in the above-mentioned background technology, the present invention discloses a wearable cognitive function improvement system combining neck near-infrared light stimulation and head magnetic stimulation. The system includes a high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module located at the neck and mandible, a low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation module located at the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the head, a portable controller, and a flexible head and neck sleeve for fixing the above-mentioned stimulation modules.

[0014] The near-infrared light stimulation module is positioned in the mandibular and cervical regions corresponding to the head and neck sleeve, precisely covering the densely distributed superficial lymphatic vessels. The module integrates an array of near-infrared LED light sources operating in the 700-850nm wavelength range, with a preferred wavelength of 810nm, which falls within the first near-infrared optical window of biological tissue and exhibits excellent penetration depth and tissue absorption characteristics. To ensure a secure fit and uniform illumination, the LED light sources utilize a flexible packaging process and are designed in an array-like distribution pattern.

[0015] The near-infrared light stimulation module outputs near-infrared pulsed light signals at a repetition rate of 0.01-5 Hz. Each repetition cycle contains 1-100 high-intensity narrow pulses of near-infrared light stimulation with adjustable pulse width and power. This light stimulation can induce rapid temperature rise and microscale thermal expansion in the superficial soft tissues of the neck and mandible and the surrounding lymphatic areas, producing a controllable thermoacoustic effect. This thermoacoustic effect generates mechanical force output in the target area, directly acting on the walls of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, enhancing hemodynamic properties, increasing lymph flow rate and pressure fluctuation amplitude, further promoting the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid along the peripheral lymphatic pathways of the neck, and improving the efficiency of metabolic waste removal, thereby effectively improving the metabolic environment in the brain and providing a safe and efficient physical intervention technology path for the recovery of cognitive function and the treatment of neurological diseases.

[0016] The head magnetic stimulation module is mounted on the head area corresponding to the headband. Four circular flat coils are symmetrically arranged around the frontal and temporal lobes. Each coil is embedded with a high-permeability magnetic core to improve magnetic flux density output efficiency, reduce drive current requirements, and reduce coil heating. Flexible shock-absorbing gaskets are wrapped around the coils to ensure stable and comfortable positioning when worn, making it suitable for prolonged use.

[0017] The magnetic stimulation module is equipped with a dedicated full-bridge driver circuit and is controlled in real time by an embedded microcontroller. This controller uses multi-channel PWM signals to precisely adjust the frequency (1-100Hz), amplitude (0-20mT), and duty cycle (1%-50%) of the magnetic field output by each coil. It also supports two different theta and gamma rhythm co-stimulation working modes:

[0018] The first mode, theta and gamma rhythm stimulation, allows for individual setting of the output frequency and phase for each coil, enabling the delivery of pulsed magnetic stimulation at varying frequencies to multiple brain regions. The two coils in the frontal lobe deliver theta-frequency pulsed magnetic fields, while the two coils in the temporal lobe deliver gamma-frequency pulsed magnetic fields. The output phase is adjustable to meet the needs of personalized cognitive intervention.

[0019] The second mode is theta-gamma modulation stimulation. This uses a theta rhythm (e.g., 4-8 Hz) as the repetition frequency and amplitude modulates the carrier gamma frequency (e.g., 30-100 Hz) to create a theta-gamma modulation magnetic field. In this mode, all four coils synchronously output the same theta-gamma modulation signal.

[0020] The above two stimulation modes can be used to match individual needs, focusing on different neural oscillation targeted regulation targets. Both can achieve cross-frequency and multi-brain region combined magnetic stimulation, induce resonance and coupling of EEG rhythms, and enhance neural network synchronization and functional plasticity.

[0021] The drive circuit utilizes low on-resistance MOSFET devices, along with overcurrent protection and temperature monitoring, to ensure safe and stable operation under prolonged, low-intensity magnetic stimulation. The module structure utilizes lightweight, high-strength composite materials, balancing mechanical stability with thermal insulation. Flexible shock-absorbing gaskets effectively reduce mechanical vibration and discomfort during wear, ensuring precise and comfortable magnetic stimulation positioning.

[0022] The magnetic stimulation module achieves precise coverage and interaction of different neural rhythm frequency bands in the brain through flexible multi-channel control and precise rhythm regulation, providing an efficient, stable and customizable magnetic field stimulation solution for improving cognitive function.

[0023] The portable controller is connected to the near-infrared light stimulation module and the magnetic stimulation module respectively through flexible wires. It integrates an embedded processor, a power management circuit and a high-energy-density lithium battery, and has multi-channel output control capabilities. The controller can independently set the output parameters of the two stimulation modules. The controller can control the stimulation parameters of near-infrared stimulation and magnetic stimulation. Furthermore, it can also control the magnetic stimulation θ frequency and γ frequency to be integer multiples of the near-infrared light stimulation repetition frequency, and can adjust the phase difference between the two stimuli by controlling the conduction sequence of different stimulation modules to achieve precise timing coordination of the two stimuli. The controller supports the complex needs of multi-brain region and multi-target joint neural regulation, ensuring that the rhythm output between different stimulation modules conforms to the predetermined time relationship, thereby realizing personalized cognitive function intervention programs.

[0024] The controller features a built-in high-energy-density lithium battery, multi-stage low-ripple voltage regulation, and interference isolation design, enabling independent power supply for over 48 hours, ensuring long-term use of the device at home, in rehabilitation facilities, and for portable clinical intervention scenarios. The circuit protection module provides overvoltage, undervoltage, short-circuit, and overcurrent protection, combined with high-speed charging and battery level indication, enhancing user safety and convenience.

[0025] The flexible head and neck sleeve integrates head magnetic stimulation and near-infrared light stimulation modules into a single support structure, made from a lightweight, high-strength composite material. This structure conforms to the physiological curves of the head, neck, and jaw, providing breathability, pressure relief, and comfort, making it suitable for long-term wearable use by people of all body types. All modules can be quickly plugged in, fixed, and replaced, adapting to the needs of different users and facilitating maintenance and upgrades.

[0026] Beneficial effects:

[0027] The present invention integrates high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation located at the neck and mandible with low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation located at the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the head. The combined coordinated effect of the above two stimuli can effectively improve cognitive function.

[0028] The near-infrared light stimulation module of the neck enhances the hemodynamic response by stimulating the thermoacoustic effect of local tissues, thereby promoting the removal of metabolic waste in the brain and effectively improving the neural environment. The rhythmic magnetic stimulation module of the head applies rhythmic magnetic stimulation of different frequencies to different brain regions, which can induce neural rhythm resonance and coupling in multiple brain regions, effectively promoting the synchronization and plasticity enhancement of neural networks. The intervention method of the present invention of combining near-infrared light stimulation of the neck and mandible with magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal lobe and temporal lobe can achieve dual-modal multi-target joint regulation of brain function through the timing coordination and synergistic effect between different stimuli, thereby being able to more effectively enhance the effect of improving cognitive function.

[0029] This system utilizes an integrated, lightweight, wearable structure and a highly integrated portable controller, enabling multi-mode parameter adjustment, coordinated output, and long-term stable operation, greatly enhancing the device's ease of use and safety. Based on a multi-physical factor synergistic intervention mechanism, this invention provides a non-invasive, efficient, precise, and dynamically adjustable intervention method for the rehabilitation treatment of mild cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, with significant clinical application value and broad prospects for promotion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the appearance and wearing of the wearable system of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 1 is a composition and structural diagram of the wearable system of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of the infrared light stimulation module of the wearable system of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 4 is a flow chart of the wearable system magnetic stimulation module of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the wearable system of the present invention.

[0035] Among them, 1 is a near-infrared light stimulation module, 2 is a magnetic stimulation module, 3 is a portable controller, and 4 is a head and neck sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. However, the following embodiments are intended only to explain the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention should include the entire contents of the claims. Moreover, through the description of the following embodiments, those skilled in the art can fully implement the entire contents of the claims of the present invention.

[0037] Example

[0038] The embodiment of the present invention provides a wearable cognitive function improvement system based on near-infrared light stimulation of the neck and magnetic stimulation of the head, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module 1 located at the neck and mandible, a low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation module 2 located at the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the head, a portable controller 3, and a head and neck sleeve 4 for fixing the above stimulation modules.

[0039] The near-infrared light stimulation module 1 described herein utilizes a high-intensity, narrow-pulse near-infrared LED light source with a wavelength in the 700-850nm range, preferably 810nm. The LED array is distributed over the neck and mandible, where dense superficial lymphatic vessels are located. The outer layer utilizes a flexible packaging structure that conforms to the curves of the head and neck, ensuring uniform illumination coverage.

[0040] In order to achieve precise control of LED light sources, this module is equipped with a dedicated multi-channel LED light source drive circuit. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the drive circuit is based on a constant current drive chip, combined with an embedded microcontroller unit. By precisely adjusting the drive current amplitude and pulse frequency, it can output a pulse width adjustable from 100μs to 1000μs, a repetition frequency adjustable from 0.01Hz to 5Hz, and can emit 1 to 100 pulses in a single repetition cycle. The peak power can be adjusted to a maximum of 200W of high-intensity narrow pulse near-infrared light. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, flexible adjustment of stimulation intensity and rhythm can be achieved through precise control of pulse number, pulse width, peak power and repetition frequency.

[0041] The driver circuit design optimizes switching speed and energy conversion efficiency. The PCB layout utilizes low parasitic inductance and capacitance, combined with damping elements and protection diodes to effectively suppress voltage spikes and electromagnetic interference during switching, ensuring stable and reliable signal transmission. The driver module integrates real-time current and pulse width monitoring circuits, enabling online detection and automatic calibration of output parameters. Furthermore, the system incorporates multiple hardware and software protection mechanisms, including overcurrent, overvoltage, and overtemperature protection, ensuring long-term stable operation under various load and environmental conditions.

[0042] The magnetic stimulation module 2 is set in the head area corresponding to the head and neck sleeve 4, and includes four annular flat coils, which are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the frontal lobe and the left and right sides of the temporal lobe. Each coil is embedded with a high magnetic permeability core to generate a higher magnetic flux density under low driving current conditions, so as to reduce the power consumption of the whole machine and reduce the coil volume. The coil is excited by the coil drive circuit, such as Figure 2 As shown, the drive circuit uses low-on-resistance MOSFET devices as switching devices, combined with a high-speed gate driver chip to achieve precise current control. The drive circuit further integrates overcurrent protection, short-circuit protection, and temperature detection functions to ensure the module's operational stability and safety under long-term low-intensity pulsed magnetic field output conditions.

[0043] The magnetic stimulation module is controlled and timed by an embedded microcontroller unit. The microcontroller integrates a multi-channel PWM control module and connects to the full-bridge drive circuit via a digital control interface to achieve real-time setting and dynamic adjustment of the output parameters of each coil channel. The output parameters include: adjustable frequency range of 1-100Hz, adjustable duty cycle range of 1%-50%, and adjustable amplitude range of 0-20mT. The system supports two output modes, such as Figure 4 As shown. In the first mode, the controller can independently set the output frequency for different coil channels. For example, the two coils in the frontal lobe region can output a θ-band pulsed magnetic field, while the two coils in the temporal lobe region can output a γ-band pulsed magnetic field. The output frequencies in different regions maintain an integer multiple relationship, and the output phase is adjustable. In the second mode, the system can apply a θ-γ modulated magnetic field to all four coils. That is, the repetition frequency is controlled to be a θ rhythm, the carrier frequency is controlled to be a γ rhythm, and the θ and γ frequencies maintain an integer multiple relationship.

[0044] To improve signal quality and control accuracy, the driver circuit board utilizes a low parasitic inductance and capacitance layout design. Damping elements and protection diodes are placed at key nodes to effectively suppress voltage spikes and electromagnetic interference, ensuring the integrity and stability of the magnetic stimulation waveform. The magnetic stimulation module's overall packaging material is a lightweight, high-strength composite material, with an internal flexible, shock-absorbing padding layer to improve coil positioning accuracy and reduce the impact of mechanical vibration and thermal stress on coil performance, thereby ensuring user comfort and device reliability during long-term wear.

[0045] The portable controller 3 is composed of an embedded high-performance microcontroller, a power management module, a user interaction interface, and a data communication interface, and is used to achieve high-precision timing control and parameter management of the high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module and the low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation module. The embedded high-performance microcontroller integrates a high-precision timing module and a high-speed logic control unit, and has the performance advantages of multi-channel, precise timing, and fast response. It can achieve precise time control of different stimulation channels and real-time processing of complex output timing logic. Figure 5 As shown, the controller has the ability to flexibly coordinate the timing of the pulse emission of the two stimulation modules, and can adjust the frequency relationship and phase difference of the two stimulation modules according to the preset timing scheme to achieve reasonable coordination between the stimulations. Specifically, the controller can control the magnetic stimulation θ frequency and γ frequency to be integer multiples of the near-infrared light stimulation repetition frequency, and can adjust the phase difference between the two stimuli by controlling the conduction sequence of different stimulation modules, thereby meeting the personalized needs of complex neural regulation and effectively promoting the multi-dimensional coordinated activation of neural networks.

[0046] The power supply system is powered by a high-energy-density lithium battery, and the output is stabilized by a linear voltage regulator and a low-ripple DC-DC conversion module to provide multiple independent voltage levels for the light source drive circuit, magnetic field drive module, control unit, etc. The power management circuit includes charging protection, overvoltage and undervoltage detection, power monitoring module and current limiting control module to ensure safe system operation and increase the service life of the entire machine. The user interaction interface includes function buttons and an OLED display, which can be used for stimulation parameter setting, mode selection and operation status display. The data communication interface supports parameter configuration, data storage and remote control with the host computer, realizing the setting and rapid switching of personalized stimulation plans. The control system has built-in multiple preset working modes, which can automatically complete dynamic adjustment of stimulation rhythm, timing and output parameters according to application requirements.

[0047] The head and neck sleeve 4 is made of a flexible composite material, combining mechanical strength and deformability. It conforms stably to the head and neck area and provides structural support and positioning for the optical and magnetic stimulation modules. Pre-set wiring slots and module mounting areas within the sleeve allow for secure installation of the stimulation modules, enhancing safety and comfort during wear.

[0048] This implementation integrates a high-intensity, narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module and a low-intensity, compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation module into a unified head and neck cuff structure. Relying on a portable controller with high-precision timing control capabilities, the output parameters and timing logic of both stimulations are uniformly managed and precisely regulated, resulting in a non-invasive, wearable, and controllable dual-modal neurological intervention system. The system supports independent control and coordinated timing of light and magnetic stimulation, allowing for flexible setting of stimulation parameters and output modes based on different intervention objectives. This system addresses the need for cognitive improvement across multiple timescales, regions, and mechanisms, making it suitable for comprehensive, multi-stage, multi-mechanism interventions for neurodegenerative diseases such as cognitive impairment.

[0049] The foregoing is merely a list of specific embodiments of the present application, intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to conform to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the present application.

Claims

1. Wearable cognitive function improvement system using near-infrared light stimulation of the neck and magnetic stimulation of the head, characterized by: include: High-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation module: Located in the neck and mandibular area, it has a built-in near-infrared LED light source array with an output wavelength of 700-850 nm, an adjustable repetition frequency of 0.01-5 Hz, 1-100 pulses per cycle, an adjustable pulse width of 100-1000 μs, and an adjustable peak power of 5-200 W. Low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation module: composed of four circular coils embedded with high-permeability magnetic cores, arranged in the frontal and temporal lobe regions, with an output magnetic field strength of 0-20 mT, a frequency of 1-100 Hz, and an adjustable duty cycle of 1%-50%, supporting θ-γ modulation output; the magnetic stimulation module supports two operating modes: Mode 1: The frontal coil outputs a θ-frequency pulsed magnetic field, and the temporal lobe coil outputs a γ-frequency pulsed magnetic field, with independently adjustable frequency and phase; Mode 2: The four coils synchronously output a modulated magnetic field with a repetition frequency of the θ rhythm and a carrier frequency of the γ rhythm, with the θ and γ frequencies maintaining an integer multiple relationship; Portable controller: Connects the two modules via a flexible wire, configures the parameters between the two stimuli, and can also configure the frequency multiple relationship and phase difference between the two stimuli. Specifically, the controller can control the magnetic stimulation theta frequency and gamma frequency to be integer multiples of the near-infrared light stimulation repetition frequency, and can adjust the phase difference between the two stimuli by controlling the conduction order of different stimulation modules. Head and neck sleeve: fixes all modules and fits the contour of the head and neck.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The wavelength of the near-infrared LED light source is preferably 810 nm, and the skin irradiation power density is ≤500 mW / cm².

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The near-infrared light stimulation generates mechanical force through the thermoacoustic effect of high-intensity narrow pulse light, thereby enhancing the lymph flow rate and cerebrospinal fluid drainage efficiency.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation enhances different neural oscillation coupling effects such as phase amplitude coupling through θ-γ modulation, thereby promoting neural rhythm temporal coordination and information integration.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is integrated with a touch screen to display stimulation parameters in real time and supports parameter preset, saving and fast switching.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller has a built-in lithium battery and a low ripple voltage regulator module, supports overvoltage / undervoltage / overcurrent protection, and can work continuously for ≥48 hours.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The head and neck sleeve is made of lightweight and flexible material, has a built-in silicone cushioning layer and an adjustable fixing strap, and is adaptable to different head and neck shapes.

8. A wearable cognitive function improvement method, characterized in that: The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: Wear the head and neck collar on the head and neck, so that high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light stimulation covers the neck and mandibular lymphatic area, and multiple coils cover the frontal lobe and temporal lobe to produce low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation; The portable controller is used to set the stimulation parameters of high-intensity narrow-pulse near-infrared light, the parameters and working mode of low-intensity compound rhythmic magnetic stimulation, and the synergistic relationship between the timing, phase, and frequency of the two stimuli; By utilizing the synergistic stimulation of near-infrared light in the neck and the magnetic field in the head, and by regulating the neck lymphatic drainage and neural activity in the brain area, we can achieve dual-modal multi-target joint regulation of brain metabolism and neural rhythm, effectively improving cognitive function.

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