Systems and methods for measuring or assessing consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations

Abstract

Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed that can measure the level of consciousness and unconsciousness of a person or animal using devices sensitive to optical wave interference or divergence / diffraction measurements. The exemplary systems and methods can be utilized to decipher and map the brain activity patterns that give rise to conscious experiences into units of measurement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This PCT application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 483,877, filed February 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Although there is currently no objective way to quantify or measure consciousness in humans or animals, the implications of such a measurement would be of great utility, including in the field of medicine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed that can measure the level of consciousness and unconsciousness of a person or animal using devices sensitive to optical wave interference or divergence / diffraction measurements (also referred to herein as Sentiometry). The exemplary systems and methods can be utilized to decipher and map the brain activity patterns that give rise to conscious experiences into units of measurement referred to herein as "Qualiagraphy."

[0004] In some embodiments, the system includes a low-power laser-emitting diode (LED), a row or array of optical sensors or a photosensitive screen, and corresponding electronics for measuring light-induced currents, which are then stored in a computerized device (e.g., a storage device). The system and method determine deviations in the amplitude of these currents at short time intervals during continuous recording. These deviations may be displayed on a display screen by a software program or may then be utilized in medical applications (e.g., anesthesia control). The system may include a single or double slit partition to generate light wave interference, or may be configured without a slit, and measurements are of divergence or diffraction.

[0005] The second device is a miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer with two beam splitters and two mirrors instead of a slit partition. Two optical sensors are positioned perpendicular to each other and at a fixed distance. The currents from both sensors are measured, and the ratio of the two amplitudes (the second splitter divided by the first splitter) is calculated instead of their deviation. Level of consciousness measurement involves at least two interference or divergence / diffraction devices, or two interferometers, one placed on the head cap or within 5 cm of the head (test device), and the other at a distance of at least 90 cm (reference device).

[0006] A consistently large difference in deviation values ​​between interference or divergence / diffraction devices, or a substantially large ratio between a reference interferometer and a test interferometer, is a measure of the level of consciousness (Q metric). Mapping brain activity patterns that encode conscious experience involves randomly and repeatedly presenting sensory stimuli and averaging the current amplitudes recorded by one or more test devices (on the cap) in response to multiple presentations of those stimuli. This device system and associated methods have applications in anesthesiology, diagnosis of altered states of consciousness, diagnosis of disorders of consciousness and brain death, sleep medicine, mental status diagnosis, detection of consciousness in non-human organisms, and mapping the neural codes of conscious experience. The invention of the device and method described herein arose from a need to test the predictions of a hypothesis proposed by Santosh Helekar to explain the physical basis of consciousness.

[0007] In one aspect, a method for measuring or assessing consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation is provided, comprising a modular device comprising a housing within which a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly are located, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern (e.g., in a band) or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas. a modular device for detecting photons received from a person or animal; placing the modular device in proximity to the person or animal (less than 3 feet from the person or animal); measuring, via an electrical circuit, a current corresponding to the received photons for each of a plurality of channels or zones while the device is in proximity to the person or animal; and outputting, via the electrical circuit or a computing device, the measured current or a parameter derived from the measured current for each of the plurality of channels or zones on a display, wherein the measured current is utilized as a measure or indicator of consciousness or sentience of the person or animal.

[0008] In another aspect, a method for measuring or assessing consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation includes providing a modular device comprising a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly housed within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas; and administering the modular device to a person or a processor for determining, via the processor, that a measure of consciousness or sentience based on the measured current or a parameter derived from the measured current for at least one of the plurality of channels or regions exceeds a predetermined threshold; and outputting, via the electrical circuit or computing device, the measure of consciousness or sentience on a display, wherein the measure of consciousness or sentience is utilized as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sentience of the person or animal.

[0009] In another aspect, a method for assessing consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation includes providing a plurality of modular devices, each comprising a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly housed within a main body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas, the plurality of modular devices being disposed at a plurality of locations on headwear (e.g., a cap). a processor for determining, via the electrical circuitry or computing device, that a measure of consciousness or sentience based on the measured current or a parameter derived from the measured current for at least one of the plurality of channels or zones exceeds a predetermined threshold; and outputting, via the electrical circuitry or computing device, the measure of consciousness or sentience on a display, wherein the measure of consciousness or sentience is utilized as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sentience of the human or animal.

[0010] In another aspect, a method for assessing consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation includes providing a first assembly of one or more modular devices including a first modular device comprising a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly housed within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the received photons for each of the plurality of channels or areas, the first modular device being disposed at a location on a wearable device (e.g., cap or other headwear) to be placed on a person or animal; and providing a second modular device comprising a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly housed within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the received photons for each of the plurality of channels or areas, the first modular device being disposed at a location on a wearable device (e.g., cap or other headwear) to be placed on a person or animal. or at least one elongated area defining a region, wherein each of the plurality of channels or areas is configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by a photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas; disposing a first assembly including at least a first modular device at a first location proximate to the human or animal, and disposing a second device at a second location proximate to the human or animal, the first location being closer to the human or animal than the second location; measuring, via an electrical circuit, the current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas of the first modular device while the first assembly is located at the first location as a first measurement; measuring, via an electrical circuit, the current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas of the second device while the first assembly is located at the second location as a second measurement; and determining, by a processor, a measure of consciousness or sensation based on the first measurement and the second measurement;and outputting, via an electrical circuit or a computing device, on a display the measure of consciousness or sentience or an indicator derived from the measure, wherein the measure or indicator of consciousness or sentience is used as a measure or indicator of consciousness or sentience of a person or animal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the modular device is disposed on headwear.

[0012] In some embodiments, the modular device includes a single or double slit positioned between a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly to generate an interference pattern.

[0013] In some embodiments, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly of the modular device is configured to measure divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source.

[0014] In some embodiments, the plurality of modular devices includes at least one of 2 devices, 3 devices, 4 devices, 5 devices, 6 devices, 7 devices, 8 devices, 9 devices, 10 devices, 10-16 devices, 16-32 devices, and 32-64 devices.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method (of any of the above) further includes generating, by the processor or a different computing device, a visual output of the highest amplitude channel or statistical parameters derived from the measurements (e.g., distribution statistics across channels) for each of the plurality of modular devices.

[0016] In some embodiments, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly includes an array of photodiodes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the photon source includes one or more of an LED, a laser, or an assembly thereof.

[0018] In some embodiments, measuring via an electrical circuit a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas includes determining, by a processor or hardware circuit, a band region of the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first modular device is identical in construction to the second device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first modular device has a first configuration and the second device has a second configuration, the first configuration being different from the second configuration.

[0021] In some embodiments, the output is used by a clinician or machine to adjust or administer anesthesia.

[0022] In some embodiments, the output is used by a clinician or machine to identify, label or classify at least brain dead, comatose, vegetative, minimally conscious and confined states.

[0023] In some embodiments, the output is used by a clinician or machine to (i) quantify the perception of pain or distress (e.g., in pain research or pain treatment), (ii) quantify sleep levels or states (e.g., in sleep research or sleep treatment), or (iii) quantify hallucinatory states, moods, beliefs, repetitive thoughts, or repetitive emotions (e.g., in psychiatric research or treatment).

[0024] In another aspect, a device or system is disclosed that includes a modular apparatus, the modular apparatus comprising: a housing in which a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly are located, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated section that defines a plurality of channels or sections, each of the plurality of channels or sections configured to receive an interference pattern (e.g., in a band) or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source; and a controller configured with electrical circuitry to measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or sections.

[0025] In another aspect, a device or system is disclosed that includes a modular apparatus, the modular apparatus comprising: a miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer; and a controller configured with electrical circuitry to measure a current corresponding to received photons of the miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the controller configured to output the measured current or a parameter derived from the measured current on a display device via the electrical circuitry or computing device, wherein the measured current is utilized as a measure or indicator of consciousness or sentience of a person or animal.

[0026] In some embodiments, the modular device includes a single or double slit positioned between a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly to generate an interference pattern.

[0027] In some embodiments, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly of the modular device is configured to measure divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source.

[0028] In some embodiments, the modular device can be placed in close proximity to a person or animal (less than 3 feet from the person or animal) to provide a measure or indication of the person's or animal's awareness or sentience.

[0029] In some embodiments, the device or system further comprises a feature described in any one of the methods above.

[0030] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is disclosed having instructions stored thereon, the execution of the instructions by a processor causing the processor to (i) perform, in whole or in part, any one of the methods set forth above, or (ii) operate, in whole or in part, any one of the devices or systems set forth above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1A] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1B] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1C] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1D] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1E] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1F] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 1G] In accordance with an exemplary system, an exemplary recorder and analysis system configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations is shown. [Figure 2A] 10 shows exemplary measured amplitudes of interference bands. [Figure 2B] 2B shows time series plots of the two inner bands of FIG. 2A and the two outer bands of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] For example, an example visualization of a recording that can be analyzed and presented via a display is shown. [Figure 3A] We present the first prototype device for double-slit interference experiments. [Figure 3B] We present the first prototype device for double-slit interference experiments. [Figure 3C] We present the first prototype device for double-slit interference experiments. [Figure 3D] A second prototype device for double-slit interference experiments is presented. [Figure 3E] A second prototype device for double-slit interference experiments is presented. [Figure 3F] A third prototype device with a different configuration for measuring divergent / diffracted waves is shown. [Figure 3G] A third prototype device with a different configuration for measuring divergent / diffracted waves is shown. [Figure 3H] A third prototype device with a different configuration for measuring divergent / diffracted waves is shown. [Figure 4A] 1 shows experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device, showing the device placed inside an enclosure in proximity to a live mouse. [Figure 4B] Experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device are presented, showing a time series recording of a single photodiode channel response. [Figure 4C]Experimental results obtained with the prototype sensometer device are shown, showing normalized recorded measurements taken at 0 cm from two canine subjects (in contact with the subjects) at two intervals. [Figure 4D] Experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device are shown, showing raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice at two locations: one next to the animal and one approximately 11 feet away. [Figure 4E] Experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device are shown, showing raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice at two locations: one next to the animal and one approximately 11 feet away. [Figure 4F] We present experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device, showing raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice at two locations. [Figure 4G] We present experimental results obtained with a prototype sensometer device, showing raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice at two locations. [Figure 5A] For each of the four subjects, normalized recorded measurements taken at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away; see Figure 5E) and four time intervals are shown. [Figure 5B] For each of the four subjects, normalized recorded measurements taken at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away; see Figure 5E) and four time intervals are shown. [Figure 5C] For each of the four subjects, normalized recorded measurements taken at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away; see Figure 5E) and four time intervals are shown. [Figure 5D]For each of the four subjects, normalized recorded measurements taken at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away; see Figure 5E) and four time intervals are shown. [Figure 5E] For each of the four subjects, normalized recorded measurements taken at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away; see Figure 5E) and four time intervals are shown. [Figure 6A] Measurements are shown during sleep, and for part of the measurements, measurements taken in an empty room with one subject. [Figure 6B] Measurements during sleep are shown, with measurements taken in an empty room with one subject asleep throughout the entire nighttime recording (10 hours). [Figure 6C] Measurements taken during sleep are shown, with another subject asleep throughout the entire nightly recording (10 hours). [Figure 6D] Measurements taken during sleep are shown, showing a similar overnight recording with two sleeping subjects: the second subject falls asleep and wakes up during the recording while the first subject is still asleep. [Figure 6E] Measurements during sleep are shown, taken in an empty room with two subjects asleep throughout the entire nighttime recording (10 hours). [Figure 6F] The measurement shown is one of three taken during sleep and at similar times of day with the recorder in the laboratory. [Figure 6G] The measurement shown is one of three taken during sleep and at similar times of day with the recorder in the laboratory. [Figure 6H] The measurement shown is one of three taken during sleep and at similar times of day with the recorder in the laboratory. [Figure 7A]1 shows measurements taken from a person with the device held at different orientations (normal to the ground and parallel to the ground). [Figure 7B] 1 shows measurements taken from a person over a period of time to determine the time to saturation of the measurements. [Figure 7C] 1 shows measurements taken from a person using a recorder device for a set of activities (reading and watching a video). [Figure 8A] Measurements are shown using emitted / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations in accordance with an exemplary system, and a prototype configured as an emitted / diffracted wave measurement system is shown. [Figure 8B] Measurements using divergent / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations according to an exemplary system are shown, and measurements taken from a person with modified devices (with or without double slits) are shown. [Figure 8C] 1 shows measurements using divergent / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations according to an exemplary system, each showing normalized recorded measurements taken from a person at five different locations: top of the head, forehead, right side, left side, and back of the head. [Figure 8D] Measurements are shown using emitted / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations according to an exemplary system, and measurements are shown with a recorder placed in a largely unoccupied laboratory. [Figure 8E] Measurements are shown using divergent / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations according to an exemplary system, and measurements are shown with the laser diode disabled to demonstrate that the measurements are related to the laser light source. [Figure 8F]Measurements are shown using divergent / diffracted wave measurement hardware to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations according to an exemplary system, and measurements are shown with two recorders, one with and one without a double-slit configuration, placed within 10 cm of a single animal (mouse). [Figure 9A] Measurements of responses from different types of animals are shown, with measurements obtained from humans (primates) and animals (rodents). [Figure 9B] Measurements of responses from different types of animals are shown, with measurements taken from invertebrates shown. [Figure 9C] Post-mortem measurements are shown, showing the measured response to a 20-minute exposure, which appears to be reversed 2 hours after euthanasia induction. [Figure 9D] Post-mortem measurements are shown, showing sensometric responses measured from decapitated and disembodied animals (euthanized mice). In Figure 9D, baseline measurements show a reversal of the response observed with head exposure (before death). [Figure 9E] Post-mortem measurements are shown, showing sensometric responses measured from the excised brains of the animals. [Figure 10] Figure 1 shows the measured sensometric response elicited by 30 minutes of exposure of the hand to the sensor module of a sensometer placed 15 cm from the side of the body.

[0032] Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout, in which like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more such features, is included within the scope of the present invention, provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent.

[0034] Several references, which may include various patents, patent applications, and publications, are cited in the reference list and discussed in the disclosure provided herein. Citation and / or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is "prior art" to any aspect of the present disclosure described herein. For purposes of notation, "[n]" corresponds to the nth reference in the list. All references cited and discussed herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and to the same extent as if each reference were individually incorporated by reference.

[0035] Exemplary System #1 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F each show an exemplary recorder and analysis system 100 (shown as 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, and 100f, respectively) configured to measure and record a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensations in accordance with an exemplary system.

[0036] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F, recorder and analysis system (e.g., 100a, 100b, 100e, 100f) includes measurement system 102 with recorder device 104 (shown as 104a) disposed, for example, on a cap 106 wearable by the person or placed in proximity to the person's head. Recorder device 104 is connected to computing device 108 having data store 110. Recorder and analysis system 100a includes analysis system 112 configured to retrieve recordings from data store 114 and generate a report, for example on display device 116, indicating a measure or indicator of the person's or animal's consciousness or sentience.

[0037] Recorder device 104 is a quantum effect sensing device or quantum effect observer that can observe, for example, the effects of quantum wave function collapse or decoherence over a period of time to provide a measure of a person's consciousness, unconsciousness, or sentience. The recordings and / or measurements can be used to assess a state of alertness / sedation, functional cognition, or non-cognitive assessment of a person, e.g., a comatose patient, a sleeping person, etc. Indeed, recorder device 104 is useful in various medical and clinical applications and neuroscience research, among other things. Recorder device 104 may be useful in trauma and mental health treatment, law enforcement, and security intelligence applications.

[0038] Exemplary systems and methods can be used to (i) measure the depth of consciousness under general anesthesia in an operating room, (ii) determine the degree of consciousness in unresponsive subjects in an intensive care unit, for example, to distinguish between brain death, coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and confinement, (iii) determine the frequency and nature of dreams in sleep studies, which may be useful in diagnosing psychiatric illnesses, (iv) quantify the intensity of pain and distress, (v) determine the frequency and nature of abnormal thoughts, moods, emotions, beliefs, and hallucinations in psychiatric disorders, (vi) detect whether a premature infant or intrauterine fetus is conscious, (vii) discover whether organisms higher up the evolutionary ladder are conscious, and (viii) decipher the entire neural quantum code of sensory, affective, and cognitive qualia, similar to mapping the genomes of humans and other organisms.

[0039] 1B, recorder device 104a is fixably coupled to structure 107 (e.g., a bed, a chair) and placed in proximity to the person, and the structure maintains a certain proximity / distance, e.g., less than 5 cm, between recorder device 104a and the person (e.g., head).

[0040] 1A, recorder device 104a′ is configured as a slit diffraction device for performing single- or double-slit quantum physics experiments. Recorder device 104a′ includes a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) 116, a slit partition (e.g., single-slit or double-slit) 118, and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 coupled to electronics 122 (shown as “front-end circuitry” 122) that amplifies and conditions measured photons received at photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120. The measured signal is converted to a digital value via an analog-to-digital converter 124 coupled to a controller 126. Photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 includes an elongated area defining multiple channels (shown as 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d, and 128e), each configured to receive an interference pattern 130 (e.g., in a band) of light emitted by photon source 116 and traveling through slit partition 118. The front-end circuitry 122 and the ADC(s) 124 are configured with electrical circuitry for measuring a current corresponding to photons received for each of the multiple channels 128 .

[0041] Graph 132 shows a plot of the amplitude of the measured current at a point in time for each channel 128 of the photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 corresponding to the measured photons. Graph 134 shows a time series plot of the deviation of the normalized measurements. To generate the time series plot, a baseline value (i.e., an initial point of unconsciousness) can be determined and subtracted from the raw signal amplitude. The result is an inverted plot, such as that shown in graph 134.

[0042] Exemplary System #2 1C shows an exemplary recorder and analysis system 100c configured with an array of recorder devices 104 (shown as 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d) according to the exemplary system. The number of recorder devices 104 in the array may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. In some embodiments, the number of recorder devices 104 exceeds 20.

[0043] 1D shows another exemplary recorder and analysis system 100d comprised of an array of recorder devices 104 (shown as 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d) according to an exemplary system. In FIG. 1D, the array of recorder devices 104 is mounted on a structure that surrounds the person's head while maintaining the recorder devices 104 within a predetermined distance from the person's head.

[0044] Exemplary System #3 1E illustrates another exemplary recorder and analysis system 100e configured with a recorder device 104 (104e) configured as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, according to an exemplary system. A miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer may be implemented in the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A-1D.

[0045] Exemplary System #4 FIG. 1F shows an exemplary recorder and analysis system 100e comprised of an array of recorder devices 104, according to an exemplary system.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1F, recorder device 104a″ is configured as a diffractive element configured to measure divergence / diffraction waves of light emitted by a photon source. Recorder device 104a″ includes a photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 coupled to a photon source (e.g., an LED or laser) 116 and electronics 122 (shown as “front-end circuitry” 122) that amplifies and conditions the measured photons received at photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120. The measured signal is converted to a digital value via an analog-to-digital converter 124 coupled to a controller 126. Photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 includes an elongated area defining a plurality of channels (shown as 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d, 128e), each configured to receive a divergence / diffraction pattern 131 (e.g., in a band) or divergence / diffraction waves of light emitted by photon source 116. The front-end circuitry 122 and the ADC(s) 124 are configured with electrical circuitry for measuring a current corresponding to photons received for each of the multiple channels 128 .

[0047] Graph 132 shows a plot of the amplitude of the measured current at a point in time for each channel 128 of the photonic sensor or sensor assembly 120 corresponding to the measured photons. Graph 134 shows a time series plot of the deviation of the normalized measurements. To generate the time series plot, a baseline value (i.e., an initial point of unconsciousness) can be determined and subtracted from the raw signal amplitude. The result is an inverted plot, such as that shown in graph 134.

[0048] FIG. 1G shows an exemplary recorder and analysis system 100f comprised of an array of recorder devices 104 according to an exemplary system.

[0049] 1G, recorder device 104a is fixably coupled to structure 107 (e.g., a bed, a chair) and placed in proximity to the person. The structure maintains a constant proximity / distance, e.g., less than 5 cm, between recorder device 104a and the person (e.g., head).

[0050] Example Measurements 2A shows exemplary measured amplitudes of interference bands. In FIG. 2, the measured amplitudes are for five channels: left and right outer bands 202, left and right inner bands 204, and center band 206. The Y-axis shows raw measurement values ​​(bits) (12 bits).

[0051] FIG. 2B shows a time series plot of the two inner bands of FIG. 2A and the two outer bands of FIG. 2A.

[0052] FIG. 2C shows an example of a visualization of the recordings (in graphs 208, 210, and 212) that may be analyzed and presented via display 114, for example.

[0053] Table 1 shows the operations that generate the visualization in Figure 2C. [Table 1]

[0054] An example of the use of the exemplary system and method is provided in Table 2. [Table 2]

[0055] Experimental Results and Examples Research was conducted to build the hardware and software for a prototype slit box device. Three different variations of a working prototype were developed.

[0056] Pilot studies in healthy adults are planned, as well as trial studies in anesthetized subjects in the operating room and unresponsive subjects in the intensive care unit.

[0057] The exemplary systems and methods arose from a need to test two predictions of a hypothesis proposed by Santosh Helekar to explain the physical basis of consciousness, or subjective experience, and the unique implementation of this physics in the biology of the brain. This hypothesis further elaborates on the theoretical framework published by Helekar in 1999 (Helekar SA. On the possibility of universal neural coding of subjective experience. Conscious Cogn. 1999 Dec;8(4):423-46; Helekar SA. In defense of experience-coding nonarbitrary temporal neural activity patterns. Conscious Cogn. 1999 Dec;8(4):455-61).

[0058] The latest findings stem from a long-standing hypothesis that consciousness has something to do with the collapse of the wave function in quantum mechanics—in other words, the materialization of particles such as photons from waves.

[0059] Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff and colleagues hypothesize that the brain mechanism of consciousness may involve the spontaneous collapse of quantum wave functions.

[0060] The final form of the hypothesis developed by Helekar is a generalization and extension of this theoretical concept, relating it to our current understanding of the neural correlates and the phenomenology of consciousness, resulting in experimentally testable predictions. It states that the underlying mechanisms generating the neural activity patterns associated with conscious experiences, or the patterns themselves, induce specific patterns of collapse / decoherence in any quantum wave function in the vicinity, thereby generating these experiences. The temporal shape of these collapse / decoherence patterns recapitulates the shape of the neural activity patterns and uniquely and universally encodes elements of conscious experience long recognized as qualia. Thus, the hypothesis predicts that a device capable of detecting the conversion of light waves into photons should be able to confirm its two main predictions: 1) the neural activity foci that generate conscious experiences in close proximity to the device should convert more light waves into photons, and 2) the temporal pattern of this conversion, when detected as a signal above baseline noise, should represent the code for the corresponding experience.

[0061] This study demonstrated exemplary systems and methods using an apparatus based on the well-known double-slit experiment in quantum physics to test key predictions of hypotheses that explain the physics of consciousness, a long-standing open question. The study also considered a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

[0062] Prototype #1Figure 3C shows the first prototype device for double-slit interference experiments. The device consists of a sensor unit (shown as the "slit box" 308) containing a red-dot low-power laser diode, a linear array of seven photodiodes, and a double-slit partition. The sensor unit is connected to a controller box containing a microcontroller board with an onboard 10-bit analog-to-digital converter and a microprocessor with uploaded firmware capable of sampling the photodiode current at rates ranging from 10 to 500 Hz. The controller box can be connected to an electronic tablet or computer via a USB cable. Data can be acquired and stored by a serial monitoring program at a baud rate of 9600 or on removable media (e.g., an SD card) installed on the microcontroller board. The first device 304 (Figures 3A and 3B) includes a box 308 (shown as "slit box" 308) in which a low-power laser-emitting diode (LED) 306 emits light that is projected through a single or double slit partition 310 onto an array of light sensors 312 (i.e., photodiodes), generating a fringe pattern consisting of bright and dark bands. In this study, a photosensitive screen was considered as an alternative to light sensors. An electronic circuit 314 (shown as "circuit box" 314) measures the light-induced currents in each bright or dark band to the left and right of the central bright band. The amplitudes of these currents were converted to digital form and stored on a computer connected to the device through an analog-to-digital converter or on a removable digital medium such as a microsecure digital card when the device is used in a standalone configuration. Deviations in the amplitudes of these currents over short time intervals during continuous recording were used to calculate a single statistical value, such as the average or sum of the maximum range of deviation, and displayed on a display screen by a software program.

[0063] Prototype #2Figure 3D shows a second prototype device for double-slit interference experiments. The second prototype device is configured to acquire measurements at 100 Hz with 12 bits. Figure 3E shows a schematic diagram of the prototype device of Figure 3D for double-slit interference experiments.

[0064] In FIG. 3E, the device includes a double-slit partition 316 within a sensor module 318. A laser source 320 located at a first end 321 of the sensor module emits a laser beam 322 that passes through the double-slit partition 316, creating an interference pattern 324 (see also 324′ and 324″) at a second end 325, which is equipped with a set of photodiodes 326 (shown as “photosensors” 326). Interference pattern 324′ exhibits higher intensity measurements in the off-center interference bands in the absence of collapse / decoherence, e.g., due to a hypothesized mechanism associated with conscious experience. Interference pattern 324″ exhibits lower intensity measurements in the off-center interference bands, indicating the presence of collapse / decoherence, e.g., due to a hypothesized mechanism associated with conscious experience.

[0065] The device can be placed close to the pericranial or peri-trunk areas as sites for measuring predicted effects in off-center interference bands.

[0066] Prototype #3 Figure 3F shows a third prototype device for measuring divergence / diffraction waves. This configuration does not have a double-slit partition in the sensor module 328, but simply measures a sampling of the divergence / diffraction waves. The sensor module 328 includes a laser light source 320 and a set of photodiodes 326 for detecting the degree of beam divergence / diffraction. A low beam divergence / diffraction measurement indicates beam wave collapse / decoherence, e.g., due to the trunk-around effect. A high beam divergence / diffraction measurement indicates no beam wave collapse / decoherence, e.g., due to the trunk-around effect.

[0067] Prototype #4 FIG. 3G shows another configuration of the sensor module 328 of FIG. 3F, capable of measuring divergent / diffracted waves. The module 328 includes a pinhole aperture 330 in which the laser light source 320 is positioned. Laser light 332 from the laser light source 320 passes through the pinhole aperture 330. The sensor module 328 includes a single central photodiode 334 for sampling the light 332 emanating from the pinhole 330. The response 336 (shown as 336′ and 336″) can change shape in the presence of beam collapse / decoherence (336′) or in the absence of beam collapse / decoherence (336″), for example, due to the trunk-around effect. Plots 338 (shown as 338a, 338b) show measurements in two orientations of the sensor module 328.

[0068] Prototype #4 FIG. 3H shows another configuration of a sensor module 340 configured to measure divergent / diffracted waves. Instead of a laser LED (e.g., 320) to generate light that is measured by a photodiode 344 to measure the trunk surround effect, the sensor module 340 utilizes a white light LED 342. Since a response can be detected, this suggests that the detection of the trunk surround effect does not appear to be dependent on a specific wavelength. Plot 342 shows that the response appears to be inverted in the highlighted region, which indicates the duration of exposure.

[0069] Mach-Zehnder interferometerThis study also considered a second device, a miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer, in which two beam splitters and two mirrors could be used instead of the slit partition (Figure 2). Light from a laser diode passes through the first beam splitter and can be split into two perpendicular beams. Each beam can then be reflected by a mirror, and the two reflected beams pass through the second beam splitter. The splitters and mirrors can be arranged such that the light waves combine to reconstitute the original beam within the second beam splitter. The combined beam can then be detected by one of two optical sensors (e.g., photodiodes) positioned at a fixed distance perpendicular to each other, provided that the waves do not collapse / decoherence into photons on their way to the splitter. If this collapse / decoherence occurs due to the hypothetical mechanism associated with conscious experience, as predicted, the second sensor can also detect the light beam. Thus, the current from both sensors is measured and the ratio of the two amplitudes is calculated, allowing the collapse / decoherence associated with the experience to be detected.

[0070] methodology In this study, a two-slit apparatus was used to measure the level of consciousness (herein referred to as "sensiometry"). In this study, the apparatus was placed close to the subject's head, within 5 cm of the head (test apparatus). Experiments were conducted at various distances and at close range, up to a distance of at least 90 cm (reference apparatus).

[0071] In this study, calculated deviations in the amplitude of currents generated by a test slit device located near the head were compared with corresponding values ​​at a remote reference device at the same time, demonstrating that subjects were conscious and that the magnitude of the average difference between the two values ​​was proportional to the subject's level of consciousness. In the case of interferometry, a substantially larger ratio of the test interferometer compared to the reference interferometer corresponds to an equivalent measure of consciousness (the Q metric).

[0072] This study can determine the brain activity code (called "qualiagraphy") of conscious experiences caused by stimuli at different times. The study can record measurements at different positions on the cap of the test device, close to the head. Recordings can collect values ​​over the duration of the stimulation. By repeating the stimulation multiple times, each time randomly, averages can be recorded over a fixed time interval. The resulting average waveform can represent the unique pattern of brain activity that causes the conscious experience associated with that stimulation.

[0073] Animal Observation Figure 4A shows the prototype sensitometer device #1 placed inside an enclosure containing a live mouse. Figure 4B shows a time series recording of a single photodiode channel response to light intensity at a position placed within the interference pattern.

[0074] FIG. 4C shows normalized recording measurements taken at 0 cm (touching the subject) from two canine subjects at two intervals.

[0075] Figures 4D and 4E show experimental results obtained with the prototype sensometer device, showing raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice at two locations: next to the animals and approximately 11 feet away. In Figure 4D, raw measurements of six channels are shown over time. Figure 4E shows a time series plot of raw measurements of one channel.

[0076] Figures 4F and 4G show raw measurements from a recorder placed next to five awake mice in two locations: next to the animal and approximately 3 feet away.

[0077] Human Observation The study collected recordings of people under different experimental conditions.

[0078] Figures 5A-5D each show normalized recorded measurements taken for four different subjects (L, A, B, S) at four different distances (0 cm (touching the subject), 30 cm away, 90 cm away, and 180 cm away) and four time intervals (see Figure 5E). It can be seen that the normalized recorded measurements maintain continuity in the data. Measurements were taken in an empty room during the day, with the recorder placed at the respective location for each of the measurements shown. The plotted time series are normalized traces derived from the first principal component obtained by principal component analysis of the data from the device's four off-center channels, as discussed above.

[0079] Figure 6A shows measurements taken in an empty room with only one subject present for a portion of the measurement, and Figure 6B shows measurements taken in an empty room with one subject asleep throughout the entire overnight recording (10 hours).

[0080] Figure 6C shows measurements taken in an empty room while another subject was asleep throughout the entire nighttime recording (10 hours). The recorder was placed less than 10 cm away from the subject. Figure 6D shows a similar nighttime recording with two sleeping subjects. The second subject falls asleep and wakes up during the recording while the first subject is still asleep.

[0081] Figure 6E shows measurements taken in an empty room with two subjects sleeping throughout the entire nighttime recording (10 hours). The recorder was placed approximately 30 feet from each of the two subjects.

[0082] Figures 6F, 6G, and 6H show three measurements taken at similar times of day with the recorder in a laboratory setting. Various people enter and exit the space throughout the day (Figure 6F). The second measurement (Figure 6G) was performed with the recorder in a lead-shielded box to isolate the measurement of high-energy radiation effects in a hospital environment. The third measurement (Figure 6H) was performed with the recorder in a Faraday-shielded enclosure to isolate the measurement of radio-frequency electromagnetic field effects.

[0083] FIG. 7A shows measurements taken from a person with the device held at different orientations (perpendicular to the ground and parallel to the ground).

[0084] FIG. 7B shows measurements taken from a person over a period of time to determine the time to saturation of the measurements.

[0085] FIG. 7C shows measurements taken from a person using a recorder device for a set of activities (reading and watching a video).

[0086] Divergence / diffraction light measurement device This study also investigated a third device, based on the slit partition experiment but lacking a slit for measuring divergent / diffracted light (e.g., Figures 3F, 3G, and 3H). This type of system was found to record similar trunk circumference measurements to those of the slit system configuration.

[0087] FIG. 8A shows the prototype configured as a divergent / diffracted wave measurement system.

[0088] FIG. 8B shows measurements taken from a person with the modified device (with or without the double slit included).

[0089] FIG. 8C shows normalized recording measurements taken from a person at five different locations on the top, forehead, right side, left side, and back of the head, respectively.

[0090] FIG. 8D shows measurements taken with a recorder placed in a largely unoccupied laboratory.

[0091] FIG. 8E shows measurements with the laser diode disabled to demonstrate that the measurements are relative to the laser light source.

[0092] FIG. 8F shows measurements from two recorders, one with and one without the double-slit configuration, placed within 10 cm of a single animal (mouse).

[0093] Physical responses in animals This study used an emitting / diffractive device (e.g., Figure 3F) to measure the physical effects of the device on animal subjects. Figure 9A shows measurements taken from humans (primates) and animals (rodents). Figure 9B shows measurements taken from an invertebrate.

[0094] Observations suggest that the invertebrates exhibit a reversal response. The highlighted areas in the plots of Figures 9A and 9B indicate the duration of exposure to the animals.

[0095] Persistence and change of postmortem responses in mice. This study used an emitting / diffractive device to measure physical effects in animal subjects after the animals' death. Figure 9C shows the measured response to a 20-minute exposure. This response appears to be reversed 2 hours after induction of euthanasia.

[0096] Figure 9D shows the measured sensometric response from an animal (euthanized mouse) with its head and body removed. In Figure 9D, the baseline measurement shows a reversal of the response observed with head exposure (before death).

[0097] Figure 9E shows the sensometric response measured from the excised brain of an animal. In Figure 9E, the excised brain was observed to produce a reversal response. It is hypothesized that brain-dead patients are more likely to exhibit a reversal response.

[0098] Reactions to other body parts In this study, we measured physical effects on body parts other than the brain or head. Figure 10 shows the sensometric responses elicited and measured by exposing the hand to the sensometer sensor module, placed 15 cm from the side of the body, for 30 minutes. Figure 10 shows that the effects likely extend to the rest of the body. The pre-response baseline includes the effect at 15 cm. The highlighted area in the plot indicates the duration of exposure.

[0099] Consideration Developing tests capable of detecting consciousness is an important and ongoing area of ​​research, and further insight into the basis of consciousness is of general and scientific interest. Well-established tests have broad applications in anesthesiology, diagnosis of altered states of consciousness, sleep medicine, mental status diagnosis, law enforcement and intelligence, detection of consciousness in non-human organisms, and use in mapping the neural codes of conscious experience.

[0100] Currently, no reliable method has been developed to accurately assess, measure, and monitor a patient's level of consciousness. Approaches include the use of fMRI, EEG, TMS, and, more recently, the combination of these techniques with machine learning. Two major commercial EEG anesthesia monitors are currently in widespread use: (1) the Bispectral Index (BIS) from Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. (USA) and Covidien plc (Ireland), and (2) the Entropy Module from GE Healthcare (USA). Both monitor various states of consciousness using EEG signaling and algorithmic processes. However, these two have been observed to have varying degrees of success.

[0101] There is research in the literature (**Physics Essays, 2019) that uses the concept of wave function collapse in quantum mechanics as a measure of the effect of mind on matter through conscious will. The present disclosure builds on the notion that a device capable of detecting the conversion of light waves into photons should be able to confirm its two main predictions: 1) foci of neural activity producing conscious experiences at close distances from the device should convert more light waves into photons, and 2) the temporal pattern of this conversion, when detected as a signal above baseline noise, should represent the code for the corresponding experience.

[0102] Recently, Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. and Everest Biomedical Instruments introduced their WAVCNS index (Wavelet-Based Anesthetic Value for the Central Nervous System) based on the company's NeuroSense monitor. Like BIS, WAV is based on the analysis of EEG signals recorded from surgical patients on a 0–100 scale. In a recent study, CleveMed researchers reported that WAVCNS outperformed BIS. The researchers attributed this performance difference to a 15-second time delay during induction in BIS, which is not present in WAVCNS. BIS also uses unilateral monitoring, which CleveMed states hinders intrapatient reproducibility. Everest Biomedical Instruments also markets a system called SNAP II, which helps assess level of consciousness. The SNAP index uses both high-frequency and low-frequency EEG, assessed in real time.

[0103] Exemplary Computing System It should be understood that the logical operations described above can be implemented (1) as a sequence of computer-implemented operations or program modules running on a computing system, and / or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within a computing system. The implementation manner is selected according to the performance and other requirements of the computing system. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to by various names, such as state operations, operations, or modules. These operations, operations, and / or modules may be implemented in software, firmware, special purpose digital logic, hardware, and any combination thereof. It should also be understood that more or fewer operations may be performed than illustrated and described herein. These operations may also be performed in a different order than described herein.

[0104] A computer system may execute the software components described herein for the exemplary methods or systems. In one embodiment, a computing device may include two or more computers communicating with each other to cooperate to perform tasks. For example, but not by way of limitation, an application may be partitioned in a manner that allows for simultaneous and / or parallel processing of the application's instructions. Alternatively, data processed by the application may be partitioned in a manner that allows for simultaneous and / or parallel processing of different portions of the data set by two or more computers. In one embodiment, virtualization software may be utilized by a computing device to provide the functionality of multiple servers that are not directly coupled to the computers within the computing device. For example, the virtualization software may provide 20 virtual servers on four physical computers. In one embodiment, the functionality disclosed above may be provided by running the application and / or the application in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing may involve providing computing services over a network connection using dynamically scalable computing resources. Cloud computing may be supported at least in part by virtualization software. A cloud computing environment may be established by an enterprise and / or rented as needed from a third-party provider. Some cloud computing environments may include cloud computing resources that are owned and operated by an enterprise, as well as cloud computing resources that are rented and / or leased from third-party providers.

[0105] In its most basic configuration, a computing device includes at least one processing unit and system memory. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, the system memory may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two.

[0106] The processing unit may be a standard programmable processor that performs arithmetic and logic operations necessary for the operation of the computing device. Although only one processing unit is shown, multiple processors may be present. As used herein, processing unit and processor refer to physical hardware devices that execute coded instructions to perform functions on inputs and create outputs, including, but not limited to, microprocessors (MCUs), microcontrollers, graphic processing units (GPUs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Thus, while instructions may be considered to be executed by a processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, sequentially, or otherwise by one or more processors. A computing device may also include a bus or other communication mechanism for communicating information between various components of the computing device.

[0107] The processing unit may be configured to execute program code encoded in tangible computer-readable media. Tangible computer-readable media refers to any medium that can provide data that causes a computing device (i.e., a machine) to operate in a specific fashion. A variety of computer-readable media may be utilized to provide instructions to the processing unit for execution. Exemplary tangible computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, volatile, non-volatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory 230, removable storage, and non-removable storage are all examples of tangible computer storage media. Exemplary tangible computer-readable recording media include, but are not limited to, integrated circuits (e.g., field programmable gate arrays or application specific ICs), hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, floppy disks, magnetic tape, holographic storage media, solid-state devices, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0108] In light of the above, it should be understood that many types of physical transformations occur within a computer architecture to store and execute the software components presented herein, and that the computer architecture may include handheld computers, embedded computer systems, personal digital assistants, and other types of computing devices known to those skilled in the art.

[0109] It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software, or, where appropriate, with a combination thereof. Accordingly, the methods and apparatus of the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in a tangible medium, such as a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, a hard drive, or any other machine-readable storage medium; when the program code is loaded and executed on a machine, such as a computing device, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter. When executing program code on a programmable computer, the computing device generally includes a processor, a processor-readable storage medium (including volatile and non-volatile memory and / or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the presently disclosed subject matter, for example, through the use of an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, or the like. Such programs may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

[0110] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein, in certain instances, it should be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in scope to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0111] It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and / or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value.

[0112] "Comprising" or "containing" or "including" means that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, or method steps, even if other such compounds, materials, particles, or method steps have the same function as the named one.

[0113] In describing exemplary embodiments, technical terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. Each term is intended to accord the broadest meaning of that term, as understood by those skilled in the art, and to include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It should also be understood that the reference to one or more steps of a method does not exclude the presence of additional or intervening method steps between those explicitly identified steps. Method steps may be performed in a different order than described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, it should also be understood that the reference to one or more components in a device or system does not exclude the presence of additional or intervening components between those explicitly identified components.

[0114] The term "about," as used herein, means approximately, within the region, roughly, or around. When the term "about" is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the stated numerical values. In general, the term "about" is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 10%. In one embodiment, the term "about" refers to ±10% of the numerical value of the number with which the term is used. Thus, about 50% means within a range of 45% to 55%. Numerical ranges recited herein by endpoints include all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, 4.24, and 5).

[0115] Similarly, numerical ranges recited herein by endpoints include subranges subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2, 2 to 2.75, 2.75 to 3, 3 to 3.90, 3.90 to 4, 4 to 4.24, 4.24 to 5, 2 to 5, 3 to 5, 1 to 4, and 2 to 4). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term "about."

[0116] The following patents, applications, and publications, mentioned below and throughout this specification, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. [1]van den Corput, Danielel. “Locked in Syndrome Machine Learning Classification using Sentence Comprehension EEG Data.”arXiv e-prints(2020):arXiv-2006. [2]Casali,Adenauer G.,et al.“A theoretically based index of consciousness independent of sensory processing and behavior.”Science translational medicine 5.198(2013):198ra105-198ra105. [3]Radin,Dean,et al.“Consciousness and the double-slit interference pattern:Six experiments.”Physics Essays 25.2(2012):157. [4]KR102095898B1 [5]US10799134B2 [6]US20110118619A1 [7]The Bispectral index(BIS)from Aspect Medical Systems,Inc.,USA and Covidien plc,Ireland. [8]Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring Devices Market Size,Share,Growth,Report 2021-2030 [9]Global Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring Market-Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

[10] Cavuoto,J.,2022.,“Competition Heats Up in Consciousness Monitoring,”Neurotech Business Report.

Claims

1. 1. A method for the assessment of consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation, said method comprising: providing a modular device comprising a housing within which a photon source and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly are located, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas; placing the modular device in proximity to a person or animal; measuring, via an electrical circuit, a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones while the device is in proximity to a person or animal; and outputting the measured current or a parameter derived from the current for each of the plurality of channels or areas on a display via the electrical circuit or computing device, wherein the measured current is utilized as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sensation of the person or animal.

2. 1. A method for the assessment of consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation, said method comprising: providing a modular device comprising a photon source and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly contained within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas; placing the modular device in proximity to a person or animal; measuring, via an electrical circuit, a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones while the device is in proximity to a person or animal; determining, by a processor, that a measure of consciousness or sensation based on the measured current or a parameter derived therefrom for at least one of the plurality of channels or zones exceeds a predetermined threshold; and outputting the measure of consciousness or sensation on a display via the electrical circuit or computing device, wherein the measure of consciousness or sensation is used as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sensation of the person or animal.

3. 1. A method for the assessment of consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation, said method comprising: providing a plurality of modular devices each comprising a photon source and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly contained within a main body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas, the plurality of modular devices being disposed at a plurality of locations on headwear; placing the plurality of modular devices in proximity to a person or animal; measuring, via an electrical circuit, a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones while the device is in proximity to a person or animal; determining, by a processor, that a measure of consciousness or sensation based on the measured current or a parameter derived therefrom for at least one of the plurality of channels or zones exceeds a predetermined threshold; and outputting the measure of consciousness or sensation on a display via the electrical circuit or computing device, wherein the measure of consciousness or sensation is used as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sensation of the person or animal.

4. 1. A method for the assessment of consciousness, unconsciousness, or sensation, said method comprising: providing a first assembly of one or more modular devices, the first assembly including a first modular device comprising a photon source and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly housed within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas, the first modular device being disposed at a location on a wearable device to be placed on a person or animal; providing a second device comprising a photon source and a photonic sensor or sensor assembly contained within a body housing, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, each of the plurality of channels or areas configured to (i) receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source, and (ii) measure a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas; placing the first assembly comprising at least the first modular device at a first location proximate to the person or animal; placing the second device at a second location proximate to the person or animal, the first location being closer to the person or animal than the second location; measuring, via an electrical circuit, as a first measurement, a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones of the first modular device while the first assembly is in the first position; measuring, via an electrical circuit, as a second measurement, a current corresponding to the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones of the second device while the first assembly is in the second position; determining, by a processor, a measure of consciousness or sensation based on the first measurement and the second measurement; and outputting the measure of consciousness or sensation or an indicator derived from the measure of consciousness or sensation on a display via the electrical circuit or computing device, wherein the measure of consciousness or sensation or the indicator is used as a measure or indicator of the consciousness or sensation of the person or animal.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the modular device is disposed on headwear.

6. 5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of modular devices comprises at least one of 2 devices, 3 devices, 4 devices, 5 devices, 6 devices, 7 devices, 8 devices, 9 devices, 10 devices, 10-16 devices, 16-32 devices, and 32-64 devices.

7. 7. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating, by the processor or a different computing device, a visual output of the highest amplitude channel or a statistical parameter derived from the measurements for each of the plurality of modular devices.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the photonic sensor or sensor assembly comprises an array of photodiodes.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the photon source comprises one or more LEDs, lasers, or assemblies thereof.

10. said measuring, via an electrical circuit, a current corresponding to said photons received for each of said plurality of channels or areas; The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising determining, by the processor or hardware circuitry, a band region of the photons received for each of the plurality of channels or zones.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the configuration of the first modular device is identical to the second device.

12. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first modular device has a first configuration and the second device has a second configuration, the first configuration being different from the second configuration.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the output is used by a clinician or machine to adjust or administer anesthesia.

14. 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the output is used by a clinician or a machine to identify or provide a label or classification among at least brain dead, comatose, vegetative, minimally conscious, and confined.

15. 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the output is used by a clinician or machine to (i) quantify the perception of pain or distress, (ii) quantify sleep levels or states (e.g., in sleep studies or sleep treatments), or (iii) quantify delusional states, moods, beliefs, repetitive thoughts, or repetitive emotions.

16. 16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the modular apparatus comprises a single or double slit located between the photon source and the photonic sensor or sensor assembly to generate the interference pattern.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the photonic sensor or sensor assembly of the modular device is configured to measure divergent / diffracted waves of the light emitted by the photon source.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one elongated area comprises a horizontal elongated region.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one elongated area comprises a vertical elongated region.

20. 1. A device or system comprising: a modular device, the modular device comprising: a housing having a photon source located therein; a photonic sensor or sensor assembly, the photonic sensor or sensor assembly including at least one elongated area defining a plurality of channels or areas, the plurality of channels or areas each configured to receive an interference pattern or divergent / diffracted waves of light emitted by the photon source; a controller configured with electrical circuitry for measuring a current corresponding to photons received for each of the plurality of channels or areas.

21. 21. A device or system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the modular apparatus is capable of being placed in proximity to a person or animal to provide a measure or indication of the person's or animal's consciousness or sentience.

22. A device or system according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising the features recited in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. 1. A device or system comprising: a modular device, the modular device comprising: A miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a controller configured with an electrical circuit for measuring a current corresponding to received photons of the miniaturized Mach-Zehnder interferometer, wherein the controller is configured to output the measured current or a parameter derived from the current on a display via the electrical circuit or computing device, and the measured current is utilized as a measure or indicator of consciousness or sentience of the person or animal.

24. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the execution of the instructions by a processor causing the processor to (i) perform, in whole or in part, any one of the methods of claims 1 to 19, or (ii) operate, in whole or in part, any one of the devices or systems of claims 20 to 23.

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