Dementia symptom relief device

Abstract

A dementia symptom alleviation device is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the dementia symptom alleviation device is characterized by including a light stimulation unit that is attached to a position within a preset radius from the patient's eyeball and frontal lobe and irradiates the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe with light in a preset wavelength band to alleviate the patient's dementia symptoms, and a control unit that controls the operation of the light stimulation unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device capable of alleviating dementia symptoms in a patient. [Background technology]

[0002] The material described in this section is merely intended to provide background information regarding the present invention and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Dementia is a disease in which the decline in brain function leads to reduced blood vessel elasticity and hormonal problems. Due to the aforementioned problems, dementia patients experience a decline in memory and cognitive functions such as intelligence, learning, and language.

[0004] In order to alleviate such dementia symptoms, alleviators have been developed in the form of medicines that patients can take. Drugs have been developed to target and reduce beta-amyloid proteins, which are known to induce dementia. However, such conventional drugs have limitations in alleviating dementia symptoms and do not play a sufficient role in alleviating the symptoms of dementia patients.

[0005] In response to this, various digital devices have been developed to alleviate the symptoms of dementia patients. These devices are worn by patients to improve brain function, thereby alleviating the symptoms of dementia. However, since the patient must wear the device and continually look at the output screen provided by the device, it is very difficult for the dementia patient to maintain an environment in which they can see the effects of treatment. Due to this problem, there has been no method to alleviate the symptoms of dementia in the past. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a dementia symptom alleviation device that can be worn by a patient without any inconvenience and can alleviate the patient's dementia symptoms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dementia symptom alleviation device comprising: a light stimulation unit that is attached to a position within a predetermined radius from a patient's eyeball and frontal lobe and irradiates the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe with light in a predetermined wavelength band to alleviate the patient's dementia symptoms; and a control unit that controls the operation of the light stimulation unit.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the preset wavelength band is a near-infrared wavelength band.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the light stimulation unit includes a first light stimulation unit that irradiates light having a wavelength band within a preset range centered on 730 nm, and a second light stimulation unit that irradiates light having a wavelength band within a preset range centered on 850 nm.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the light stimulation unit irradiates light in a preset frequency band.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the dementia symptom alleviation device further includes an acoustic stimulation unit that provides the patient with a resonant sound in a preset frequency band.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the preset frequency band is a gamma frequency band.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit can change the frequency band of the light irradiated by the light stimulation unit to a second preset frequency band.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the dementia symptom alleviation device is characterized in that it further includes a first light receiving unit located within a predetermined radius of the light stimulation unit, which is irradiated from the light stimulation unit with a second predetermined frequency band and receives light reflected from an artery in the patient's skin.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit measures a heart rate and an oxygen saturation level of the patient based on information received by the first light receiving unit.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the dementia symptom alleviation device is characterized in that it further includes a second light receiving unit located outside a predetermined radius from the light stimulation unit, which is irradiated from the light stimulation unit with a second predetermined frequency band and receives light reflected from the patient's frontal lobe.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit measures the patient's cerebral oxygen saturation based on the information received by the second light receiving unit.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second light receiving portion is provided in a plurality of pieces. Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, one aspect of the present invention has the advantage that it can be worn by a patient without causing any inconvenience, and can be worn by a patient for a desired period of time to provide a symptom-relieving effect.

[0020] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is an advantage in that it is possible to stimulate the patient with both light and sound, thereby achieving an excellent effect of alleviating dementia symptoms. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dementia symptom alleviation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is an illustrative diagram of a dementia symptom alleviation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dementia symptom alleviation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram illustrating a light stimulation unit and a light receiving unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing an optical signal and an acoustic signal output from a dementia symptom alleviation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Although the present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, a specific embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components.

[0023] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc. are used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component and the second component may be named a first component without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related listed items or any item of multiple related listed items.

[0024] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0025] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that terms such as "include" or "have" do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0027] Terms that are commonly used and predefined should be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0028] In addition, the configurations, processes, steps, or methods included in each embodiment of the present invention can be shared within a range that is not technically inconsistent with each other.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dementia symptom alleviation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] 1, the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a light stimulation unit 110, an audio stimulation unit 120, and a control unit 130. In addition, the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 may further include a battery 140.

[0031] The dementia symptom alleviation device 100 is worn by a dementia patient and provides optical and acoustic signals to alleviate the dementia symptoms of the patient. Research has shown that when the brain, particularly the frontal lobe, is stimulated by sounds or light in a specific frequency band, the brain's cognitive function is improved. For this reason, the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 is worn by the patient and stimulates the frontal lobe and optic nerve with optical signals, and at the same time stimulates the patient's brain with acoustic signals, thereby improving the patient's cognitive function and alleviating the dementia symptoms.

[0032] The light stimulation unit 110 stimulates the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe by irradiating light in the near-infrared wavelength band. The light stimulation unit 110 is attached within a preset radius from both the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe, and applies light in the near-infrared wavelength band to the patient. For example, the position where the light stimulation unit 110 is placed may be between the eyebrows or a site adjacent to the eyebrows within a preset radius from both the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe. The light stimulation unit 110 is attached to the site and irradiates light in the near-infrared wavelength band. Since light in the near-infrared wavelength band can reach the optic nerve in the skin and the frontal lobe through the skin, the patient does not need to see the light stimulation unit 110 or the light irradiated from the light stimulation unit 110. Even if the patient closes his or her eyes, the light stimulation unit 110 can stimulate the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe.

[0033] The light stimulation unit 110 emits light in the near-infrared wavelength band to stimulate the optic nerve and frontal lobe of the patient. The light stimulation unit 110 may include two or more light sources. The wavelength band for stimulating the optic nerve is around 730 nm, and the wavelength band for stimulating the frontal lobe is around 850 nm. To stimulate both, the light stimulation unit 110 includes two or more light sources and emits both light around 730 nm and light around 850 nm.

[0034] The light stimulation unit 110 irradiates light in the near-infrared wavelength band at a preset frequency under the control of the control unit 130. Here, the preset frequency may be the gamma frequency band, i.e., 30 to 50 Hz. Light and sound in the gamma frequency band reduce beta amyloid protein associated with dementia symptoms. In particular, light in the gamma frequency band increases microglia, which are cells that reduce such beta amyloid protein. The light stimulation unit 110 irradiates the optic nerve and frontal lobe with light of the frequency, thereby reducing beta amyloid (by inducing an increase in microglia) and improving the patient's cognitive function.

[0035] The acoustic stimulation unit 120 outputs a resonant sound having a preset frequency to stimulate the patient's brain. The acoustic stimulation unit 120 irradiates a resonant sound in the gamma frequency band (30 to 50 Hz) like the light stimulation unit 110. Therefore, the acoustic stimulation unit 120 can reduce beta amyloid protein and alleviate dementia symptoms.

[0036] The control unit 130 controls the operations of the light stimulation unit 110 and the sound stimulation unit 120 .

[0037] The control unit 130 controls the light stimulation unit 110 to output a light signal and the sound stimulation unit 120 to output a sound signal. At this time, the control unit 130 controls the light stimulation unit 110 and the sound stimulation unit 120 so that both the light stimulation unit 110 and the sound stimulation unit 120 output signals having frequencies in a preset frequency band (gamma frequency band) by frequency modulation.

[0038] The control unit 130 controls the signal output timing of the optical stimulation unit 110 and the acoustic stimulation unit 120. The control unit 130 causes the optical stimulation unit 110 to alternately output an optical signal (optical signal around 730 nm) stimulating the optic nerve and an optical signal (optical signal around 850 nm) stimulating the frontal lobe. At the same time, the control unit 130 outputs an acoustic signal in synchronization with any time between the time when the optical signal stimulating the optic nerve is output and the time when the optical signal stimulating the frontal lobe is output. The optical signal and the acoustic signal are synchronized and applied to the patient together, thereby providing a more excellent effect in alleviating dementia symptoms. The optical signal and the acoustic signal, the output timing of which is controlled by the control unit 130, are shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an optical signal and an acoustic signal output from a dementia symptom alleviation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 5(a), the light stimulation unit 110 alternately outputs an optic nerve stimulation signal 510 and a frontal lobe stimulation signal 520, and each of the signals 510 and 520 is outputted having a gamma frequency band.

[0041] 5(b), the acoustic stimulation unit 120 outputs an acoustic signal having a gamma frequency band simultaneously with the optical signal. The phase of the acoustic signal can be adjusted within 90 degrees under the control of the control unit 130. That is, the positive peak point of the acoustic signal may have a phase synchronized with the optic nerve stimulation signal 510, may have a phase synchronized with the frontal lobe stimulation signal 520, or may have a phase therebetween. Here, the phase of the controlled acoustic signal differs depending on the state of dementia symptoms appearing in the patient.

[0042] 1 again, the battery 140 provides power to operate each component in the dementia symptom alleviation device 100. The dementia symptom alleviation device 100 may not include the battery 140, but may include a (wired) plug (not shown) electrically connected to a commercial power source. However, if the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 includes a plug, there is a possibility that restrictions may occur in the behavior of the dementia patient. For this reason, the battery 140 may be included in the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 to supply power.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of the dementia symptom alleviation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The dementia symptom alleviation device 100 can be realized in the form of a headset worn on the patient's forehead and ears as shown in Fig. 2. When the device is worn by the patient, the light stimulation units 110a, 110b are located between the eyebrows or in the area that comes into contact with the eyebrows, and output light signals to the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe, respectively. The patient does not need to look at the light stimulation units 110a, 110b separately; just by wearing the device, the patient can receive the light signal and see the symptom alleviation effect.

[0045] Meanwhile, when the device is worn by a patient, the acoustic stimulation unit 120 is located in the patient's ear or around the ear to provide the patient with an acoustic signal. The acoustic stimulation unit 120 can be realized as an earphone, but the earphone must be worn inside the patient's ear canal, which may provide an uncomfortable wearing experience for dementia patients. For this reason, the acoustic stimulation unit 120 may be realized as a bone conduction earphone and worn around the ear, or may be realized in the form of headphones.

[0046] The dementia symptom alleviation device 100 minimizes the inconvenience of wearing the device, and can effectively alleviate dementia simply by wearing the device without requiring the patient to take any special action.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dementia symptom alleviation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the dementia symptom alleviation device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes a second light stimulation unit 310 and a light receiving unit 320 in addition to the components of the dementia symptom alleviation device 100.

[0049] The second light stimulation unit 310, like the first light stimulation unit 110, is attached to the patient's glabella or near the glabella and irradiates light onto the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe. In order to accurately grasp the tissue activity of the patient, the second light stimulation unit 310 is attached to the patient's glabella and irradiates light into the patient's body.

[0050] The second optical stimulation unit 310 irradiates light in the near-infrared wavelength band. Light in the near-infrared wavelength band has the property of being absorbed by hemoglobin, and if the frontal lobe contains a lot of hemoglobin, the amount of near-infrared light absorbed is large, and the amount of light reflected from the frontal lobe is small. Since hemoglobin is an oxygen carrier unless there are special circumstances (such as carbon monoxide poisoning), in order to activate a specific tissue, hemoglobin must necessarily move to the tissue. Therefore, the second optical stimulation unit 310 irradiates light to measure the patient's heart rate and oxygen saturation.

[0051] The second light stimulation unit 310, like the first light stimulation unit 110, irradiates near-infrared light of different wavelengths. The second light stimulation unit 310 also includes two or more light sources, one of which irradiates light in the 730 nm band and the other irradiates light in the 850 nm band. The types of hemoglobin that move to the frontal lobe include oxyhemoglobin (Oxy Hb) for providing oxygen to the frontal lobe and deoxyhemoglobin (Deoxy Hb) that has already provided oxygen to the frontal lobe. At least two second light stimulation units 310 irradiate near-infrared light of different wavelengths so that the control unit 130 can derive the concentrations of both hemoglobins.

[0052] The second optical stimulation unit 310 irradiates light having a frequency of 10 to 20 Hz. The first optical stimulation unit 110 irradiates light in a frequency band (gamma frequency band) that is set in advance for the purpose of alleviating symptoms, but the second optical stimulation unit 310 irradiates light so that the light receiving unit 320 can receive reflected light and the control unit 130 can analyze oxygen saturation, etc. For this reason, it is necessary to irradiate light of a frequency that the light receiving unit 320 can smoothly receive. Thus, the second optical stimulation unit 310 irradiates light with a frequency of 10 to 20 Hz that is not in the gamma frequency band.

[0053] A plurality of light receiving sections 320 are arranged at a fixed distance from second light stimulation section 310, and receive light reflected from an intracutaneous artery or the frontal lobe.

[0054] The light receiving unit 320 is arranged within a preset radius (for example, several cm) from the second light stimulation unit 310, and a plurality of light receiving units may be arranged outside the preset radius. The distance between the light source and the light receiving unit is proportional to the degree of transmission of the light irradiated by the light source. When the light receiving unit 320 is arranged within a preset radius from the second light stimulation unit 310, light reflected from an intradermal artery or the like, which is not light incident on the patient's frontal lobe, is received. Conversely, when the light receiving unit 320 is arranged outside a preset radius from the second light stimulation unit 310, light reflected and exiting after incident on the patient's frontal lobe can be received. For this reason, the light receiving unit 320 is arranged at different positions depending on the subject whose oxygen saturation is to be measured.

[0055] The light receiving unit 320 receives the reflected light a preset number of times per time. The light receiving unit 320 receives the reflected light that is reflected without being absorbed by hemoglobin, among the near-infrared light irradiated from the second light stimulation unit 310. Each light receiving unit 320 transmits information on the amount of reflected light sensed to the control unit 130, so that the control unit 130 can derive the hemoglobin concentration (oxygen saturation) based on the amount of reflected light. At this time, each light receiving unit 320 can receive light a preset number of times per certain time. For example, each light receiving unit 320 can receive the reflected light 20 times per second.

[0056] In addition, the light receiving units 320 for receiving reflected light from the frontal lobe are arranged to face both the left and right brains. The light receiving units 320 are not randomly arranged near the forehead (at a position at a certain distance from the light source), but are arranged so that a certain number of light receiving units face the left brain and the remaining light receiving units face the right brain. The light receiving units 320 are arranged in this way to receive reflected light reflected from both the left and right brains. Based on the data received by the light receiving units 320, the control unit 130 can not only derive tissue activity such as metabolic activity and oxygen saturation, but also confirm the connectivity between the left and right brains, thereby ensuring higher accuracy in diagnosing dementia.

[0057] The control unit 130 controls the operations of the first light stimulation unit 110, the acoustic stimulation unit 120, the second light stimulation unit 310, and the light receiving unit 320. The control unit 130 controls the first light stimulation unit 110 and the acoustic stimulation unit 120 in the same manner as the control unit 130 in the dementia symptom alleviation device 100.

[0058] The control unit 130 controls the operation of the second light stimulation unit 310. The control unit 130 controls the second light stimulation unit 310 to irradiate light of 10 to 20 Hz. When controlling the operation of the second light stimulation unit 310, the control unit 130 controls the operation of the second light stimulation unit 310 so that the second light stimulation unit 310 operates during a period when the first light stimulation unit 110 does not operate so as not to overlap with the operation of the first light stimulation unit 110. The second light stimulation unit 310, together with the light receiving unit 320, can mainly operate before the operation of the first light stimulation unit 110 since the second light stimulation unit 310 aims to measure oxygen saturation and the like.

[0059] The control unit 130 measures the oxygen saturation level and the like of the patient based on the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving unit 320. Based on the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving unit 320 located within a preset radius from the second light stimulation unit 310, the control unit 130 measures the heart rate and oxygen saturation level from the patient's intradermal artery. On the other hand, based on the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving unit 320 located outside a preset radius from the second light stimulation unit 310, the control unit 130 measures the patient's cerebral oxygen saturation level.

[0060] Thereby, the dementia symptom alleviation device 300 can not only alleviate dementia symptoms but also measure oxygen saturation in the patient's brain and arteries.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows that a second light stimulation unit 310 is further included, but this is not limited to this, and the second light stimulation unit 310 may be replaced by changing the frequency of the signal output by the light stimulation unit 110 under the control of the control unit 130.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a light stimulation unit and a light receiving unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The dementia symptom alleviation device 300 can be realized in the same form as the dementia symptom alleviation device 100. However, while the dementia symptom alleviation device 100 has only the light stimulation unit 110 placed between the eyebrows or near the eyebrows of the patient, the dementia symptom alleviation device 300 has the light stimulation units 110, 310 and the light receiving unit 320 shown in Fig. 4 placed at the same position.

[0064] The first light stimulation unit 110 and the second light stimulation unit 310 are placed between the eyebrows or near the eyebrows of the patient, and the light receiving unit 320b is placed within a preset radius from each of the light stimulation units 110, 310. Only one light receiving unit 320b may be placed as shown in Fig. 4, or more than one light receiving unit 320b may be placed.

[0065] Meanwhile, the light receiving unit 320a is disposed outside a preset radius from each of the light stimulation units 110, 310. As described above, the light receiving unit 320a is disposed in both the left and right brain portions, and a plurality of light receiving units 320a may be disposed. In particular, a total of six or more light receiving units 320a may be disposed so that the control unit 130 can more accurately measure the blood oxygen saturation of the brain.

[0066] 4, the light stimulation unit and the light receiving unit are arranged in a "T" shape, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The light receiving unit 320a can be arranged in various forms outside a preset radius, such as being arranged in a fan shape within the same radius with the light stimulation units 110 and 310 as the center.

[0067] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, and various modifications and variations may be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present embodiment belongs, without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiment is intended to explain, not to limit, the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment is not limited by such an embodiment. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present embodiment.

[0068] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of patent application No. 10-2020-0155260, filed in Korea on November 19, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, this patent application claims priority to countries other than the United States for the same reasons as above, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. a light stimulation unit that is attached to the patient's eyeball and frontal lobe at a position within a predetermined radius from the eyebrows or within a predetermined range from the eyebrows, and irradiates the patient's optic nerve and frontal lobe with light of a predetermined wavelength band to relieve the patient's dementia symptoms; A control unit that controls the operation of the light stimulation unit; An acoustic stimulation unit that provides a resonant sound of a preset frequency band to a patient; Including, A dementia symptom alleviation device characterized in that it is implemented in the form of a headset that is attached to the patient's forehead and ears.

2. The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined wavelength band is a near-infrared wavelength band.

3. The light stimulation unit includes: The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a first light stimulation unit that irradiates light having a wavelength band within a preset range centered on 730 nm, and a second light stimulation unit that irradiates light having a wavelength band within a preset range centered on 850 nm.

4. The light stimulation unit includes:

2. The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it irradiates light of a preset frequency band.

5. The preset frequency band is: The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency band is a gamma frequency band.

6. The control unit is The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 4, characterized in that the frequency band of the light irradiated by the light stimulation unit can be changed to a second preset frequency band.

7. The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 6, further comprising a first light receiving unit located within a predetermined radius of the light stimulation unit, irradiated from the light stimulation unit with a second predetermined frequency band, and receiving light reflected from an artery in the patient's skin.

8. The control unit is The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the patient's heart rate and oxygen saturation are measured based on the information received by the first light receiving unit.

9. The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 6, further comprising a second light receiving unit located outside a predetermined radius from the light stimulation unit, irradiated from the light stimulation unit with a second predetermined frequency band, and receiving light reflected from the patient's frontal lobe.

10. The control unit is The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 9, characterized in that the patient's cerebral oxygen saturation is measured based on the information received by the second light receiving unit.

11. The second light receiving unit is The dementia symptom alleviation device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of units.

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