Bone Conduction Pad for Vestibular Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for vestibular and somatosensory stimulation through bone conduction are impractical for young children, infants, and fetuses due to discomfort, displacement issues, and inability to provide stimulation without head attachment, and are ineffective for individuals with limited movement or in utero applications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pad with embedded transducers that can be used as a bed surface, blanket, or pillow to transmit sound waves through the skeletal frame, allowing for comfortable and effective stimulation during various activities and sleep, including for fetuses and premature infants, without the need for head attachment, and maintaining effectiveness despite motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headphones and bone conduction devices are attached to a person's head for vestibular stimulation, then effective sound transmission is achieved, but comfort and practicality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bone conduction transducer from the headphone assembly and applies it directly to the skull at the temporal bone location. This separates the sound transmission function from the headphone structure, eliminating the need for headphones while maintaining effective bone conduction stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling medium (such as gel or foam) between the transducer and the skull to ensure effective sound transmission. This intermediary substance fills gaps and improves acoustic coupling without requiring rigid attachment or headphones.
2Reliability
If headphones and bone conduction devices are attached to a person's head, then vestibular stimulation is effective, but device stability deteriorates due to displacement through movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic bands or headstraps that apply counteracting force to hold the transducer in place on the skull. These restraining elements counterbalance the displacement forces generated by head movement, maintaining stable contact between the transducer and the temporal bone.
3Reliability
If headphones or head attachment is required for bone conduction devices, then sound transmission is effective, but adaptability to different users and situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal bone conduction system that can be applied to various users (adults, children, infants) and situations (awake, sleeping, different activities) through adjustable positioning mechanisms and flexible coupling methods. The device adapts to different skull sizes and shapes while maintaining effective bone conduction transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible pad provides reliable and comfortable vestibular and somatosensory stimulation using low-frequency sound waves, effectively treating conditions like autism and ADHD, and can be used during physical activity and sleep, ensuring consistent stimulation even with displacement.
Implementation Method 1
Bone conduction delivery of sound occurs when the sound vibration is transmitted to the inner ear through the bones of the skeletal framework
Implementation Method 2
One or more transducers are embedded within a flexible pad that, depending upon its overall size, may be applied to or wrapped around the individual to be treated
Data Source
AI summary
A device for providing vestibular and somatosensory stimulation through bone conduction of sound waves to skeletal bones is provided in the form of a pad that is applied to or wrapped around the individual in treatment, which is comfortable in use and may contain particulate filler material capable of providing bone conduction stimulation adjacent to the location of a bone conduction transducer and expand the sound conduction site over a larger area.