Closed-Loop Brain Stimulation System with Real-Time Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) lacks a feedback control mechanism to optimize dosage, timing, and location of light source for enhanced brain stimulation, which is necessary for improving cognitive and memory functions, particularly in middle-aged and older adults at risk for cognitive decline.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a light source, controller, signal detecting unit, and processor that uses Fourier Transform and machine learning algorithms to adjust the dosage, timing, and location of brain stimulation based on detected signals from EEG, fMRI, and BOLD data, ensuring optimal brain function enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transcranial infrared laser stimulation is applied to enhance brain metabolism and cognitive function, then cerebral oxygenation and cognitive performance improve, but the lack of feedback control mechanism results in suboptimal dosage, timing, and location of stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where a signal detecting unit (such as EEG, fMRI, or BOLD signal detectors) continuously monitors brain activity, and a processor analyzes these signals to generate feedback that adjusts the light source parameters in real-time. This closed-loop system optimizes the dosage, timing, and location of photobiomodulation stimulation based on actual brain responses, thereby improving the reliability and effectiveness of cognitive enhancement while managing system complexity through automated control algorithms.
2Manufacturing precision
If feedback control mechanism is implemented to optimize stimulation parameters, then brain function enhancement becomes more effective, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic control systems. A processor configured to receive signals from the signal detecting unit, analyze the signals, and generate feedback signals to control the light source automatically adjusts stimulation parameters. This substitution of manual mechanical adjustment with electronic feedback control achieves precise dosage optimization while managing system complexity through software-based solutions rather than complex hardware mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters of the light source including wavelength, power, pulse duration, and spatial location based on real-time analysis of brain activity signals. The processor adjusts these parameters by modifying the operational settings of the light source device, enabling precise optimization of photobiomodulation effects on cerebral metabolism and cognitive function without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 system effectively enhances cerebral oxygenation and cognitive performance by adjusting the stimulation parameters, leading to improved reaction times and memory recall in older adults, with significant improvements observed over five weeks of treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Photobiomodulation involves the absorption of photons and the subsequent modulation of metabolic processes in cells, including neurons. For red to near-infrared light, the major intracellular molecule absorbing photons is cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), a mitochondrial respiratory enzyme that can be upregulated in vitro and in vivo.
Implementation Method 2
detecting signals for before and after the brain stimulation
Implementation Method 3
detecting signals for before and after the brain stimulation
Implementation Method 4
the detected signal is processed through Fourier Transform (FT) with at least one predetermined time window, which is divided by the value of the detected signal transformed by FT and integrated for a predetermined bandwidth to generate a normalized FT signals
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for in vivo and transcranial stimulation of brain tissue of a subject may include at least one light source, a controller to control operation of the light source, a signal detecting unit and a processor configured to receive signals from the signal detecting unit, analyze the signals and generate a feedback signal to the controller to control the light source until optimal results are obtained. In one embodiment, the light source is a laser instrument and the wavelength can range from 800 to 1100 nm. In another embodiment, the irradiance of the laser instrument can range from 50 to 1000 mW/cm2.