Noninvasive Brain Thermal Stimulation for Anxiety Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for anxiety and related symptoms such as nervousness and tension often rely on expensive prescription drugs that can be addictive and have harmful side effects, lacking effective, non-invasive alternatives for mild anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Innovation Solution
Non-invasive methods and apparatuses that apply thermal therapy to the skin over the prefrontal cortex using phase change materials for sustained thermal regulation, either warming or cooling, to treat anxiety and induce relaxation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prescription drugs are used to treat anxiety and related symptoms, then anxiety relief is achieved, but the treatment becomes expensive and potentially addicting with harmful side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical/pharmacological treatment systems with a physical thermal stimulation system. Specifically, it uses thermal energy delivery through scalp applicators to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, substituting drug-based chemical intervention with a non-invasive physical modality that avoids systemic side effects and addiction risks while treating anxiety and related symptoms
2Reliability
If thermal therapy is applied to induce relaxation, then anxiety reduction and mood improvement are achieved, but the treatment requires sustained thermal regulation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials or phase transition mechanisms in the thermal therapy system to provide sustained thermal regulation. By utilizing the latent heat absorption or release during phase transitions (such as ice melting or phase change materials transitioning between solid and liquid states), the system maintains consistent thermal delivery over extended periods without requiring continuous active heating or cooling, thus achieving reliable relaxation induction while managing the duration requirement
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 described methods and apparatuses effectively reduce anxiety, induce relaxation, and improve mood by selectively reducing metabolism in the frontal cortex, as demonstrated by reduced sleep latency, increased sleep duration, and enhanced sleep quality in insomnia patients.
Implementation Method 1
sustained thermal regulation (warming or cooling) in an appropriate therapeutic range and time using one or more phase change materials
Implementation Method 2
Non-invasive methods and apparatuses that apply thermal therapy to the skin over the prefrontal cortex using phase change materials for sustained thermal regulation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for reducing anxiety, including increasing relaxation and/or calm. In some variations these methods may include reducing anxiety, increase relaxation and/or calm by non-invasive temperature regulation of the frontal cortex prior to and/or during sleep. The subject may have an anxiety disorder, or may not have a diagnosed anxiety disorder.