Complex Auditory Brainstem Response Analysis for Literacy Prediction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, lack a consistent and reliable biological indicator, relying on subjective and perceptual tests that do not effectively connect auditory brainstem response results with learning disabilities, and fail to predict literacy skills in pre-readers.

Innovation Solution

The development of a system and method using complex auditory brainstem response (cABR) analysis to generate a pre-reading biomarker by processing neural responses to complex sounds, incorporating statistical models and digital signal processing techniques to identify key parameters like neural timing and spectral features, which predict behavioral outcomes and literacy skills in children.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional ABR testing is used, then physiological indication of brainstem response is obtained, but connection to learning disabilities cannot be established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological indication accuracyVSAvoidconnection to learning disabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms conventional ABR parameters into new parameters specifically suited for predicting literacy outcomes. By analyzing brainstem responses to complex sounds (consonants in noise) and extracting specific temporal and spectral features, the system creates new measurement parameters that directly correlate with learning disabilities and literacy skills, resolving the information loss between physiological response and diagnostic relevance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces complex sound stimuli (consonants in noise) as an intermediary between conventional ABR testing and learning disability diagnosis. This intermediary stimulus elicits brainstem responses that contain specific information about auditory processing capabilities related to literacy, bridging the gap between physiological measurement and diagnostic information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If subjective perceptual tests are used, then language disorders can be evaluated, but consistency and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation coverageVSAvoiddiagnosis consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective perceptual testing with objective neurophysiological measurement. By substituting the mechanical/subjective evaluation process with automated analysis of brainstem electrical responses to complex sounds, the system maintains comprehensive evaluation coverage while dramatically improving reliability and consistency through objective, quantifiable measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows the brainstem response itself to provide diagnostic information without requiring subjective interpretation. The neural response automatically encodes information about auditory processing capabilities related to literacy, eliminating the need for clinician judgment and ensuring consistent, reliable results across different evaluations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If complex sound processing is analyzed, then literacy prediction accuracy is improved, but test complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliteracy prediction accuracyVSAvoidtest system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex sound stimulus into distinct components (consonants, vowels, noise backgrounds) and analyzes specific temporal and spectral parameters of the brainstem response to each. By breaking down the complex analysis into manageable segments with defined parameters, the system achieves high literacy prediction accuracy while maintaining systematic, organized test procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10607737B2Systems and methods to derive models to evaluate behavior outcomes based on brain responses to complex sounds

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 NORTHWESTERN UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed systems and methods analyze a complex auditory response to generate a particular model for a behavioral outcome. An example method includes analyzing one or more response to a complex stimulus to identify regions in each response and peaks in each region. The example method includes constructing a behavioral outcome model based on region and peak information by evaluating a plurality of parameters based on the information associated with the regions and peaks and applying a best fit analysis to include and/or exclude parameters from the plurality of parameters to determine parameters and relationship between the parameters to form the model. The example method includes facilitating application of the model to generate a score by obtaining values for the parameters forming the model and combining the values according to the relationship between the parameters specified in the model, the score indicative of the behavior outcome with respect to at least one first subject.