Closed-loop Memory Intervention Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current memory enhancement techniques lack the ability to selectively control which memories are enhanced during sleep and fail to stop interventions when a memory is sufficiently consolidated, leading to inefficient use of memory consolidation processes and potential interference with other memory formation.

Innovation Solution

A closed-loop intervention control system that uses processors and biometric data to simulate memory changes, predict behavioral performance, and control memory interventions during sleep, specifically targeting and optimizing memory consolidation in short-term and long-term memory stores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time monitoring and adjustment of intervention parameters is implemented, then treatment effectiveness and patient safety are improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors patient responses to intervention and uses this feedback to automatically adjust parameters. The controller receives real-time data from sensors, processes it through the closed-loop controller, and modifies intervention parameters accordingly, creating a self-regulating system that improves treatment effectiveness while managing complexity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The closed-loop control system enables the intervention device to self-regulate by automatically adjusting its own parameters based on monitored patient responses. The system serves itself by using its own output data to control its operation, reducing the need for external manual intervention and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and monitoring devices are integrated, then measurement precision and patient safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological parameter monitoringVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple sensors that can monitor various physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) through a unified control architecture. The closed-loop controller processes all sensor inputs and coordinates interventions across multiple devices, allowing one system to perform multiple monitoring and intervention functions without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automated closed-loop control is implemented, then operator skill requirements and human error are reduced, but automation extent and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator skill requirementsVSAvoidautomation extent
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The closed-loop controller automatically processes sensor data and adjusts intervention parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system continuously monitors patient responses and self-adjusts treatment parameters, reducing operator skill requirements while implementing high-level automation that manages its own control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual operator decisions with automated electronic control. The closed-loop controller uses computational algorithms to process physiological data and determine intervention parameters, substituting human judgment with machine-based decision-making that reduces skill requirements and minimizes human error

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3563219A1Closed-loop intervention control system
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 HRL LAB

AI summary

Described is a closed-loop intervention control system for memory consolidation in a subject. During operation, the system simulates memory changes of a first memory in a subject during waking encoding of the memory, and then vvhile the subject is sleeping and coupled to an intervention system. Based on the simulated memory changes, the system predicts behavioral performance for the first memory, the behavioral performance being a probability that the first memory can be recalled on cue. The system ca n be used to control operation (e.g., turn on or off) of the intervention system with respect to the first memory based on the behavioral performance of the first memory determined by the simulation.