Coordinated Transducer Vibrations for Adaptive Autonomic Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective ways to modulate and balance the autonomic nervous system's sympathetic and parasympathetic branches to achieve specific health states or conditions, such as calmness, focus, or arousal, especially in a dynamic and personalized manner.
Innovation Solution
The system generates transcutaneous vibratory outputs with variable parameters like pitch and intensity, adjusted based on user input and physiological data, to assist in reaching and maintaining target states, using a processor that communicates with sensors and other devices to adapt the stimulation in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single transducer is used to generate transcutaneous vibratory output, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to modulate and balance the autonomic nervous system effectively is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transducer array into multiple independently controllable elements that can be selectively activated. Each transducer element can be controlled to emit vibrations at different frequencies, phases, and amplitudes, enabling sophisticated modulation of the autonomic nervous system while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transducers are combined in a coordinated array where their outputs are integrated to produce a unified therapeutic effect on the autonomic nervous system. The processor synchronizes the operation of individual transducers to create complex vibration patterns that would be impossible with a single transducer, achieving enhanced adaptability through combination
2Extent of automation
If transcutaneous vibratory output is applied to modulate the autonomic nervous system, then health states can be achieved, but the system requires real-time physiological monitoring which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates physiological sensors that continuously monitor autonomic nervous system activity and feed this information back to the processor. The processor uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the transducer output in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically adapts the vibration parameters to achieve and maintain desired health states
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically monitor physiological parameters and self-regulate the vibratory output without requiring constant manual intervention. The processor autonomously interprets sensor data and adjusts transducer operation to maintain optimal therapeutic effect, enabling the system to serve itself in maintaining the desired autonomic balance
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
This approach allows for personalized and dynamic modulation of the autonomic nervous system, effectively helping users achieve and maintain desired health states by continuously adjusting the vibratory outputs based on real-time feedback and data.
Implementation Method 1
Each transducer in the system emits a transcutaneous vibratory output
Data Source
AI summary
Delivering vibratory therapy to a user may include using a system with a first transducer adapted to emit a first transcutaneous vibratory output; a second transducer adapted to emit a second transcutaneous vibratory output; and a processor in electronic communication with a user interface, the first transducer, and the second transducer, wherein the user interface accepts a user target state. The processor may be programmed to (i) generate a first transcutaneous vibratory output pattern comprising a first perceived pitch, a first perceived beat, and a first intensity; (ii) generate a second transcutaneous vibratory output pattern comprising a second perceived pitch, a second perceived beat, and a second intensity; (iii) cause the first transducer to emit a first transcutaneous vibratory output based on the first transcutaneous vibratory output pattern; and (iv) cause the second transducer to emit a second transcutaneous vibratory output based on the second transcutaneous vibratory output pattern.