EMDR Headset with Laminated Screen for Remote Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy face challenges in delivering effective remote therapy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they lack a standardized system for synchronized visual, auditory, and tactile sensory inputs necessary for optimal treatment.
Innovation Solution
An EMDR treatment system comprising a headset with a laminated screen, vibrating units, and ear speakers, powered by rechargeable batteries, that uses wireless signals and long-range RF signals to facilitate remote therapy sessions over the internet, allowing for synchronized visual and tactile stimuli and communication between patient and therapist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional face-to-face EMDR therapy is conducted in a physical office, then the therapeutic effect is optimized through direct observation of eye movements, but the accessibility and availability are limited by geographical location and in-person requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses video conferencing technology to create a visual copy of the patient's face and eye movements, allowing the therapist to observe eye movements remotely with the same precision as in-person therapy. The video feed captures and transmits the patient's facial expressions and eye movements in real-time, eliminating geographical barriers while maintaining observation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a video communication system as an intermediary between the patient and therapist, enabling remote therapy sessions. This intermediary transmits visual information about eye movements and facial expressions, allowing the therapist to maintain therapeutic effectiveness without physical presence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote therapy is implemented using standard video conferencing, then geographical accessibility is improved, but the synchronized delivery of visual, auditory, and tactile sensory inputs required for optimal EMDR treatment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensory delivery components into a single integrated headset device. The headset includes visual display elements, auditory speakers, and tactile vibration motors positioned to deliver synchronized sensory inputs simultaneously to the patient's visual, auditory, and tactile sensory channels, replicating the coordinated multi-sensory stimulation of traditional EMDR therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The headset serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays visual stimuli, plays auditory stimuli, and delivers tactile vibrations. This multi-functional device ensures that all three sensory inputs are delivered in precise synchronization, maintaining the reliability required for effective EMDR treatment while enabling remote therapy delivery.
3Reliability
If a headset with multiple sensory components is used to deliver synchronized visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli, then the therapeutic effectiveness is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates visual display components, auditory speakers, and tactile vibration motors into a single headset unit that can be worn by the patient. This consolidation allows synchronized delivery of all three sensory inputs through one device, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to separate devices for each sensory modality.
4Measurement precision
If a laminated screen with reflective glass is used in the headset to block reflections, then the patient's eye movement visibility is improved for remote observation, but the manufacturing complexity and cost of the headset increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a non-reflective coating or treatment to the outer surface of the laminated screen glass, creating a localized property change that prevents reflections from obscuring the patient's eye movements. This targeted modification to the screen's surface quality improves visibility without requiring complete replacement of the glass or complex manufacturing processes.
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
Enables effective remote administration of EMDR therapy by providing a reflection-free view of the patient's eye movements and synchronized auditory and tactile inputs, enhancing the therapeutic experience and accessibility of PTSD treatment regardless of geographical location.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting diodes projecting a dot image on a reflective glass through a lens
Implementation Method 2
a laminated screen, a patient's computer adapted to be used by a patient... where they encounter the reflective glass on an interior side of the laminated screen
Data Source
AI summary
An eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment system comprises an apparatus designed for the remote administration of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy via an internet connection. The eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment system enables a therapist to remotely present a patient with a plurality of varying visual, audible, and tactile stimuli. The eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment system utilizes a pair of visual goggles with two layers of glass or glass-like material, which displays a visual image for the patient to follow with their eyes. A camera system provides a visual feed of the patient's face on the therapist's goggles. The frame of the visual screen comprises an array of LED lights that provide simulated sequential movement Over the ear noise cancelling headphones are also provided. A pair of vibration units are configured to be held in the patient's left and right hand and are synchronized with the apparent motion of the LED lights. The device is battery operated and interfaces via Bluetooth® with an internet enabled electronic device.