Multimodal Neural Stimulation With Feedback Brainwave Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively manage or control neural oscillations to provide beneficial cognitive effects while mitigating adverse consequences, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods for neural stimulation using visual, auditory, and peripheral nerve stimuli to adjust and synchronize neural oscillations by emitting light or sound pulses at predetermined frequencies, and monitoring and adjusting these stimuli based on feedback to achieve brainwave entrainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external signals (light pulses, audio pulses) are applied to the nervous system to induce neural oscillations, then beneficial cognitive effects can be achieved, but adverse consequences may occur on cognitive state or function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where neural oscillations are monitored and the external stimulation signals are adjusted based on the monitored responses. This closed-loop control allows the system to optimize beneficial cognitive effects while mitigating adverse consequences by dynamically adapting stimulus parameters to individual neural responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the frequency, amplitude, and timing of external stimulation signals (light pulses, audio pulses) to match or modulate specific neural oscillation patterns. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system can induce beneficial cognitive states while avoiding adverse effects associated with fixed or inappropriate stimulus parameters.
2Reliability
If neural oscillations are synchronized using external stimulation, then cognitive functions can be improved, but the complexity of monitoring and adjusting stimuli increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors neural oscillations in real-time and automatically adjusts stimulation parameters, reducing the need for complex manual monitoring and control. The system self-regulates based on detected neural responses, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining synchronized oscillations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting neural oscillation patterns and modifying stimulus parameters accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external monitoring and manual tuning, reducing device complexity while achieving reliable neural synchronization.
3Productivity
If stimulation signals are applied at predetermined frequencies, then brainwave entrainment can be achieved, but the ability to adapt to individual neural responses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static predetermined frequencies to dynamic, adaptively adjusted frequencies. The stimulation signals continuously adjust their parameters based on real-time neural oscillation monitoring, allowing the system to maintain brainwave entrainment while adapting to individual neural responses and optimizing effectiveness for each subject.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes stimulus parameters (frequency, amplitude, timing) based on individual neural responses. This allows the system to achieve brainwave entrainment at predetermined frequencies while simultaneously adapting to individual neural characteristics, combining productivity with versatility through parameter modulation.
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 methods and systems provide beneficial cognitive effects and mitigate adverse consequences by synchronizing neural oscillations, offering potential treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Implementation Method 1
light pulses generated at predetermined frequency and perceived by ocular means via a direct visual field or a peripheral visual field can trigger neural activity in the brain
Implementation Method 2
audio pulses generated at predetermined frequency and perceived by cochlear means can trigger neural activity in the brain
Implementation Method 3
peripheral nerve stimulations transmitted through a spinal cord to a brain of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. The system can include a light source and a speaker. A visual neural stimulation system provides, via the light source, visual stimulation having a first value of a first parameter. An auditory neural stimulation system provides, via the speaker, audio stimulation having a second value of the second parameter. A stimuli orchestration component selects, for a first time interval, one of the visual stimulation or the audio stimulation to vary based on a policy, selects, for the first time interval, the other of the visual stimulation or the audio stimulation to keep constant based on the policy, and provides causes the one of the visual neural stimulation system or the auditory neural stimulation system to vary the one of the visual stimulation or the audio stimulation.