Neural Stimulation Headset with Coordinated Photic and Audio Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neural stimulation systems fail to provide extended gamma entrainment over time, require significant patient time commitment, and lack the ability to co-administer multiple stimuli types or deliver stimuli during sleep.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a head device with light-emitting and audio-output components, controlled by a computing device that determines the user's neural state and generates stimulatory commands to provide coordinated neural stimulation, including photic entrainment, auditory stimuli, and the ability to operate during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If current neural stimulation systems are used to provide gamma entrainment, then some neural stimulation is achieved, but the duration of stimulation is insufficient and cannot be extended over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stimulation modalities (photic entrainment through light-emitting devices and auditory stimuli through audio-output devices) into a single coordinated system. This merging allows the system to deliver extended neural stimulation through multiple channels simultaneously, addressing the duration limitation while distributing the time commitment across different stimulation types that can be co-administered
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device determines the user's neural state in advance and generates appropriate stimulatory commands before delivery. This preliminary assessment and command generation enable the system to prepare extended stimulation protocols that adapt to the user's current state, ensuring optimal duration and effectiveness without requiring continuous patient monitoring or adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If current neural stimulation systems are used, then single type of stimuli can be delivered, but multiple forms of stimuli cannot be co-administered
Solution Approach 1:
The head device is designed with multiple functional components (light-emitting devices for photic entrainment and audio-output devices for auditory stimuli) that can be controlled through a single computing device. This multi-functional design enables the system to deliver various types of stimuli through one integrated apparatus, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device serves as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple stimulation modalities. It receives user data, determines neural state, generates stimulatory commands, and distributes them appropriately to light-emitting and audio-output devices. This intermediary role simplifies the coordination of multiple stimuli types, managing complexity through centralized control rather than requiring complex direct integration between all components
3Ease of operation
If neural stimulation is delivered during wakeful hours, then patient can monitor the process, but stimulation cannot be delivered during sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device continuously monitors the user's neural state and uses this feedback to determine when to deliver stimulation. By assessing neural state in advance and in real-time, the system can identify sleep states and automatically deliver appropriate stimulatory commands during sleep periods, enabling extended duration stimulation without requiring patient awareness or monitoring during the actual stimulation delivery
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 system effectively provides extended neural stimulation, allowing for co-administration of multiple stimuli types and operation during sleep, thereby improving treatment efficacy and patient convenience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light-emitting device configured to provide photic entrainment to the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for neural stimulation, the apparatus comprising a head device configured to be worn on a head of a user, the head device comprising a light-emitting device configured to provide photic entertainment to the user, and a control module connected to the light-emitting device and configured to operate the light-emitting device through receipt of one or more stimulatory commands, and a computing device communicatively connected to the head device, the computing device comprising a processor, and a memory communicatively connected to the processor, the memory containing instructions configuring the processor to receive user data, wherein the user data comprises information relating to a neural state of a user, generate the one or more stimulatory commands as a function of the user data wherein generating or more stimulatory commands includes determining the neural state of the user, and transmit one or more stimulatory commands to the head device.