Planar Microcoil Arrays in Headwear for Brain Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for modulating brain waves and treating medical conditions using pulsed electromagnetic fields are cumbersome, inconvenient, and often fail to provide uniform therapeutic doses, leading to low patient compliance and suboptimal treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed electromagnetic field device integrated into clothing, featuring a hat with planar microcoil arrays positioned to generate uniform fields across the brain, allowing for comfortable, long-term wear and targeted treatment of various medical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pulsed electromagnetic field devices are used, then therapeutic treatment can be provided, but the devices are cumbersome and inconvenient leading to low patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards with planar microcoil arrays that can be conformally attached to the scalp or integrated into headwear. This flexible substrate approach transforms rigid, cumbersome electromagnetic field devices into adaptable, wearable forms that comfortably fit individual patient head geometries, thereby improving compliance while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the electromagnetic field generation system into multiple discrete planar microcoil arrays arranged in specific patterns (such as Helmholtz or Maxwell configurations). Each microcoil array can be independently controlled and optimized for specific brain regions, allowing targeted therapy while distributing the overall device complexity across multiple manageable segments
2Reliability
If conventional pulsed electromagnetic field devices are used, then treatment can be provided, but uniform therapeutic doses cannot be ensured leading to suboptimal outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality optimization by configuring microcoil arrays with specific geometric patterns (Helmholtz, Maxwell, or other arrangements) that are locally optimized to produce uniform magnetic fields across specific target regions of the brain. Each microcoil array's position, orientation, and dimensions are precisely designed to ensure homogeneous field distribution in its designated treatment zone
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates controllers that can monitor and adjust the electrical current supplied to each microcoil array, enabling real-time optimization of the generated electromagnetic fields. This feedback mechanism ensures that uniform therapeutic doses are maintained across different patients and treatment sessions, compensating for variations in head geometry and tissue properties
3Ease of operation
If planar microcoil arrays are integrated into clothing, then comfortable long-term wear is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electromagnetic field generation system with everyday headwear or clothing items by integrating flexible printed circuit boards with microcoil arrays directly into the fabric or structure of hats, caps, or other head coverings. This consolidation combines the therapeutic device with a familiar, comfortable accessory, reducing perceived complexity and improving user acceptance while maintaining full therapeutic functionality
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
Increases patient compliance by enabling comfortable, long-term treatment while ensuring uniform and predictable therapeutic doses, effectively addressing a wide range of brain-related disorders and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each of the at least two planar microcoils on each of the at least two planar flexible arrays is configured to receive the electrical current to generate separate pulsed electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification discloses a pulsed electromagnetic field system having planar microcoil arrays integrated into clothing. Preferably, each of the planar microcoil arrays has two or more planar microcoils positioned on a substrate. The planar microcoil arrays are connected to a controller configured to generate an electrical current and transmit that electrical current, in accordance with a particular stimulation protocol, to each of the planar microcoil arrays. The system may be used to suppress epileptic seizures or to provide neuroprotection to a person undergoing cardiac arrest or stroke.