Autonomic Nerve Biofeedback via Pupil-Heartbeat Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biofeedback methods, such as heart rate variability biofeedback, are ineffective for users who struggle with slow diaphragmatic breathing, especially under stress, and lack verification of feedback effects on physiological information.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronize heart beat fluctuations with pupil diameter fluctuations, using autonomic nerve fluctuations to induce controlled breathing and pupil diameter changes, allowing for easier and more effective biofeedback by moving a visual object in synchronization with the user's breathing and gaze.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heart rate variability biofeedback is used, then heart rate control is attempted, but it becomes ineffective for users who struggle with slow diaphragmatic breathing under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual object as an intermediary that mediates between the user and their physiological state. Instead of directly controlling breathing, the user tracks a moving visual object that is synchronized with their natural breathing rhythm, making the biofeedback process more intuitive and effective, especially under stress conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical breathing control requirement with a visual tracking task. The user's gaze follows a visual object that moves in synchronization with their breathing cycle, substituting the need for conscious mechanical breathing control with a simpler visual-motor task that indirectly achieves the same physiological effect
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physiological parameters are monitored simultaneously, then comprehensive biofeedback is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple physiological parameters (heart rate, breathing rate, pupil diameter) into a unified feedback system. These parameters are measured simultaneously and used together to control the visual object's movement, creating a comprehensive yet integrated approach that avoids the complexity of separate control systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The visual object serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual feedback, guides breathing rhythm, tracks pupil diameter changes, and responds to heart rate variations. This multi-functional element simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining comprehensive physiological monitoring and feedback capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: (a) obtaining information about a period of a fluctuation cycle in an autonomic nerve of a user at rest; (b) inducing the user to breaths in synchronization with the period of the fluctuation cycle in the autonomic nerve according to the obtained information; and (c) synchronizing a fluctuation in a diameter of a pupil of the user with the period of the fluctuation cycle in the autonomic nerve at the same time of (b) according to the obtained information. The period of the fluctuation cycle in the autonomic nerve is a period of a fluctuation cycle in the diameter of the pupil, a period of a fluctuation cycle in a heart beats of the user, or a period calculated from the period of the fluctuation cycle in the diameter of the pupil and the period of the fluctuation cycle in the heart beats.