Sensory Prosthesis Behavior Detection and Stimulation Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack effective methods to monitor and adjust consumption behaviors, such as eating or smoking, to encourage healthy habits and discourage unhealthy ones, especially in real-time and personalized ways.
Innovation Solution
The use of sensory prostheses equipped with microphones, movement sensors, and computing devices to detect consumption behaviors and adjust stimulation accordingly, enhancing or detracting from the experience of consuming certain foods or substances to influence behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensory prostheses are equipped with microphones and movement sensors to detect consumption behaviors, then measurement precision and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensory prosthesis is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides primary sensory restoration (hearing or vision) while simultaneously detecting consumption behaviors through integrated microphones and movement sensors. The computing device processes multiple types of data (audio, motion, visual) to identify various consumption behaviors including eating, drinking, smoking, and vomiting, making the device universally applicable for both therapeutic and behavioral monitoring purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensory prosthesis adjusts stimulation in real-time based on detected consumption behaviors, then adaptability and behavioral influence capability are improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous processing, adjusting stimulation based on detected consumption behaviors at specific intervals. The computing device analyzes audio and motion data periodically to identify consumption events, then modulates sensory stimulation accordingly, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining real-time behavioral influence capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where consumption behaviors are detected through microphones and movement sensors, processed by the computing device, and used to immediately adjust sensory prosthesis stimulation. This feedback loop enables real-time behavioral modification by enhancing or detracting from the sensory experience of consumption, creating adaptive control that responds dynamically to user actions.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and computing devices are integrated to monitor consumption behaviors, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensory prosthesis system operates autonomously by automatically detecting consumption behaviors through integrated sensors and adjusting stimulation without requiring user intervention. The computing device independently processes sensor data, identifies consumption events, and modulates sensory output, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining high measurement precision through multi-sensor integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed examples include monitoring consumption behavior of a recipient of a sensory prosthesis (e.g., a cochlear implant). The sensory prosthesis identifies specific sounds (e.g., the sounds of vomiting, snoring, opening a beer bottle, lighting a cigarette, or taking medication from a blister, among others) or visuals and record data regarding the frequency, timing, intensity, or other characteristics of the behavior. The recorded data can then be analyzed by the recipient or caregivers. The sensory prosthesis further adjusts its sensory output to enhance, degrade, or otherwise modify the recipient's perception of the consumption behavior.