Sleep Aid Apparatus Dynamic Breathing Phase Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleep aid devices often mismatch the phase of the guiding stimulus with the user's respiration phase, causing discomfort and anxiety, and use standardized frequencies that do not adapt to individual physiological parameters, leading to suboptimal sleep induction.
Innovation Solution
A processing device that synchronizes the phase and frequency of a user-perceptible stimulus with the user's respiration phase and heart rate variability, using a physiological sensor to adjust the stimulus in real-time, and employs tactile or haptic modalities to provide a more relaxing and adaptive breathing guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed phase guiding stimulus is used, then the device structure is simple, but the stimulus phase mismatches with user respiration phase causing discomfort and anxiety
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus phase is changed from fixed to dynamic, allowing real-time adjustment based on detected respiration phase. The system continuously monitors user respiration and adapts the guiding stimulus phase accordingly, transforming a static parameter into a dynamic one that responds to user physiological state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting the user's respiration phase and using this information to adjust the stimulus phase. The physiological sensor provides continuous feedback about the user's breathing state, which is then used to synchronize the guiding stimulus with the user's natural respiration rhythm.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standardized frequency is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it does not adapt to individual physiological parameters leading to suboptimal sleep induction
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus frequency is changed from a fixed standardized value to a variable parameter that adapts to individual physiological characteristics. The system measures heart rate variability and adjusts the guiding stimulus frequency accordingly, allowing each user to receive personalized frequency optimization for sleep induction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically measuring the user's heart rate variability and selecting the optimal stimulus frequency without requiring manual input or configuration. The device autonomously adapts to individual physiological parameters through continuous physiological monitoring and automatic parameter adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic stimuli are used, then the stimulus can be clearly perceived, but it may be jarring and stress-inducing contrary to relaxation aim
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces acoustic stimuli with tactile or haptic stimuli delivered through a contact element. This substitution changes the sensory modality from auditory to tactile, providing clear perception through touch while avoiding the jarring and stress-inducing effects of acoustic signals, thereby aligning with the relaxation objective.
Data Source
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AI summary
Improved means for guiding a user in paced breathing for sleep induction. A processing device controls generating of a cyclically patterned user-perceptible stimulus to guide a user in pacing their breathing. In some embodiments, means are included for controlling a cycle frequency of the first user-perceptible stimulus based on a physiological parameter determined from processing of the physiological sensor signal.