Transcutaneous Vibration Control for Sleep Entry Without Habituation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective ways to modulate and balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system to achieve specific health states or conditions, such as calmness, focus, or performance, especially in a dynamic and personalized manner.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using transcutaneous vibratory outputs with variable parameters like pitch and intensity, generated by a processor, to stimulate the autonomic nervous system based on user input, sensor data, and environmental feedback, to assist in reaching and maintaining target states, and to adapt to individual sensory thresholds and changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transcutaneous vibratory stimulation is applied to modulate the autonomic nervous system, then the ability to induce specific physiological states (calm, focus, sleep) is improved, but the risk of habituation and reduced effectiveness over time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, pattern) in real-time based on feedback from physiological sensors. This prevents habituation by continuously adapting the stimulation to match the user's current state, thereby maintaining effectiveness over extended periods without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic vibration patterns with varying frequencies and intervals to stimulate the autonomic nervous system. By using alternating patterns (e.g., switching between different frequencies or on/off cycles), the system maintains user responsiveness and prevents adaptation while still achieving the desired physiological effects.
2Measurement precision
If personalized stimulation parameters are used to match individual sensory thresholds, then the precision of state induction is improved, but the complexity of calibration and parameter adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic calibration by having users provide simple feedback (e.g., indicating when they can or cannot feel the vibration). The processor then autonomously determines personalized parameters and adjusts stimulation settings without requiring manual input or complex user configuration, thereby achieving high precision with minimal user burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where physiological sensors monitor user state and the user provides subjective feedback about perception. This feedback is processed to automatically adjust parameters, enabling precise personalization while keeping the calibration process simple and intuitive for the user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, pattern) are varied to prevent habituation, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the difficulty of controlling and coordinating multiple parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from physiological sensors and user input to automatically coordinate multiple vibration parameters. The processor analyzes the combined data and adjusts frequency, amplitude, and pattern in a coordinated manner, simplifying the control of multiple parameters while maintaining high adaptability to prevent habituation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates multiple parameters by linking their adjustment to real-time physiological state measurements. Rather than independently controlling each parameter, the system adjusts them in concert based on measured physiological responses, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
4Reliability
If transcutaneous vibration is used to facilitate sleep state entry, then the effectiveness of sleep induction is improved, but the need for precise timing and state detection increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses physiological sensors (e.g., heart rate, respiration) to detect sleep state and transitions in real-time. This feedback enables the system to automatically determine the optimal timing for applying vibration stimulation to facilitate sleep entry, achieving high effectiveness without requiring complex manual timing or state assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors physiological parameters and self-adjusts the stimulation timing and parameters based on detected sleep state. This eliminates the need for complex external monitoring or manual intervention, achieving precise sleep induction while keeping the system architecture relatively simple through automated state detection and response.
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 helps users achieve and maintain desired neural or emotional states by dynamically adjusting vibratory outputs, preventing habituation, and integrating with other therapies or treatments, thereby improving overall health and well-being.
Implementation Method 1
A processor may be in electronic communication with a transducer... causes the transducer to generate a first transcutaneous vibratory output
Implementation Method 2
in a resonance method periodic sensory stimulation may evoke a physiological response that peaks at certain stimulus frequencies. This includes a resonance mechanism that is characterized by the peaking of the physiological response versus frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of treating a sleep disorder of a subject include providing a therapeutic stimulation device comprising a transducer configured to emit transcutaneous vibratory output to a body part of the subject; generating physiological data with a worn sensor and providing it to a processor; providing a stimulation pattern for transcutaneous vibratory output to be emitted by the transducer comprising a perceived pitch, a perceived beat, and an intensity; causing the transducer to emit the transcutaneous vibratory output in the stimulation pattern; determining if the subject is in a pre-sleep state or a sleep state based on the physiological data; and altering the stimulation pattern based on determining the subject is in at least one of a pre-sleep state or a sleep state comprising at least one of (i) reducing a frequency of the perceived pitch, (ii) increasing an interval of the perceived beat, or (iii) reducing the intensity.