Sleep Maintenance Vibration Control Using Physiological Feedback
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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
The system employs transcutaneous vibratory outputs with variable parameters like pitch and intensity, generated by a processor in response to user input and physiological data, to assist in reaching and maintaining target states, using a combination of sine wave-shaped envelopes and wave patterns to deliver tailored stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transcutaneous vibratory output is used to modulate the autonomic nervous system, then the ability to achieve specific health states (calmness, focus, performance) is improved, but the complexity of the device and control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory output is divided into multiple segments with different frequencies and intensities. The system applies segmented vibration patterns targeting different autonomic nervous system responses, allowing complex physiological modulation through coordinated simple vibration segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts vibratory parameters (frequency, intensity, duration) based on real-time physiological feedback and user state. The control system adapts the vibration protocol on-the-fly to maintain optimal autonomic nervous system modulation while achieving target health states.
2Reliability
If multiple segments of transcutaneous vibratory output are applied, then the effectiveness of autonomic nervous system modulation is improved, but the duration and complexity of the treatment protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic vibratory segments with specific timing and frequency patterns. Multiple vibration segments are applied in a structured periodic sequence, where each segment targets specific autonomic responses and the cumulative effect enhances overall modulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple vibratory segments are designed to be applied continuously or near-continuously in a coordinated sequence, maintaining constant engagement with the autonomic nervous system. This continuous multi-segment approach ensures sustained physiological effect without significant interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transcutaneous vibratory output is used to assist in reaching target states, then personalized and dynamic modulation of the autonomic nervous system is achieved, but the need for real-time feedback and data analysis increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time physiological feedback mechanisms that monitor user response to vibratory stimulation. This feedback is processed to dynamically adjust subsequent vibration segments, enabling personalized adaptation of the protocol based on actual autonomic nervous system responses and achieving target states more effectively.
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
This approach allows for personalized and dynamic modulation of the autonomic nervous system, effectively helping users achieve and maintain desired states like calmness, focus, or performance by adjusting vibratory outputs based on real-time feedback and data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer is programmed to generate transcutaneous vibratory output to assist a subject in achieving a target state, the transcutaneous vibratory output comprising a first perceived pitch, a first perceived beat, and a perceived intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of sleep maintenance includes configuring a stimulation device comprising a transducer to emit a transcutaneous vibratory output to a body part of a subject, receiving physiological data of the subject from at least one sensor at a processor, providing a stimulation pattern for the transcutaneous vibratory output to be emitted by the transducer, the stimulation pattern comprising a perceived pitch, a perceived beat, and an intensity of the transcutaneous vibratory output, causing the transducer to emit the transcutaneous vibratory output in the stimulation pattern, determining a sleep state of the subject based on the physiological data, and altering the stimulation pattern based on the sleep state, wherein altering comprises 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.