Acoustic Startle Response Diagnostic System for PTSD Biomarker Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for PTSD are limited by the subjectivity of questionnaires, the high cost and limited availability of neuroimaging techniques, and the limited effectiveness of heart rate variability measurements, necessitating a more objective, accurate, and inexpensive alternative.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic system that measures the acoustic startle reflex through pupillary response, post-auricular muscle response (PAMR), intrinsic auricular muscle response (IAMR), and prepulse inhibition (PPI) using earphones for auditory stimuli and a display device to deliver prepulse stimuli, with electrodes for recording muscle responses and pupillary measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If neuroimaging methods (FMRI, MEG) are used to diagnose PTSD, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but cost and availability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidcost and availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex neuroimaging systems (FMRI, MEG) with a simpler acoustic startle response measurement system using basic audio equipment and EMG sensors. This substitution maintains diagnostic utility while dramatically reducing cost and increasing accessibility, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If questionnaires are used to diagnose PTSD, then ease of administration is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to subjectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administrationVSAvoiddiagnostic reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective questionnaire-based diagnosis with objective physiological measurement of the acoustic startle response. The EMG-measured muscle response provides quantifiable, observer-independent data that maintains ease of administration while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating subjective reporting biases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If heart rate variability is used to diagnose PTSD, then ease of measurement is improved, but diagnostic effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of measurementVSAvoiddiagnostic effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physiological parameter being measured from heart rate variability to acoustic startle response magnitude. This parameter change provides more specific and sensitive diagnostic information for PTSD while maintaining ease of measurement through simple audio stimulation and EMG recording, thereby improving diagnostic effectiveness without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Provides a cost-effective and objective method for diagnosing PTSD by analyzing the startle reflex and prepulse inhibition, offering a potential biomarker for autonomic arousal and brain stem pathway damage.

Implementation Method 1

Acoustic startle is evoked by short (50 ms) noises, usually broadband or white noise with a high intensity (90-110 dB). Startle stimuli can be delivered at any time to probe ongoing affective and mental processes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic startle reflex:

Implementation Method 2

Electrical activity associated with contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle can be detected with an EMG using two electrodes below one eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromyography:

Implementation Method 3

it can also be measured by pupillometry, which is the measurement of pupil size and reactivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPupillometry:

Implementation Method 4

The iris dilator muscle is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system that is involved in arousal, wakefulness, and the fight-or-flight response. The dilation pathway is a subcortical pathway that starts at the hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus (LC) and connects to the iris dilator muscle.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSympathetic nervous system activation:

Data Source

PatentEP4064953B1A system for monitoring auditory startle response

Publication Date: 2023.10.25 CAKMAK YUSUF OZGUR

Figure 1A~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a diagnostic system (100) for measuring and analyzing startle response of a subject (10) characterized in that said diagnostic system (100) comprises a stimuli delivery module (110), whereby startle stimuli (120) and prepulse stimuli (121) are delivered to subject (10). Said diagnostic system (100) comprises at least one sensor module (111), whereby the startle response (130, 131, 132) of subject (10) are detected and recorded. Said sensor module (111) comprises at least one electrode and one pupillary response measuring means. Said diagnostic system (100) comprises a diagnosis module (112) whereby the features of the startle response (130, 131, 132) and prepulse inhibition of subject (10) are extracted and analyzed. Said startle response of subject (10) detected by said sensor module (111) comprise pupillary response (130), post-auricular muscle response (131) and intrinsic auricular muscle response (132).