Stretchable Microcoil Arrays for Homogeneous Brain Wave Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for modulating brain waves and treating conditions like cybersickness and chronic pain are cumbersome, inconvenient, and fail to provide consistent, homogenous magnetic fields, leading to suboptimal treatment and low patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed electromagnetic field device integrated into wearable clothing, using arrays of planar microcoils that generate controlled, homogenous magnetic fields, allowing for comfortable, long-term use and targeted treatment of various brain-related disorders and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices are used for modulating brain waves, then treatment function is provided, but device portability and patient compliance deteriorate due to cumbersome design
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the brain modulation function into multiple independent planar microcoil arrays distributed across the clothing surface, each capable of generating magnetic fields independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive treatment coverage while improving comfort and wearability compared to single large-scale devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional portable device form factors to a two-dimensional surface distribution architecture where planar microcoil arrays are integrated into clothing fabric. This dimensional change allows the treatment function to be distributed across a large surface area, eliminating the need for bulky portable equipment while maintaining therapeutic efficacy
2Reliability
If conventional devices generate magnetic fields, then brain wave modulation is achieved, but field homogeneity deteriorates leading to suboptimal treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple planar microcoil arrays distributed across the clothing surface, with each array contributing to the overall magnetic field. This segmentation allows for spatial distribution of magnetic field generation, creating a more uniform and homogeneous field across the treatment area compared to single-source conventional devices
Solution Approach 2:
Each planar microcoil array is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for its position on the clothing, allowing different regions to contribute appropriately to the overall field homogeneity. The local quality of each microcoil array is tailored to ensure uniform field distribution when all arrays operate together
3Ease of operation
If wearable clothing is used to integrate microcoil arrays, then device portability improves, but maintaining consistent magnetic fields across large surface areas becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flexible substrates and stretchable materials that allow the microcoil arrays to dynamically adapt to body movement and clothing deformation. This dynamic design maintains consistent magnetic field generation across the surface area despite changes in clothing fit or body position, solving the challenge of field consistency in wearable applications
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 device enables effective, predictable, and comfortable modulation of brain waves and treatment of conditions, improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes by providing consistent magnetic fields across large surface areas.
Implementation Method 1
arrays of planar coils configured to generate pulsed electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification discloses a pulsed electromagnetic field system with planar microcoil arrays integrated into clothing. Preferably, each of the planar microcoil arrays has two or more planar microcoils positioned on a substrate that stretches so that the distance between the arrays in a first, unworn configuration and a second, worn configuration is greater than 5% of the distance in the first, unworn configuration. The planar microcoil arrays are connected to a neuromodulation controller and configured to generate an electrical current and transmit that electrical current, in accordance with a particular stimulation protocol, to each of the planar microcoil arrays.