Transcutaneous Vibratory Output for Autonomic Nervous System Modulation
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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 use of transcutaneous vibratory outputs with variable parameters like pitch and intensity, generated by a processor-based system, applied to the body to assist in reaching and maintaining target states, with calibration and feedback mechanisms to adjust the stimulation based on user input and physiological data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic sensory stimulation is applied to evoke physiological response, then the capacity to induce shifts in awareness and mood is improved, but the subject may experience habituation reducing the effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters (frequency, intensity, pattern) in real-time based on feedback from physiological sensors and user input. This prevents habituation by continuously varying the stimulation characteristics while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness, allowing the system to adapt to changing user needs and physiological states throughout the session and across multiple sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements systematic changes in stimulation parameters including frequency modulation, intensity variation, and pattern transformation. These parameter changes are applied progressively or randomly to prevent the nervous system from adapting to a fixed stimulation pattern, thereby maintaining the physiological response effectiveness over extended periods and multiple treatment sessions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transcutaneous vibratory output with variable parameters is applied to modulate the autonomic nervous system, then the ability to achieve specific health states is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a single transcutaneous vibratory actuator that can deliver multiple types of stimulation patterns (rhythmic, random, progressive, regressive) across different frequency and intensity ranges. This universal actuator replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices, achieving high adaptability while managing device complexity through multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated feedback loops where physiological sensors continuously monitor the user's state and automatically adjust stimulation parameters to achieve and maintain target states. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the need for complex manual control interfaces and expert intervention, allowing the system to autonomously navigate the complexity of personalized neurostimulation protocols.
3Measurement precision
If calibration procedure is implemented to determine sensory thresholds, then the personalization of stimulation is improved, but the time required for setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sensory threshold calibration during an initial setup phase before actual therapy begins. By completing this time-consuming measurement procedure in advance, the system establishes personalized parameters that guide subsequent treatment sessions, avoiding the need to repeat calibration each time and thus amortizing the time investment across multiple therapeutic applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from physiological sensors and user responses during and after calibration to refine threshold determinations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to quickly converge on accurate personalized parameters with fewer calibration steps, reducing setup time while maintaining measurement precision through iterative optimization.
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, while preventing habituation through adaptive stimulation protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer is caused to generate transcutaneous vibratory output... the transcutaneous vibratory output may be described as having variable parameters comprising a perceived pitch, a perceived beat, and a perceived intensity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of generating a stimulation during an experience, including receiving a stimulation preference for a user; identifying an occurrence of the experience; determining, based on the stimulation preference, a stimulation configuration for the experience; monitoring the occurrence of the experience for a stimulation trigger; and generating, in response to detection of the stimulation trigger and based on the stimulation configuration, signals for a transcutaneous vibratory stimulation.