Vestibular Electrode Switching for Accurate 3D Motion Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multidimensional vestibular interfacing technologies struggle to accurately generate and deliver three-dimensional, concurrent vestibular stimulations due to insufficient control over individual electrode pathways, leading to inaccurate and conflicting electrical gradients, which reduces the efficacy of multi-axial stimulation.
Innovation Solution
The Three-Axis Wearable Adaptive Vestibular Stimulation (3WAVeS) system employs time-multiplexed modulated signals for yaw, pitch, and roll currents, with precise current amplitude modulation and automatic electrode disconnection mechanisms to ensure accurate vestibular sensations, using hardware data processors and algorithms to process multi-axis motion data and generate controlled currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If three-dimensional concurrent vestibular stimulation is applied using known hardware, then multi-axial stimulation is attempted, but control over individual electrode pathways is insufficient leading to inaccurate electrical gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stimulation control into independent pathways for each electrode pair. The system divides the multi-axial stimulation into separate controllable channels, allowing precise control over individual electrode pathways while maintaining multi-axial stimulation capability. Each pathway can be independently adjusted to achieve accurate electrical gradients without interference from other axes.
2Productivity
If existing three-dimensional stimulation technologies are used, then stimulation is delivered, but conflicts arise with electrophysiological principles resulting in inaccurate currents at electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the electrical gradients and current delivery at each electrode. The system uses this feedback information to adjust stimulation parameters in real-time, ensuring that the delivered currents accurately match the intended stimulation patterns while complying with electrophysiological principles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multidimensional vestibular interfacing is implemented with insufficient control, then multi-axis motion stimulation is attempted, but conflicting electrical gradients are produced reducing stimulation efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms that automatically adjust electrode pathways and current distribution based on the desired stimulation axis and intensity. The system dynamically reconfigures the electrical gradients to prevent conflicts between multiple axes, maintaining high stimulation efficacy across all multi-axis operations without requiring complex manual adjustment.
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 3WAVeS system effectively induces desired yaw, pitch, and roll sensations by minimizing undesired electrical gradients, enhancing the accuracy and utility of multi-axial vestibular stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
electrodes are placed around the circumference of the head of a person and small amounts of electrical current (e.g., less than 10 mA) are injected into the person's head via the electrodes. These small currents may alter the membrane voltage potentials of the semicircular canals of the inner ear causing the sensation of motion to a user.
Data Source
AI summary
Neurological interfacing with a user is performed using by one or more hardware data processors including processing circuitry and memory that receives stimulation data from at least one data input source for stimulating two or three different axes of motion and processes the stimulation data to determine at least two of pitch, yaw, and roll parameters. Based on the at least two of the pitch, yaw, and roll parameters, at least two of a yaw current signal, a pitch current signal, and a roll current signal are determined. The at least two of the yaw current signal, the pitch current signal, and the roll current signal are time-multiplexed modulated signals. A maximum current amplitude signal occurs at different times for the at least two of the yaw current signal, the pitch current signal, and the roll current signal. Output currents are generated based on the least two of the yaw current signal, the pitch current signal, and the roll current signal. The output currents are selectively applied to at least some electrodes positioned on the user's head to induce in the user at least two of a desired yaw sensation, a desired pitch sensation, and a desired roll sensation. Multiple relays are provided with each relay coupled to a corresponding current source and configured to selectively disconnect the corresponding current source from delivering a stimulation current to a corresponding electrode when the stimulation scenario requires that one or more electrodes be disconnected.