Vestibular Treatment Device Using Resonant Bone Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vestibular system stimulation devices generate noisy vibrations that can irritate the ear and are inefficient in producing targeted frequencies, leading to ineffective treatment of motion sickness and related maladies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a signal generator, amplifying section, and vibration generating element that produces de-stimulating vibratory signals with a majority of power in a fundamental frequency, applied to the head to mask stimulating signals and reduce vestibular system activity, thereby mitigating motion sickness and other vestibular-related symptoms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface or bone conduction transducers are used to create vibrations on the head, then therapeutic vibrations can be delivered to the vestibular system, but audible and irritating tones are generated due to resonant frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful resonant frequencies that cause audible irritation into a beneficial feature by deliberately designing the transducer to operate at resonant frequencies of the skull bone. This resonance amplifies the therapeutic effect on the vestibular system while the patent simultaneously addresses the audible irritation issue through additional noise cancellation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces active noise cancellation technology as an intermediary system that generates anti-phase sound waves to cancel out the irritating tones produced by the transducer. This mediator approach allows the therapeutic vibrations to continue while neutralizing the harmful audible components
2Power
If existing bone conduction transducers are used to create powerful vibrations, then a broad spectrum of frequencies is produced, but efficiency is reduced when only a narrow frequency band is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the transducer to concentrate its energy output at specific resonant frequencies of the skull rather than producing a broad spectrum. This localized frequency targeting improves efficiency by delivering powerful vibrations exactly where needed in the vestibular system without wasting energy on unnecessary frequency ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the transducer operating frequency to match the resonant frequency of the skull bone. This parameter adjustment transforms the transducer's output characteristics to produce maximum vibration intensity at the desired narrow frequency band, thereby improving energy efficiency
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 system effectively reduces symptoms of motion sickness and other vestibular disorders by de-stimulating the vestibular system, allowing the brain to rely less on conflicting sensory information from the vestibular system, thereby alleviating conditions like motion sickness, vertigo, and virtual reality sickness.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generating element operable to convert the signal into one or more vibratory signals
Implementation Method 2
surface or bone conduction transducer
Data Source
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AI summary
Particular vibratory signals are delivered to the vestibular system in order to reduce or prevent symptoms of maladies of the vestibular system.