Vestibular Stimulation Sleep Modulation via Illusory Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical systems for promoting sleep are cumbersome and limited in their ability to effectively modulate sleep onset and duration, failing to address the sleep disorders affecting millions of adults in the United States.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system utilizing non-mechanical vestibular stimulation, such as electrical, thermal, acoustic, or tactile methods, to create illusory motions in yaw, pitch, and roll axes, which detects sleep stages and adapts stimulation parameters to improve sleep quality by advancing or delaying sleep onset and modulating sleep duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical systems are used to promote sleep through rocking motion, then sleep quality can be improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rocking systems with vestibular stimulation devices that use electrical, acoustic, or tactile signals to create illusory motion sensations. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky mechanical components while achieving the same sleep-promoting effect through direct stimulation of the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation.
2Loss of time
If mechanical rocking systems are implemented in mattresses, then sleep onset can be advanced, but the system becomes cumbersome and less adaptable
Solution Approach 1:
The vestibular stimulation device allows for dynamic adjustment of stimulation parameters including frequency, intensity, duration, and pattern of delivery. This enables the system to adapt to individual user needs and different sleep stages, providing customized stimulation protocols that can be modified in real-time based on feedback from sleep monitoring sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static mechanical rocking to dynamic vestibular stimulation that can be precisely controlled and adjusted. The stimulation parameters can be changed on-demand to match the user's sleep stage and response, providing a versatile and adaptive solution that mechanical systems cannot achieve.
3Adaptability or versatility
If closed-loop sleep monitoring and intervention systems are implemented, then personalized sleep modulation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sleep monitoring sensors that continuously track sleep stages, quality metrics, and user responses to stimulation. This feedback is processed by a controller that automatically adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that personalizes treatment without requiring complex manual intervention or configuration.
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 provides personalized, non-invasive, and adaptive vestibular stimulation, effectively improving overall sleep quality by learning optimal patterns for each user and adjusting stimulation characteristics to enhance deep sleep and wakefulness.
Implementation Method 1
The systems, devices and methods described herein use vestibular stimulation to control and improve sleep
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems, devices and methods that use vestibular stimulation to control and improve sleep. The systems, devices and methods described herein are the first to use either one or more than one method of vestibular stimulation from a plurality of different vestibular stimulations (e.g., electrical, thermal, acoustic, optical or tactile) to create illusory motions for affecting sleep. The described systems and methods are the first to utilize an algorithm to determine which stimulation technique to use, when to use a particular stimulation technique, and the unique characteristics to include in the stimulation technique.