Vestibular System Vibration Device for Motion Sickness Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies, such as traditional headphones, are not effective in mitigating motion sickness, vertigo, vestibular migraines, and loss of consciousness due to their inability to deliver high-intensity signals that can effectively disrupt the vestibular system.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves inducing vibrations in the vestibular system, including otoliths and semicircular canals of the inner ear, to create noisy or unreliable sensory information, thereby reducing the brain's reliance on vestibular signals and mitigating associated physiological effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional headphones, earphones, and speakers are used to deliver sound signals, then hearing is preserved, but the vestibular system cannot be effectively disrupted to mitigate motion sickness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in mitigating motion sicknessVSAvoidsignal intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces bone conduction technology as an intermediary mechanism to transmit vibrations directly through the skull bone to the vestibular system, bypassing the air conduction limitations of traditional headphones. This mediator enables high-intensity signal delivery to the target organ without relying on conventional acoustic pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the acoustic air conduction system with a direct mechanical vibration transmission system through bone conduction. This substitution allows for more efficient energy transfer and higher intensity delivery to the vestibular system, overcoming the limitations of traditional headphone technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If high intensity sound signals are delivered to the vestibular system, then motion sickness can be mitigated, but hearing may be harmed or disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in disrupting vestibular systemVSAvoidhearing damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal transmission pathway into two independent channels: bone conduction for vestibular stimulation and air conduction for hearing preservation. This segmentation allows high-intensity vibrations to be delivered to the vestibular system through bone while maintaining normal hearing function through the air conduction pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The skull bone serves as an intermediary that selectively transmits vibrations to the vestibular system while protecting the cochlea from harmful high-intensity sounds. The bone acts as a controlled transmission medium that directs energy to the target organ without exposing the hearing mechanism to damaging levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the brain receives noisy sensory information from the vestibular system, then it can rely on other sources for orientation, but the quality of vestibular signals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrain's ability to use alternative signalsVSAvoidquality of vestibular sensory information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing controlled vibrations that preemptively disrupt the vestibular system's normal signaling. This pre-disruption prevents the brain from relying on potentially conflicting vestibular signals during motion, allowing it to prioritize other sensory inputs before motion sickness can develop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

By inducing vibrations in the vestibular system, the device effectively reduces the occurrence of motion sickness, vertigo, vestibular migraines, and loss of consciousness by altering the sensory information sent to the brain, allowing it to rely more heavily on other sources for orientation and balance.

Implementation Method 1

inducing vibrations in the vestibular system, including otoliths and semicircular canals of the inner ear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250177242A1Device for mitigating motion sickness and other responses to inconsistent sensory information

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 OTOLITH SOUND INC

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein mitigate motion sickness by disrupting, controlling, or influencing anatomy of the vestibular system. An embodiment may induce vibrations in the vestibular system, including otoliths and/or semicircular canals of the inner ear, causing noisy or unreliable sensory information to be sent to the brain from the vestibular system. Due to the noisy or unreliable quality, the brain, as part of a normal physiological response, may rely less on sensory information from the vestibular system and rely more on other sources, thereby mitigating the motion sickness response, vertigo, vestibular migraines, and other physiological responses to inconsistent sensory information. Vibrations in the vestibular system may be induced by an agitator placed on an individual's head near the vestibular system, or by a transducer placed near the eardrum or directly on an individual's head. Some embodiments may optionally include implantable components in addition to extracorporeal components.