Wireless Bilateral Stimulator for Group EMDR Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EMDR technologies, particularly in group settings, face limitations due to the lack of effective bilateral stimulation (BLS) devices that allow for synchronization and individual control of stimulation intensity, leading to reduced effectiveness compared to individual use.

Innovation Solution

The development of wireless bilateral stimulators that provide both tactile and visual BLS, allowing individuals to control intensity and join/exiting groups, while a primary device can control group stimulation effects remotely, maintaining synchronization and autonomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional individual use EMDR devices are used in group settings, then device simplicity is maintained, but synchronization and differentiation control within the group is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroup synchronization capabilityVSAvoiddevice architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple autonomous BLS device pairs are merged into a synchronized network under global primary control, enabling group therapy while maintaining individual device functionality. The devices communicate wirelessly to achieve coordinated bilateral stimulation across the group.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The BLS device is designed to operate in multiple modes: individual autonomous operation and synchronized group operation. The device can function as primary or secondary in a pair, and can join or leave groups dynamically, providing universal applicability across different therapy settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If self-administered BLS is used in group EMDR, then device availability is improved, but treatment effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-administration capabilityVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides real-time feedback mechanisms allowing users to control stimulation intensity and pause/treatment termination, while the system monitors and maintains synchronization across the group. This feedback loop ensures both user autonomy and treatment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts between user-controlled parameters (intensity, pause) and system-controlled parameters (synchronization, alternation rate). Users can modify their individual experience while the system maintains coordinated group stimulation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If group EMDR uses traditional protocols, then socialization benefits are achieved, but individual control over stimulation intensity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control layers: individual user control over intensity and pause, pair-level coordination, and global primary control over group synchronization. This segmentation allows each level to operate autonomously while maintaining overall system coherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the system have different control qualities: individual devices provide local control over intensity and timing for their user, while the global primary provides coordinated control over group synchronization. Each level operates with appropriate autonomy and control authority.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If clinician-controlled BLS is used, then treatment protocol accuracy is improved, but user autonomy and control are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol accuracyVSAvoiduser autonomy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is pre-configured with established EMDR protocols and alternation patterns, ensuring protocol accuracy is built-in from the start. Users can then operate within this validated framework while maintaining control over intensity and pause decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Users are empowered to self-adjust stimulation intensity and initiate pause or termination based on their individual needs, while the system maintains protocol-compliant alternation patterns. This self-service capability preserves user autonomy within clinically validated parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250099710A1Bilateral stimulation device

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 DHARMA DR TECHNOLOGIES

AI summary

Methods, devices, and systems for bilateral stimulation devices are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a controller comprising a memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive an input to initiate bi-lateral stimulation (BLS) stimuli, generate parameters for the BLS stimuli based on the received input, and cause BLS devices to output the BLS stimuli for a user of the BLS devices according to the generated parameters.