Device for magnetic stimulation of the vestibular system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a magnetic vestibular stimulation (MVS) system for rehabilitation of subjects with vestibular and balance disorders. The magnetic vestibular stimulation system includes a magnet and a cooling system. In some embodiments, the subject wears video goggles in order to stimulate the subject to orient to a virtual reality. The subject can lie, sit or stand in or near a strong magnetic field generated by the system. The magnetic field generated by the system stimulates the vestibular system to counteract the inherent imbalance created by a naturally-occurring vestibular disorder. Particularly important, the direction and amplitude of vestibular stimulation can be easily manipulated by altering the orientation and distance of the head relative to the magnetic field vector. Thus, MVS can be precisely tailored to a patient's specific pattern of vestibular disturbance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.