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US 2020/0368527 A1Published application
Wearable device with tragus modulation system
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorSamuel J. Asirvatham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wearable device combines its existing functions (e.g., a headphone) with non-invasive autonomic modulation using tragus or other external auditory meatus stimulation. The wearable device can output audio to a user, such as music, podcast, etc., and further provide modulation of the vagus nerve via tragus stimulation or other external auditory meatus stimulation to treat various diseases.
Claims20
A wearable device comprising:
- a housing configured to be removably attached adjacent to a tragus area;
- a speaker configured to generate sound based on the sound signal;
- a sensor configured to detect physiological or neurological parameters;
- electrodes configured to deliver electric signals;
- a processing device;
- and
- a memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processing device cause the wearable device to perform operations comprising:
- outputting audio using the speaker;
- generating a stimulatory signal;
- applying the stimulatory signal on the tragus area to increase vagal tone;
- detecting a signal for autonomic tone;
- determining that a vagal input exceeds a threshold value;
- generating an inhibitory signal that represents a reversible electroporation sequence;
- and
- applying the inhibitory signal on the tragus area.
12 more elements
A method for stimulating a tragus, the method comprising:
- generating and outputting, using a wearable device, an audio signal;
- generating, using the wearable device, a stimulatory signal;
- applying, using the wearable device, the stimulatory signal on a tragus area to increase vagal tone, wherein the wearable device is arranged at the tragus area;
- detecting a signal for autonomic tone;
- determining that a vagal input exceeds a threshold value;
- generating, using the wearable device, an inhibitory signal that represents a reversible electroporation sequence;
- and
- applying, using the wearable device, the inhibitory signal on the tragus area.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.