US 8,573,980 B2Granted

Apparatus, system, and method for modulating consolidation of memory during sleep

AssigneeSheepdog Sciences, Inc.

InventorsDaniel Z. Wetmore, Todd O. Anderson, Robert J. Barretto, Alexander F. A. Butterwick, Lia Siebert

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Devices, systems and methods to modify memory and/or cognitive function by delivering a sensory stimulus paired with learned material at opportune physiological periods during sleep. For example, described herein are systems, methods and devices to enhance a user's cognitive function in such areas as memorization and learning. A machine (e.g., a system or device) may be used to identify opportune periods of the sleep cycle and to deliver a stimulus during specific phases of the sleep cycle to facilitate or interrupt memory consolidation. In some variations the machine records ambient sensory inputs during awake acquisition or reinforcement/relearning and replays all or an extracted form of the ambient sensory stimuli a specified portion of the user's sleep.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for improving learning, memory, or learning and memory from an electronic media, the system having a training mode and a sleep consolidation mode, the system comprising:

a sleep monitor configured to monitor a user's sleep state;
a sensory stimulator configured to provide a plurality of distinct sensory stimuli based on the electronic media;
a controller comprising control logic configured to select a sensory stimulus for a specific training session based on the content of the electronic media, and to control the application of the sensory stimulus, wherein the controller receives information on the user's sleep state from the sleep monitor, and controls the sensory stimulator to apply the contextual sensory stimulus from the specific training session according to a training schedule when the user is experiencing a specified sleep stage during a sleep consolidation mode;
and
a learning database configured to be populated with training content and sensory stimuli co-presented with the training content,
wherein the controller is configured to determine which sensory stimuli to use based on the electronic media.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/770,826Filed 19 Feb 2013 · continuation in part
Priority: 4 Apr 2011
Published: US 2013/0190556 A125 Jul 2013
Granted: 5 Nov 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification32 codes

A61M 21/02
Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or…: for…
A61M 21/00
Devices for delivering substances into the body: other devices or methods to
G09B 19/00
Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
A61M 2021/0016
By the use of a particular sense, or stimulus: by the smell sense

Family

Application61/471,526Us provisional application · filed 4 Apr 2011
Application13/439,715Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Apr 2012
Application61/744,826Us provisional application · filed 3 Oct 2012
US 2013/0190556 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Jul 2013
US 8,382,484 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2012/0251989 A1Published application
US 8,573,980 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.