System for reduction of undesirable brain wave patterns using selective photic stimulation

• US 20030229291A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas F. Collura
• Original Assignee: Thomas F. Collura
• Inventors: Collura, Thomas F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/545
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/378 Visual stimuli

Abstract

A method of reducing undesirable brain wave pattern using selective photic stimulation. Electrodes, attached to a subject'"'"'s scalp, transmit electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from the subject. These signals are in response to the photic stimulation being displayed to the subject. The resultant EEG signals are then filtered, while control logic monitors a predetermined EEG frequency band and feeds back the filtered EEG signal to the subject via the photic stimulation. The photic stimulator is then turned on and off rapidly, in response to the amount of energy in a predetermined band of the subject'"'"'s EEG, with the intent of reducing an undesirable brain rhythm.

Claims

1. A method of reducing undesirable brain wave patterns using selective photic stimulation, comprising the steps of:

securing electrodes to a subject'"'"'s scalp;

displaying stimuli to the subject;

receiving an electroencephalographic (EEG) signal from the subject while the stimuli is being displayed;

transmitting the resultant EEG signal to a filter;

filtering the EEG signal;

monitoring a predetermined EEG frequency band; and

feeding back the filtered EEG signal to the subject via photic stimulation, by controlling the presence or absence of the photic stimulation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a fixed EEG frequency band is chosen as a band to be monitored.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the fixed EEG frequency band is selected from the group consisting of alpha, beta, and theta.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a fixed photic stimulation frequency is employed, regardless of the frequency content of a trainee'"'"'s EEG rhythms.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the photic stimulation displayed is presented using yellow LED'"'"'s mounted in glasses positioned over the subject'"'"'s open eyes.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the photic stimulation displayed is presented using a computer display with selectively activated components positioned directly in front of the subject.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the photic stimulation displayed is presented by a photic stimulator, which is a display lamp fitted with LED'"'"'s positioned in front of the subject.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a photic stimulator is turned on and off rapidly, in response to the amount of energy in a predetermined frequency band of a subject'"'"'s EEG.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the photic stimulator is activated at specific times, with the intent of reducing the amount of an undesirable brain rhythm in a subject'"'"'s EEG.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the process is used for brief times, such as 1 to 10 minutes, preferably as a precursor to conventional EEG neurofeedback training, as an assist to the neurofeedback training to cause the brain rhythm to reduce the amount of an undesirable rhythm.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the process employs classical conditioning instead of operant conditioning, so that learning takes place without instructions to the subject, and independent of the subject'"'"'s intention to undertake training.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the process employs nonvolitional feedback, so that the effect on the subject'"'"'s EEG does not depend on instructions to the subject, or the subject'"'"'s intent to undertake training.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the photic stimulator may be replaced with a magnetic, tactile, or other stimulator, to achieve the same purpose, specifically, to reduce the amount of energy in a particular band in a subject'"'"'s EEG, via classical conditioning.

14. A method of utilizing an EEG signal to monitor short-term changes in a subject'"'"'s brain state, comprising the steps of:

securing electrodes to a subject'"'"'s scalp;

displaying stimuli to the subject;

receiving an electroencephalographic (EEG) signal from the subject while the stimuli is being displayed;

transmitting the resultant EEG signal to a filter;

filtering the EEG signal; and

feeding back the filtered EEG signal to the subject via photic stimulation, by controlling the presence or absence of the photic stimulation.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein short-term changes in a subject'"'"'s EEG rhythms are used to control a photic stimulator.

16. A system for reducing undesirable brain wave patterns using selective photic stimulation, the system comprising:

electrodes adapted to be secured to a subject'"'"'s scalp;

a display for displaying stimuli to the subject;

a signal receiver for receiving electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from the subject while the stimuli is being displayed to the subject;

a transmitter for transmitting the resultant EEG signal to a filter;

a filter for filtering the EEG signal;

a monitor for monitoring a predetermined EEG frequency band; and

a signal feeder for feeding back the filtered EEG signal to the subject via photic stimulation, by controlling the presence or absence of the photic stimulation.

17. A system for utilizing an EEG signal to monitor short-term changes in a subject'"'"'s brain state, the system comprising:

electrodes adapted to be secured to a subject'"'"'s scalp;

a display for displaying stimuli to the subject;

a receiver for receiving an electroencephalographic (EEG) signal from the subject while the stimuli is displayed to the subject;

a transmitter for transmitting the resultant EEG signal to a filter;

a filter for filtering the EEG signal; and

a filtered signal transmitter for feeding back the filtered EEG signal to the subject via photic stimulation, by controlling the presence or absence of the photic stimulation.