APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MODULATING CONSOLIDATION OF MEMORY DURING SLEEP

• US 20130190556A1
• Filed: 02/19/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sheepdog Sciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alexander F.A. Butterwick, Daniel Z Wetmore, Robert J. Barretto, Todd O. Anderson
• Inventors: WETMORE, Daniel Z., ANDERSON, Todd O., BARRETTO, Robert J., BUTTERWICK, Alexander F. A., SIEBERT, Lia
• Granted Patent: US 8,573,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0072 with application of electrical currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0077 with application of chemical or pharmacological stimulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/609 Biometric patient identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 : Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/14 : Electro-oculogram [EOG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 : Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/62 : Posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/65 : Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 : Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory stimulator is configured to provide an ambient sensory stimulus recorded during the training session.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine which sensory stimuli to use based on the content of the electronic media.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine how to apply the sensory stimuli based on the content of the electronic media.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine which sensory stimuli to use based on the structure of the electronic media.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store information that indicates one or more of which sensory stimuli have been applied for specific training sessions, the sleep state of user, and completion of application of a sensory stimulus during a sleep consolidation mode following a specific training session.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory stimulator is configured to deliver one or more of:

olfactory stimuli, auditory stimuli and tactile stimuli.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic media comprises an electronic book (e.g., e-book).

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communications module coupled to the controller configured to allow communication with a remote site.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control logic comprises an application configured to be executed on a mobile device.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an analysis module configured to pre-analyze the electronic media to determine a sensory stimuli to apply.

12. A portable user-controllable device for improving learning and memory from an electronic media, the device comprising:

a user interface comprising a control allowing a user to place the device into a training mode before the user experiences the electronic media;

a sensory stimulator configured to present a plurality of distinct sensory stimuli concurrently with a user'"'"'s experience of the electronic media;

sleep monitoring logic configured to determine when the user is in a specified sleep state; and

a controller comprising control logic configured to determine a sensory stimulus based on the electronic media for a particular training session;

wherein the controller is further configured to reapply the specific sensory stimulus when the user is in the specified sleep state following the training session;

wherein the controller is configured to determine which sensory stimuli to use based on the content, structure or content and structure of the electronic media.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sleep monitoring logic is configured to determine when the user is in a specific sleep state using user motion and heart rate.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the control logic comprises a set of distinct sensory stimuli to be presented during a particular training session.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the sensory stimulator is configured to deliver one or more of olfactory stimuli, auditory stimuli, and tactile stimuli.