SENSORY STIMULATION OR MONITORING APPARATUS FOR THE BACK OF NECK

• US 20170135896A1
• Filed: 09/19/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: COPA Animal Health LLC
• Original Assignee: COPA Animal Health LLC
• Inventors: Snow, Buddy L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,695,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0157 portable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/16 Physical interface with patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1602 kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1607 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1609 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1611 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/02 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/04 neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/06 Heartbeat rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/008 using shock waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 : with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 : with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 : using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• 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 2021/005 : images, e.g. video
• 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 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 : Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/00 : Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 : Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 : Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 : External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 : Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 : Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 : specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 : Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/026 : Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 : Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 : Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

Described herein are wearable sensory stimulation and monitoring devices that can be worn around the back of the neck along and in contact with the spine. Apparatuses described herein stimulate one or more senses including auditory, tactile or olfactory. Apparatuses are also described that allow for sensing and monitoring of physiologic parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure and movement. The device also has features that allow for easy attachment or integration to articles worn on the head.

Claims

1. A wearable audio and vibrational delivery apparatus configured for use with a speaker set that is placed in or about the ears, the apparatus comprising (a) a housing comprising at least one vibration speaker or vibration transduction component, the housing configured to be positioned on the back of the neck and on the spine, and (b) right and left attachment members with a proximal portion directly or indirectly connected to the housing, and the attachment members each having a distal portion configured for removable attachment to the ears or to speaker enclosures of a speaker set that is placed about the ears.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the right and left attachment members are formed of one or more non-hardened material(s).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the right and left attachment members are flexible and stretchable.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the right and left attachment members are flexible and stretchable

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each attachment member comprises a loop portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal portion of the loop portion is configured to either (i) contact a user between the upper helix of the ear and the skull or (ii) a proximal portion of a speaker housing that is placed about the ears.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment member comprises an inner elastic material and an outer fabric material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing has one or more openings or channels in which the attachment member moves through.

9. A method for attaching a wearable audio and vibrational delivery output apparatus configured for use with a speaker set that is placed in or about the ears comprising steps of (a) providing an apparatus comprising (i) at least one vibration speaker or vibration transduction component that is configured to be positioned on the back of the neck and on the spine, and (i) right and left attachment members directly or indirectly connected to the at least one vibration speaker or vibration transduction component, and (b) attaching a proximal portion of each attachment member to the ears or to speaker housings of a speaker set that is placed about the ears.

10. A wearable audio delivery apparatus comprising (a) a speaker set that is placed in or about the ears, (b) a housing comprising at least one vibration speaker or vibration transduction component, the housing configured to be positioned on the back of the neck and on the spine, and (c) right and left attachment members each comprising a proximal portion directly or indirectly connected to the housing, and a distal portion attached to a portion of a speaker set that is placed in or about the ears, wherein the attachment members are flexible, stretchable, or both flexible and stretchable.

11. A wearable monitoring apparatus comprising (a) a housing comprising a sensor, the housing configured to be positioned on the back of the neck and on the spine, and (b) right and left attachment members with a proximal portion directly or indirectly connected to the housing, and the attachment members each having a distal portion configured for removable attachment to a headpiece.