Systems and methods for modifying behavioral disorders
First Claim
1. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns, wherein said undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism, jaw clenching, and snoring, said device comprising;
- a monitor, wherein at least a portion of said monitor is adapted to fit within an ear channel of a user, said monitor detecting an indicator of a muscle flexure associated with said undesired behavioral pattern, said monitor including at least one muscle contraction measuring device for monitoring distortion of said ear channel due to said muscle flexure associated with said undesired behavioral pattern;
a discriminator for comparing said indicator with a predetermined criteria, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said indicator matches said predetermined criteria; and
an alert system for alerting said user of an occurrence of said undesired behavioral pattern, wherein said alert system responds to said output signal.
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Abstract
A system is provided for monitoring an undesired behavioral disorder such as bruxism, jaw clenching, or snoring. A processor correlates the monitored behavior with the onset of the undesired disorder. Since behavior of this type is typically subconscious, the sensor is preferably coupled to a warning device to alert the patient when he or she is performing the undesired behavior. Typically the warning device causes the patient to experience an unpleasant sensation, thus promoting the discontinuance of the behavior. In one embodiment the system determines which stimuli is most effective and therefore best suited for an individual patient. The system may further include means to record the monitored data related to the undesired behavioral disorders. This feature allows the patient to receive data related to the rate, duration, intensity, and time of day that the unconscious behavior occurred thus allowing the patient to correlate the undesired behavior with outside factors.
179 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns, wherein said undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism, jaw clenching, and snoring, said device comprising;
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a monitor, wherein at least a portion of said monitor is adapted to fit within an ear channel of a user, said monitor detecting an indicator of a muscle flexure associated with said undesired behavioral pattern, said monitor including at least one muscle contraction measuring device for monitoring distortion of said ear channel due to said muscle flexure associated with said undesired behavioral pattern;
a discriminator for comparing said indicator with a predetermined criteria, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said indicator matches said predetermined criteria; and
an alert system for alerting said user of an occurrence of said undesired behavioral pattern, wherein said alert system responds to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns wherein said undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism and jaw clenching, said device comprising:
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a transducer coupled to a facial segment of a user, said transducer detecting a change in muscle contraction in a muscle associated with said facial segment, wherein said transducer is selected from the group consisting of pressure transducers, force transducers, and piezoelectric transducers;
a discriminator for comparing said muscle contraction change with a threshold value, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said muscle contraction change exceeds said threshold value; and
an alert system for alerting said user of an occurrence of said bruxism, wherein said alert system responds to said output signal, wherein said alert system is selected from the group consisting of light controllers, temperature regulators, odor generators, high frequency generators, tactile pressure generators, vibratory generators, sound generators, and electric current generators, wherein a charge from said electric current generators causes relaxation of at least one jaw muscle. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns, wherein said undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism and jaw clenching, said device comprising:
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a transducer proximate to a jaw muscle of a user, said transducer detecting jaw muscle contraction, wherein said transducer is selected from the group consisting of pressure transducers, force transducers, and piezoelectric transducers;
a discriminator for comparing said jaw muscle contraction with a threshold value, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said jaw muscle contraction exceeds said threshold value; and
an alert system for alerting said user of an occurrence of said bruxism, wherein said alert system responds to said output signal, wherein said alert system is selected from the group consisting of light controllers, temperature regulators, odor generators, high frequency generators, tactile pressure generators, sound generators, and electric current generators.
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17. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism, jaw clenching, and snoring, said device comprising:
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a monitor coup led to a facial portion or a neck portion of a user, said monitor measuring an indicator of muscle contraction in said facial portion or said neck portion, said muscle contraction indicative of said undesired behavioral pattern, said monitor further comprising a displacement transducer;
a discriminator for comparing said indicator with a predetermined criteria, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said indicator matches said predetermined criteria; and
a recording system for storing a record of said output signals.
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18. A behavioral modification device for modifying undesired behavioral patterns are selected from the group consisting of bruxism, jaw clenching, and snoring, said device comprising:
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a monitor coupled to a facial portion or a neck portion of a user, said monitor measuring an indicator of muscle contraction in said facial portion or said neck portion, said muscle contraction indicative of said undesired behavioral pattern, said monitor further comprising a pressure transducer;
a discriminator for comparing said indicator with a predetermined criteria, wherein said discriminator outputs a signal when said indicator matches said predetermined criteria; and
a recording system for storing a record of said output signals.
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Specification