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

• US 6,931,275 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas F. Collura
• Original Assignee: Thomas F. Collura
• Inventors: Collura, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Szmal, Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/164,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20030229291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 600/545, 600/27, 600/544, 600/558, 434/236, 434/238, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38
• 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;

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

2. 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 electroencephalagraphic (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;

wherein the photic stimulation is presented by a photic stimulator, which is a display lamp fitted with LED'"'"'s positioned in front of the subject;

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;

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;

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;

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;

wherein the process employs non-volitional 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.

3. A method of reducing undesirable brain wave patterns using selective magnetic, tactile or other 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 stimulation, by controlling the presence or absence of stimulation;

wherein the stimulation is turned on and off rapidly, in response to the amount of energy in a predetermined frequency band of a subject'"'"'s EEG;

wherein the stimulation is activated at specific times, with the intent of reducing the amount of an undesirable brain rhythm in a subject'"'"'s EEG;

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;

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;

wherein the process employs non-volitional 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,

and wherein the stimulation reduces the amount of energy in a particular band in a subject'"'"'s EEG, via classical conditioning.

4. 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,

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

5. 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;

wherein the photic stimulation is presented by a photic stimulator, which is a display lamp fitted with LED'"'"'s positioned in front of the subject;

wherein the photic stimulator is turned on an off rapidly, in response to the amount of energy in a predetermined frequency band of a subject'"'"'s EEG, 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;

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;

wherein the process employs non-volitional 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.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the photic stimulator may be replaced with a magnetic, tactile, or other stimulator, to reduce the amount of energy in a particular band in a subject'"'"'s EEG, via classical conditioning.