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System and method of delivering vestibular stimulation customizable to individual subjects

  • US 9,132,271 B2
  • Filed: 05/18/2011
  • Issued: 09/15/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system configured to stimulate the vestibular system of a subject and affect balance of the subject, the system comprising:

  • a first set of subject contact surfaces including at least three subject contact surfaces, wherein;

    the subject contact surfaces in the first set of subject contact surfaces are spatially distinct from each other, and wherein the subject contact surfaces are configured to be installed on the skin of the subject at or near a first ear of the subject in electrical contact with the skin of the subject such that delivery of electrical stimulation to the first set of contact surfaces provides the electrical stimulation to the vestibular system of the subject on the same side of the subject as the first ear, the electrical stimulation being characterized by one or more sets of electrical settings; and

    wherein at least one of the subject contact surfaces in the first set of subject contact surfaces is configured to generate output signals conveying information related to impact of the electrical stimulation on the balance of the subject; and

    a processor configured via computer-readable instructions that cause the processor to;

    determine a balance parameter of the subject based on the output signals generated by the at least one of the subject contact surfaces in the first set of subject contact surfaces, wherein the balance parameter indicates the impact of the electrical stimulation on the balance of the subject;

    control the delivery of the electrical stimulation to individual ones of the subject contact surfaces in the first set of subject contact surfaces such that at a given moment in time a first electrical stimulation is being delivered to a first subject contact surface in the first set of subject contact surfaces, the first electrical stimulation having a first set of electrical settings, and such that a second electrical stimulation is being delivered to a second subject contact surface in the first set of subject contact surfaces, the second electrical stimulation having a second set of electrical settings; and

    adjust at least one of the first set of electrical settings of the first electrical stimulation, based on the balance parameter, without impacting the second set of electrical settings.

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