Medical device for therapeutic stimulation of the vestibular system

• US 9,844,483 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Kansas
• Original Assignee: University of Kansas
• Inventors: Barlow, Steven M., Kieweg, Douglas S., Zimmerman, Emily
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven
• Application Number:
  US14/112,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20140046231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• 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 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/101 of the parking brake type, e.g. holding the wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/001 Apparatus for applying movements to the whole body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/005 Moveable platforms, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platforms for standing, sitting, laying or leaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1666 multidimensional
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5084 Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/065 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/208 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/425 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/625 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/001 : Baby-comforters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 : by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• 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 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/62 : Posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2240/00 : Specially adapted for neonatal use

Abstract

A method for providing vestibular stimulation includes: providing an infant in a vestibular stimulation device; associating sensors to the infant; moving the vestibular stimulation device to provide vestibular stimulation treatment; and obtaining sensor data during the treatment. The vestibular stimulation device includes a holder member; a platform; a mechanical system coupling the holder member to the platform; sensors configured to detect one or more parameters of the infant; and a computing system having a user input and/or output interface operably coupled to the mechanical system and the sensors to provide mechanical data to the mechanical system in order to control movement of the holder member relative to the platform and to collect the one or more parameters of the living subject from the sensors.

Claims

1. A vestibular stimulation device comprising:

a holder member adapted to hold a living subject;

a platform;

a mechanical system operably coupling the holder member to the platform such that the mechanical system is capable of moving the holder member in one or more directions relative to the platform;

one or more sensors adapted to be associated with the living subject and detect one or more parameters of the living subject; and

a computing system having a user input and/or output interface operably coupled to the mechanical system and the one or more sensors so as to provide mechanical data to the mechanical system in order to control movement of the holder member relative to the platform and to collect the one or more parameters of the living subject from the one or more sensors, wherein the mechanical system includes a linear motor and a glider track configured to move the holder member linearly with respect to the platform in one or more sinusoidal movement patterns under control of the computing system.

2. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the holder member is configured as at least one of a crib, cradle, isolette, bed, chair, or table top with one or more restraints, and the living subject is an infant.

3. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 2, wherein the mechanical system is configured to move the holder member in the directions of an X-axis, Y-axis, and/or Z-axis.

4. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 3, wherein the mechanical system is configured for one or more of the following:

to move the holder member in a sinusoidal displacement at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 0.95 Hz;

to move the holder member with accelerations from about 0.21 to about 0.51 m/s²;

to move the holder member with sinusoidal cycles from about 30 to about 60 cycles per minute (cpm);

to move the holder member with a displacement from 20 mm to about 90 mm;

to move the holder member so as to simulate motion, acceleration, and changing orientation to gravitational loads;

to move the holder member at frequencies with a range of chest wall motion for an infant human living subject;

or

to move the holder member at frequencies equivalent to about 40 to 60 breaths per minute (BPM).

5. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a sensor configured to detect acceleration, a sensor configured to detect breaths per minute (BPM), a sensor configured to detect suck displacement, a sensor configured to detect oromotor control, a sensor to measure pulse, oxygenation of hemoglobin, blood oxygen saturation, living subject head tilt, or combinations thereof, and wherein the computing system is configured to receive, store, and process data of the one or more sensors independently or in combination.

6. A vestibular stimulation system comprising the vestibular stimulation device of claim 2, further comprising:

a pacifier having an accelerometer sensor configured to detect acceleration.

7. The vestibular stimulation system of claim 6, comprising:

a computer-readable medium having a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions for performing a computing method for operating the vestibular stimulation system, the computer executable instructions comprising instruction data for the mechanical system to perform one or more of the following;

to move the holder member in a sinusoidal displacement at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 0.95 Hz;

to move the holder member with accelerations from about 0.21 to about 0.51 m/s²;

to move the compartment with sinusoidal cycles from about 30 to about 60 cycles per minute (cpm);

to move the compartment with a displacement from 20 mm to about 90 mm;

to simulate motion, acceleration, and changing orientation to gravitational loads;

to move at frequencies with a range of chest wall motion for an infant human living subject;

or

to move at frequencies equivalent to about 40 to 60 breaths per minute (BPM).

8. The vestibular stimulation system of claim 7, comprising:

computer executable instructions comprising instructions for the computing system to receive, store, and process data of the one or more sensors independently or in combination, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a sensor configured to detect breaths per minute (BPM), a sensor configured to detect suck displacement, a sensor configured to detect oromotor control, a sensor to measure pulse, oxygenation of hemoglobin, blood oxygen saturation, living subject head tilt, or combinations thereof.

9. The vestibular stimulation system of claim 8, comprising a pillow configured to incline the infant when located on the holder member.

12. A method for providing vestibular stimulation to a living subject, the method comprising:

providing the vestibular stimulation device of claim 1;

placing a living subject on the holder member;

associating one or more sensors to the living subject;

moving the holder member in the one or more directions so as to provide vestibular stimulation treatment to the living subject; and

obtaining sensor data from the one or more sensors.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vestibular stimulation is provided to an infant as the living subject in an amount and number of times sufficient for:

treating a respiratory complication in an infant;

improving formation of indirect neural pathways in the infant;

improving postural motor control in the infant;

improving state control in the infant;

improving respiratory patterns in the infant;

or

improving oromotor development in the infant.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising selecting the infant to have one or more of the following characterizations:

the infant is dependent on significant amounts of oxygen;

the infant has a respiratory complication;

the infant is in need of improved formation of indirect neural pathways;

the infant is in need of improved postural motor control;

the infant is in need of improved state control;

the infant is in need of improved respiratory patterns;

or

the infant is in need of improved oromotor development.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising one or more of the following:

moving the holder member in the X-axis, Y-axis, and/or Z-axis;

moving the holder member in a sinusoidal displacement at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 0.95 Hz;

moving the holder member with accelerations from about 0.21 to about 0.51 m/s²;

moving the holder member with sinusoidal cycles from about 30 to about 60 cycles per minute (cpm);

moving the holder member with a displacement from 20 mm to about 90 mm;

moving the holder member so as to simulate motion, acceleration, and changing orientation to gravitational loads;

moving the holder member at frequencies with a range of chest wall motion for an infant human living subject;

or

moving the holder member at frequencies equivalent to about 40 to 60 breaths per minute (BPM).

16. The method of claim 15, comprising collecting, storing, and/or analyzing sensor data, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a sensor configured to detect acceleration, a sensor configured to detect breaths per minute (BPM), a sensor configured to detect suck displacement, a sensor configured to detect oromotor control, a sensor to measure pulse, oxygenation of hemoglobin, blood oxygen saturation, living subject head tilt, or combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising providing the vestibular stimulation treatment before a feeding the infant.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising one or more of the following:

fitting the infant with a respiratory trace device including two soft cloth inductance bands around the rib cage and abdomen and measuring breaths per minute (BPM);

fitting infant with pulse rate and SpO2 signal measuring devices and measuring pulse rate and SpO2;

fitting infant with a neonate oxygen sensor and measuring oxygen saturation;

or

determining a baseline without vestibular stimulation.

19. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more wheels operably coupled to the platform.

20. The vestibular stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more lift-locks coupled to the platform such that the platform has a mobile configuration when the lift-locks are disengaged and a stationary configuration when the lift-locks are engaged so as to elevate the wheels and entire device above ground.

10. A pacifier accelerometer comprising:

a pacifier having a nipple;

an accelerometer operably coupled to the pacifier opposite of the nipple, the accelerometer having a longitudinal axis configured to be in a horizontal plane; and

a level operably coupled to the pacifier and/or accelerometer in a position so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the level is horizontal when the longitudinal axis of the accelerometer is horizontal.

11. The pacifier of one of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is mounted opposite of the pacifier with the level mounted on the accelerometer.