Lucid dream stimulator, systems, and related methods

• US 9,974,924 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2017
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aladdin Dreamer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aladdin Dreamer, Inc.
• Inventors: Shambroom, John R., Weiss, Craig Russel
• Primary Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US15/638,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20170304583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 600 26- 28, 600382, 600383, 600393, 600394
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0072 with application of electrical currents
• 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 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/06 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/18 Rapid eye-movements [REM]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition

Abstract

A dream stimulator may include a substrate and a plurality of electrodes positioned along a first side of the substrate. The stimulator also may include a stimulator coupled to the substrate. At least one lead may couple the plurality of electrodes to the stimulator. Additionally, a band may be positioned along a second side of the substrate and about each of the plurality of electrodes.

Claims

1. A method of delivering transcranial stimulation, including:

delivering a first transcranial stimulation to a subject via a plurality of electrodes;

monitoring brain activity of the subject at least after delivery of the first transcranial stimulation;

receiving feedback from the subject regarding a lucid dreaming experience that occurred during or after (1) delivery of the first transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes and (2) monitoring brain activity of the subject at least after delivery of the first transcranial stimulation; and

delivering a second transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes, the second transcranial stimulation having a characteristic including at least one of a location, a frequency, an amplitude, a duration, or a timing of stimulation, wherein the characteristic is based on at least one of the monitored brain activity or the subject feedback regarding the lucid dreaming experience.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the second transcranial stimulation includes delivery of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS).

3. The method of claim 1, further including delivering visual or audio content relating to a topic prior to delivering the first transcranial stimulation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the delivered visual or audio content is subject-selected from a database.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the database includes content associated with alternative subjects.

6. The method of claim 1, further including sensing whether the subject has entered a Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep period.

7. The method of claim 1, further including adjusting a location of at least one of the plurality of electrodes based upon the received subject feedback.

8. The method of claim 1, further including monitoring brain activity of the subject to determine whether a portion of the brain associated with dreaming has been stimulated to a predetermined level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the second transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes includes delivering a stimulation waveform including two or more frequencies simultaneously.

10. A method of delivering transcranial stimulation, including:

positioning a plurality of electrodes on a forehead of a subject;

sensing whether the subject is experiencing a Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep period; and

delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes to induce or continue a lucid dream.

11. The method of claim 10, further including terminating delivery of transcranial stimulation to the subject based on sensing the subject is not in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep period.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject includes delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject at a first frequency, the method further including:

determining a change of frequency of brain activity of the subject from the first frequency towards a second frequency exhibited by a brain of the subject after ceasing delivery of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency.

13. The method of claim 12, further including delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes at the second frequency to induce or continue the lucid dream.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering transcranial stimulation includes delivery of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS).

15. The method of claim 10, further including changing a characteristic of the transcranial stimulation based on one or more individual biological preferences of the subject.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the individual biological preferences include at least one of a monitored brain frequency following terminating delivery of transcranial stimulation.

17. The method of claim 10, further including delivering visual or audio content relating to a topic prior to delivering transcranial stimulation.

18. The method of claim 10, further including receiving subject feedback and adjusting a location of at least one of the plurality of electrodes based upon the received subject feedback.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes includes delivering a stimulation waveform including two or more frequencies simultaneously.

20. A method of delivering transcranial stimulation, including:

positioning a plurality of electrodes relative to a head of a subject;

delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via at least one of the plurality of electrodes at a first frequency;

ceasing delivery of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency;

monitoring brain activity of the subject at least after ceasing delivery of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency via the at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and

delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via at least one of the plurality of electrodes at a second frequency, different than the first frequency, so as to induce or continue a lucid dream.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein positioning the plurality of electrodes includes positioning three electrodes relative to the head of the subject.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein positioning the plurality of electrodes includes positioning at least one electrode having a first shape or size and positioning at least a second electrode having a different shape or size than the first electrode.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the steps of delivering transcranial stimulation at the first frequency and monitoring brain activity is performed via each of the plurality of electrodes.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein delivering at least one of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency or transcranial stimulation at the second frequency includes delivery of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS).

25. The method of claim 20, wherein delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes at at least one of the first frequency or the second frequency includes delivering a stimulation waveform including two or more frequencies.

26. A method of delivering transcranial stimulation, including:

positioning a plurality of electrodes relative to a head of a subject at specified locations of a standardized 10-20 system of brain locations, wherein positioning includes positioning a first electrode at approximately the F4 or AF4 location, and positioning a second electrode at approximately the F3 or AF3 location;

delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes at a first frequency;

ceasing delivery of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency;

determining a change of frequency of brain activity of the subject from the first frequency towards a second frequency exhibited by a brain of the subject, after ceasing delivery of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency; and

delivering transcranial stimulation to the subject via the plurality of electrodes at the second frequency.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining a change of frequency of brain activity is performed via at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein delivering at least one of transcranial stimulation at the first frequency or transcranial stimulation at the second frequency includes delivery of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS).

29. The method of claim 26, further including delivering visual or audio content relating to a topic prior to at least one of delivering transcranial stimulation at the first frequency or delivering transcranial stimulation at the second frequency, wherein the delivered visual or audio content is subject-selected from a database, wherein the database includes content associated with alternative subjects.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning further includes positioning a third electrode at approximately an Fpz location.